Apple Compatible TV Tuner Hardware Market Sees Dwindling Choices

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - April 5, 2014 - PRLog -- The commercial viability of the Mac computer TV tuner market has weakened recently as alternat methods of content acquisition have multiplied. Universal Serial Bus TV tuner sticks and video capture gadgets have long been a mainstay in the Apple personal computer add-on market. The capability to view, schedule, record and export video clips content, television programs and films on a computer is a pastime as well-liked as watching TV itself. The use of Analog video hardware is also weakening as the transition to All-Digital technology and content sources increases as well.

"For many years, a Mac USB receiver or video grabbing device was the only way to get televised or taped content into your Apple computer." says Baer. "But with the growth of, and competition from web-based pay-per content providers like the iTunes store, Hulu, Netflix and others the need to grab and post-process recorded clips, movies or tv shows has declined. It's affected the viability of the Mac video tuner hardware market greatly despite the Macintosh platform's ongoinged and significant market-share growth in the PC industry."

Once the market forerunner, ElGato just recently discontinued it's PC and Mac compatible USB TV tuner product line. It's flagship product, the EyeTV Hybrid was the singularly best-selling option for both Digital HDTV and Analog video capture for many years. Other products like the EyeTV One for Digital antenna reception, and the HDHomeRun ethernet network tuner are no longer listed at their online store. However, EyeTV's Analog video capture product for legacy media such as DVD, VHS and Camcorder devices is still available.

ElGato's primary competitor, the TubeStick Hybrid from Equinux has also ceased distribution in North America. TheTube app was it's MacOS compatible DVR software program for setup, scheduling and recording televised broadcasts. They still offer Apple TV tuner products under the 'Tizi' moniker, but only for European DVB-T tv signals -- not the North American ATSC aerial or Clear QAM Digital Cable specifications.

A range of other 3rd-party USB TV tuners that are compatible with ElGato's EyeTV and EyeTV Lite DVR application for OSX have either erratic availability or have recently been discontinued. Vendors such as SiliconDust, Hauppauge, Pinnacle and others have made, or continue to offer tuners that were bundled with or will work with EyeTV 3 software for Mac OS X. The latest version of EyeTV 3 DVR software itself is still offered for standalone purchase directly from ElGato's website.

For Mac users willing to investigate and ferret out specific, supported 3rd-party television tuner accessories, MacGizmoGuy continues to maintain a website dedicated to the Macintosh compatible TV tuner market at http://www.mac-digital-tv-tuners.com There still ways to directly record, watch and export video content on your Mac desktop or MacBook laptop. However it's quickly changing into more of a techie and enthusiast pursuit on the reconditioned and used market than readily available off the shelf retail solutions for the typical Apple user.


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Apple computer gadget geek and Mac technology blogger MacGizmoGuy offers more than a quarter century of Macintosh computing experience and wisdom to Apple computer users at http://www.macgizmoguy.com. With years of providing Apple product purchase decision assistance and on-site Macintosh technical consulting, MacGizmoGuy leverages deep expertise in singling out the best Mac peripherals and gadgets to help ensure an insanely great Apple computing experience. Unleash the true potential of your Macintosh desktop or MacBook laptop with wisdom from his best-in-class peripheral reviews.