macnn

01/17/2008, 11:30am, EST

Thursday, January 17th

MWSF: EyeTV 3 supports remote access features, more

El Gato's EyeTV 3 software vastly improves the company's hardware analogue video converters, adding remote programmability, as well as many other advanced features. The software can be configured through a local or wide area network connection, allowing users to record television content without requiring direct access. The upgrade to EyeTV 3 costs $40, and is included with all new products. New licenses are priced at $80. [corrected]

Users of Cover Flow and Front Row will find familiar interfaces in EyeTV 3, allowing the user to record, search through, and play back video material efficiently. The Front Row-like interface can be controlled entirely using the included remote.

A TiVo-stye programming guide interface allows users to search for their favorite programs, but is not available in some ares. Some users, such as those in Canada, can use an open-source scheduler, according to staff showing the product.

Video can be automatically converted for iPods, with a checkbox in the options panel enabling users to convert video to 3GPP format for use on a cell phone or other portable media device. Captured footage can also be optimized for streaming over wireless network connections.

Filed under: peripherals, software, digital imaging
Other story tags: video, MWSF 08, streaming, EyeTV, El Gato

, 6

6 comments

Reader Reactions (Please use <i></i> for italic text)

subscribe to comments
for this article

Expand All

Global Settings

Guest

Upgrade is $39.95

01/17, 12:36pm, EST

The full price is $79.95, the upgrade price is $39.95.

http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/buy.en.html#software

ibnabouna

Not Worth It

01/17, 2:18pm, EST

I purchased this quickly after it was released. After using it for a couple of days, I really don't see much advantage to this upgrade if you have EyeTV 2.5. The iPod/iPhone features were released a few months ago for 2.5 users. CoverFlow doesn't really enhance the experience. While the editor has a nicer interface, it works pretty much the same. Exporting shows into Apple TV and/or iPhone format is still really slow--much slower than Handbrake and Visual Hub. Hopefully, 3.1 will have more to offer...

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined Feb 2006

User is offline

hayesk

Re: not worth it

01/17, 3:17pm, EST

The new features were outlined and you did not comment on them. I'm curious why you bought the upgrade if the new features weren't important to you.

BTW, exporting uses QuickTime I believe. If you use their hardware encoder, you'll find it's much faster than Handbrake or Visual Hub.

Professional Poster

Joined Sep 1999

User is offline

jonbwfc1

not really highlighted

01/18, 5:32am, EST

But the big thing in this version, to me at least, are the 'smart guides'. Basically, they're a 'series link' function (for those familiar with Sky boxes in the UK) for EyeTV. You set up a smart guide for your favourite show, set it to record and the system will then record every instance of that show as it is broadcast, without you having to do a thing.

This is worth the $40 upgrade price *on it's own*.

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined Nov 2003

User is offline

Tanker10a

eyeT Hybrid

01/21, 8:11am, EST

I have had this device since it was released. I have this device attached to my 30-inch cinema display being fed by a cable hookup independent of the cable box via a splitter (No HBO, STARZ, etc). One drawback about it is that I cannot take it with me on my laptop to capture air broadcast. It needs one of those stubby antennas and I do not know why Elgato won't make one for it. and no one makes such an antenna. And, I have tried unsuccessful to retrofit one with antenna parts using COAX stuff. Otherwise, it does what it does with a stationery computer very well.

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined Jan 2003

User is offline

Your Comments

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

Default Comment View
External Page Links
Comment Threading View