Customer Reviews

EyeTV Hybrid - Mac TV tuner stick that receives free over-the-air (OTA) HDTV, Clear QAM & analog TV (10020630)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

My MacBook Pro, combined with the EyeTV Hybrid and an over-the-air HDTV antenna, has been my first introduction into the beautiful quality of broadcast HDTV. While the USB stick is a little big and clunky looking hanging off the side of the laptop, the picture and DVR functionality it delivers has been top-notch! I'm certainly buying another one for the new desktop Mac I'm picking up.

I've had this product since version 2 of the software, and El Gato has been great about issuing software updates, bug fixes and interface improvements in the 6+ months I've owned it. Version 3 of the software is very polished and functioning well. Upgrades for software have so far been free and delivered in just a minute or two over my broadband Internet connection. The EyeTV software always checks for any new versions that might be out and notifies you on-screen that a new version is available.

The only thing I don't enjoy about the product is the remote control. It's a bit cheap looking and has some bad ergonomics in regards to controlling the software. Plus it does not take advantage of the Mac's own built-in infra-red remote receiver, but instead uses one on the USB stick. That can make for some awkward aiming to get the stick to see the remote's commands.

Other than that, I'd recommend this product to any Mac user wanting an HDTV connection. I'd imagine this would be a great space-saving device for kids in dorms too! Eliminate space taken by a TV. Your Mac will make an excellent HDTV and DVR with this inexpensive device!


ADDENDUM: 2/13/2010

As pointed out by another customer, EyeTV software _now_ is able to use the Apple Remote directly with the built-in infra red receiver on new Mac's with the latest updates to the soft ware. Thanks, El Gato! And it functions really well while watching recorded material. I have not tried it with menu navigation, etc., in the tuner section of the software. I loved this product so much that I did end up picking up another one. But this time I bought the more expensive EyeTV 250 Plus for use on a 24" iMac. The 250 Plus basically adds a small box with analog video inputs and its own processor for converting analog videos to digital. I have some old videotapes and LaserDiscs that I plan on archiving this way. You can also do this with the EyeTV Hybrid, but it uses the Mac's own CPU for most of the processing muscle. Depending on how you use your Mac, the 250 Plus could free up your Mac to do other things while converting video.Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus Digital/Analog TV Receiver and Video Converter

I got this to use in my office in New York City. The office building is surrounded by other buildings, which to me means that a signal for HDTV should be impossible. I connected this to my MAC, installed the included software, plugged in a TERK indoor HD antenna, and I was up and running in less then 10 minutes with the NY local networks in HD.

I WAS SHOCKED.

I had perfect signal strength and now a DVR on my mac. I was watching HD TV and able to pause, rewind, record, schedule, etc....

Pros:
MAC compatible.
USB - which makes it portable between home and the office.
Software is top notch.
It works out of the box...no setup issues.

NO CONS I can think of.

I love the software interface and the picture quality.

Enjoy!

UPDATE 01/21/2009
I am a cross platform user, primarily because of job function. I have my MAC setup with boot camp to run Vista, Windows 2008 Server, and now Windows 7 BETA. While I was sitting here one day someone walked in and said there is a plane down in the Hudson River (I am in NYC)...put the TV on your mac. I said I cant...I am in Windows 7 and working....it will take me a few moments. But....I was anxious and thus I noticed that Windows 7 had picked up the Elgato and installed the drivers...WOW!. How to make it work??? Simple...I launched Media Center (I have Windows 7 Beta Ultimate) and started the setup process...took 2-3 minutes. Once completed Windows Media Center allowed me to use the Eye TV Hybrid to get my local networks in NYC and view them in HD in Windows 7. DVR, Guides, and just about all working in Windows Media center without the need to find drivers and or 3rd party software.

Another POINT for this device....

01/30/09
I also tested this device to take Composite inputs from a satellite box at home so that I could use the mac to record shows, etc and move them to a iPhone/Appletv etc... AGAIN flawless. It is easy and setup is as simple as can be.....It comes with a cable that accepts analog video, svhs video, and sound via rca jacks. All connects to the units mini-usb port so you can watch without a coaxial (cable) connection.

As a side note...remember, no tv tuner can descramble satellite or scrambled cable channels. You must use a cable box to record those types of channels...for example HBO, Pay Per View, etc....

I've had the EyeTV Hybrid now for about 18 months. It was really great to be able to record TV shows right onto your computer. Recently, I started getting error messages and contacted Elgato about the problem. They told me that in "rare cases" the Hybrid unit fails. If its so rare then why is it the number 6 selection on their support site when you have problems with your unit. I think this problem isn't so rare. Be careful of this product.

decided to replace an older elgato tv tunter for my imac with a new one. besides the fact that the hybrid is sooo small, the picture quality with HD channels (i use time warner cable) is AMAZING! my 20" imac immediately became a fantastic LCD tv! recording HD also worked fine (only recorded shorter programs though).

also like the fact that one gets free tv guide programming info....

all in all, i can recommend this product..

I thought I was purchasing the EyeTV Hybrid 2009 (I was buying in 2009 after all); however, I got this model, which is the 2008 model. The 2009 model also receives FM and claims to have improved reception. The newer model is now available on Amazon. Get that instead.

I bought this to replace an analog TIVO system. No monthly fees and reasonable price were attractive. But the reality is it just doesn't work that well. The program guide and smart recordings have not worked out for me. It can't seem to handle several recordings in a row. The first one records then the next ones are all screwed up. I have missed too many recordings now, and have no confidence in it working. For those contemplating a purchase, I can tell you that the manual recordings seem to work alright, but I guess I feel I should be able to use ALL the features of this software, not just a few. On top of this annoyance, recordings on my iMac are choppy, and export to AppleTV format is hit and miss. My computer exceeds any requirements that Elgato lays out, so I am not certain why that is. Anyway, I have kinda given up on this option. Too many hassles. TIVO is expensive, but it works well without much effort on my part. Perhaps there is another option out there. Back to the drawing board.

This USB tuner is very compact. If the transmission towers for stations you want to watch are nearby and in direct line-of-sight, you can probably plug this directly into the side slot on your laptop and get good reception without an antenna. Otherwise, plug the short USB cable that is supplied into the computer, plug in the tuner, and attach an antenna to the other end -- I used a combo UHF/VHF from an old TV -- and aim the antenna in the direction that gets the best signal. (I don't recommend plugging the tuner directly into your computer if you must attach an antenna: antenna cables are very stiff, and if you move your laptop or antenna, you could damage the computer port or the tuner).

The software supplied with the tuner works well and is very easy to set up and to use. In hilly San Francisco, I get very good reception with my old UHF/VHF antenna from many more stations than I knew existed.

Note that the tuner tends to generate heat -- a LOT of heat if you don't use an antenna, somewhat less with an antenna attached -- not a fire danger, but enough to startle you if you happen to brush your hand against it.

Pros
Installation and setup was quick and easy.
EyeTV offers a great interface for watching, recording, and editing (e.g. removing commercials from recorded movies).
Ability to schedule recordings online through TitanTV (I have yet to test this).
Works with analog and digital signal. I have tested it with both over the air digital, analog cable, and analog component input (e.g. vhs player). Says it also supports Clear QAM cable.
Works great for converting old VHS tapes.
Cons
Antenna must be purchased separately.
It is a challenge to set up channel listings and electronic program guide when you have a "non standard" cable provider. The apartment complex where I live offers a "proprietary" cable service. The provider is not listed when I type in my zip code to get program listings and the EPG guide. There may be other ways to do this but my solution has been to select a common cable provider in my area and manually map each channel to the ones from that provider. This is quite cumbersome but it works for most channels in my case.
The Roxio Toast Basic that comes with the product is fairly limited in functionality. I have upgraded to Toast Titanium which, among other things, allows compression of longer movies to fit a single DVD.

All in all I'm very happy with my purchase.

DO NOT BUY THIS UNLESS you are running 10.4 or 10.5. If you have anything above 10.5.2, it WILL NOT WORK!

I run 10.6.8 on my MacMini. I was soooo happy to get this thing as I am stationed in Afghanistan and couldn't lug a TV over here. I installed the EyeTV program on my Mini and was instantly greeted with the message, "You can't use this version of the application EyeTV with this version of Mac OS X. You have EyeTV 3.0.2 (3744). I read the manufacturer's website and it listed this particular version as the only EyeTV unit that works specifically on a Mac, which is why I bought it.

So I read the user guide and it says, "It requires a Macintosh computer with built-in USB 2.0 ports, and Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later. We recommend Mac OS X 10.5.2 Leopard with all software and security updates installed."

OK, so, it recommends 10.5.2, requires 10.4 higher...so why won't 10.6.8 work? Lame.

Until the company releases some kind of patch for 10.6 and higher, I rate this product a 1-star. Shame on you Elgato for being so short-sighted!

Been loving my EyeTV Hybrid since version 2.0 of the software (couple of years now). Generally rock solid assuming good signal strength. Love the ability to easily edit out commercials and such.

I am very concerned that ElGato has chosen that next year TitanTV is being dropped for a pay service (TV Guide). So people looking to buy their product need to be prepared to now pay extra money every year just to get guide update. Sounds to me like ElGato may have bought a stake in TV Guide and wants to dip into our pockets yet again. Shame on them regardless. If I don't pay I assume I'll be left out in the cold with a little mini brick usb stick. Might as well buy a tivo if thats the case.

Would have a five star rating if it only came with a bluetooth remote and a Guide that I won't have to pay to use.