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JessicaFrost · May 16, 2006, 04:17 PM

The best tool for getting video into the Mac has arrived..the EyeTV 250 from Elgato. I just got one and it works like it says, right out the box.

It records like a TiVo box does, and you can record in different video quality formats. I don't have a video iPod yet, but now I have a good reason to get one. It exports out to iPod format as an option.

Wonderful ..

YogiFish

JessicaFrost · May 17, 2006, 01:42 PM

Has anyone checked the video playback on an iPod yet. Would like to know how it works.

Thanks ..

YogiFish

JLFanboy · May 17, 2006, 06:37 PM

I just got one as well (picked it up from FedEx two hours ago). I expected it to run as promised, but this thing has been nothing but a headache.

The first came when I ran the auto setup. Every channel was black and white with terrible quality, and the sound was awful. I checked Elgato's FAQs, which acknowledged the problem, and said that they had no idea why it was happening. They suggested a workaround and I tried it. It sort of worked. I got color and sound, but the picture quality is still fairly bad. I realize that my beautiful LCD is going to pick up every flaw in the analog signal, but there is definitely something wrong here. And Elgato's site has nothing dealing with poor picture quality. They seem to assume that it's either going to be perfect or terrible.

Bah. I'm just frustrated. On top of all that, every time I use the EyeTV my internet slows to a crawl. Web surfing while channel surfing is next to impossible. I think it must have something to do with the cable in my house. I can't imagine that the EyeTV is using any bandwidth at all through my computer. AND, every time I turn the EyeTV on and off, I lose my internet completely and have to go to another room to reset the cable modem.

Every other thing I've purchased has worked fine. Why does this have to suck. I really hope that I can fix this, because I really don't want to have to return the EyeTV. The software is just too cool.

JessicaFrost · May 17, 2006, 11:40 PM

Sorry to hear you're having troubles. I had tore-install the EyeTV software, and then restart my computer before it worked right.

I have Direct TV myself, so I haven't tested the tuner.

Have you tried just inputing the cable boxes SVHS input and the stereo audio? This would be the best quality.

Good Luck..

YogiFish

footballmad · May 20, 2006, 03:10 PM

I just got my EyeTV 250 last night. *in love*
Worked perfectly. I installed it, set it up, and I figured...reboot before trying it.
I rebooted, and was in heaven

I have cable, and it's directly hooked to my cable. I haven't decided if I'll grab my cable box and hook that up.
Anyway, quality is amazing. Currently have a small window with the TV running. While I was in bed, I had it full-screen and it was the same quality as my TV.
The only problem I had is the fact the TV window can't be 'floating'/always on top, and the stupid remote is slightly pesky. Aside from those 2 issues, I'm happy as can be with it!
I have a 20" iMac G5 2.1mhz with 1.5g ram. I have not noticed ANY slowdown in computer performance OR internet speed. With it on, there is no difference...aside from me being able to watch TV

tillin · May 23, 2006, 12:57 PM

i am really interested in getting one of these, as i have a crap-ass tv lol, and my 23" cinema display is a helluva lot better image quality

. we just got verizon cable, so there is a boatload of channels, the box they gave us though is a DVR. all i really want to do is play the channels from the new cable box on my G5. is this really the only way to do such a thing?

Jasoco · May 30, 2006, 12:48 PM

I have to bump this!

For the past few days I've been on Elgato's web site drooling over the 250. But I can't find it ANYWHERE now! All the online sites are backordered. The Mac store I go to didn't have any. (They had a 200 that he said he'd sell for $300 - It was marked $329. No thanks! $100 more than the superior non-out-of-date model.) So I had him order it. Apple.com says it ships in 10-14 days. Amazon's sold out. Everywhere! The guy at the store was as confused as I was and thought it wasn't out yet. But now I see people DO own them. So they DO exist!

What is going on? Is it so damn good that no one can keep them in stock? Are they recalled? What happened? I REALLY want one! It's like a weird nightmare/dream thing.

I really need one! Well, want one. Still, it's like a craving. And there's no patch.

eddiecatflap · May 30, 2006, 02:47 PM

isn't it analogue only ?

i bought the eyetv for dtt , it's amazing

replaced my tv AND vcr for £100

Jasoco · May 30, 2006, 07:18 PM

Just what I thought.

Jason,

Thank you for contacting Elgato Systems.

The first shipment of EyeTV 250 sold out in less than a week. That was faster than we thought.

So, we're having more made, and they should be ready to ship relatively soon. That could be a few weeks - I don't know for certain.

You can contact sales@elgato.com in about 2 weeks, to get an update.

Once they are available, they will be shipped to stores, and to individuals that purchase from us.

Thank you for your patience.

Nick Freeman
Customer Support

Elgato Systems LLC

Now I want one more than ever. I hope they don't take too long. I ordered one at MacOutfitters, so I eagerly await my phone call.

Weezer · Jun 8, 2006, 11:22 AM

I have had an original eyeTV USB for several years, since they were first released, and its a great little product. I'm looking to upgrade, and have been looking into the eyetv 250. However, why would I get that over say:

http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/...pno~648658.asp

which uses the same great eyeTV software, but can do hardware mpeg 4 and divx? The no-delay console thing doesnt really matter to me.