EyeTV update streams live TV to iPhone

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 01 October 2009 12:08

IT Industry - Development

The latest version of Elgato's well-regarded EyeTV software for the Mac now works with an add-on app to stream live or recorded TV to an iPhone or iPod touch.

EyeTV 3.2 is largely a bug fix release, but it also provides compatibility with the new EyeTV for iPhone app.

While EyeTV has previously provided the option of exporting recordings for streaming to the iPhone's Safari browser, the new app uses the HTTP streaming technology introduced in iPhone OS 3.0.

The app - which runs on a iPhone or iPod touch - allows live TV streaming via Wi-Fi. The playback of recordings and control of EyeTV (change channels; start, schedule, or watch recordings; or browse the program guide) is supported over Wi-Fi or the phone network. Live streaming to an iPhone requires a Mac with at least a Core 2 Duo processor.

Instances of EyeTV running on a local network are detected via Bonjour, while Internet access is supported through the free My EyeTV service (which Elgato officials describe as being similar to Apple's Back to My Mac), or by using a fixed IP address or a dynamic DNS service. An included utility automatically sets up routers that support UPnP or NAT-PMP.

Like its predecessor, EyeTV 3.2 is compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. 10.6.1 is recommended.

Bug fixes in version 3.2 include better support of the Turbo.264 HD, better reception with the EyeTV DTT tuner, and improvements to digital audio output, AppleScript support, H.264 playback, and localizations.

EyeTV 3.2 is a free upgrade from 3.x, or if an earlier version of EyeTV was purchased on or after December 1, 2007. The update can be downloaded and applied by choosing Check for Updates from the application's EyeTV menu.

The full version costs €79.95, or €39.95 as an upgrade from EyeTV 2.

EyeTV for iPhone costs $A5.99/$US4.99 from the iTunes Store.