Satellite - Knowledgebase Articles

I have many missing channels when scanning a satellite, adding them manually doesn't work

If you use two or more satellites, check that the order of the satellite in EyeTV's satellite setup is the same as the order of the LNBs connected to the switch (each LNB points to a particular satellite).

Note: always use "DiSEqC 1.0" for "Equipment control" parameter.

How does EyeTV 250 Plus work with cable TV or satellite?

EyeTV 250 Plus can directly receive analog cable, Also known as Basic Cable; you might get from 10-80 channels, depending on your provider. EyeTV 250 Plus has a cable ready tuner, just like a regular TV, for channels up to 125. Analog signals will eventually disappear from cable lines.

EyeTV 250 Plus (2007 model) cannot receive Clear QAM, or unencrypted digital cable signals. EyeTV 250 Plus (2008 model), HDHomeRun, EyeTV 500 and the TVMini HD can receive this.

The majority of digital cable programming is encrypted and a cable box is needed to receive these signals. This applies to satellite programming, such as DirecTV or Dish Network in the U.S.

EyeTV 250 Plus does not replace a cable box or satellite receiver. If you need a cable box to watch programs when using a regular TV, then you will also need to use that cable box with EyeTV 250 Plus.

If you have a set top box for digital cable or satellite, connect the analog outputs of the box (like composite or S-Video) to EyeTV 250 Plus. EyeTV 2.4 or higher supports set top box program guide listings in the U.S.; please see this article for more information:

http://faq.elgato.com/index.php/faq/more/508/

You can also use the analog tuner input from your cable box or satellite receiver. Connect that to EyeTV 250 Plus, switch it to analog mode, then Auto Tune using "Antenna". You will most likely find the signal on channel 3 or 4. Then, change channels manually using the set top box remote.

Does EyeTV 310 have a CI or SmartCard slot?

Yes, it does. The CI (Common Interface) lets you receive PayTV digital satellite TV on the Mac. To receive PayTV via EyeTV 310, users need a compatible combination of CAM (Conditional Access Module) and a PayTV subscription card (SmartCard) from a provider that supports standard CI receivers.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
1) Elgato cannot provide any information regarding compatibility between CAMs and subscription cards.
2) Before buying a CAM and a subscription card, check with the CAM manufacturer and/or your PayTV service provider that your subscription card can be used with a CAM. Some providers only allow the use of their subscription cards with their proprietary set-top-boxes; in this case, it is not possible to receive PayTV using an EyeTV 310.

Which EyeTV products can work with Satellite?

Any analog EyeTV device can receive signals from a satellite receiver.

Current products that can receive analog video from a satellite receiver:

EyeTV 250 Plus
EyeTV HD
EyeTV Hybrid

That can be achieved using a Coaxial, Composite or S-Video connection, in the same way you would connect the satellite receiver to a TV.

That will be standard 480i video, and not HDTV, unless you use EyeTV HD, which has Component inputs for 720p or 1080i video.

3rd party vendors that license the EyeTV software also have many analog devices that can receive analog video from a satellite receiver. Check this list to find those other products (includes analog and digital products):

http://www.elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetvmain_compatible

Using EyeTV to control a Satellite Receiver

Once the cable box is connected, you can change channels manually using the satellite remote, and not via the EyeTV software.

To automatically change channels using the EyeTV software and your satellite receiver, you will also need a separately purchased IR Blaster. See this article:

What IR Blasters can work with EyeTV for Set Top Box control? (US Only)

Full instructions for satellite receiver setup with an IR Blaster can be found in this article:

How do I configure EyeTV for Set Top Box support? (US Only)

EyeTV HD comes with its own Infrared Channel Changer (IR Blaster) - see this article:

How do I setup EyeTV HD to control my cable box or satellite receiver?

Using EyeTV with Digital Satellite

In Europe/Australia, there are specialized DVB-S signals that can be received by the following EyeTV products:

EyeTV 300 (free satellite)
EyeTV 310 (free or some pay satellite)
EyeTV Sat (free or some pay satellite)
EyeTV Sat Free (free satellite)
EyeTV Netstream Sat (free satellite)

These receivers are purely digital - no analog input is involved.

Satellite TV Providers

Here are some US providers of Satellite:

DirecTV
Dish Network
VOOM

Here are some Canadian providers of Satellite:

Bell ExpressVu
StarChoice