UsbTvTuner
Latest
Elgato rolls out smaller, Windows 7-supporting EyeTV Hybrid
Elgato's original EyeTV Hybrid USB tuner wasn't exactly oversized, but the company has nonetheless managed shrink things down a bit for the device's latest revision, and it's added some Windows 7 support for good measure. Most of the size reduction comes from ditching the analog connector found on the previous model (you'll still get an adapter), and you'll also now get a sturdier aluminum enclosure that stays in line with the company's Mac-only roots. Otherwise, you'll get the same support for over-the-air HD broadcasts as before, along with Elgato's EyeTV 3 software, and an included remote control -- all for the same $150 that the original model cost.
Avid sells PCTV product line to Hauppauge Digital
Announced today, the Pinnacle PCTV line will soon be property of Hauppauge Digital, not Avid Technology. After laying off 410 employees and divesting its Softimage 3-D game animation software business last Friday, the company has announced yet another major move in its restructuring efforts. According to Avid CEO Gary Greenfield, he's hoping to transform Avid's business into one that "focuses on software applications that not only meet consumer demand, but also complement our broader portfolio of video and audio solutions." Even he confessed that "PCTV [was] a compelling standalone hardware product and a better fit for Hauppauge, a recognized leader in the TV-viewing hardware market." While financial terms weren't disclosed, the deal is slated to close before the end of 2008, and the happy new owner has already announced its intentions to continue supporting and developing both the hardware and software components of the PCTV line.
Pinnacle kicks out $100 PCTV HD Stick USB tuner
The Pinnacle PCTV USB Stick that you may have grown quite fond of over the past year has finally decided to get with the times, as the newest iteration throws HD capability into the minuscule tuner while still ringing up a penny under a Benjamin. The Pinnacle PCTV HD Stick steps it down a notch from its Professional sibling, but still allows users to "view live television on their PC with pause, rewind, and fast-forward timeshifting functionality." Pinnacle's latest USB 2.0 tuner is "about the size of a key," gets all the necessary juice right from the USB port, supports NTSC and ATSC broadcasts, and comes bundled with the firm's TVCenter Pro software. Best of all, this no frills portable TV tuner can get live programming on your laptop or desktop right now for a mere $99.99.
Sima Products returns with DTU-100 USB ATSC TV tuner
Since everyone else is pumpin' out USB TV tuners like they're going out of style, Sima Products -- those folks who brought us the Hitch transfer device -- is back again, and this time it's bringing the USB ATSC tuning love with the DTU-100. Aside from sporting that oh-so-portable USB stick design, this rendition touts a dedicated antenna port as well as a video input dongle to record your latest camcorder captures without a separate piece of hardware. The dongle supports stereo audio and composite / S-Video, but it's still not clear whether this all comes together as a nice, neat package, nor how much these niceties will set you back.
Pinnacle announces USB/PCI TV tuners and video editing gear
Pinnacle's already hooked up our friends in Europe with a DVB-T tuner on a stick, but now those of us on this side of the pond are getting a little over-the-air HD love with its just-announced PCTV HD Pro Stick. Bundled with a remote and telescopic antenna, the $130 USB tuner will let you tap into ATSC broadcasts from the comfort of your laptop -- if you live in an area with coverage, that is (otherwise you can still use it to pick up a regular old standard definition NTSC signal). On the desktop side of things, Pinnacle's got the PCTV MCE Companion, which'll give you a Media Center-compatible TV tuner and remote for $100 even. Either option will give you most of the functions you'd expect from a standalone PVR, as well as some PC-specific advantages, like recording directly iPod, PSP, and DivX formats, as well as direct-to-DVD recording. On a somewhat related front, Pinnacle's also announced some new video editing gear -- the Pinnacle Studio MovieBox USB ($99) and the Pinnacle Studio MovieBoard PCI ($79), both also available in "Plus" editions for $149 each. All will give you the hardware and software needed to turn your dated old home movies into cinema vérité masterpieces, with the Plus editions packing in a "professional" microphone kit and Chroma Key green screen backdrop, as well as additional effects options. The whole lot will be available next month. [Via DV Guru]
