[slipjack]

Hey all,

I was wondering if I could get some people to post that have successfully gotten TV on their Mac to work... is it worth it? What channels can you get? Has anyone tried it with the Cinema Displays?

[tooki]

You get whatever channels you would get with a television -- you are just using the Mac as a TV, the source for the programming is the same.

I'm sure plenty of people have done it with a Cinema Display.

As for whether it's worth it, I couldn't say, as I haven't gotten a TV tuner.

Do a search for "tuner" in this forum, this topic gets discussed every week or two.

tooki

[SSharon]

to help you with your search look for eye-tv for an external option (the new ones are firewire) or if you want an internal tuner search for alchemy or pci based tuner. I have the old eye-tv, the usb model, and it works great.

[slipjack]

Originally posted by SSharon:
to help you with your search look for eye-tv for an external option (the new ones are firewire) or if you want an internal tuner search for alchemy or pci based tuner. I have the old eye-tv, the usb model, and it works great.

Thanks, I'll do a search...

Pros/Cons between Eye TV and the Miglia PCI?

[SSharon]

Well I can only answer from my experience which has been with the eye-tv usb. As I said I really like the product and the software in particular. Of course USB means not the best picture but for my needs (dorm room) its fine. El gato does make a firewire version (search for eyetv 200, 300, or 400) which from what I hear has great picture quality but it takes up hoardes of hard drive space.

What I say to you is to consider what hardware you are using and what you expect from the product. If you are using a laptop or want a portable device obviously get an external tuner. If you are using a desktop with a free pci slot consider an internal option. If you plan on using a huge monitor go for something other than the usb model (btw I use a 19" flat CRT and the picture isn't the best but its passable). The other thing to consider is software. I like the eyetv software but since I've never used any other I can't compare it to anything.

Finally, search the forums well because this has been discussed and that includes some video that you can download to see the quality. And whatever option you choose you may want to take a quick look at the ATI remote wonder remote control, its cheap and works well with every app I have tried it with.

[joe]

Originally posted by slipjack:
Thanks, I'll do a search...

Pros/Cons between Eye TV and the Miglia PCI?

Having owned both, I'd go for the EyeTV - as long as it's one of the Firewire versions. Mine is the EyeTV200. Better video quality, better software (the BEST software of all tuners IMHO), etc. External kinda sux for a Tower owner. But it's still the best overall.

If you're looking at the older USB EyeTV, then it's a close call. But I'd go for the Miglia PCI instead. Better video quality (due to USB1.x limitations), cheaper, internal (less space, cables, etc).

Another option would be one of the external Formac Studio models with tuner (TVR, dv/tv, etc). The quality is up there with the EyeTV Firewire models. But it saves in DV format instead of MPEG2. Disadvantage is larger files sizes if you plan to archive shows. And an extra step (DV->MPEG2) if you're burning to DVD-R. Advantage is that it works with Apple's software (iMovie, iDVD). Plus it has more i/o ports (esp output). And there's also a free 3rd party software package that kicks ass (vs Formac's own sw). You may also find one cheap on eBay since it's been around longer than the others. I sold mine cheap to get the EyeTV200 ......joe

[badtz]

..... how does Alchemy schedule programs to be recorded? Does it also use TitanTV?


I currently have a EyeTV USB, but I would really like something internal [alchemy]

[ChillieMac]

Doesn't somebody make tuber cards for the PC card slot?

[angelmb]

Originally posted by badtz:
..... how does Alchemy schedule programs to be recorded? Does it also use TitanTV?

Yes, it does, check this update

What's New:
Version 2.2:
TitanTV integration. US residents can now access TV listings and schedule a recordings via www.titantv.com. A special plug-in for TitanTV is installed by default.

[badtz]

How's the interface of Alchemy's program?

screenshots?

[-Q-]

I've really enjoyed my Alchemy card and the TitanTV scheduling is a very welcome improvement.

The interface for interacting with the video is easy - similar to an advanced remote control. The interface/preferences for assigning channels and video compressions can be a bit unweildy, but not too bad. My G5 is in storage while my office is being painted, so I won't be able to provide any screen shots, but hopefully someone else can.

[badtz]

if you could post screenshots that'd be great!

Currently I have an EyeTV, and I like it's interface.

But when I get my Powermac G5, I would prefer something internal ... so I'm debating getting the Alchemy instead, but I really want the interface to be as easy/good as EyeTV's.

The photos from Alchemy's website doesn't show much.

[Weezer]

I have both (my bro got the alchemy free with his G5 and didnt want it), and it's hard to pick a clear winner. It seems like the EyeTV is better at filtering some channels that have distortion on them (crappy university cable). I split my TV jack so I have both hooked up at once, so what I tend to do is record with the EyeTV and watch live with the alchemy.

[badtz]

which interface is better for storing recorded shows, and just to watch shows easily?

also, does the alchemy have video editing features?

[ChadC]

Do the EyeTV firewire systems have RCA input? If so has anyone tried playing xBox or PS2 on with them?

[Weezer]

Originally posted by ChadC:
Do the EyeTV firewire systems have RCA input? If so has anyone tried playing xBox or PS2 on with them?

yes they have them, but you cant use them for consoles because of the slight encoding delay.

[Daracle]

Weez owns...
Love the sig