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Compare TV Tuners
TV Tuner Type Common features Unique features Encoding Audio/Video In Connections Video Capture Formats Video Resolution
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| DVB-T (DTT, or Freeview) |
| Watch, record, timeshift and edit TV on a Mac; 1-click export to iPod & Apple TV; Built-in Program Guide; Toast 9 integration; Teletext (where available) |
| Most affordable solution; Digital radio; HDTV. Does not include a Remote Control. |
| As encoded by the broadcaster. |
| Coaxial (IEC) |
| USB 2.0; bus-powered. |
| Fixed by broadcaster, usually MPEG-2 and H.264 |
| Fixed by broadcaster, usually 720x576, 720p, 1080i (HD requires dual G5 or Intel Core) |
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| DVB-T (DTT, or Freeview) |
| Watch, record, timeshift and edit TV on a Mac; 1-click export to iPod & Apple TV; Built-in Program Guide; Toast 9 integration; Teletext (where available) |
| Smallest TV tuner available; Digital radio; HDTV. Remote Control included. |
| As encoded by the broadcaster. |
| MCX, includes an IEC-MCX adapter cable |
| USB 2.0; bus-powered. |
| Fixed by broadcaster, usually MPEG-2 and H.264 |
| Fixed by broadcaster, usually 720x576, 720p, 1080i (HD requires dual G5 or Intel Core) |
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| DVB-T (DTT, or Freeview) |
| Watch, record, timeshift and edit TV on a Mac; 1-click export to iPod & Apple TV; Built-in Program Guide; Toast 8 integration; Teletext (where available) |
| Dual tuner to receive two channels at the same time; Antenna diversity for better reception; Digital radio; HDTV |
| As encoded by the broadcaster. |
| MCX & IEC (coaxial); includes splitter cable (IEC female to IEC/MCX male) |
| USB 2.0; Bus-powered |
| Fixed by broadcaster, usually MPEG-2 and H.264 |
| Fixed by broadcaster, usually 720x576, 720p, 1080i (HD requires dual G5 or Intel Core) |
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| Hybrid tuner for DVB-T, DVB-C, analogue TV, & FM radio. With inputs for digital cable & satellite set-top boxes (eg. BSkyB, DirecTV). |
| Watch, record, timeshift and edit TV on a Mac; 1-click export to iPhone, iPod & Apple TV; Built-in Program Guide; Toast 7/8 integration; Teletext (where available). |
| Digital & analogue cable and terrestrial TV; Digital radio & FM radio; can convert VHS tapes (quality depends on processor speed); HDTV. |
| Software encoding in analogue mode (relies on speed of Mac's proccesor). As encoded by the broadcaster in digital mode. |
| Coaxial (IEC - cable & aerial). Comes with breakout cable for with S-Video, Composite video, and RCA audio inputs. |
| USB 2.0; Bus-powered. |
| DVB-T signal: Fixed by broadcaster, usually MPEG 2 and H.264. Analogue TV and analogue video sources: MPEG-1, MPEG-2. |
| Digital mode: Fixed by broadcaster, usually 720x576, 720p, 1080i (HD requires dual G5 or Intel Core). Analogue mode: Up to 720x576. |
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| Video converter and hybrid tuner for DTT (Freeview) or analogue, with inputs for digital cable & satellite set-top boxes (eg. BSkyB). |
| Watch, record, timeshift and edit TV on a Mac; 1-click export to iPhone, iPod & Apple TV; Built-in Program Guide; Toast 7/8 integration; Teletext (where available) |
| Hybrid tuner for both analogue & digital reception; Includes VHS Assistant to convert VHS tapes to digital files; Digital radio; HDTV; includes Toast 8 Basic |
| Hardware encoder - does not use your Mac's processor to encode analogue video. Higher quality analogue video & smaller file sizes. |
| Coaxial (cable & aerial). Comes with breakout cable for with S-Video, Composite video, and RCA audio inputs. |
| USB 2.0; power cord & adapter. |
| DVB-T signal: Fixed by broadcaster, usually MPEG 2 and H.264. Analogue TV and analogue video sources: MPEG-1, MPEG-2. |
| Digital mode: Fixed by broadcaster, usually 720x576, 720p, 1080i (HD requires dual G5 or Intel Core). Analogue mode: Up to 720x576. |
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| Digital Satellite (DVB-S) |
| Watch, record, timeshift and edit TV on a Mac; 1-click export to iPod & Apple TV; Built-in Program Guide; Toast 8 integration; Teletext (where available) |
| CI slot for PayTV, Digital Radio, HDTV |
| Encoded by broadcaster |
| Coaxial (LNB) |
| FireWire 400 |
| Fixed by broadcaster, usually MPEG 2 and H.264 |
| Fixed by broadcaster, usually 720x576, 720p, 1080i (HD requires dual G5 or Intel Core). |
