MWSF: EyeTV 3 gets new interface, smart guides, more
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Jan 15, 2008 at 3:38pm
Elgato Systems has announced EyeTV 3 at this week’s Macworld Conference & Expo. It’s an update to the EyeTV television software. In addition to a new user interface, the software offers an extended program guide featuring intelligent searching and recording functionality, numerous new network features, and additional highlights.
A full version of EyeTV 3 is available for US$79.95, owners of EyeTV 2 can obtain the upgrade at a reduced price of $39.95.
The redesigned user interface offers a new programs window in Mac OS X 10.5 (“Leopard”) look and feel: The sidebar on the left presents all functions and elements in hierarchical order. Recordings can be viewed in list view or in the Cover Flow mode made popular by iTunes. The player window now integrates a timeline display with basic playback controls. The semi-transparent On-Screen Menu has been redesigned entirely, inspired by user interfaces from modern set-top boxes. This allows comfortable control of EyeTV via a remote control or keyboard and mouse.
When it comes to Smart Guides, automated recordings using the built-in electronic program guide (EPG) have been extended. A new, intelligent search function lets EyeTV 3 users combine multiple search criteria for refined EPG searches. Searches can be saved as Smart Guides. These show up in the programs window sidebar and update on-the-fly, like a Saved Search in Mac OS X 10.5. Search results can optionally be recorded automatically. Users can also specify how many of these recordings they want to keep in their EyeTV Archives, similar to Podcast subscriptions in iTunes.
EyeTV 3 network features have also been improved and extended: EyeTV Archives can now be shared with other users in your local network just like iTunes and iPhoto libraries. Wi-Fi Access, which enables watching recorded TV shows via wireless network on iPhone or iPod Touch, now supports additional smart-phones from several vendors. It also offers the option of lower resolution for lower-bandwidth video connections. Password protection has been added too.
Further additions to EyeTV 3’s feature set include Smart Playlists, which group recorded TV shows using flexible search criteria. Smart Playlists also appear the sidebar. The video editor has been integrated into the player window as an overlay, no longer requiring users to exit the player window to cut and crop recordings. The results of channel scans can now be saved and
restored. EyeTV 3?s support for AppleScript has been improved, adding an integrated script menu and more robust script support.
Users of EyeTV 2 who obtained their software license separately or in combination with a hardware product on or after Dec. 1, 2007, are eligible for a free update. Users of EyeTV 2 who obtained their license before this time can upgrade to EyeTV 3 at the reduced price of $39.95.
Also new for Macworld 2008, Elgato is introducing updated versions of the EyeTV Hybrid and EyeTV 250 Plus television receivers. In addition to over-the-air HDTV (ATSC) and analog cable channels, the new models can also receive unencrypted digital cable (Clear QAM) channels. Pricing remains unchanged at $149.95 and $199.95, respectively.
The “Macsimum MWSF 2007 Coupon Book” is available for download. You can find it here and print it as a PDF. It has discounts, special offers and promotions in conjunction with the upcoming Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco.
Want to know what’s going on at this week’s Macworld Conference & Expo? Check out Hess Events List.
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
GreatWhite1 Says:
CANADIANS NOT SUPPORTED!
Any Canadian wishing to buy an Elgato product should be aware that EYETV does NOT support scheduling information in Canada. While Elgato claims they have been “working on it” no solution has been offered. This situation has been going on for YEARS. Even with the latest release of EyeTV 3, there is still no Canadian schedule integration.
Not having the scheduling function support severely cripples the otherwise wonderful software that this company has built.
Canadians should do a little research and consult the Elgato discussion forums to read threads on this subject and give Elgato some much needed feedback.
Posted on January 17, 2008