PCTV Systems brings an easy-to-use TV experience to Mac owners with 'TV for Mac'. TV for Mac HD mini Stick is an ultra-compact, USB-powered TV tuner that’s the perfect match for super-slim Macbooks. The integrated signal booster improves reception sensitivity even if the signal isn’t strong. Pinnacle TV for Mac DVB-T Stick - digital TV tuner - USB 2.0 overview and full product specs on CNET.
Do you feel that you are missing your favourite TV shows? Now it is the time to come out of your sadness. Because here you have the top listed TV tuners for your Mac, using the below tuners you can record, pause, forward and rewind your favourite TV shows. In this post, pick your suitable TV tuners and enjoy your favourite shows anytime.
- It is a slick little tuner stick.
- It accepts unencrypted digital reception & HDTV reception and also analog reception.
- It waits 30 grams.
- It assures clear and pristine picture with High resolution of Mac.
- It allows us to connect several game console easily.
- It has DVR( Digital Video Recorder) using that you can send your television recordings to your Mac, iPhone, iPod.
- Using Slingbox you can control multiple devices like DVR( Digital Video Recorder), satellite receiver, and DVD player.
- It highly helps you to record your special program.
- You can record your program anywhere in the world using your Mac and iPhone.
- High definition programming streams in HD quality for good HD picture.
3. Hauppauge HVR 950 Hybrid TV Stick ($150)
- You can watch, record TV with WinTV-HVR-950 Q.
- It is a hybrid tuner which brings HD ATSC digital TV with analog TV also.
- You can use the scheduler to record your favourite program and you can play the TV recordings at any time using your MAC.
- By using this tuner you can watch your favourite show from any computer.
- You don’t need to use multiple TV tuners for individual computers.
- It can easily record 1080 resolution broad cast.
- It has the ability to schedule and record the TV shows.
- It has integrated TV guide which is provided by DVR software.
- It looks like mini tuner for Apple TV or Mac mini.
- Using this we can pause, rewind, record and skip forward.
- It receives analog in the air as well as analog cable TV.
- It also captures VHS tapes which is helpful to store in our hard drive.
- True to the name it is compact and little tuner.
- But it allows you to watch digital terrestrial TV.
- It has the ability to record and time shift i.e pause and rewind live TV.
- PC users can stream their content easily.
- But it is not supported by Mac.
- It is less expensive too.
- If you want to watch digital terrestrial TV (known as DVB-T), analogue TV and cable TV (DVB-C) it is solid choice.
- It suits very well for Mac to stream.
- It is compact and stylish in design.
- It has full sized co-axial socket to connect with the TV.
- It comes with Eye TV software which allows you to record any program.
- It is a mini digital HD TV stick.
- It looks ultra-compact and gives you smooth feeling.
- It is USB powered which compliments Apple’s slim line note book elegantly.
- We can easily record, watch our favourite program.
- It has only single booster which improves reception sensitivity.
- It comes with mini remote control and also with high gain telescopic antenna.
9. TubeStick QAM Hybrid
- It is made exclusively for MAC users as it is a small TV users.
- It has two receivers to watch digital cable and analog cable as well as High definition pictures.
- It combines both analog and digital TV in one small stick.
- It has white mini antenna for reception of free-to-air HDTV and SD.
- This hybrid tube stick is available only in US.
10. ATI TV Wonder ($60)
- It is built with HD 650 series with personal video recorder.
- It has noise reduction capability.
- It has automatic screen and control 3D combo filtering.
- It has automatic colour control which offers edge enhancement.
- It produces sharp video look than any other television sets.
- It supports both analogue and digital free-to-air digital broadcasts that you can view on your Mac.
- It has compact design and can be easily transported around.
- It has refined and easy to use interface.
- It has the live picture-in-picture feature.
- You can watch two TV shows at the same time.
- It provides EPG and live recording facility.
The Pinnacle PCTV nanoStick is an external USB DVB-T tuner that allows you to watch digital television on the fly. Designed primarily for notebook users, it combines ultra-sensitive reception technology (it says here) with a sleek and miniature design; ensuring you’ll never miss out on your favourite TV shows again. At least, that’s the idea in theory...
Unfortunately, the included navigation software is not without its quirks, and the rod antenna suffers from inconsistent reception quality. This diminishes the nanoStick’s appeal as a portable TV tuner, though it still offers a reasonable performance for the asking price, with plenty of inbuilt modes and features. In addition to being HDTV-ready, the device sports TimeShift functionality (for pausing and rewinding live TV), basic editing software (for trimming your recordings) and even allows you to record programs directly to DVD.
In terms of design, the nanoStick resembles a typical USB thumb drive, which makes it one of the smallest TV tuners on the market. Its diminutive dimensions are perfect for ultraportable notebooks, with no unseemly protruding bits. Build quality is excellent, with an intelligent sliding mechanism that protects the USB connector when it’s not in use. (We can't tell you how many times we've lost tiny thumb drive lids, so the cap-free design is definitely appreciated.)
In addition to the nanoStick, the sales package includes a magnetic rod antenna, a miniature remote control, an antenna adaptor and all the required cables and software. Installing the device on your PC or notebook couldn’t be easier: simply connect the nanoStick to your rod or house antenna and then slot it into your computer’s USB port. Naturally, you will also need to install the TVCentre Pro software, which allows you to scan, store and record digital TV channels.
It’s at this point that the kinks in the nanoStick’s armour begin to show. While fairly straightforward and easy to navigate, the TVCentre Pro application was curiously unstable. Throughout testing, it seemed to crash or freeze up at random intervals; especially during start-up. It also refused to pick up some TV channels, despite multiple scannings. Fortunately, the nanoStick is also compatible with Windows Media Centre, which is bound to give you a smoother ride.
Like the nanoStick itself, the included remote control is of superior build quality; especially for the $99.95 asking price. While some users may be hampered by its tiny buttons, we personally found it a breeze to use. The miniature dimensions also make it well suited to travel. Indeed, the entire sales package will easily fit inside a small purse or bum-bag. Pinaccle has really pulled out all the stops to ensure the nanoStick is road warrior–friendly.
With that being said, the rod antenna is not quite so impressive. Its magnetic foot seemed rather weak and provided little stability, with a slight bump detaching it from our notebook’s metal palm rest. Its reception quality was also rather limited. Pinnacle recommends placing it near an upper-floor window away from reinforced walls and neighbouring buildings. Obviously, this won’t be feasible for some users, who will be forced to revert to their roof antennas. This could effectively quash the tuner’s portable capabilities, depending on where you live.
In optimal conditions, we didn’t experience any reception issues when using the device. Even in full screen mode the video quality remained good for most channels. Recordings are stored onto your hard drive in MPEG-1/-2 or DivX, or you can burn them directly to DVD. Unfortunately, you can’t watch one channel while recording another, as the product does not sport dual TV tuner chips (you can, however, schedule recordings for later).
The inbuilt video-editing software is also quite impressive. While a little on the basic side, it allows you to make simple trims/edits to your videos as well as add titles and transitions. This should be more than enough options for most users.