Quality of EyeTV Hybrid vs. EyeTV 250?

[Multimedia]

Digital EyeTV Recordings Are Native Broadcast MPEG2 With Minimum Processor Assist

Are you able to just record in the background?

Yes. When you're recording off air digital the processor is not taxed significantly because all the EyeTV software is doing is laying down the stream that is flying in off the air. Processor is doing almost nothing.

I'm running a G4 Mac Mini (I intend on getting a new Mac when Leopard is released, most likely an iMac and I'll go dual head with my 20" display). I'm getting ready to ditch my cable box and go HDTV OTA to my plasma (testing antennas right now and running cable to my attic too mount the antenna). I intend on splitting the antenna and going to a EyeTV Hybrid. I would like to record in 720p but with my Mac Mini G4, what is the best I could do for recording quality?

I split my off air signal 3 ways. So no problem. But you can forget about recording something that AppleTV will play — ain't gonna happen. You don't get to choose how EyeTV records the digital stream that's flying in off the air. It records whatever the broadcasters send you. You're at their mercy.

Since I'm ditching my cable box, I'm going to buy an Apple TV to playback all my recorded EyeTV content in addtion to any content I buy from the iTMS. Can I record in 480p on a G4?

No. But you will record 480i if the transmission is SD. You have to CONVERT what you record with EyeTV to a file format and size that is TV compatible. El Gato makes that easy with a QuickTime export scheme. I make it the hard way with Toast and and Handbrake so they will look great on TV as well as load and play on my Video iPod.

EyeTV's QT "for iPod (Best)" export would also work on both. From a 6GB High Def recording it makes a H.264 MPEG4 640x360 file about 440MB (174 KB/sec) for a 43 minute drama like CSI. I can get that down to 350MB @ 1 KB/sec the way I do it. I'd rather use less disc space. I like 350 because it's half a CD size so I can archive two episodes per CD if I want to go the cheap route to backup. It's all about time-space tradeoffs.

 

[mdweezer]

Yes. When you're recording off air digital the processor is not taxed significantly because all the EyeTV software is doing is laying down the stream that is flying in off the air. Processor is doing almost nothing.I split my off air signal 3 ways. So no problem. But you can forget about recording something that AppleTV will play — ain't gonna happen. You don't get to choose how EyeTV records the digital stream that's flying in off the air. It records whatever the broadcasters send you. You're at their mercy.No. But you will record 480i if the transmission is SD. You have to CONVERT what you record with EyeTV to a file format and size that is TV compatible. El Gato makes that easy with a QuickTime export scheme. I make it the hard way with Toast and and Handbrake so they will look great on TV as well as load and play on my Video iPod.

EyeTV's QT "for iPod (Best)" export would also work on both. From a 6GB High Def recording it makes a H.264 MPEG4 640x360 file about 440MB (174 KB/sec) for a 43 minute drama like CSI. I can get that down to 350MB @ 1 KB/sec the way I do it. I'd rather use less disc space. I like 350 because it's half a CD size so I can archive two episodes per CD if I want to go the cheap route to backup. It's all about time-space tradeoffs.

Excellent, thanks for the reply. Ultimately I'm trying to get rid of my HD DVR from my cable company and just stick with the major networks in HD OTA. Then using the EyeTV, record the shows I really don't want to miss and toss them on the Apple TV.

Looks like this will do the trick nicely. Elgato also added a nice little Apple TV tutorial to their page for the EyeTV.

 

[wiseone]

Comcast Broadcast HDTV

You can't connect it before the digital Comcast cable box b/c the signal is encrypted. (If the signal was not encrypted you would be able to do this just fine. This is why I hate encrypted cable)

You can connect it after the box... But that is just analog signal.

Please keep in mind that Digital does not equal HD. Digital is a type of signal. HD is a resolution (I think HD is recognized at 1080i/p and 720P)


If you want to record Heros in all it's glory get an antenna and pick it up OTA. (I really like Heros too! It is my favorite show!)

I understand what you are saying here, but then why can my LG HDTV pickup the local (and some others) HDTV through the comcast basic cable without a box? Wouldn't this mean that at minimum some of the HDTV channels are not encrypted.

But my Hybrid can not?

 

[Rod Rod]

I understand what you are saying here, but then why can my LG HDTV pickup the local (and some others) HDTV through the comcast basic cable without a box? Wouldn't this mean that at minimum some of the HDTV channels are not encrypted.

But my Hybrid can not?

Did you connect it to try it out?

 

[godshammgod]

just found this thread and thought id chime in. im runnin a hauppauge hvr-950 with eyetv 2.3.2 (indentical to the eyetv hybrid). at first i could only get 3 channels with the included antenna so i figured it was no good and picked up the cheapest uhf/vhf antenna they had at radioshack. after movin it around and doin a scan i was finally able to pick up cbs! the radioshack only picks up 7 digital stations though...abc, fox, cbs, weather, wuab, the tube, univision. still only gettin max 70% signal strength. im less than 10 miles from all the major network towers so i should receive them.

i figured my CPU couldnt handle it (DP 1 GHz G4) but it seems that the antenna isnt cuttin it. the people on avsforum told me the cheap radioshack wasnt gonna cut it and that i should look for an amplified one. HD (1080i) is scaled to 1/4 but still looks great. durin the ncaa tournament games i experienced a lot of motion pixelation, might be cbs though since others experienced my issues.

noticed people usin terks here while ive heard that terk antennas are crap. guess the model you all have is better than the others though. on avsforum they recommended i get a philips mant510. anyone know anythin about them or the cornet antenna?

there is an open source called itele that yall might wanna check out......its more supported for DVB-T devices than ATSC. theres also several issues with different model macs.

if you are adventurous the hd homerun works in os x. its a little more expensive but supports cable analog, OTA digital, and QAM.

 

[netdog]

I love my Hybrid. Fantastic little piece of kit.

 

[TheSpaz]

I love my Hybrid. Fantastic little piece of kit.

I can't get my horizontal lines to go away no matter what I try. I don't see these lines on my TV, check out the bottom of Page 3 for a screenshot of what I mean.

 

[aristobrat]

Elgato also added a nice little Apple TV tutorial to their page for the EyeTV.

Do you have the link to that?

When I look, I only see a page saying that when the AppleTV is released, they'll get one and figure it out.

 

[Lyle]

Has anyone tried any of the RCA or Philips brand (amplified) internal antennas with EyeTV Hybrid? I've got the message loud and clear that I need to consider the Terk TV5, but I'd prefer to go with something that I can buy locally (i.e. so that I can return it if it doesn't work well) -- even if that means I'm having to pay a bit more for it.

Some of the models I'm seeing in stores around here include:

• RCA models ANT301, ANT401 and ANT501.
• Philips MANT410

Haven't had a chance to see what Circuit City or Radio Shack carry locally.

 

[ToddW]

i picked up one of the RCA 525 antenna it sits a top the desk okay and is amplified. it seems to pick up the stations thati had to always adjust the non-amplified antenna very well and sits okay on the desk. With all that said, i will be getting a Terk for the big tv later.

 

[godshammgod]

Has anyone tried any of the RCA or Philips brand (amplified) internal antennas with EyeTV Hybrid? I've got the message loud and clear that I need to consider the Terk TV5, but I'd prefer to go with something that I can buy locally (i.e. so that I can return it if it doesn't work well) -- even if that means I'm having to pay a bit more for it.

Some of the models I'm seeing in stores around here include:

• RCA models ANT301, ANT401 and ANT501.
• Philips MANT410

Haven't had a chance to see what Circuit City or Radio Shack carry locally.

i was recommended the philips MANT510, i think the 410 is an older model. you might wanna check avsforum in the local hdtv reception section. there also seems to be a lot of silver sensor recommendations. my local radioshack only had radioshack brand antennas......the cheapest amplified was just over 30 bucks.

im not sure how good the RCA models are

 

[thebigmboy]

Hi everyone, I have a G4 933mhz tower and a 21 inch cinema display I want to run tv and an xbox through. In my apartment I have a standard dish network receiver and have the option of a free upgrade to an HD dish network receiver. Can my G4 run the elgato eyetv hybrid? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TheSpaz]

Hi everyone, I have a G4 933mhz tower and a 21 inch cinema display I want to run tv and an xbox through. In my apartment I have a standard dish network receiver and have the option of a free upgrade to an HD dish network receiver. Can my G4 run the elgato eyetv hybrid? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have a G4 PowerBook 1GHz and the Hybrid absolutely sucks on it. I can't get a decent frame rate for TV and especially can't record. Also, running a game console through my G4 is useless.

I'd get the Elgato EyeTV 250... That runs on it's own hardware encoder... although I think game mode still uses your computer power to make use of the ultra low latency. Even on my Quad-Core Mac Pro, my Playstation 2 isn't fast enough to play Guitar Hero without too much lag

 

[opeth*mx]

Live analog video quality

I have a Cinema Display 30" that I use as TV with a Gefen Home Theater Scaler Plus.

I just got my EyeTV Hybrid and the I really like the EyeTV interface; also the aspect ratio options are much more useful that the ones on my scaler. It would be great if I could replace the scaler with my MacBook Pro... jeje

However, my main TV signal is composite video and the live analog video quality with the EyeTV Hybrid is quite bad: my scaler is much better.

I guess the EyeTV 250 plus wouldn't give me better live composite video quality, since there is no encoding involved, right?

Anyone knows of any EyeTV compatible hardware with better live analog video quality?

Tnx

 

[Lucion]

I can't get my horizontal lines to go away no matter what I try. I don't see these lines on my TV, check out the bottom of Page 3 for a screenshot of what I mean.

That might be caused by interference. Electrical issue or something. I'm not an electrician so I don't know what they call that. Maybe somebody else can chime in? Just an idea.

 

[TheSpaz]

That might be caused by interference. Electrical issue or something. I'm not an electrician so I don't know what they call that. Maybe somebody else can chime in? Just an idea.

This is an ancient thread. I don't even run that setup anymore... I hate analog TV. I'm upgraded to HD now... hehehe.

 

[Lucion]

This is an ancient thread. I don't even run that setup anymore... I hate analog TV. I'm upgraded to HD now... hehehe.

Sorry, looks like the post before me bumped the thread and I didn't check your post date!

 

[sokh1985]

Hi, I might come late but since I read that you had some issues and more interestingly find out how to resolve them, I wanted to ask a few questions :

I just moved in in San Diego, by Point Loma for my studies.

I currently own a MacBook Core2Dua @ 2.4Ghz

And I plan to buy an EyeTv Hybrid in order to receive free over the air channels so my question is what channels will I be able to receive with a good indoor antenna?

And secondly, which indoor antenna should I buy?

Thanks for your answers, because I googled the web but it s not easy to find answers.

 

[skinnylegs]

You must be going to Point Loma College. I live in San Diego as well.

My experience with EyeTV is 'kinda jaded. I bought an EyeTV and a TERK antenna, which is suppose to be one of the best. The OTA channels I *did* get were pristine in quality but there were only 4 or 5 of them so it was rather bittersweet. Also, at least one of the channels was a cartoon channel which does nothing for me.

I will say this, I'm not the most tech savy guy in the world so maybe it was something I wasn't doing properly.

 

[sokh1985]

Hi, no actually I m going to Thomas Jefferson School of Law by old town

So Ok, basically I will only get 5 HD channels with one about cartoons, right?

So what are these channels? Fox 5 I guess and what else?


Thanks

 

[jtbell]

what channels will I be able to receive with a good indoor antenna?

Depends on how far you are from the transmitters, how much power they put out, whether there are any hills or mountains in between, etc. etc. There are two sites that can give you an idea:

http://www.antennaweb.org/

http://www.tvfool.com/

You enter your location and they give you a list of stations. Antennaweb is very conservative. tvfool gives you everything that fits on a page, in order of signal strength. In both cases you get the best results if you can enter exact latitude and longitude. Second best is your address. A distant third is your ZIP code only, which gives you the center of your ZIP code region.

The following forum contains lots of advice about antennas and other aspects of receiving OTA digital TV broadcasts:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=25

If you ask for advice there, be prepared to post your tvfool.com results.

 

[sokh1985]

Depends on how far you are from the transmitters, how much power they put out, whether there are any hills or mountains in between, etc. etc. There are two sites that can give you an idea:

http://www.antennaweb.org/

http://www.tvfool.com/

You enter your location and they give you a list of stations. Antennaweb is very conservative. tvfool gives you everything that fits on a page, in order of signal strength. In both cases you get the best results if you can enter exact latitude and longitude. Second best is your address. A distant third is your ZIP code only, which gives you the center of your ZIP code region.

The following forum contains lots of advice about antennas and other aspects of receiving OTA digital TV broadcasts:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=25

If you ask for advice there, be prepared to post your tvfool.com results.

Thanks Man, I'm going to try this out, hopefully I have a GPS, so I'll be able to enter latitude and longitude

 

[j-imac-27]

I'm new with macintosh computers, and I'm wondering if you could plug a dish network receiver box into a eyetv hybrid

 

[mikeyredk]

Yes. When you're recording off air digital the processor is not taxed significantly because all the EyeTV software is doing is laying down the stream that is flying in off the air. Processor is doing almost nothing.I split my off air signal 3 ways. So no problem.

Going back to this recording in the background. Is there a way to stop it from playing the show while it records it? I don't want to waste CPU cycles when I am not there and all I want for EyeTV to do is record