| Ready for HD Television on your desktop computer? | | | | include ElGato, Equinux, Pinnacle, Hauppauge and |
| A Mac compatible TV tuner for your Apple computer | | | | SiliconDust. TV tuners for Mac OSX range in price |
| enables you to enjoy TV on your Macintosh by letting | | | | from the $50 to $175 price range. At the higher end, |
| it receive television signals. You can watch and | | | | some Hybrid TV tuners include Hardware Encoding of |
| optionally record television programs to your | | | | Analog signals to speed compression and lessen the |
| computer's hard drive. TV tuner cards enhance your | | | | load on your computer's CPU. For Digital content, the |
| computer capabilities and can provide all the luxuries of | | | | TV signal is already compressed and encoded. |
| a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) at an affordable price | | | | Video has always been a demanding challenge for |
| and with easy installation. Simply plug the tuner into | | | | personal computers. So, system requirements for |
| your Mac, install the software and connect your coax | | | | enjoying television on a Macintosh lean towards fast, |
| signal source whether it be Antenna, Cable or Satellite. | | | | modern Intel processor computers. You'll want plenty |
| Hybrid TV tuners support both standard-definition (SD) | | | | of memory to buffer and Time-Shift shows you're |
| Analog and high-definition (HD) Digital TV signals. They | | | | watching, and ample disk space to save recorded |
| also work as video capture cards. Hybrid tuners allow | | | | programs. Realistically, a fast G5 processor Mac is the |
| not just the recording of television programs in either | | | | bare minimum. Ideally your Macintosh needs to have a |
| format, but the Analog portion can be used to capture | | | | Core Duo Intel CPU running the latest version of |
| content from DVD players, VHS decks, Gaming | | | | Apple's OSX operating system to handle the demands |
| systems and other S-Video or Composite Analog | | | | of Analog compression and displaying and exporting |
| video sources. | | | | full-screen high resolution HD video content. |
| Digital-Only TV tuners leave the world of Analog | | | | The two most popular Personal Video Recorder |
| signals behind and simply focus on receiving signals | | | | (PVR) programs for OSX include ElGato's EyeTV and |
| strictly for Digital QAM cable or ATSC antenna | | | | Equinux Software's TheTube to manage viewing, |
| connections. Especially for Mac users who use an | | | | channel changing, tuning, recording and video export |
| antenna in the United States, a Digital tuner is all you | | | | functions. Both provide EPG, and Electronic Program |
| need or want if you intend to simply watch and record | | | | Guide for current program line-ups. Easy export |
| broadcast television. | | | | options let you burn recorded TV shows to disc or |
| The vast majority of Apple friendly TV tuners are an | | | | view programming on a personal video player, iPad, |
| external USB TV tuner stick or a small box that | | | | iPod or iPhone. Many 3rd-party tuners are compatible |
| connects to the Mac via a high-speed USB 2.0 port. | | | | with either program. Several TV tuners for the Mac |
| USB 2.0 is required to provide for smooth, fast video. | | | | ship with EyeTV Lite, a simplified version for basic |
| USB stick tuners are a compact, portable solution for | | | | functions as part of the bundled software. |
| MacBook or iBook TV viewing on the go. Some tuners | | | | Learn more about ways to enjoy HD television on |
| come bundled with a small portable antenna or a | | | | your Mac by exploring these Mac compatible TV tuner |
| remote control to complete the package. Add a good | | | | options. Take your Apple media experience to the |
| set of stereo computer speakers and your Mac | | | | next level. You'll love watching and recording television |
| computer becomes a mini home theatre system. | | | | on your Mac! |
| The top Mac compatible TV tuner manufacturers | | | | |