Elgato only includes the most basic drivers for the device to work with Windows Media Center as a tuner it doesn't even come with a simple PC-based tuner/guide application. A remote like the one on the Apple TV ($99, 4 stars) makes much more sense, and the Apple TV remote can actually be configured for use with the EyeTV Hybrid.Īgain, despite being ostensibly for both Mac and PC, the EyeTV Hybrid is very much a Mac-oriented product. Four-color buttons have become a standard feature on universal remotes, but since the remote is solely for the EyeTV Hybrid, they're just unnecessarily complicated. While the standard conventions of the number pad and four-way direction pad perform well, the mismatched function and color buttons are awkward and difficult to understand. It feels like it was repurposed from another product, with a button layout and arrangement that don't feel intuitive or friendly. Most users will likely prefer using the EyeTV with a mouse and keyboard rather than the remote, since it's a chunky and poorly designed device. The black line around the device is an IR sensor for the included remote (as well as a nice design touch). A metal coaxial adapter plugged into the end of the stick lets the EyeTV Hybrid accept F-connector cables, while an analog video bundle attached to the side opens it up to composite and S-video inputs. However, to actually use the device, you need to plug in at least one of two dongles that connect the EyeTV to video sources. Without any attachments, the EyeTV Hybrid looks like an upscale USB flash drive, smooth and metallic silver with a distinguishing black line running around the edge. It's capable enough to use on a Windows system (with some supporting software in Windows Vista or Windows 7), but its best features can only be used if your computer was made by Apple. Elgato's EyeTV Hybrid ($149.95 direct) USB TV tuner bucks that trend, offering a powerful program guide, DVR, and place-shifting application-for Mac OS. Mac users don't often get fun add-ons that leave PC owners green with envy. Best Hosted Endpoint Protection and Security Software.Also, similar offerings like those from EyeTV have been around for quite a while now, though those require a dedicated media PC to be useful, so Simple.TV’s standalone nature could help it achieve more widespread adoption. The only questions I have about Simple.TV’s long-term success revolve around the requirement that it be plugged directly into a router. The split also seems quite fair, with a good number of features on both sides of the paid/free divide. Simple.TV will also be making a premium plan available at $4.99 per month, with out-of-home remote streaming, scheduled recordings for series programming, and an electronic program guide with images and metadata automatically added to content from your over-the-air or ClearQAM source.Ī freemium model for Simple.TV is an interesting approach, and likely one that can help it continue to sell hardware at a very affordable price while also growing long-term revenue. It can connect to a router via Ethernet (Wi-Fi isn’t an option, which likely makes for better quality assurance, but could pose a problem depending on where the antenna or cable outlet in your house is located), and can also connect to a USB 2.0 hard drive that provides the storage space for DVR functions.īasic service is free, offering simple in-home streaming of live content and the ability to pause live TV record shows. The device also has no video out or pass-through capabilities, as it’s designed specifically to deliver content to non-traditional viewing platforms beyond the TV (though Roku can deliver it to that, too). The service is essentially a blend of TiVo and Slingbox, bringing time-delayed and live viewing of free content to any device, rather than working with existing cable or satellite providers. In addition to streaming to iPad, iPhone and Roku devices, it can also deliver content to a web browser on any other device via an HTML 5 player. The device automatically converts HD content via an integrated TV tuner from HD over-the-air signals or ClearQAM digital basic cable, delivering them in MPEG-4 formats that mobile devices like the iPad, iPhone and Roku streaming boxes can easily play back.Īfter a successful Kickstarter campaign during which Simple.TV raised almost double its $125,000 goal, the project is ready to come to market. customers, who can pick one up via the Simple.TV website for $149. Simple.TV, which attracted a lot of attention at this year’s International CES show in January, is finally announcing the ship date for its DVR solution for live and recorded TV: September 27 for U.S.
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