HD TV Tuner for Mac: A Mixed Bag Experience

As I embarked on setting up my HD TV tuner for my MacBook Pro and iMac, I was both excited and apprehensive about the experience. The EyeTV Lite software, which is free to download, promised to enable me to receive local Over-the-Air HDTV without any additional costs. While the device itself worked seamlessly, the setup process left much to be desired.

The first challenge I faced was navigating the EyeTV application, which seemed cluttered and overwhelming at times. The main interface had all the essentials for watching TV programs, but I found myself ignoring it in favor of manual configuration using Finder. This is not a criticism of the software per se, but rather a testament to my own ineptitude.

The setup program also attempted to persuade me to subscribe to the Titan listing service, which I politely declined. In response, it threatened to cancel the installation, leaving me feeling frustrated and annoyed. However, I persisted and managed to complete the setup without any further issues.

Despite the rocky start, I was pleased to discover that the device worked as intended, providing a clear and sharp screen presentation. I used it to receive local broadcasts from PBS, NBC, CBS, and other networks, which was impressive given its compact size.

However, my experience with scheduling recordings left much to be desired. The software seemed prone to assigning random names to recorded events, which made it difficult to keep track of what I had recorded. Moreover, editing scheduled recordings proved to be a challenge, as I could not adjust the recording duration or time without deleting and recreating the event.

Despite these limitations, I must admit that I have grown accustomed to using my HD TV tuner on a daily basis. The ability to receive high-quality broadcasts for free has been a significant bonus, particularly since my cable provider does not lock down broadcast channels.

In conclusion, while the EyeTV Lite software and device itself worked reasonably well, the setup process was painful and the scheduling features were lacking. I would recommend this product to those who are willing to put up with its quirks, but I caution others to be prepared for a potentially frustrating experience. Overall, I give it four stars, despite my mixed feelings about the product.

Hd tv tuner for mac