Monday, October 24, 2005
myTV.PVR - PVR With Built-in Hardware Encoder For The Mac
UPDATE: BYOPVR has a discussion with screenshots, the interface looks like crap, but what I’m hoping for is that Apple will build in support for this device in Front Row, much like Microsoft did with the PVR cards from Hauppauge in MCE. Maybe this is the missing component Apple has needed to build a PVR/Media Center. Eskape Labs, which is a division of Hauppauge (the makers of PVR cards for Windows Media Center), just released the myTV.PVR. This is the company’s first combination TV tuner with built-in MPEG encoder designed specifically for the Macintosh platform.
The myTV.PVR is an external USB 2.0 device and looks like it’s roughly the same size as a Mac Mini (so much for a compact Mac Media Center). The unit also provides dbx-TV stereo audio for quality TV sound and incorporates an hardware MPEG-2 video recorder for fast video on the Mac’s hard drive without compromising overall computer performance — a first for the Mac!. Video is compressed using a Conexant 416 MPEG-2 chip, compressing TV shows or home videos at a variety of transfer rates ranging from 1 to 12 Mbits/sec in MPEG-2. As far as program guides, myTV.PVR supports Titan TV, which is pretty good, so scheduling shows should be pretty easy. Out of all the “TV” cards for for the Mac, I’d recommend this one over all the others because it uses a hardware encoder rather than software and includes a FM tuner, making your Mac a true, usable media platform. The unit retails for $149.00 and is availalbe now.
Now I wonder if they’ll have a CableCard and HD version soon to compete with the next generation of Window’s Media Center PC’s.
- myTV.PVR Specs
- Buy Now From AMAZON.com — myTV.PVR
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COMMENTS
Any one try one of these yet? I saw a user review somewhere, that was pretty damning of it, so I kind of wrote it off, but now that Mavro is talking about it, the credibility starts to climb back up again.
Hey…. this looks like my three year old Haupage USB TV Tuner / DVR. Hmmmmm wonder if I can use it on the mac with their drivers?
I need a demo or something. I am SO close to ditching TiVo entirely over the lack of TiVo2Go support for Mac. I called in the other day to cancel my series 1 box just because I wasn’t using it, and told the guy I’d be calling back if I didn’t hear something soon, and he flat out told me, “I don’t think they’re really working on it.” Granted, he’s “just” a CSR phone-drone, but still…
I WILL LIKE TO MAKE AN URGENT ENQUIRY ON YOUR PRODUCT OF myTV.PVR
Why not go with Elgato? They have HiDef and CableCard support already. I’ve also heard that you can connect multiple Elgato eyeTV’s for standard def, hi-def, and cable-card.
Their interface is really slick too, Plextor is using it for their Mac version of the ConvertX PVR.
Hauppauge might make great Windows Tuners, but I’d rather have Firewire. Also, Apple didn’t start using USB 2.0 until the last 2 years, so anyone with an older Mac will need a USB 2.0 controller.
“Why not go with Elgato?”
Price.
Elgato has no products that support cable card.
The hardware works fine but the interface is not so great. Also the quick guide that comes with the unit is the pits! Finding out how to set it up almost requires that you call the tech suport. The tech suport is good but some better printed material or better information on there web site would save people a lot of time.
HELP? Re: myTV.PVR
Did this company fold? I was looking for software to install & can’t seem to locate the original company?
Anyone have any info on where I can find the software for a Mac G4?
Thanks,
Lynn
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