iMac and Cable TV - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

rgomes · 2010-01-02, 09:28 PM

Does anyone if and how it would be possible to be able to watch Cable TV on your IMAC? And would it be in HD if you subscribe to the cable package in your home.

cooper83 · 2010-01-02, 10:29 PM

There are a number of products available, the most popular being EyeTV by Elgato.

Here's a brief description of the EyeTV Hybrid:

Quote:

EyeTV Hybrid is a Mac TV tuner stick that receives crystal clear HDTV with an antenna, Clear QAM unencrypted digital cable, and basic analog cable TV, and FM radio. What’s more, EyeTV Hybrid comes with a breakout cable to connect a satellite or cable set-top box.

rgomes · 2010-01-02, 10:57 PM

Wow...that looks really, really neat. Do you have this?

cooper83 · 2010-01-02, 11:28 PM

Yup, but I haven't used it to its full potential, mostly due to the # of cable outlets in my suite, and I'm not in a great location for OTA channels with an indoor antenna. The TV guide also doesn't include Canada.

Neat little unit though.

bolmsted · 2010-01-03, 07:14 AM

neat unit. however, with the proprietary nature of the cable boxes here in Canada (and the US) using encrypted QAM and analog cable going away there is no way to really get this into your computer.

rgomes · 2010-01-03, 09:12 AM

Hmmmmm that's too bad. Any other way? What about the old Happauge (sp?) company? I remember they used to make TV Tuner cards for the PC.

I just wanted the option to watch the same Cable package that I have at home on my office IMAC. (preferably in HD)

Recording is not a major need but would be nice....

doglips · 2010-01-03, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgomes

Does anyone if and how it would be possible to be able to watch Cable TV on your IMAC? And would it be in HD if you subscribe to the cable package in your home.

Not taking anything away from the replies on this site, you may want to look at apple specific sites such as ehmac.ca for more thorough answers.

For example:

http://www.ehmac.ca/anything-mac/832...-250-plus.html
http://www.ehmac.ca/anything-mac/720...tv-my-mac.html

classicsat · 2010-01-03, 10:26 AM

You will need to use your cable box, regardless of what tuner card you have, and most tuner/capture cards will only input SD from your cable box. Only the Hauppauge HD1212 can input HD to your computer. I do not know of Mac compatiblity for it though.

57 · 2010-01-03, 10:27 AM

For digital cable, you need a cable STB supplied by the service provider or authorized distributor. If you wish to record, then see the following FAQ on recording HD, which discusses the HD PVRs, firewire (mostly problematical) and the Hauppauge HD PVR.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=14099

Suggest you also look through the HTPC forum here.

2010-01-02, 09:28 PM	#1
rgomes Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 118	iMac and Cable TV Does anyone if and how it would be possible to be able to watch Cable TV on your IMAC? And would it be in HD if you subscribe to the cable package in your home.

2010-01-02, 11:28 PM	#4
cooper83 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 2,537	Yup, but I haven't used it to its full potential, mostly due to the # of cable outlets in my suite, and I'm not in a great location for OTA channels with an indoor antenna. The TV guide also doesn't include Canada. Neat little unit though. __________________ Panasonic TH-42PE7U plasma, Toshiba HD-D3, PS3, Shaw DCX3400, Yamaha HTR-6160, Polk 6.1, Belkin PF30, Harmony 700

2010-01-03, 07:14 AM	#5
bolmsted Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: York, Ontario Posts: 2,374	neat unit. however, with the proprietary nature of the cable boxes here in Canada (and the US) using encrypted QAM and analog cable going away there is no way to really get this into your computer. __________________ Toshiba 57HDX82\|Denon AVR4310CI\|PS3\|SA8300HD\|Harmony One\|Paradigm [Monitor 9\|CC290\|DSP3100\|ADP190\|Titans]

2010-01-03, 10:27 AM	#9
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,301	For digital cable, you need a cable STB supplied by the service provider or authorized distributor. If you wish to record, then see the following FAQ on recording HD, which discusses the HD PVRs, firewire (mostly problematical) and the Hauppauge HD PVR. http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=14099 Suggest you also look through the HTPC forum here. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

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2010-01-02, 10:57 PM	#3
rgomes Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 118	Wow...that looks really, really neat. Do you have this?

2010-01-03, 09:12 AM	#6
rgomes Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 118	Hmmmmm that's too bad. Any other way? What about the old Happauge (sp?) company? I remember they used to make TV Tuner cards for the PC. I just wanted the option to watch the same Cable package that I have at home on my office IMAC. (preferably in HD) Recording is not a major need but would be nice....

2010-01-03, 10:26 AM	#8
classicsat Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kincardine ON. Posts: 3,943	You will need to use your cable box, regardless of what tuner card you have, and most tuner/capture cards will only input SD from your cable box. Only the Hauppauge HD1212 can input HD to your computer. I do not know of Mac compatiblity for it though.