import English - Knowledgebase Articles

Can I record programs from the live TV buffer?

Yes. With EyeTV 2.5 and above, you can create recordings from the Live TV buffer.

If you’ve been watching a live television show for awhile, use the on-screen remote control to navigate to your desired start point by rewinding, jumping or erasing the timeline. Then click the red record button. To end your new recording, navigate to the desired end point, and click the red button.

If you know that you’d just like to record the show that is currently playing on screen — no need to navigate to the beginning of the show. Control-click the player window, and select Record > Current Show from the contextual menu. EyeTV will record as much of the current show as is present in the live television buffer.

Using the context menu to record the buffer (Current Show or Next Show) will not work in Canada, or other countries that don’t have a Program Guide built into EyeTV.

Once the recording has finished, EyeTV automatically assembles the recording from the pieces of the live buffer by compacting them together into one recording.

There are some factors to keep in mind when you want to record from the Live TV buffer.

If you have been channel surfing, the live television buffer contains data from different channels. In some cases, newly created recordings can contain video from different channels. Playing recordings in EyeTV or exporting to formats such as iPod should work without any issues. Exports of mixed-channel recordings to MPEG Program Stream, DivX, and Windows Media may fail or contain audio artefacts. To work around these issues, individually export the different channel sections within the recording.

Recording within the Live TV buffer will not work if you have set the live TV buffer in RAM. To change this, go to EyeTV’s Recording Preferences and click the Change button under Live TV Buffer. Uncheck Keep in RAM and click OK.

If you decide to stop recording before the recording catches up to where you had been watching in Live TV, your recording will be longer than you expect.

For example, you’re watching a program and 10 minutes into the program, you decide you want to record it. You set the recording to start from the beginning of the program. Then you decide you only want the first six minutes, so you stop the recording. However, the recording duration will be 10 minutes, not six minutes. This is to ensure that you don’t lose any footage that you may be interested in, since the Buffer will be erased after you record it.

You can trim off any unwanted footage in the Editor - the place where you stopped recording will be marked. Drag the marker to the end, or mark the section you wish to keep and export the clip.

Recording from the Live TV Buffer is not supported with the original EyeTV USB.

How do I send video from EyeTV to the iPhone?

The iPhone supports the following video formats (as per Apple’s iPhone technical specifications, http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html)

• H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats;

• H.264 video, up to 768 Kbps, 320 by 240 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats;

• MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

These are the exact same video specifications supported by the video iPod. EyeTV already contains export presets for the video iPod, which can also be used to export video to your iPhone. The existing presets are for high resolution H.264 (iPod Best), low resolution H.264 (iPod Smallest), and low resolution MPEG4 (iPod Fastest).

There are several ways to access these iPod presets:

• From the File Menu, choose ‘Export’, or select a recording from the ‘EyeTV Programs’ window and press Apple + E to launch the Export function.

• From the ‘EyeTV Programs’ window, control + left-click, or right-click on a recording, and select ‘Export’ from the contextual menu

• From the ‘EyeTV Programs’ window, select a recording, or recordings from the main window, then click the ‘iPod’ export button from the list of icons along the top of the window.

You can configure what format this export button uses from the ‘EyeTV Preferences > General’ screen under the ‘iPod button export format;’ drop-down menu.

Once the export has completed, it will automatically import into your iTunes library under TV shows. From here, you can sync the video to your iPhone.

How does Turbo.264 work with EyeTV?

EyeTV 2.4 or later will automatically detect the Turbo.264, if it is attached to your Mac.

Then, if you choose certain H.264 export options in EyeTV, the Turbo.264 will be used to accelerate the export.

These are the export options which will use the Turbo.264:

1) iPod button at the top of the EyeTV Programs window (if H.264 iPod exports are chosen in the EyeTV General Preferences)
2) Apple TV button at the top of the EyeTV Programs window
3) iPhone button at the top of the EyeTV Programs window (also compatible with iPod Touch)
4) A scheduled recording set to export to Apple TV
5) A scheduled recording set to export to an H.264 iPod format
6) A scheduled recording set to export to the iPhone (also compatible with iPod Touch)
7) The “for Apple TV” export option, from the File menu > Export
8) The “for iPod (Best)” export option, from the File menu > Export
9) The “for iPod (Smallest)” export option, from the File menu > Export
10) The “for PSP (H.264)” export option, from the File menu > Export
11) The “for iPhone” export option, from the File menu > Export

When the Turbo.264 is being used to export, the progress bar in EyeTV will change to red, and there will be a series of pulsing circles below the export bar.

When using the Apple TV export, SDTV content will retain its original resolution. 720 x 480 NTSC content will be exported as 720 x 480; 720 x 576 PAL content will be exported as 720 x 576.

You can use Turbo.264 with EyeTV as long as the Turbo.264 hardware is attached to a Mac with EyeTV 2.4 or later installed.

The EyeTV hardware does not have to be attached to use Turbo.264 for EyeTV exports. If the EyeTV hardware is attached and operating, it will not conflict with Turbo.264 in any way. Turbo.264 can only export fully completed EyeTV recordings - it does not transform a Live TV stream to H.264.

You should install the Turbo.264 software first, so that all necessary components are installed, before using it for the first time with EyeTV. You can plug in the Turbo.264 before or after the EyeTV software is started.

HDTV content in EyeTV will be exported to 800 x 448, when using the Apple TV export and Turbo.264. Using anamorphic encoding, the video will play back as 960 x 540.

How do I setup the EyeTV Hybrid with my Mac and video source?

EyeTV Hybrid is designed to be simple to setup and use.

There are 5 versions of the EyeTV Hybrid, so to make sure you receive the correct setup instructions, please select your particular unit:

EyeTV Hybrid (original North American model)

EyeTV Hybrid (2008 North American model)

EyeTV Hybrid (2009 North American model)

EyeTV Hybrid (2010 North American model)

EyeTV Hybrid INT (original International model)

EyeTV Hybrid INT (2008 International model)

These links will take you to specific setup instructions for your particular EyeTV Hybrid.

If you do not know your EyeTV Hybrid by name and region, then please identify yours using the images below

Pictured above are EyeTV Hybrid for North America (on the left), and International (on the right). These are the original models, and not the 2008 models. The six rectangular holes on the top are a distinguishing mark.

Pictured above is EyeTV Hybrid (2008 model) for North America. The two rectangular lights on the right side are a distinguishing mark.

Pictured above is EyeTV Hybrid INT (2008 model) for Europe, Australia and some other International users. The new, smooth case is a distinguishing mark.

Pictured above is EyeTV Hybrid (2009 model) for North America . The new, smooth case is a distinguishing mark.

Pictured above is EyeTV Hybrid (2010 North American model). The new, smaller case is a distinguishing mark, along with the removable MCX to F adapter for coaxial cables. This unit can receive Clear QAM.

Each version of the EyeTV Hybrid was made for a specific part of the world, and won't function in other regions.

EyeTV Hybrid (original North American model) supports inputs specific to that region, namely:

NTSC
ATSC

EyeTV Hybrid (2008 North American model) supports inputs specific to that region, namely:

NTSC
ATSC
Clear QAM

EyeTV Hybrid (2009 North American model) supports inputs specific to that region, namely:

NTSC
ATSC
Clear QAM
FM Radio (new)

EyeTV Hybrid (2010 North American model) supports inputs specific to that region, namely:

NTSC
ATSC
Clear QAM

EyeTV Hybrid INT (original International model) supports different video standards, namely:

PAL
SECAM
DVB-T

In July of 2008, a newer version of the EyeTV Hybrid INT was released.

EyeTV Hybrid INT (2008 International Model) offers additional inputs:

PAL
SECAM
DVB-T
DVB-C (new) (unencrypted only)
FM Radio (new)

All versions of EyeTV Hybrid offer composite and S-Video inputs, via an included A/V adapter cable.

EyeTV Hybrid INT and EyeTV Hybrid INT (2008) will not function in North America.

EyeTV Hybrid, EyeTV Hybrid (2008), EyeTV Hybrid (2009) and EyeTV Hybrid (2010) will not function fully outside of North America.

How do I connect analog and digital inputs to EyeTV Hybrid?

EyeTV Hybrid has many inputs, that vary depending on the region it's purchased in:

Analog:

Tuner (antenna or cable)
Composite (with included adapter cable)
S-Video (with included adapter cable)

Digital:

Tuner
only ATSC from antenna on North American models,
only DVB-T (DTT) from antenna on European/Australian models
Clear QAM (North American model from 2008)

The Tuner receives both analog and digital signals, but it only has one coaxial input. So, if you want to switch from analog cable (NTSC or PAL) to digital antenna/aerial (ATSC or DVB-T) you will have to physically remove the cable line, and attach the antenna.

There also might be splitters or distribution devices that can be used to alternate between inputs, without physically removing the coaxial cable. Elgato does not supply such devices.

If your location has both analog and digital signals via antenna/aerial, then simply connect the aerial, and switch between analog and digital reception at will, using the EyeTV software.

You can leave the Composite/S-Video adapter plugged in at all times, if you like.

How do I send recordings to Toast?

EyeTV has been integrated with Roxio’s Toast Titanium disc recording software to make it easy for you to archive your favorite shows onto Video CD (VCD), Super Video CD (SVCD), or DVD.

Toast has a built in Media Browser. Select Media - EyeTV, and drag items from the listing of EyeTV recordings to Toast.

To burn a disc from within EyeTV, using Toast:

• Open the EyeTV Programs window, choose the Recordings section, and select the video recording you wish to archive by clicking on it once to highlight it.

• Drag it from the Recordings section of the EyeTV Programs window, to Toast’s Video section. Then, select what format you want to use (VCD, SVCD, DVD) in Toast.

You can also highlight the recording, and then press the Toast button at the top of the Programs window, or choose “for Toast” via the Export command. Finally, you can use the contextual menus to choose “Toast”.

Does EyeTV 310 support Sky PayTV service?

No. Sky is a proprietary system that only supports its own encryption system and set-top box.

If you would like to watch Sky with EyeTV, you can connect EyeTV 250 Plus or EyeTV Hybrid to your Sky set-top box. Channels on your Sky set-top box cannot be changed automatically using EyeTV, therefore you must ensure that the cable/satellite box is tuned to the channel you wish to record.

What is a digital TV recorder?

A digital TV recorder (DVR) is just like a video casssette recorder (VCR) that doesn't need tapes. A DVR records video to your hard drive. You can do things with a DVR you can't do with a VCR, like pause live TV, quickly jump ahead or back, or watch one of your recorded shows while recording a different show.

After restarting EyeTV, all of my settings and channels are lost

OS X has user accounts, that either have Admin or Limited access.

You need to use an Admin OS X account with EyeTV, when you setup EyeTV, so that your channels and preferences will be remembered.

Go to the System Preferences > Accounts, and change your account to Admin access, under the Security tab.

Then, setup EyeTV. Quit and restart EyeTV for the changes to stick. Then, you can change the account access back, if you like.

As of EyeTV software version 1.8.3, EyeTV will automatically ask you for an administrator password when launching the Setup Assistant in order to be able to save channels and settings permanently.

I don't know how to set up EyeTV with my cable modem

A number of users are using EyeTV with the video signal present on the same cable as their cable modem service.

Usually they use a coaxial splitter, so part of the signal goes to the "modem", and part to the EyeTV unit. This would allow for simultaneous internet and TV access.

As always, before manipulating your cable line it is recommended that you contact your cable provider, although a splitter is a very simple and inexpensive device.

EyeTV 250 Plus and EyeTV Hybrid can tune unscrambled analog cable signals, so if that's what is present on your cable line, you won't need a cable box. If part of the signal is scrambled (say, for premium channels) then you'll need to use the cable box before routing the signal to EyeTV.

EyeTV cannot automatically tune cable boxes, so if a cable box is present, you'll have to manually change channels by using that box.