TV Tuner with imac?

[MacDeeds]

Hi guys,

as I am impatiently waiting for my machine, i was wondering if there is a way that I can take my digital cable to my iMac? I know that Apple TV exists but it does not seem to be what I want. I want to watch my "videotron" cable(which is digital) on my iMac.. is this possible?

Thank you.

 

[spinnerlys]

http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products.en.html

 

[Hellhammer]

You can use EyeTV I think

 

[MacDeeds]

You can use EyeTV I think

Seems like it SHOULD work. I mean the only thing that i'm not 100% sure is how it works with my digital receiver... or is that something totally different. I know nothing of tv tuners.


*update* Know that I'm located in Canada and that the software does not work up here. However, I did find a "patch" here.
Awesome to see local listings

 

[Hellhammer]

Seems like it SHOULD work. I mean the only thing that i'm not 100% sure is how it works with my digital receiver... or is that something totally different. I know nothing of tv tuners.


*update* Know that I'm located in Canada and that the software does not work up here. However, I did find a "patch" here.
Awesome to see local listings

Are you sure it doesn't work? It even works here in Finland and we have only 5 million citizens!

What outputs does your digital receiver have? You could use it via Target Display Mode if you're getting the 27" iMac

 

[MacDeeds]

Are you sure it doesn't work? It even works here in Finland and we have only 5 million citizens!

What outputs does your digital receiver have? You could use it via Target Display Mode if you're getting the 27" iMac

I guess that there is only one way to find out... But it seems expensive. I just need confirmation before putting money
On the table.

What is target display mode? Me pc no understand. Lol.

Sorry if I am a total noob. As for the output on my digital receiver, I'l check them when I come backhome.

For general information, videotron.com, illico digital receiver (non HD).

 

[Hellhammer]

I guess that there is only one way to find out... But it seems expensive. I just need confirmation before putting money
On the table.

What is target display mode? Me pc no understand. Lol.

Sorry if I am a total noob. As for the output on my digital receiver, I'l check them when I come backhome.

For general information, videotron.com, illico digital receiver (non HD).

Target display mode means that you can use 27" iMac as screen for e.g. PS3, other Mac, PC etc.. That is not cheaper way though, you need +100$ adapter

 

[skh]

I use SlingBox, and love it. Going for a clean setup, not having the digital cable set top box in the room - or any wires connected to my iMac for that matter - is great. Can also view it remotely / on iPhone which is a plus.

 

[MacDeeds]

Here is the picture of the back of my digital terminal.

It's a Scientif Atlanta Explorer E940. I see something that looks like a S-video plug and I am not sure what is on top of that. As for the colored plugs, I assume for a Xbox, PS3 or other console.


SKH, Slingbox looks cool, but I don't want to stream Digital TV over the internet $$$$$. Unless I missunderstood how this device works, i'd like to stick with a more coventional "TV Tuner Type"... if possible.

Thanks for the input.

 

[MacDeeds]

Thread revival- 1 year later

Hi,

Well exactly 1 YEAR after my last post, I am reviving my old thread because now I want to GET THINGS DONE RIGHT!

I still have the Scientific Atlanta Explorer E940 and I am missing some plugs for the EyeTV.

Yet I found this online: http://www.amd.com/us/products/pctv/tv-wonder-tuners/Pages/tv-wonder-hd-650-combo-usb-for-mac.aspx

And a screen shot here: http://www.product-reviews.net/2007/11/14/apple-mac-finally-gets-ati-tv-wonder-650-tv-tuner/

Does/has anyone had this setup? What was your take on it?

I'd like to get this over with, tired of watching hockey on a "loaner" 13 inch TV screen.. Can't see the damn puck!

Cheers.
-D.

 

[aristobrat]

If you're just going to use it to watch live TV, I still don't see why you can't use the the EyeTV One.

Your Moto STB has a white coax cable going into it from the wall. AFAIK, the other white coax cable would normally go to your TV. In your case, it'd go into the EyeTV one.

When you want to watch TV, you'd start up the EyeTV app on your Mac, and tune it to channel 3/4 (whichever one your Moto STB outputs on). You'd always leave EyeTV set to that channel, and you'd change TV stations by using the remote for the Moto STB. This setup defeats using the cool EyeTV app as a DVR, since your Mac can't automatically change the channel on the Moto STB (although there may be some infra-red add-on you could buy that might be able to do that).

 

[flopticalcube]

If you're just going to use it to watch live TV, I still don't see why you can't use the the EyeTV One.

Your tuner has a white coax cable going into it from the wall. AFAIK, the other white coax cable goes to your TV. In your case, it'd go into the EyeTV one.

When you want to watch TV, you'd start up the EyeTV app on your Mac, and tune it to channel 3/4 (whichever one your tuner outputs on). You'd always leave your Mac on that channel, and you'd change TV stations by using the remote for the tuner. That defeats using the cool EyeTV app as a DVR, since your Mac can't change the channel on the tuner.

Digital TV in Canada tends to be encrypted, hence the STB. COAXs are often disabled for output.

 

[aristobrat]

Digital TV in Canada tends to be encrypted, hence the STB. COAXs are often disabled for output.

Edited my suggestion to be more clear about meaning STB when I said "tuner".

 

[flopticalcube]

Here is the picture of the back of my digital terminal.


It's a Scientif Atlanta Explorer E940. I see something that looks like a S-video plug and I am not sure what is on top of that. As for the colored plugs, I assume for a Xbox, PS3 or other console.


SKH, Slingbox looks cool, but I don't want to stream Digital TV over the internet $$$$$. Unless I missunderstood how this device works, i'd like to stick with a more coventional "TV Tuner Type"... if possible.

Thanks for the input.

The orange plug is digital audio out, the yellow is composite video, the red and white are audio, the small one above the s-video is the infrared extender jack. As suggested you can use the coax to go to the eyetv or any other type of USB tuner or you can use a compatible USB video capture card to get the s-video/composite and stereo audio.