Post by: sandyman on August 22, 2007, 09:01:10 AM
A fairly comprehensive review of options
Sandy
Post by: krissel on August 22, 2007, 09:09:54 AM
Post by: Gregg on August 22, 2007, 12:13:32 PM
Post by: Gregg on August 23, 2007, 08:42:51 PM
Post by: sandbox on August 24, 2007, 02:02:49 AM
Gregg it's very slow, 3 min. to pop for me, I almost shut it down and then, and then....well I let the dog out.
Post by: Gregg on August 24, 2007, 07:25:25 AM
Post by: sandyman on August 24, 2007, 09:32:14 AM
QUOTE(sandbox @ Aug 24 2007, 08:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hey Sandy, that EyeTV has too many to choose from, it's a toss up between the diversity and hybrid, ok the hybrid.
Gregg it's very slow, 3 min. to pop for me, I almost shut it down and then, and then....well I let the dog out.
Gregg it's very slow, 3 min. to pop for me, I almost shut it down and then, and then....well I let the dog out.
Sandbox
Personally I subscribe to the "Springsteen Theory"
57 Channels and nothing to watch
I used to get loads of channels free through my job. When it came to paying for them I had to think a bit. The bottom line was "No Way". Loads of repeats and low quality programming.
I tried out the cable company's "Entry Level" package and came to the same conclusion.
I've now gone back to Cable + Telephone and a Freeview box
Sandy
Post by: Highmac on August 24, 2007, 11:18:58 AM
By the way, Sandy, we're told that older TVs will no longer be usable after the analogue switch-off, but it's not true. We have a 1980s Philips set we use in the kitchen. We got a Maplin universal modulator which converts the Scart signals from the Freeview box (we've got the Wharfedale from Argos) into a signal carried on ordinary coax cable plugged into the aerial socket. Tune a TV button in the same way we used to set it for a VCR and away you go
We still have a satellite dish and receiver, but we don't pay subs any more. Got the Sky card converted to 'Freesat'. In case anyone outside the UK is wondering, it IS all legal.
Post by: sandbox on August 25, 2007, 05:52:57 AM
I run a cable modem because they are the fastest and most reliable in this Florida location and because FiOS is not available here just yet. I run an independant VoIP service (No Telephone) on that cable as well because it's better than what is offered in the Cable package. I don't care for cable TV so I have DirecTV Satellite, that provides programming from around the world. It also has XM Radio built-in. Also built-in to the satellite is an option to watch free over the AIR channeling, as if I was using an old style antenna. In this location I can pick up about 20 free channels, including the ones that are broadcast from our government buildings. So-if there's a Emergency Broadcast (Hurricane Evacuation) or City Counsel meeting that I needs to watch but not attend, I can from the link you supplied, EYETV will pickup local channeling and I can view it out on the water or as I'm driving down the road....
I could also plug it into my satellite!QUOTE(sandyman @ Aug 24 2007, 10:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE(sandbox @ Aug 24 2007, 08:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hey Sandy, that EyeTV has too many to choose from, it's a toss up between the diversity and hybrid, ok the hybrid.
Gregg it's very slow, 3 min. to pop for me, I almost shut it down and then, and then....well I let the dog out.
Gregg it's very slow, 3 min. to pop for me, I almost shut it down and then, and then....well I let the dog out.
Sandbox
Personally I subscribe to the "Springsteen Theory"
57 Channels and nothing to watch
I used to get loads of channels free through my job. When it came to paying for them I had to think a bit. The bottom line was "No Way". Loads of repeats and low quality programming.
I tried out the cable company's "Entry Level" package and came to the same conclusion.
I've now gone back to Cable + Telephone and a Freeview box
Sandy
Post by: Gregg on August 27, 2007, 08:12:01 PM
As I've mentioned in other threads, if not above, I have a VHS VCR connected to the Xclaim VR video card in my old G3. The VCR has a tuner in it of course, so I can get broadcast TV on my Mac now. I had purchased a device with a TV tuner in it originally, but returned it when I figured out the direct connection was possible. So far, I've been unable to confirm that such a setup still works with a newer iMac.
The specs on the iMac indicate that you can connect an adapter to bridge the iMac's mini-DVI port and an S-Video port on another device. It doesn't appear that my VCR is so equipped. I've also been unable to confirm the existence of a USB to RCA A/V adapter. But, I don't even know if a USB port is useful for A/V signals. I suppose I better quit before my limited knowledge of the subject leads me to making any more ridiculous statements...
Post by: Gregg on August 29, 2007, 07:43:28 AM
Post by: Gregg on August 30, 2007, 07:39:50 AM
There's no comparable product (that I've found) to the video card that I have in my G3 for an iMac. In other words, if a product has the "Video In" components that the iMac lacks, it also has a TV tuner. That's redundant in my setup, since I have a VCR to use with the Mac. But, the gadgets one would need to hook the VCR up to the iMac cost about as much as a DVR. Since VHS tapes are on the way out, the DVR seems the way to go.