The EyeTV Wonder USB 2.0 is the result of a coaction between Elgato Systems and ATI Technologies . At first coup d’oeil , this construct seems to be a slam - dunk shot – an EyeTV - brandmark digital video record-keeper at less than half the cost and half the size of the EyeTV 200 ( , July 2004 ) , combined with an ATI TV wireless . alas , the EyeTV Wonder is far from wondrous .
Viewing vs. Recording
When it come to watching TV on your Mac , the EyeTV Wonder truly delivers . The ATI hardware transmits cutting uncompressed video across the USB 2.0 connection to the computing machine . So compared to other EyeTV models , the viewing experience of live TV is the same or better with the Wonder 2.0 . That ’s the good news .
Recording picture , however , is another story . The EyeTV 200 , EyeTV USB ( , November 2002 ) , and even the co - branded Plextor ConvertX ( , May 2005 ) all have MPEG compressors in the hardware ; the Wonder USB 2.0 does not . So the encumbrance of compressing the incoming video in real time to MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 falls on the Mac ’s processor . In my testing , while register video with the Wonder USB 2.0 , it was not unusual to tax the processor in excess of 60 percentage of its mental ability . As a result , while the EyeTV 200 can record DVD - quality MPEG-2 on a Mac Mini , the Wonder USB 2.0 can memorialise only VCD quality MPEG-1 on the same simple machine . In fact , it takes a dual - central processing unit Power Mac G5 to achieve the same MPEG-2 calibre that the EyeTV 200 or the ConvertX can reach on a Mac Mini .
And that ’s if it work . I was able to record VCD quality MPEG-1 with the Mac Mini , but ironically I was ineffective to record any usable MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 over a three - week period with a top - of - the - melody , Bluetooth - equipped iMac G5 with 2 GB of RAM . The applied scientist at Elgato track most of the problem to a software difference with Bluetooth and an extra issue with Panther ’s mainframe setting in the Energy Saver scheme preference . They consecrate to direct the issue rapidly , but it was unresolved at press time .
aside from the transcription limitations , the EyeTV scheduling package remains solid . Adding the power to choose the recording quality on a program - by - program base would be a welcome future improvement .
Macworld’s Buying Advice
If you just need to observe TV on your Mac , and not book , the EyeTV WonderUSB 2.0 is terrific . But if you want to record TV , we do n’t advocate this ware . Unless you have a twofold - processor Power Mac G5 , you ca n’t get the full transcription quality you would want out of the social unit . Owners of single - processor Macs would be better serve by buy the higher - price EyeTV 200 or the mid - price Plextor ConvertX.
[ Anton Linecker is a video technical advisor and writer based in Los Angeles . ]
[ EDITOR ’S NOTE : This clause has been redact since its original mailing to clarify info in the buying advice segment . ]
