EyeTV Hybrid

Compliments of the folks at Elgato, this slick little TV Tuner Stick accommodates both unencrypted Digital and HDTV reception, as well analog reception. Weighing in at just 30 grams and with dimensions just a bit bigger than a pack of gum, the EyeTV Hybrid ushers in clear and pristine picture to the high resolution of your Mac. What’s more, EyeTV Hybrid also receives FM radio. Since EyeTV Hybrid is also a DVR (Digital Video Recorder), it can put your television recordings on your Mac, iPod, iPhone and Apple TV. And for gamers out there, EyeTV Hybrid also allows you to connect most game consoles to your Mac. Sweet.

ATI TV Wonder

The ATI TV Wonder HD 650 Series is a high-definition personal video recorder built just for your Mac (and even works on PC too). Not only is this particular model stacked with the latest in TV technologies such as noise reduction, 3D comb filtering and automatic screen control, but this mighty tuner packs a punch by offering edge enhancement through automatic color control, which produces sharp video that in theory, rivals high-end consumer television sets.

Slingbox PRO-HD + iPhone version

Never again will you be away from home and stuck with that terrible feeling of anxiety because you forgot to set your tuner to record that special program. With the Slingbox PRO-HD, you can watch and control multiple devices, including your standard or high-definition DVR, digital cable, satellite receiver, or DVD player from anywhere in the world via your Mac or iPhone. Your high definition programming streams in HD quality for a truly stellar picture.

Pinnacle PCTV HD mini Stick

Pinnacle’s all digital Mini HD TV Stick (now owned and offered by Hauppauge Digital) brings an easy-to-use TV experience to Mac owners. Pinnacle TV for Mac HD mini Stick is a smooth, ultra-compact, USB-powered TV tuner that compliments Apple’s slim line of notebooks elegantly. Effortlessly watch, record and ‘TimeShift’ your favorite programs while the integrated signal booster improves reception sensitivity even if the signal isn’t very strong. Pinnacle TV for Mac HD mini Stick is available for digital TV reception and even comes with a mini remote control as well as a high-gain telescopic antenna.

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 950 Hybrid TV Stick

Watch and record TV, in a window or full screen, with WinTV-HVR-950Q. This hybrid tuner brings over-the-air high definition ATSC digital TV plus analog cable TV effortlessly to your Mac or PC with either Elgato’s EyeTV Lite for Mac or Hauppauge’s WinTV v6 for PC. Use the scheduler to record your favorite analog or digital TV shows and play your TV recordings back to your MAC or PC screen any time.

HDHomeRun Networked Digital TV Tuner

Now you can watch TV from any computer on your local network thanks to HDHomeRun Networked Digital TV Tuner. Forget about the hassle of multiple TV tuners for individual computers in your household; now all you need is one. Easily record full 1080i broadcast resolution so that you can enjoy, pause, rewind and fast-forward live TV. With the added ability to schedule and record all your favorite TV shows, this tuner won’t ever let you miss anything again thanks to its integrated TV guide provided by the DVR software.

TubeStick QAM Hybrid

TubeStick hybrid is one of the few small TV receivers exclusively for Mac users. Encompassing two receivers for watching digital over-the-air HDTV or digital (Clear QAM) and analog cable television, the TubeStick QAM Hybrid combines both digital and analog television in one tiny stick and includes a white mini-antenna for reception of free-to-air SD and HDTV. TubeStick hybrid is available in the U.S. only.

Miglia TVMax

With a box just about as small and as stylish as an Apple TV or Mac mini, you are in control of your TV viewing: watch, pause, rewind, skip forward and record live TV. TVMax receives analog over the air (antenna) as well as analog cable TV. In addition, TVMax can also capture VHS tapes, allowing you to store them on your hard drive.

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I’ve had my eye on CinemaView monitors since they were announced, but was a little put off recently by the lack of any forthcoming news. Now, Collins America, the makers of the upcoming CinemaView Mini DisplayPort compatible monitors that you can actually afford without selling any of your children, are letting us know that they’re not only still in the works, but that they’ve already undergone a refresh.

That probably means that the displays have yet to see a production line, since major changes in product offerings after you’ve already produced a thousand units isn’t generally regarded as a profitable approach. And Collins America’s changes aren’t minor, either. It’s dropped the 19- and 20-inch models entirely and added a new, high-end offering that makes me drool and is actually priced very reasonably, in line with previous offerings. Finally, it’s added an external HD TV tuner, too, so you can use your CinemaView as your television.

So, the lineup now stands at only two display choices (a 24- and a 47-inch) and a supplementary HD TV tuner that will work with either. Both displays feature 1920×1080 max resolution (read: 1080p), VESA-mount compatibility and four USB ports built in. They also connect to your Mac via a supplied single cable, and are made of aluminum (frame), and optical glass (screen), so they should be in aesthetic harmony with any current gen Mac owner’s setup. They’re priced at $499 and $1499, respectively.

The last piece of the puzzle, the CinemaView TV, will cost you another $399, but it does seem to pack quite a punch into a small package. It boasts four HDMI inputs, a Mini DisplayPort in/out, a composite/component in, and a digital audio in/out. Combined with the 47-inch display, it’s almost the perfect companion to a living room-based Mac mini, which is why I’m leaning towards it. For users who’d rather use their own existing TV, but wouldn’t mind having a little mini A/V receiver (which is what the CinemaView TV basically is), the device also has one HDMI out for connecting to traditional televisions.

Expected ship dates for the entire CinemaView line are also now posted. People looking for the 24-inch display will only have to wait until October, while those hoping to get their hands on the 47-inch and the CinemaView TV will have to cool their heels a little longer, since both have an anticipated street date of January 2010. You can place a no-obligation reservation for the device of your choice now via the CinemaView web site, but international customers might be in for some sticker shock, since there are some pretty hefty markups for orders from outside the U.S.

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In recent years, the Mac has become a device capable of acting as a very powerful media center. iTunes, Front Row, and OS X in general, provide a plethora of features which justify the Mac as a living room device.

That said, one vital piece is missing as a standard: watching and recording live TV on your Mac. There is a wide variety of hardware and software which allow you to watch TV, and this post will cover some of the options available to you.

What’s available?

There are several different TV receivers available for the Mac. They all connect via USB, plug into an antenna socket (some include small, portable antennas), and are bundled with a piece of software. Many offer slightly different additional features which meet the specific needs of different users.

The most widely known company producing Mac tuners is Elgato. They develop a range of ‘EyeTV’ devices, and also the widely acclaimed EyeTV Software. The main competitors to Elgato consist of Pinnacle and Miglia. Interestingly, the majority of TV products are aimed at the non-U.S. international market. I’ll note which devices are international and which are U.S. compatible below.

Elgato

EyeTV Hybrid – A versatile DVB-T/DVB-C/Analogue TV tuner and FM radio receiver. EyeTV Hybrid also comes with a video cable for composite (RCA) and S-Video to connect a set-top box to your Mac for satellite or premium channels. This is a very versatile device, which supports most connections (even allowing the use of gaming consoles). It comes with the EyeTV software, a remote control, and is available in European and US versions.

EyeTV Diversity – A dual TV tuner stick that receives Digital Terrestrial Television (DVB-T, or DTT). In “Dual-Tuner mode”, you can watch two different TV shows on your Mac at the same time, or watch one show while you record another. A “Diversity” mode can also be used, which amplifies the received signal through combining both tuners. Quite a formidable concept, with some great functionality. It’s Europe only for the moment.

EyeTV DTT (+ Deluxe) – A compact DVB-T TV tuner with either a full size antenna plug, or a compact version (in the Deluxe edition). You can opt for the standard DTT to receive the basic tuner with no extras, or the Deluxe DTT which comes bundled with a small portable antenna, a remote control and is small enough to fit snugly in the MacBook Air. As with the Diversity, it’s Europe only.

Pinnacle

Pinnacle only offers one TV tuner product for the Mac, the HD Mini Stick. It’s a fairly basic device, with different versions for the US and Europe. It comes with a mini remote, a portable antenna and a carry-bag. Rather than being bundled with the full EyeTV 3 software, they come with a stripped down version called ‘EyeTV Lite’. This still offers most of the main functionality you’d need — basic features such as watching, scheduling and recording TV. It’s possible to upgrade to the full version at a later date. For the price, however, you’d be better off opting for one of Elgato’s devices in the first place.

Miglia

And so we come to the final offering — Miglia’s TV Mini devices. With one exception, these are all non-U.S. — only the TVMicro Express works in the USA. The product lineup from Miglia is as follows:

• TVMini+ – A portable tuner with support for digital & analogue TV, as well as connecting composite and S-Video.
• TVMini 2 – Featuring a compact design, perfect for thin Apple laptops.
• TVMini Express – The budget version, with a relatively compact size and no frills.
• TVBook Pro Express – An unnecessarily long name, but this tuner fits into the ExpressCard slot in the MacBook Pro. Clever!
• TVMicro Express – The international version of the TVMini Express, working worldwide.

Miglia have an extensive line up, and you’ll probably find that only a few of their devices are available where you are. They all come bundled with Miglia’s own TV software, which supports recording, scheduling, integrating with an online TV guide and exporting into iTunes/iPod/Apple TV etc.

Conclusion

It is clear to see that the different companies producing Mac TV products are differentiating their lineup in a similar way. You’ll need to decide whether you want: (a) a compact and budget device; (b) one which supports composite and S-Video inputs; (c) one which fits into an ExpressCard slot; or (d) one with multiple tuners for simultaneous recording/viewing.

Software is also a very important consideration. The definitive market leader is EyeTV 3, which undoubtedly provides a wide range of features. However, if you’re looking to save a few hard earned pennies and don’t require the latest and sleekest software, opting for a device offering EyeTV Lite or MigliaTV could be a cheaper option.

Regardless of which you opt for, I hope this article has opened your eyes to the range of options available and will allow you to make a better informed decision!

Note: There are also a number of TV tuner devices which support hardware encoding of TV shows to a H.264 format. I haven’t covered these in this review (to keep it to a readable size!) but may do so in a future post.

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Stereo Receiver

I have multimedia speakers, one of the many Logitech 5.1 sets that seem to be deeply discounted at Best Buy at least once or twice every few weeks. They produce great sound considering how cheap they were, but they don’t have a remote and my TV clicker doesn’t control external speakers. Having to stand up and walk to the rear right speaker constantly to adjust the volume makes me feel like I’m trapped in the 1950s, and not in the good, “Those were the days” kind of way.

Light bulb: I can control the volume on my MacBook via remote, and it has both line-in and line-out ports (mini-TOSLINK compatible ones).  The problem, however, is that OS X doesn’t natively channel sound directly from input source to output.

With the help of some Google prospecting, I found LineIn, a simple freeware application that enables playthrough and does so very well.  Setup was a breeze, and with the help of a couple cables (RCA to mini-stereo for TV to Mac, mini-stereo to mini-stereo for Mac to speakers) I was once again in full control sitting comfortably on the couch.

Yogurt Thief Catcher

This is actually something I wish I’d been able to do instead of something I’ve done. I used to have roommates, and in case you never have… don’t. Ever. It seemed like a fun college-student thing to do, but it wasn’t. It was constant fighting and petty squabbles. Over things like who ate my yogurt. The yogurt which I bought with my own money for my own consumption.

Had Air Cam Live Video for iPhone (and the iPhone itself) been available, I would’ve been able to catch the culprit in the act. The application, when paired with its desktop counterpart, uses your Mac’s iSight (or any attached compatible webcam, including those that work with macam) to turn your computer into a surveillance device.  You’re iPhone and the computer with the desktop application have to be on the same network, but that’s perfect for catching thieves red-handed.  Also apparently useful as a baby monitor, if you’re into that kind of thing.

Guitar Tuner

While I am not a skilled (or unskilled) guitar player, I have one and sometimes I jab at it with my swollen, indelicate hand digits. When I do so, I like the resulting noises to at least be in tune, since they could never be melodious.  Various tuning apps are available for the iPhone (Guitar Toolkit being my personal preference) but when I’m at home I use Guitar Tuner by Hidetomo Katsura & Rustle Laidman. It’s simple, clean, and extremely accurate, and while shareware, the price to register is only $9.00. Even my friends with actual musical talent swear by this little app.

Comic Book Reader

It has “book” right in the name, so it makes sense that I would occasionally use my MacBook to actually read things.  High on the list of things I like to read are comics, because they have pretty pictures and  explosions. Paper still appeals to the collector in me, but my bachelor pad provides little archiving space and conveniently forgetting boxes of comics at friends’ houses is not a long-term storage solution.

Thank goodness for the recent rise in the availability of digital comics. Although the big houses (like Marvel and DC) seem to be sticking with web content as the method of delivery, smaller independent studios are taking advantage of image archive formats, like .cbz and .cbr. These are great, because they’re small enough to be easily stored in large numbers without taking up too much drive space, but they require special reader programs to work properly.

This is another area where there is no shortage of software available for OS X, both free and paid. Despite my general reputation as a spendthrift, here (as with Guitar Tuner), I opted for a paid product. Enter ComicBookLover ($24.95). In addition to providing better basic functionality than many of the free apps, it allows you to organize your comics collection in the same way iTunes organizes your music. And it has a convenient laptop viewing mode to automatically rotate the page for easy, readable viewing.

That’s only a few of the ways you can get more out of your Mac.  Stay tuned for more, and send in or post your suggestions below.

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