How does EyeTV 250 Plus compare with EyeTV Hybrid?

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	How does EyeTV 250 Plus compare with EyeTV Hybrid?

Solution Here is how EyeTV 250 Plus compares to EyeTV Hybrid.

Analog Connections

EyeTV 250 Plus and EyeTV Hybrid accept the same type of analog SDTV video inputs:

1) Antenna - using tuner input
2) Unscrambled Analog Cable (channels 1-124) - using tuner input
3) Premium Cable (using cable box first) - change channels using cable box
4) Digital Cable (using cable box first) - change channels using cable box
5) Satellite (using receiver first) - change channels using satellite receiver
6) DVD/VCR/Camcorder (via A/V inputs) - S-Video or composite

If you connect a cable box or satellite receiver up to EyeTV 250 Plus and EyeTV Hybrid, then you will see all non-HD channels. You'd change channels using your cable box or satellite receiver remote.

EyeTV Hybrid and EyeTV 250 Plus use built-in USB 2.0.

Analog Resolutions and Encoding

EyeTV Hybrid and EyeTV 250 Plus support full 720 by 480 (NTSC) or 720 by 576 (PAL) resolutions (depending on in what region they are purchased).

EyeTV 250 Plus contains hardware encoders that offer excellent performance and recording quality. Because the processor intensive MPEG encoding is done in the hardware, you can use an older Macintosh to record high quality programming.

EyeTV Hybrid is primarily for watching television. Recording is done in software by your Mac, and the available resolution depends on your Mac. That means you need a very fast Mac to record in best quality with EyeTV Hybrid.

EyeTV 250 Plus supports MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 hardware encoding.

EyeTV 250 Plus has the following recording presets:

Video CD Compatible
Super Video CD
Extended Play (DVD 240 min)
Long Play (DVD 180 min)
Standard (DVD 120 min)
High (DVD 90 min)
Custom: you can customize encoding and resolutions.

EyeTV Hybrid has 3 recording presets:

Video CD
Standard (DVD 120 min) (single G5 or Intel processor required)
High (DVD 90 min) (dual G5 or Intel processor required)

Video Acquisition and Recording

Capturing analog video from a source like a VCR or Camcorder can be done with EyeTV 250 Plus or EyeTV Hybrid.

Since EyeTV 250 Plus has a encoder chip, it is recommended for such a task, especially on older Macs because converting tapes takes a lot of processing power. EyeTV's hardware encoder does the heavy lifting instead of your Mac.

EyeTV Hybrid uses software encoding and therefore relies on your Mac's processor to encode files. Dual G5 and Intel Macs can handle the demand on the processor quite effortlessly, so an EyeTV Hybrid is a very suitable and inexpensive alternative for newer Macs.

EyeTV 250 Plus even comes with a step-by-step VHS Assistant to walk you through the process. EyeTV Hybrid is unable to use this assistant, but it can still record manually.

Included Accessories

EyeTV 250 Plus comes with an infrared remote control.
EyeTV Hybrid comes with an infrared remote control.
EyeTV 250 Plus and EyeTV Hybrid can be used with the Apple Remote, with Macs that have a built-in IR receiver for the Apple Remote.
EyeTV 250 Plus uses a power adapter, which is supplied.
EyeTV Hybrid is bus powered.

Analog Game Mode

EyeTV Hybrid and EyeTV 250 Plus offer very low latency capture. They are the only EyeTV products suitable for playing video games in real time.

Digital Television

Both EyeTV 250 Plus and EyeTV Hybrid can receive digital TV over antenna/aerial, including HDTV (where available).

HDTV reception will vary depending on which country you are in. Some countries are using MPEG-2 exclusively, while others have started to use H.264. Both standards are supported by EyeTV software, and can be used with EyeTV 250 Plus and EyeTV Hybrid.

Digital Connections

EyeTV Hybrid and EyeTV 250 Plus can receive digital TV over antenna/aerial, using the tuner (coaxial) input.

The 2007 models cannot receive digital cable directly (no Clear QAM, no premium channels, no DVB-C). The 2008 models of both products do have Clear QAM access.

They cannot receive satellite signals directly (no DirecTV, Dish Network, or DVB-S).

They cannot receive component or other high-end inputs.

Digital Resolutions and Encoding

EyeTV 250 Plus and EyeTV Hybrid can receive both SDTV and HDTV signals via the digital antenna/aerial input. That includes 720p and 1080i signals. A Dual G5 or Core Duo Mac is needed to properly display HDTV signals.

Article Details

Article ID:

1193

Created On:

21 May 2008 11:32 PM

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