APPLE COMPATIBLE TV TUNERS FOR MAC!
ElGato | Miglia | Equinux | SiliconDust | Pinnacle | Hauppauge
WATCH TV : CAPTURE : CONVERT FOR iPOD : BURN : SHAREWatching and recording television on a Mac has never been easier or more powerful. An ever growing range of Digital-Ready Apple computer TV tuner cards are available for Macintosh OSX. ElGato dominates the Mac DVR - PVR Video Recorder tuner market with it's EyeTV software and hardware; its video recording software has become a world-class Macintosh OS X application. Integration with iTunes, Toast CD Burning software, Apple's FrontRow, and support of the Apple Remote solidify the Mac's place as a mini home media center powerhouse.
PAUSE : RECORD : REWIND
TAME YOUR OSX TELEVISION VIEWING
With Tivo-like time-shifting software features, the ablity to watch, pause, rewind or schedule your favorite programs is simpler than ever. PVR-DVR Personal Digital Video Recorders have been reduced to mini TV sticks barely larger than a USB flash drive - or a small DTV tuner box with multiple inputs to connect a wider-range of analog video gear. The most affordable HD television receivers for computers are USB 2.0 Digital-Only HD Tuner Sticks - and with modern, fast Macs deliver fine 720p and 1080i HD performance at your desk or on the road. For more serious videophiles, Tuners with Hardware-based Analog video encoders with multiple capture inputs are the smart choice. These Apple compatible Hybrid tuners offer both Digital+Analog reception and options to connect Analog devices via Composite RCA or S-Video connectors: Older camcorders, VCR and DVD Players, Game Machines and whatnot.
Changes in the Mac from USB 1.1 to 2.0, PPC to Intel, improvements to the iPod Video, Touch, & iPhone over the years has inspired ElGato to refine EyeTV's features to edit, burn and export movies and televised content to iPod, iTunes library or disc easily. EyeTV is so good, many 3rd-Party tuner sticks license a special Eye TV Lite software bundle rather than write their own. However, Equinux joined the market with TheTube software and its new USB Hybrid TubeStick device, and Miglia ships The Tube app with it's tuners. With competing sticks like Hauppauge's WinTV-HVR Tuners for Mac, or
Pinnacle Micro's TV for Mac HD Mini USB Stick, 
there's a great range of HDTV tuners anf price brackets to capture, edit and share content.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT HDTV TUNER STICK FOR OSX:
**** NOW IN STOCK: EYE-TV 2009 USA MODEL WITH FM RADIO: ****FM Radio + Enhanced Signal Reception in the new 2009 EyeTV QAM Hybrid.
Bundled with the latest EyeTV version 3.1 software with radio support and IR Remote. With Free Super-Saver shipping at Amazon, it undercuts buying direct from ElGato's Online Store by $20 or more. NOTE: Like many Mac TV tuners nowdays, this REQUIRES Mac OSX 10.4.11 Tiger or 10.5 Leopard.
BEST OVERALL: Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus Digital/Analog TV Receiver and Video Converter
Hybrid Digital & Analog TV reception with turbo HARDWARE COMPRESSION which reduces the CPU load on your computer when watching and capturing analog video. Includes a Remote and Toast 8 Basic disc burning software. This 'Plus' 2008 model supports unencrypted Clear QAM Digital cable.
ULTIMATE: *Especially IF you already have ElGato's EyeTV 2.5 or 3.1 software* consider the SiliconDust HDHomeRun HDHR-US Networked Digital Dual-Tuner
:
Ethernet-based strictly Digital HDTV receiver with TWO tuners - Allows multiple Mac's on a home/office network to watch, record and share ATSC antenna reception or Clear QAM digital cable. This link is to the OEM product and is NOT bundled with EyeTV. For EyeTV 3 software, you can order it direct from ElGato's online store.
MOST POPULAR TUNER STICK: ElGato 2008 QAM EyeTV Hybrid Receiver and Video Converter
: Digital & Analog with Composite/S-Video Input.
Great affordable choice, both now and in the future.
Uses SOFTWARE COMPRESSION for capturing & exporting clips, so the faster the Mac you got the better. Supports ATSC Digital & Analog antenna reception as well as Analog & Digital Clear QAM over cable/satellite. Bundled with EyeTV Version 3.
ALTERNATELY: The Equinux TubeStick Hybrid Tuner for Mac and PC
with TheTube Version 2 software in the U.S. Supports Analog and ATSC & HD Clear QAM Digital via Antenna/Cable. Bundled with BOTH Mac software & Windows XP-Vista Media Center PC drivers, it's a good choice for Intel Mac owners running Dual-OS Mac environments. The Tube Stick should should eventually be in-stock at the Apple Store Online soon.
*NEW* : <$75 Affordable Ultra Tiny QAM USB Digital-ONLY Tuner Pinnacle TV for Mac HD Mini Stick
is noted for it's ultra-compact size and signal-boosting technology for better reception. Comes bundled with remote control, EyeTV Lite 1.1 - and one of the better portable antennae - a high-gain telescopic antenna that extends up taller for better reception. For mobile OTA - Over-The-Air television with a laptop Mac, this is one of the better choices. Also includes TVCenter Pro 5 and VideoSpin software for PC.
PURE DIGITAL TUNER: The Miglia TVmini HD Express - Model TVM-02
with Remote control and bundled with The Tube PVR software from Equinox
may be the right choice if you're ready for DIGITAL-ONLY now via digital cable or ATSC antenna - and don't need Analog capture options at all.
VALUE MAC & PC TV TUNER CHOICE: Use an antenna or have SD Analog cable? Don't need QAM? The Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 950 Hybrid TV Stick
Model 1145 is another good cross-platform Hybrid Analog/Digital choice; bundled with BOTH the Mac version of EyeTV Lite and Windows PC drivers. FYI: this is the same OEM hardware as ElGato used for it's non-QAM Hybrid - at a discounted price. Includes stubby portable antenna for close-range urban use. Ideal for frugal shoppers or Cross-Platform users, bundled with the LITE version of EyeTV.
IF AND ONLY IF you already own EyeTV 3 software - the Clear QAM version of the Hauppauge HVR-950-"Q" Model 1191 WinTV HD TV Hybrid Tuner Stick with Clear QAM and Remote Control is a very viable option for Digital Cable users needing QAM support in the $75 price range.
For those without EyeTV3, the 950Q version of a Mac-compatible retail boxed tuner was recently announced: specifically the Model 1120 WinTV-HVR-950Q for Mac's and PC in North America. Bundled with Elgato EyeTV Lite for Mac's and Win-TV v6 for Windows. This updated Q bundle was just added to Hauppauge's website site and isn't yet available at Amazon
or NewEgg.com
CHEAP TUNER FOR ANALOG CABLE: Miglia TV Micro Express - Model TVM-04
ANALOG-ONLY: For the majority of folk getting Analog Cable or Satellite TV this might have 3 year or more lifespan IF you're content with SD - Standard Definition cable television reception.
The TVM04 might be a reasonable choice if you can get it at bargain price: Look for cheap Miglia TV tuners on eBay. If using an antenna, you can continue to use these Analog-Only tuner models for Digital ATSC reception by connecting it to a low-cost DTA converter box: See the Mac TV FAQ page.
HORSEPOWER REQUIRED:
MAC TV TUNERS ON AN OLD SYSTEM
Video is very demanding and requires USB 2.0 ports. More recent G5 Macs and Core Duo Intel CPU's are best able to keep up with full-screen viewing and HD TV content. Models like the 250+ that support hardware compression of Analog signals may be a smarter buy for slightly older G4/G5 Macs on 10.4.x - the minimum system reqirements for most tuners. Power-users wanting to speed up compression and export speeds for iPod/Touch/iPhone should opt for the Elgato Turbo.H264 - Video Encoder Hardware
to try to crunch a 90 minute movie down to size ALOT faster.
ELEGANT DVR-PVR SOFTWARE MAKES TV CAPTURE EASY!
EyeTV 3.1 INTRODUCED AT MACWORLD 2009 EXPOEl Gato's fabulous EyeTV Software updated from version 3.0.4 to version 3.1 - existing Eye TV 2 owners can upgrade to v3 for $39.95. 3rd-Party units, such as from Hauppauge that shipped with EyeTV Light 1.1x can upgrade for $49.95. This pricing poses a bit of a challenge, the money you might save on a 3rd party tuner may be overridden if want the latest full version of EyeTV instead.
There are viable Mac tuner options other than ElGato's EyeTV line. This picture hints at the broad range of supported tuners here in the US and abroad. Many of these 'Mac' tuners are based on OEM hardware using the Empia EM28XX - Xcieve XC3028 chipset that both ElGato and other's use - and Eye TV sofware is either bundled or may possibly work with. So if you're not happy with the bundled apps that ATI Miglia, Pinnacle or Equinux provide, you _might_ be able to 'upgrade' your tuner by upgrading to El Gato's latest software. Do your research on very specific model support first.
THETUBE 2.9.2 UPDATE: EQUINUX FOCUSES ON RELIABILITY/BUG FIXES
Adds More 3rd Party Tuner Support + "Live TV" iPhone Features
Equinux USA is working hard to improve their The Tube software and give EyeTV serious competition. TheTube has some very innovative and collabrative features to share your favorite content with others online. The latest 2.9.2 update adds support for a broader range of tuners both for North America NTSC and other DVB-T broadcast standards abroad. If you own one of the 20 or so supported 3rd-party HD tuner sticks, you can purchase TheTube software direct for $39.95 and give it a test drive. The recent addition of an EPG Program Guide for US TV stations filled a critical gap.
FYI: TheTube currently supports the following devices: Equinux TubeStick (DVB-T/DTT), Equinox Tube Stick Hybrid (ATSC/QAM/analog), Miglia TVMini, Miglia TVMini HD, Miglia TV Mini & TVMini2 Express Tuners, Miglia TVBook Pro Express, Miglia TVMicro & Express, Terratec Cinergy T2, Twinhan DTV Alpha, EyeTV for DTT, Digitus DVB-T Digital USB, Freecom DVBT USB Stick, MSI Digivox Mini, Hauppauge WinTV-Nova-T-Stick, WinTV HVR-900, Elgato's 2008 Non-QAM EyeTV Hybrid, Digittrade DVB-T USB, Pinnacle PCTV nanostick DVB-T"
APPLE MAC HOME THEATRE SPEAKER OPTIONS
Many Apple desktops and laptop computers have inadequate built-in speakers making TV enjoyment difficult in all but the quietest of environments. Two very popular picks featured at www.usb-computer-speakers.com for exceptional and compact external audio are the suprisingly good sounding 1-Piece Tritton Sound Bite Portable USB Digital Speaker gets both power and 2.1 stereo audio over a single USB cable in a compact unit great for travel.
For the desktop - And often available for $30 Or Less - The Logitech AudioHub Soundbar Speaker
is an absolute bargain combo device with high-fidelity 2.1 stereo speakers, a powered 3-port USB 2.0 speed USB hub to plug your television tuner into, smart cable wrap-management at the back, and an optional clip-on riser bracket to hold a webcam. It's a GREAT PRODUCT to consolidate some of your HTPC gizmos into a single sleek box, give movie soundtracks thunder, and minimize a rats-nest of wires. Highly recommended!
TV TUNERS FOR MAC : AN OVERVIEW
A Mac compatible TV tuner for your Apple computer enables you to watch TV on your Macintosh by letting it receive television signals. You can watch - and optionally record - television programs to your computer's hard drive. TV tuner cards enhance your computer capabilities and can provide all the luxuries of a TiVo Digital Video Recorder (DVR) at an affordable price and with simple installation. Simply plug the tuner into your Mac, install the software and connect your coax signal source whether it be Antenna, Cable or Satellite.Dual-Tuner Hybrid TV tuners support BOTH standard-definition (SD) Analog and high-definition (HD) Digital TV signals - and they also work as video capture cards. Hybrid tuners allow not just the recording of television programs in either format, but the Analog portion can be used to capture content from DVD players, VHS decks, Gaming systems and other S-Video or Composite Analog video sources.
Most Apple friendly TV tuners are an external USB TV tuner stick or a small box that connects to the Mac via a high-speed USB 2.0 port - which is required to provide for smooth, fast video. USB stick tuners are a compact, portable solution for MacBook or iBook TV viewing. Some tuners come bundled with a small portable antenna or a remote control to complete the package. Add a good set of stereo computer speakers and give your Macintosh laptop or desktop the rumble of a mini home theatre system.
The top Mac compatible TV tuner manufacturers include ElGato, Miglia, Equinux, Pinnacle Sys, Hauppauge, ATI and SiliconDust and offer tuners in the $75 to $175 price range. At the higher end, some Hybrid TV tuners include Hardware Encoding of Analog signals to speed compression and lessen the load on your computer's CPU. For Digital content, the TV signal is already compressed and encoded - but it's higher 720p or 1080i resolution demands more computing horsepower.
Processing video has always been a demanding challenge for personal computers. So system requirements for enjoying television on a Macintosh lean towards fast, modern computers - with plenty of memory to Time-Shift shows you're watching, and ample disk space to save recorded programs. Realistically, a G5 processor Mac is the bare minimum, and ideally your Macintosh would have a Core Duo Intel CPU to handle the demands of Analog compression and displaying full-screen high-resoltuion HD video.
Two of the most popular PVR - Personal Video Recorder apps for OSX include ElGato's EyeTV and Equinux Software's TheTube to manage viewing, channel changing and recording and video export functions. Both provide EPG - Electronic Program Guides for current program linueps, and easy export options to burn TV shows to disc or view programming on a personal video player, iPod or iPhone.
See what you're missing! Enjoy HD television on your Mac with any of the above tuners - and take your Apple media experience to the next level. You'll love having TV on your Mac!
