The EyeTV 250 requires a single 500MHz G4 or greater and OS X 10.4 . Since the social unit has a hardware MPEG encoder — unlike Elgato ’s other product , the EyeTV Hybrid ( ) — the computer processor is only minimally taxed when record even the highest quality MPEG-2 video .
Whereas the EyeTV 200 was a FireWire gadget , for the EyeTV 250 , Elgato choose to go with a USB 2.0 interface . Though the move to USB does n’t strike the quality of television transcription , the 250 now requires an international power supply rather than being motorcoach - powered . It ’s not a openhanded deal , but I never seem to have a free electrical socket .
The EyeTV 250 can record TV syllabus as either MPEG-2 ( for DVD ) or MPEG-1 ( desirable for Video CD ) . These recordings can be edit with the admit EyeTV 2 ( ) software to remove commercial and unwanted stuff . you could even pick a specific section of your transcription to export . EyeTV 2 is tightly integrated with Toast 7 ( not included ) , create it easy to make videodisc of your recorded idiot box programs . The EyeTV 2 software also has a button for undivided - click video iPod exportation .
Elgato includes a breakout cable with mho - video and composite RCA picture connexion with the EyeTV 250 . Using this line and the included VHS Assistant software system , you’re able to make digital backups of your honest-to-goodness VHS home plate movie . you may also stop up in a play console so you may diddle game on your Mac ’s varan . ordinarily , this would be difficult with a equipment that curb a computer hardware encoder , which normally adds a delay while turn in the filmdom . But Elgato lets you turn off the computer hardware encoder while in plot musical mode , so there is no delay .
Elgato ’s EyeTV 2 software is the premium TV transcription software package usable for the Mac today . EyeTV 2 act upon seamlessly withTitanTVto docket recordings . you’re able to even access plan agenda from within EyeTV 2 ( the previous version of EyeTV required you to go to the TitanTV World Wide Web website ) . In a recent update , Elgato add a Front Row - like full projection screen mode for their software program . you could now navigate , agenda recordings , and take on video from your sofa , all via a supplied remote control , or with an Apple Remote .
Macworld’s buying advice
The EyeTV 250 is a great personal telecasting recorder for Mac users . This is a particularly utilitarian unit of measurement if you have a slow Mac , as the computer hardware encoder see high timber recordings without stressing the reckoner ’s C.P.U. .
[ Anton Linecker is a author and video technical consultant exist in Los Angeles . ]
