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spiky_dog · Dec 15, 2002, 10:27 PM

There have been a few threads in the past comparing El Gato's EyeTV and Formac's studio dv/tv in terms of quality, price, etc. Besides the obvious complaints about price, there was also the problem that Formac didn't have PVR software, and thus couldn't schedule shows to be recorded. Now (and since August even, judging by the dates of the press releases) there is the free TiVeRon software for the studio dv/tv. My question: has anyone used a studio dv/tv with this new software, or, even better, directly compared it with the EyeTV?

I can't seem to find a non-pr review of TiVeRon, and am seeking assurance that the software works and is not overly buggy. tia for your comments.

http://www.formac.com/p_bin/?cid=sol...tudiodvtv_soft

Weezer · Dec 16, 2002, 03:20 AM

El Gato is selling their product specifically designed to function as a PVR, therfore my feelings are that they will always have the superior software, because that's what they have over the compeition. Currently, it will wake your mac from sleep, launch the program, and even start up your mac if it is shutdown. Never having used this other software I can't comment on how good it is, but I would doubt it has many of the handy features of el gatos software. In conclusion, better quality at a high price, formac, lower quality, superior tivo functionality, eye tv.

spiky_dog · Dec 16, 2002, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by Weezer:
El Gato is selling their product specifically designed to function as a PVR, therfore my feelings are that they will always have the superior software, because that's what they have over the compeition. Currently, it will wake your mac from sleep, launch the program, and even start up your mac if it is shutdown. Never having used this other software I can't comment on how good it is, but I would doubt it has many of the handy features of el gatos software. In conclusion, better quality at a high price, formac, lower quality, superior tivo functionality, eye tv.

thanks for the reply. you've been very vocal in past threads in supporting the EyeTV. is there any chance btw that you can repost the sample videos on notpennstate.com or whatever the site's domain actually is?

coolmac · Dec 16, 2002, 07:01 AM

I had the Formac Studio and now have EyeTV.
That wide frame around the display bothered me, as I remember there was no way with the software to get rid of that wide silver frame which took up too much room on the monitor.

spiky_dog · Dec 16, 2002, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by coolmac:
I had the Formac Studio and now have EyeTV.
That wide frame around the display bothered me, as I remember there was no way with the software to get rid of that wide silver frame which took up too much room on the monitor.

hmm, another good point. yet the formac page offers:

Eliminate display frame:
Adjust opacity of display frame to see only TV/ video signal.

(i favor the formac just because of its specs, if it's not clear -- i just need to know that the software isn't abysmal.)

coolmac · Dec 16, 2002, 10:23 AM

One other thing, Elgato continually updates the EyeTV software, just when I downloaded version 1.4 version 1.5 was released.

It seems they are really trying to make EyeTV as usefull as possible, I don't know if Formac is the same regarding their software.

Weezer · Dec 17, 2002, 01:34 AM

thanks for the reply. you've been very vocal in past threads in supporting the EyeTV. is there any chance btw that you can repost the sample videos on notpennstate.com or whatever the site's domain actually is?

I just like supporting a company who is actively participating in making their product be the best it can be. The support people are extremely responsive, and actually listen and impliment suggestions.

I put the clips back online:

http://www.notpennstate.com/Paul/eyetv1.mpg

http://www.notpennstate.com/Paul/eyetv2.mpg

itai195 · Dec 17, 2002, 03:12 AM

I don't know, to me the comparison stops when I realize that EyeTV records mpeg1 quality and the Formac records DV....

bstad · Dec 17, 2002, 08:44 AM

quote:

hmm, another good point. yet the formac page offers:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eliminate display frame:
Adjust opacity of display frame to see only TV/ video signal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't be misled...they don't say you get full-screen video. They say you can make the frame not be visible. You'll still have a wide border around your video!

MisterRogers · Dec 17, 2002, 03:22 PM

Cool! Formac just released an update to their TVR software/scheduler. It now integrates with Titan TV. Been using mine for about a month, and it's been rock solid, and gives good image quality.

GORDYmac · Dec 17, 2002, 04:04 PM

Doesn't the Formac device save files as DV Streams only? That's kinda overkill isn't it?

BTW, I bought EyeTV. I downloaded the latest software last night, and there is a manual in it discussing AppleScript support. I agree, the El Gato guys have done a good job with this device and such a great job on the software, that it overcomes the hardware's (MPEG1) shortcomings IMHO.

Diggory Laycock · Dec 17, 2002, 05:00 PM

I recently bought a Formac Studio.

The software is not good - but just about usable.

One good thing I would say about it is that the app is AppleScriptable.

The scheduling software is awful and beachballs frequently for me. - I tend to avoid it and use AppleScript instead.

The Software also does not allow you to use the Radio Tuner.

Neither does it allow you to stream the recorded DV files back out to the device - you have to use another app for that (I use an apple Sample Code app called "Simple Video Out")

Occasionally the software will not properly initalise the hardware - so when you set something to record and you aren't there to check it - it records blackness.

The quality however is amazing - streaming DV files back out to the harware and then watching on a TV is like watching live TV.

If you intend to keep something for a long time then you'll need to transcode it to a more compressed format like MPEG-4 (DV takes out a huge amount of space.)

The trouble with that is that you can no-longer stream it out to TV.

Basically - The hardware is good - but the software is not great.

spiky_dog · Dec 17, 2002, 07:18 PM

Originally posted by Weezer:
I put the clips back online:

Thanks! The quality is better than I expected, at least on the South Park commerical, which complicates my decision.

Originally posted by GORDYmac:
Doesn't the Formac device save files as DV Streams only? That's kinda overkill isn't it?

Yeah, it does, and that seems like merely a relic of the original nature of the hardware (to capture video from analog camcorders). But I sort of enjoy watching Quicktime's progress bar as it encodes into mpeg4...

Originally posted by Diggory Laycock:
I recently bought a Formac Studio.

The software is not good - but just about usable.

Basically - The hardware is good - but the software is not great.

Thanks for the comments. I think "not great" software is acceptable provided that the actual video looks good. My Simpsons archive must be in high resolution...

Originally posted by MisterRogers:
Cool! Formac just released an update to their TVR software/scheduler. It now integrates with Titan TV. Been using mine for about a month, and it's been rock solid, and gives good image quality.

Ah, finally an entirely positive review. I think I'll just have to vacillate for another few weeks (along with switching between caps and no-caps styles of writing posts

).

MisterRogers · Dec 17, 2002, 08:35 PM

Just found something else out about the new TVR software. On a whim, I wanted to see if it interfaced with Watson TV scheduling, as it's built around TitanTV... Works like a champ!

Sure glad they implemented a standards based approach.

itai195 · Dec 18, 2002, 02:08 AM

Originally posted by GORDYmac:
Doesn't the Formac device save files as DV Streams only? That's kinda overkill isn't it?

Not IMO. You can always compress it into some other format anyway. My use of such a device would primarily be to make DVD archives of shows I like.... so dv is a must. MPEG1 just doesn't do it for me.

GoDucks · Dec 18, 2002, 08:52 AM

Can someone speak to the quality of the picture quality of the Formac device when using it to watch full screen live TV on a 15 Inch iMac. I've seen the full screen TV quality from a USB device and it looks like crap when viewed at Full Screen. I've asked two different sales people in my area if the firewire device would make a difference. Once said yes - it will look perfect and the other said no - it will still look like crap...

I want the quality when I watch full screen TV to be just as crisp as if I were watching it on a 15 Inch Trinitron, etc. Am I going to get this or am I dreaming?

Chris

GORDYmac · Dec 18, 2002, 10:14 AM

See for yourself. Load an iMovie project and play it back full screen. Or, open a DV stream in QT Pro and playback full screen. Playback a DVD full screen for that matter.

For many reasons, it is not as sharp as TV, still, it's better than MPEG1/USB.

I never watch my recordings full screen, and I tend to shrink DVD's to half size so that I can work & watch. EyeTV will work perfectly for me.

Oh, itai195, I tend to set up recordings weeks in advance. I'd never get 10-20 shows recorded with them being saved as DV streams. And compressing them all is a test in patience. To each his own, of course.

spiky_dog · Dec 18, 2002, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by MisterRogers:
Just found something else out about the new TVR software. On a whim, I wanted to see if it interfaced with Watson TV scheduling, as it's built around TitanTV... Works like a champ!

Sure glad they implemented a standards based approach.

sweet! that's the final straw (even though i don't use watson at the moment

) -- unless something absolutely fabulous in this vein is revealed at macworld, a dv/tv will soon be recording simpsons episodes in my room. until then, this thread will never die.

itai195 · Dec 19, 2002, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by GORDYmac:

Oh, itai195, I tend to set up recordings weeks in advance. I'd never get 10-20 shows recorded with them being saved as DV streams. And compressing them all is a test in patience. To each his own, of course.

You just need a couple 120GB hard drives, that's all

GORDYmac · Dec 19, 2002, 03:18 PM

I just looked at the MPEG1 clips posted above, and I have to say that the quality was higher than my low expectations. I zoomed them to 200% and there wasn't a lot of pixellation, just blurriness. I can live with that.

Weezer, what is the quality setting of these clips?

Now if that crappy macs4all would ship the darned thing I could get started.

Weezer · Dec 22, 2002, 09:58 PM

high quality

GORDYmac · Dec 23, 2002, 07:54 AM

I created a a VCD from the 'Forbes' cliped you posted and played it back on my 27" TV. I was amazed at the quality. It really looked good, much better than MPEG 1 clips I have made with Astarte M. Pack.

I cancelled my Macs4All order (DON'T BUY ANYTHING FROM THEM), so I'll be ordering one from El Gato after Xmas.

joe · Dec 24, 2002, 10:08 PM

Originally posted by GORDYmac:
I cancelled my Macs4All order (DON'T BUY ANYTHING FROM THEM), so I'll be ordering one from El Gato after Xmas.

Not to get off track here - but I just bought a PowerLogix GHz cpu from them last week. It shipped right out, works perfectly, and I saved about $60 or so. So why shouldn't I order from them again?.....joe

joe · Dec 24, 2002, 10:58 PM

Originally posted by itai195:
You just need a couple 120GB hard drives, that's all

Nah, what you really need is a Formac Devideon Superdrive instead! Formac makes the ONLY Firewire DVD-R/RW burner that comes with video authoring software. That's a big plus considering iDVD won't work with external DVD-R drives and FinalCut costs a grand. Even better, the StudioTVR software has a built-in link to launch Devideon. Add to that the price of DVD-R media has dropped to as low as 79cents each in bulk at Meritline (99cents each for 25pack). Even the new 4x media can be had for $2.85 in bulk. But if that's too expensive, Devideon also supports SuperVCDs so you can use cheap CDr media. Anyone want to take a guess at what I just bought

.......joe

Gater · Dec 25, 2002, 08:22 AM

Is there any way to edit EyeTV video? I would like to pull commercials out.

Thanks,
PJ

tr · Dec 25, 2002, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by joe:
Nah, what you really need is a Formac Devideon Superdrive instead! Formac makes the ONLY Firewire DVD-R/RW burner that comes with video authoring software. That's a big plus considering iDVD won't work with external DVD-R drives and FinalCut costs a grand. Even better, the StudioTVR software has a built-in link to launch Devideon. Add to that the price of DVD-R media has dropped to as low as 79cents each in bulk at Meritline (99cents each for 25pack). Even the new 4x media can be had for $2.85 in bulk. But if that's too expensive, Devideon also supports SuperVCDs so you can use cheap CDr media. Anyone want to take a guess at what I just bought .......joe

okay, to take this slightly OT, i just bought an ADS InstantDVD for Mac box. no PVR features, but it encodes video in real time to mpeg-2 or mpeg-1 via a hardware chipset in the box up to 6mb/s VBR, then transfers the data via USB to the mac. quality is excellent (for the little i've used it, just haven't had time to do some real transfers). did some tv show clips on the fly, looked really good. plus, the mpeg-2 format is way smaller than DV, an hour of footage is about 2GB's or so, depending on bit rate.

it comes with software to edit the mpeg-1/2 files, assemble DVD's from the clips (just like iDVD, not as good, but usable), and then burn them to DVD-R drives, either internal or external. and what's cool is if you encode into mpeg-2, since the clips are already in mpeg-2 format, there's no need to wait for the computer to encode your clips (like in iDVD), which is a real time saver. you can make VCD's too, but you'll need toast to burn the disc.

it's a pretty cool box, if you're not interested in the pvr features, like me. i almost got a formac studio, but the combination of having to save huge DV files and having to encode them into mpeg-2 (on my sawtooth 450), so i could burn the discs in DVD Studio Pro or iDVD...it just took too long. this way, i can encode on the fly, and then burn.

oh, and joe, have you used media from meritline? they have really good prices, and i've been looking for a source for cheap media?

tr

joe · 02:32 PM

Originally posted by tr:
okay, to take this slightly OT, i just bought an ADS InstantDVD for Mac
<snip>
oh, and joe, have you used media from meritline? they have really good prices, and i've been looking for a source for cheap media?

First - congrats on the InstantDVD. That sounds terrific. It seems to have the best features of EyeTV and Studio dv/tv! You're right about encoding - it takes quite a while. I usually let it cook overnight. ISTR your InstantDVD has editing software that can cut and paste (example - delete commercials) almost as easily as DV. I'm not sure how closely you can cut (maybe 1 second)? Did you use this feature yet? How well does it work?

Yes, I've used Meritline 2x media (about $1.38 each) and it plays back great in my Cube's native DVD drive, a friend's iBook combo drive (DVD/CDrw) and another friends iMac slot load (DVD only). By contrast another friend with a new flat panel iMac / Superdrive had problems with Apple DVD-R media not playing back in the iBook combo drive. Certain brands of DVD media seems to be temperamental between drive models. Also, the Meritline 2x DVD-R is the only DVD-R media I tried so far. Meritline didn't have the generic 4x DVD-R media at the time I made the purchase and I wasn't about to spend $7.50 each for the official Pioneer 4x media! Still, their 2x media seems to be very compatible.

BTW, they have a blow out on generic 2x DVD-R media for 79cents right now. The only catch is it only burns at 2x in A04 burners. Not sure about playback compatibility. FWIW a PC friend loaned me a DVD+R disc and that played back fine in both of my Cube DVD drives (internal and Devideon) with Apple's DVD player. Of course, we can't burn DVD+R media but it's nice to know there is read compatibility between the 2 formats.....joe

wingdo · Dec 26, 2002, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by spiky_dog:
There have been a few threads in the past comparing El Gato's EyeTV and Formac's studio dv/tv in terms of quality, price, etc.

I originally got the Studio DV/TV, and had numerous issues regarding processor use (kept both my procs pegged at 100% when watching TV, and regarding their terrible software. An e-mail to Formac's tech support regarding these two issues got me the response that if my primary reason for the Formac product was to watch TV, then I should get the EyeTV instead. I never mentioned any competing product, that came straight from Formac. The thing I like about the EyeTV is its integration with Toast for burning VCDs. Nicely done.

joe · Dec 26, 2002, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by wingdo:
I originally got the Studio DV/TV, and had numerous issues regarding processor use (kept both my procs pegged at 100% when watching TV, and regarding their terrible software.

I was going to mention my dual 500 G4 Cube didn't have that particular problem. But I've also loaned out my Studio to friends with slower Macs including a 500MHz iBook and a 500MHz iMac. And cpu load times were in the 50% range using either Cee Pee You or AquaMon. Not bad for a single G3. I won't excuse the crass response you got from tech support - totally uncalled for. But I've had every version of the Studio OSX software installed (from Tevion to StudioTVR) and never saw a cpu load issue. So there was definitely something else going on with your hardware......joe

miligo · Dec 26, 2002, 02:53 PM

Originally posted by Gater:
Is there any way to edit EyeTV video? I would like to pull commercials out.

Thanks,
PJ

Yes, there is a way to edit the video, but it is a bit cumbersome. You can download mpgtx from here.

http://www.biermann.org/philipp/mpegcut/

I received an EyeTV for Christmas and it's really cool, but I have not been able to successfully view any HQ vcd that has been assembled from segments that have been chopped up with mpgtx on my DVD player. I can burn a HQ vcd straight from the EyeTV software to toast, and it looks great on my living room TV, but I'd like to record hour long programs on high quality and segement them onto two HQ vcds. Anyone have any luck doing this or is it something specific to my DVD player, it's a Toshiba SD-4700.

wingdo · Dec 26, 2002, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by joe:
I was going to mention my dual 500 G4 Cube didn't have that particular problem. But I've also loaned out my Studio to friends with slower Macs including a 500MHz iBook and a 500MHz iMac. And cpu load times were in the 50% range using either Cee Pee You or AquaMon. Not bad for a single G3. I won't excuse the crass response you got from tech support - totally uncalled for. But I've had every version of the Studio OSX software installed (from Tevion to StudioTVR) and never saw a cpu load issue. So there was definitely something else going on with your hardware......joe

Well, that was the reason I contacted their tech support. My point was that with the built in hardware compression I shouldn't have had this issue. I really like the picture quality on the DV/TV. It was my second attempt at a TV solution from Formac. I used to have one of their TC cards (can't recall the name). The hardware seems great, but their software and tech support is the worst.

Two e-mails went basically like this:

me: Should CPU utilization be 100% on both CPU's? My entire Dualie crawls when watching TV.

TS: This is normal.

me: Can't be. Is their a different compressor algorhythm I can use to improve performance?

TS: Nope, if you want to watch TV, get an EyeTV.

Having purchased the Studio DV/TV at an Apple Store with their hefty restocking fees, I printed out the e-mails boxed up the Studio DV/TV and went back to the Apple Store. The genius bar and the store manager could not believe the e-mails and gave me the full price back. I purchased the EyeTV and am thrilled.

Gater · Dec 26, 2002, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by miligo:
Yes, there is a way to edit the video, but it is a bit cumbersome. You can download mpgtx from here.

http://www.biermann.org/philipp/mpegcut/

I received an EyeTV for Christmas and it's really cool, but I have not been able to successfully view any HQ vcd that has been assembled from segments that have been chopped up with mpgtx on my DVD player. I can burn a HQ vcd straight from the EyeTV software to toast, and it looks great on my living room TV, but I'd like to record hour long programs on high quality and segement them onto two HQ vcds. Anyone have any luck doing this or is it something specific to my DVD player, it's a Toshiba SD-4700.

I tried to do the same thing. HQ VCDs split up with mpgtx will not play in any of my dvd players. They are both Sony.

Thanks,
PJ

miligo · Dec 27, 2002, 01:15 AM

It's strange, the mpeg headers in the original file and the first segment look identical in a hex editor.

Has anyone been able to chop standard quality recordings and have them play on your dvd player? I've been only recording in HQ so far, and was hoping not to have to record in standard quality.

I suppose I could only record in 30 minute chunks, and burn that way, but the scheduling would be a nightmare.

joe · Dec 27, 2002, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by wingdo:
Well, that was the reason I contacted their tech support. My point was that with the built in hardware compression I shouldn't have had this issue.

I agree - otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned the iBook and iMac. Why your dual G4 couldn't keep up with a 500Mhz iBook is beyond me. Running into some a-hole in tech support didn't help matters. But even if the guy were more diplomatic about it, it seems like the problem was with your Mac since both of your cpus were at 100%. In fact, if you hadn't mentioned your cpu load specifically, I would have thought the problem was with the Studio.

DV compression isn't all that compressed to begin with (esp compared to MPEG) which is why it takes up so much space. It doesn't take a high end cpu (or even dual cpus) to uncompress it. So why would both of your cpus be running 100%??? I dunno, maybe it has something to do with your video card/drivers??? If your video acceleration wasn't working, that might cause both cpus to max out - maybe. Doesn't matter now since you traded it in. But I've seen a G3 iBook run the Formac Studio with cable TV under battery power (inc the bus-powered Studio). So there are Macs slower than yours that have used the Studio without any problems.....joe

wingdo · Dec 27, 2002, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by joe:
I agree - otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned the iBook and iMac. Why your dual G4 couldn't keep up with a 500Mhz iBook is beyond me. Running into some a-hole in tech support didn't help matters. But even if the guy were more diplomatic about it, it seems like the problem was with your Mac since both of your cpus were at 100%. In fact, if you hadn't mentioned your cpu load specifically, I would have thought the problem was with the Studio.

The EyeTV keeps my processor load around 15%. I'm pretty sure it was a defective Studio DV/TV, but since Tech Support suggested the ElGato product, there I went. Quite happy.

cjrivera · Dec 27, 2002, 03:11 PM

Has anyone compared these 2 products with "MyTV" from Eskape Labs?

I had seen a few ads for them this summer, but I wasn't sure how it compares with the Formac & EyeTV products.

GORDYmac · Dec 27, 2002, 03:27 PM

Regarding my comment about Macs4All:
http://dealmac.com/forums/read.html?...0&t=935270
http://dealmac.com/forums/read.html?...6&t=989580
Nuff said.

Back on topic, MyTV is differrent from EyeTV and the Formac device in that it [MyTV] only shows TV. AFAIK, it does not record TV or serve as a PVR--meaning you cannot schedule recordings, skip commercials, or pause live TV.

I'm still eagerly awaiting my EyeTV from El Gato.

joe · Dec 27, 2002, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by wingdo:
The EyeTV keeps my processor load around 15%. I'm pretty sure it was a defective Studio DV/TV, but since Tech Support suggested the ElGato product, there I went. Quite happy.

Ditto. It's not as cool as having ElGato recommend it though

......joe

joe · Dec 27, 2002, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by GORDYmac:
Regarding my comment about Macs4All:
http://dealmac.com/forums/read.html?...0&t=935270
http://dealmac.com/forums/read.html?...6&t=989580
Nuff said.

Maybe for you. But I think it's only fair to hear from customers that have had positive experience too. Macs4All isn't the 1st vendor to get slammed like this. OWC got the same treatment earlier this year. I've purchased Mac products from both without any problems. Oh, I'm certain they've screwed up before. No business is perfect. But you're not going to hear from the customers that got what they wanted.

The last purchase I made from OWC was in Spring. I'd bought several Mac products from OWC previously so I knew that they were reliable despite what I'd read. Lucky for me too - since it was a kick ass OEM GeForce3 for this Cube

Until recently, I'd never bought anything from Macs4all. But I just bought a PowerLogix board from them last week using a coupon from www.cube-zone.com. Believe me, if I didn't get the upgrade or the discount I'd post it here. But it's installed and working perfectly in this Cube right now along with the GF3. So you can count me as a very satisfied customer. I wouldn't hesistate to purchase from either of them again....joe

spiky_dog · Dec 31, 2002, 08:04 PM

bump for the search-impaired "angelmb"

also, i have decided not to buy either of these at long last, because i realized i will be able to purchase all of the years of the simpsons on dvd, should they ever all be released, for the price of the formac.

TheMosco · Dec 31, 2002, 08:57 PM

i wonder if any new video input device will be released at macworld by a 3rd Party. I know there was a japanese PCI card that did mpeg 2 recording of tv but they were still waiting for a US distributor last i heard. i think it was around 200 bucks too. Much more worth it than the eyetv or formac.

dadder · Dec 31, 2002, 09:21 PM

Originally posted by cjrivera:
Has anyone compared these 2 products with "MyTV" from Eskape Labs?

I had seen a few ads for them this summer, but I wasn't sure how it compares with the Formac & EyeTV products.

I currently own a MyTV2Go product (received it free, by rebate, from an iMac purchase). It was enough to wet my tastebuds and was great for novelty purposes of having a TV on your Mac. But, now that I've developed an interest of what possibilities are out there with these devices, I am already definitely ready to upgrade to a Studio TV/DV by Formac. There's been a few sold on ebay for around $299 and I plan to keep watching. This thread has helped much in my decision. Thanks!
BTW, (somewhat OT) I just purchased a Leather Screen Protector for my TiBook from OWC and my purchase/shipment went smoothly. I would order from them again.

dgold105 · Jan 2, 2003, 01:59 AM

Everything works fine expect for the timer recording (which only works about 20% of the time). Most times when the timer starts the TVR software to record it either gets stuck booting up or, alternatively, records blackness and then Quicktime says it doesn't recognise the file.

Any ideas on what the problem is and how I can fix it?

David

GORDYmac · Jan 2, 2003, 11:32 AM

dgold105, to which app are you referrinng? El Gato or Formac?

dgold105 · Jan 2, 2003, 03:00 PM

I am referring to Formac. Sorry for the confusion!

angelmb · Jan 2, 2003, 03:51 PM

El Gato seems ok, but no PAL support ?

Weezer · Jan 3, 2003, 01:02 AM

Originally posted by angelmb:
El Gato seems ok, but no PAL support ?

email el gato support, support@elgato.com and ask them about possible future implementation or something, they have always been quite helpful when I email them. Worth a shot.

tullamore · Jan 4, 2003, 02:37 AM

I have both the Formac Studio for my PowerMac and the EyeTV for my iBook.

If you are recording things that you want to keep and save you should go with the Formac because of it's 720 x 480 capture resolution of DV. The EyeTV however saves the files as a 320 x 240 MPEG file which is not very good quality for those looking to edit or convert the video. If you are only looking for a PVR the EyeTV is great and cheaper. Another added benefit of the Formac is that it removes Macrovision protection from the video so you could capture video from a DVD or VCR tape if you wished.

Chun Hsu · Jan 4, 2003, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by tullamore:
I have both the Formac Studio for my PowerMac and the EyeTV for my iBook.

If you are recording things that you want to keep and save you should go with the Formac because of it's 720 x 480 capture resolution of DV. The EyeTV however saves the files as a 320 x 240 MPEG file which is not very good quality for those looking to edit or convert the video. If you are only looking for a PVR the EyeTV is great and cheaper. Another added benefit of the Formac is that it removes Macrovision protection from the video so you could capture video from a DVD or VCR tape if you wished.

Someone who can compare them! Please advise. I am primarily interested in watching TV and occasionally archiving some shows. Is the EyeTV good enough for that? I used to watch TV on Windows at 640x480 and it looked and worked great. I am concerned that EyeTV won't look good if the window is larger than 320x240. Is that true? I am not looking for DVD quality or anything. Thanks in advance.

wingdo · Jan 4, 2003, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by Chun Hsu:
Someone who can compare them! Please advise. I am primarily interested in watching TV and occasionally archiving some shows. Is the EyeTV good enough for that? I used to watch TV on Windows at 640x480 and it looked and worked great. I am concerned that EyeTV won't look good if the window is larger than 320x240. Is that true? I am not looking for DVD quality or anything. Thanks in advance.

I had the Studio DV/TV and switched to the EyeTV. One of the things I love about the EyeTV is "Burn VCD image" is one of the menu options. It exports the QT file into a VCD file Toast can read, starts Toast automatically and sets everything up so all you do is pop in a CD-R and away you go. Very nice feature. Creating a VCD from an archived Studio DV/TV file is a bit more complicated.