Elgato EyeTV Netstream DTT: TV For Your Whole Network
Elgato have launched a new digital TV tuner intended for use with PCs and Macs, but while most such tuners plug in via USB 2.0 the EyeTV Netstream DTT hooks up to your home network. Recognising the fact that many users lack decent DVB-T/Freeview coverage or a hard-wired antenna in every place they want to view TV at home, Elgato's new system streams content to PCs and Macs via WiFi or wired ethernet.
Inside the compact silver box there are two tuners, meaning two different computers can watch different programmes simultaneously. Elgato supply a telescopic aerial for use with the EyeTV Netstream DTT, but it's really meant for use with a proper roof-mounted aerial.
The company include software for PC and Mac (and it's Windows Media Center 7 compliant), and the box uses UPnP and Bonjour for easier setup. Bear in mind you will need a fast wireless network if you want to cut the cord; Elgato reckon 802.11n is necessary, or 100-ethernet. The Elgato EyeTV Netstream DTT is available now, priced at €249.95 ($338).
Press Release:
Elgato Launches EyeTV Netstream DTT: Superb Quality TV For Every Computer on Your Home NetworkEasy setup, works great on Macs and PCs, comes with premium TV software
MUNICH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Elgato today announced the new EyeTV Netstream DTT an intelligent network dual TV tuner for DVB-T. EyeTV Netstream DTT streams digital television (DVB-T/Freeview) to all the Macs or PCs on your home network. A dual tuner, EyeTV Netstream DTT enables two people to watch and record different TV programmes at the same time. Setup is easy, thanks to built-in support for Bonjour and UPnP. EyeTV Netstream DTT comes with EyeTV 3, Elgato's award-winning Mac TV software. It also works with Windows 7 Media Center and ships with TerraTec Home Cinema (THC) software for Windows. EyeTV Netstream DTT is available immediately at a price of 249.95 Euro.
Superb quality TV, location-independent
Traditional USB 2.0 DVB-T receivers are susceptible to "dead spots", so reception can never be optimal in every location within a room. EyeTV Netstream DTT solves this problem; as a network device, it does not have to be installed near your computers. Simply locate EyeTV Netstream DTT wherever you have a convenient antenna outlet or sufficient signal strength for the included telescopic antenna. Then connect it to your network router/switch and stream the live signal to the computers in your house. If you have a Wi-Fi network you can watch TV wirelessly on a portable computer, free from cables.
An intelligent device
EyeTV Netstream DTT's auto-discovery feature (via UPnP & Bonjour) simplifies set-up. Tune EyeTV Netstream DTT once, and it stores channel list and serves it out to any Mac or PC on the network. Thanks to its dual tuners, two people can enjoy different TV programmes at the same time. EyeTV Netstream DTT operates seamlessly on multiple computers. The tuners are automatically allocated between computers as needed.
Works great on Macs and PCs
Included is EyeTV 3, Elgato's award-winning TV software for the Mac. Watch, record, edit and enjoy live television on your Mac. Search two weeks of Program Guide listings, and export recordings automatically to iTunes to sync with Apple devices. EyeTV Netstream DTT works with Windows 7 Media Center and also includes THC TV software for Windows, which offers many of the same features as EyeTV 3.
System requirements
EyeTV Netstream DTT requires a Macintosh Computer with an Intel Core CPU and Mac OS X v10.5.8 or newer. On PCs or Netbooks EyeTV Netstream DTT requires Windows 7 and 2.0 GHz Intel/AMD CPU or Intel Atom CPU. Network bandwidth must be high enough to allow for streaming of television signals (100Base-T Ethernet, 802.11n for wireless).
Pricing & Availability
EyeTV Netstream DTT ships today. You can buy direct from Elgato at www.elgato.com or most Mac retailers, including the Apple Store. The price is 249,95 Euro (£229,49 GBP) including VAT.