jkOnTheRun video- TV on a MacBook Pro
The 17-inch screen of my MacBook Pro was crying out for me to be able to watch TV while working away. I had a Windows version of the Pinnacle PCTV HD USB tuner that I decided to see if it would work with the MacBook Pro. It obviously did as this video demonstration proves and I must say I am very impressed with the Pinnacle and watching/ recording TV on the MBP. I had to purchase the full version of EyeTV (by Elgato) that works with the Pinnacle since I didn't have the Mac version but if you buy the Mac version you get it included. Take a look at how well this works for TV on a Mac. Apple sells a similar product by Elgato but I've seen some reliability issues reported on the web. I have not seen any problems with the Pinnacle. Enjoy the video.
You have GOT to try that OTA HDTV antenna and report back.
Even though I think you've had TOO MUCH fun as it is!
Grrrr....
Posted by: Mike Cane | November 13, 2007 at 03:21 PM
I intend to do just that. It depends on how good the OTA HDTV is in my area, the regular OTA reception sucks.
Posted by: James Kendrick | November 13, 2007 at 03:26 PM
From what I understand, OTA HDTV is a digital signal and does not suffer from the same things as conventional analog transmission: ghosts, etc. But I'm probably totally wrong.
If you can't get a good signal while indoors, hey, that antenna has a mag base -- try it while in your car! Obviously, not while driving.
Posted by: Mike Cane | November 13, 2007 at 03:52 PM
Yea, I bought the Mac version of the Pinnacle PCTV HD USB, and the USB tuner is actually interchangeable with Windows or Mac OSX... you just need tuner software... like EyeTV for OSX or Media Center for Windows.
It's pretty sweet... i can watch TV at work. :P
Posted by: Adolfo | November 13, 2007 at 04:09 PM
Mike, you are totally right. (Mark the date and time. ;) ) OTA DTV, of which HDTV is a subset of, is essentially an all or nothing view because it's digital. There's no snow or ghosting like you'd have on an analog transmission, you either get a picture, get a little pixelation or no pic at all. BTW: the free OTA signals in the US are sent via previously unused UHF channels. James may be too far from the towers to get a DTV signal with the ATSC tuner in the USB stick or might need an amplified antenna like I use for my signals. With mine, I can get all of the Philly stations that are 30 miles away and even get Wilmington, DE which is much further.
Posted by: Kevin C. Tofel | November 13, 2007 at 04:21 PM
So I can use my EyeTV Hybrid with a PC?
I've got it hooked to a Core 2 Duo Mac Mini and it works great.
If I'm reading this thread correctly, all I need is Windows Media Player (or something like it) to run on Windows.
Hmmm
Posted by: acjif98 | November 13, 2007 at 05:06 PM
Sorry "Media Center"
Posted by: acjif98 | November 13, 2007 at 05:08 PM
James,
I bought the Hauppage HVR-950 hybrid stick, which turned out to be identical hardware to the one that Elgato sells. Like you, I discovered that it works just fine on the Mac if you buy the eye TV software. I find that I get fine OTA digital TV signals from the channels in my area that use the UHF band, one of my local channels use VHF band, I don't get it very well in Analog or digital with the little stick antenna that comes with my Hauppage stick.
Posted by: Tax Man | November 13, 2007 at 07:59 PM
Hmmm... if the bundled antenna doesn't work, I expect JK to do a run to Radio Shack. Stand by for a review of HDTV OTA antenni!
Posted by: Mike Cane | November 14, 2007 at 09:23 AM