Updated 2011 EyeTV Tuner for Mac and Windows 7
04/25/11 15:35 Filed in: TV Tuner Hardware
ElGato's updated their tuner line again: Dropping the FM radio functions of the 2009 model - and in a slimmer case - the EyeTV Hybrid is now also being actively marketed as a cross-platform HD computer TV tuner for WIndows 7 Media Center PC market as well.
EyeTV Hybrid 2010
For Mac Leopard & Windows7
Of note: EyTV is getting more realistic in it's System Requirements : HD content really demands a dual Intel Core processor on either platform - and now lists OSX Leopard 10.5.8 as the minimal ideal OS.
EyeTV Hybrid 2010
For Mac Leopard & Windows7
Of note: EyTV is getting more realistic in it's System Requirements : HD content really demands a dual Intel Core processor on either platform - and now lists OSX Leopard 10.5.8 as the minimal ideal OS.
Antenna Reception ONLY - ElGato EyeTV One HD Tuner
01/23/11 14:26 Filed in: TV Tuner Hardware
JUST THE BASICS : ElGato announced a new lower-cost budget TV tuner for Mac (or Windows PC) that is strictly for Over-The-Air HD antenna based reception - the Elgato EyeTV One PC and Apple Compatible TV Tuner
.Lacking Analog video capture functions and QAM decoding for Digital Cable reception, this $100 tuner may be right for those of use who don't and won't pay for cable TV month after month - and are more than content with our locally available stations from an indoor or outdoor antenna. But frankly it's somewhat of a 1-trick pony. Most people interested in a tuner should look for a QAM enabled or Hybrid Analog and Digital model for the most flexibility now - and in the future.
Snow Leopoard Users : Update to ElGato's EyeTV v3.1.2
06/26/10 18:54 Filed in: TV Tuner Software
Check out the rather long laundry list of bug fixes and enhancements for the latest EyeTV 3.2.1 Update from ElGato. Those who've upgraded to Apple's Snow Leopard 10.6 need to get and stay current to avoid some of the issues earlier versions of EyeTV has with OS X 10.6
Spotty DTV Reception? Try An Antenna PRE-Amplifier
06/14/10 14:39 Filed in: HD Antennas
Frustrated by your outdoor TV antenna reception after the Digital TV switchover? Intermittent, sorta - kinda - maybe reception on some chanels driving you crazy? It may be that your existing outdoor antenna is 'OK' - but some degree of signal loss through your household wiring may be sub-optimal. A television PRE-amplifier will boost the signal _at its source_ and will likely improve your current channel reception - as well as possibly bring in stations you're missing.
20db UHF-VHF Pre Amp
Alternately; consider the
Channel Master 7777 High-gain mast-mount antenna preamplifier
Note these are multi-piece units: A PRE-amp that attaches directly on your antenna outside - and the actual amplifier which is a small box with built-in wall AC transformer. Once connected, you may want to verify your existing station and reception quality - then do a RE-SCAN of all available channels.
For those with multiple cable runs indoors and throughout the house - a different type of indoor sigal amplifier is needed. This can apply to both those using antennas or those with cable television access. A passive splitter may be fine to branch off to 2 sets - but with more cable runs than that you really do want an amplified splitter to minimize signal degredation.
Motorola Amplifier - Splitter
In short - before you blame your tuner - or its source. Ponder everything in between. Its often the weakest link, and proper amplfication at the right points in your wiring runs can make all the difference in the world.
20db UHF-VHF Pre Amp
Alternately; consider the
Channel Master 7777 High-gain mast-mount antenna preamplifier
Note these are multi-piece units: A PRE-amp that attaches directly on your antenna outside - and the actual amplifier which is a small box with built-in wall AC transformer. Once connected, you may want to verify your existing station and reception quality - then do a RE-SCAN of all available channels.
For those with multiple cable runs indoors and throughout the house - a different type of indoor sigal amplifier is needed. This can apply to both those using antennas or those with cable television access. A passive splitter may be fine to branch off to 2 sets - but with more cable runs than that you really do want an amplified splitter to minimize signal degredation.
In short - before you blame your tuner - or its source. Ponder everything in between. Its often the weakest link, and proper amplfication at the right points in your wiring runs can make all the difference in the world.
Power Q Power HD-100 Antenna Gets Rave Reviews
05/28/10 06:57 Filed in: Portable TV Antenna
An innovative little portable tv anntenna: The PowerHD 100 is generating alot of interest - and garnering absolutely rave reviews at Amazon.com. This tiny HD antenna isn't just an interesting option for Laptop computer TV tuners. Folks with 52" wide-screen home theater systems seem to think well of this amplified flip-up antenna box that you can hold in the palm of your hand:
Amplified antennas can often mean the difference between a marginal analog or HD digital signal becoming crystal clear - or simply receiving stations you otherwise couldn't scan for and lock in. The PowerQ POWERHD-100 Indoor Portable Pop-Up Digital HDTV Antenna
offers THREE power options for it's amp: USB bus-power from a laptop or desktop computer, AA batteries for on the go, and an AC power adapter for home use. Pretty versatile!
The compact size of this mobile UHF-VHF combo antenna is somewhat surprising - at least for optimal VHF reception where you normally have long rods. But less technical folk should know UHF waves travel in a VERY SHORT oscillating waveform only about 6" wide. So whether it's a indoor LOOP antenna, a BOW-TIE antenna, or a stubby little flip-up antenna like the POWERQ has - they all are *OPTIMIZED* for UHF Channels 13-on-up anyways. At $50 this little box ain't cheap - but those who bought one seem quite impressed. Sometimes big things really do come in small packages.
Amplified antennas can often mean the difference between a marginal analog or HD digital signal becoming crystal clear - or simply receiving stations you otherwise couldn't scan for and lock in. The PowerQ POWERHD-100 Indoor Portable Pop-Up Digital HDTV Antenna
offers THREE power options for it's amp: USB bus-power from a laptop or desktop computer, AA batteries for on the go, and an AC power adapter for home use. Pretty versatile!The compact size of this mobile UHF-VHF combo antenna is somewhat surprising - at least for optimal VHF reception where you normally have long rods. But less technical folk should know UHF waves travel in a VERY SHORT oscillating waveform only about 6" wide. So whether it's a indoor LOOP antenna, a BOW-TIE antenna, or a stubby little flip-up antenna like the POWERQ has - they all are *OPTIMIZED* for UHF Channels 13-on-up anyways. At $50 this little box ain't cheap - but those who bought one seem quite impressed. Sometimes big things really do come in small packages.
