Mac Mini Tv Recording ?

[macpk01]

Ok, guys I have a mac mini and a dell lcd tv.

Is there is anyway I can record tv without having to buy I turner, or is there a different way to do this?

If not what is a good(cheap, college student) tv turner for the mini?

Thank

macpk01

 

[robbieduncan]

You cannot record any sort of TV without some sort of Tuner. The tuner is what isolates a single channel from all of the channels on the air and in some cases digitises it for use.

You do not say what sort of TV you want to watch or record? Analogue? Digitial Terestial? Cable? Satelite?

Anyway Elgato offer a wide range!

 

[macpk01]

So even if the TV has a built in turner? Sorry, I want to record cable TV.

Thanks

 

[tjwett]

well in that case you'll want to go video and audio out of your t.v. into the Mac mini. you'll need a capture card for this. firewire is a must, don't bother with USB.

 

[jsw]

Yup. The Elgato EyeTV EZ is US$149 (might be able to buy a refurb for less) and works quite well for the price.

If you have a camcorder that has Firewire out and analog in, and your TV has lines out for sound and video, you could, in theory, connect the TV to the camcorder and the camcorder to the mini, and do something convoluted with iMovie or iChat or whatever.

Or you could just get the EyeTV EZ. Much simpler.

firewire is a must, don't bother with USB.

Actually, the USB 2.0 on the EyeTV EZ works fine. Not stellar, but quite decent.

 

[powerbook911]

the EZ is really for watching TV.

If you want to do beautiful recordings (particularly on a Mac Mini) then the EyeTV 200 is what you should get.

 

[williamw]

The eyetv is great ( i also have eyehome witch rocks), defilently go with that

 

[alienex]

how well does eyetv compare to windows media center?

 

[dwd3885]

how well does eyetv compare to windows media center?

definitely not as good as media center, but it gets the job done. little pricey tho, over $300

 

[MRU]

the EZ is really for watching TV.

If you want to do beautiful recordings (particularly on a Mac Mini) then the EyeTV 200 is what you should get.

Couldn't agree more. The Eye TV wonder USB & EZ models require a dual G5 to record at high quality.

Intel Binary version should be out soon, however dont expect anything better..

Remember it's a crafty way of crippling you so that you end up spending $299 for better recording rather than $149...... Elegato makes more money that way

definitely not as good as media center, but it gets the job done. little pricey tho, over $300

Agreed, I'm hoping they release some kind of Plug in for Front Row (seeing as though it's going to be bundled with every mac) and let you integrate Eye TV into it.. That would be so much better.......