MyTV/fm

Reviewed By: Kirk Hiner

Review Date: November 14, 2000 (updated April 2, 2001 to include video importing information)

Developer: Eskape Labs, Inc. (a Hauppauge! Company)

Minimum Requirements: Macintosh G3, Apple factory USB, Mac OS 8.5.1, Quicktime 4, available high powered USB port

Retail Price: $198.95

Availability: Out Now
Available at the Applelinks Store

I'm actually not so much into TV anymore, not that I'm bragging or knocking the state of television these days. I don't think TV programs are any worse now than, say, the late 70s when "Solid Gold" and "Pink Lady and Jeff" ruled the airwaves. Indeed, when I have the TV on, it's usually to watch something I should have outgrown a good 20 years ago. I'll admit my confusion--my inability to comprehend why shows such as "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." and "Viva Variety" get cancelled while "Dawson's Creek" and "Road Rules" continue to plague our lives--but I don't blame that on the television itself. I blame it on Michael Gross.

Of course, I blame everything on Michael Gross, but I don't really care to get into that right now.

This complacency towards television changed when I discovered Eskape Labs' MyTV/fm at Macworld Expo New York. With the low-cost ability to pull video signals into my Mac, TV suddenly intrigued me once more; not so much because I really wanted to watch TV on my computer, but because I wanted to be able to watch TV on my computer.

"Tieraney, can you turn on the G4? "Electra Woman and Dyna Girl" is about to come on."

It just sounds too weird to pass up. Luckily for those who use a logical thought pattern when purchasing products, MyTV/fm offers much more than an opportunity for weirdness.

As is indicated by its name, MyTV's main function is to bring video and audio signals into your Macintosh through a USB port (either one of the two slots built into your computer or through a powered USB hub). The FM portion is captured through a 75 OHm coax connector in the back. Simple enough. For video capture, you're provided with more possibilities. As with the FM feature, a coax port in the back of the system connects to either your cable TV source or a TV antenna. For video from a VCR, camcorder, DVD player or other such device, you can choose from either the S-video or composite video input. Sound for these devices is brought into MyTV/fm then rerouted to the video-in jack of your computer (meaning that Cube owners are out of luck here). And no matter how you'll be importing your source material, Eskape Labs makes sure you're covered with the proper cables.

Even with all of these ports, MyTV/fm is not much bigger than a CD wallet, fitting under my 17" Studio Display with a couple inches to spare. The product ships with velcro sticky pads so it can be fastened to your desk or even the monitor if you so desire. Unfortunately, because required wires sprout from the front and back, you're doomed to unsightly cable clutter no matter where you put it.

However, this minor annoyance pales in comparison the actual software interface. I've seen road accidents that are more appealing than the software controls of MyTV. And to make matters worse, the programmers somehow managed to compound the insipidity of the interface with an awkwardness the public hasn't seen since Windows 3.1. I would try to describe this, but--as with Windows--you really have to experience it to believe. Plus, I don't want to get you down on this otherwise excellent product.

The thing about MyTV/fm, you see, is that it's the first product in a long while that can actually do what its box professes. Let's take a look:

• Set up in 5 minutes or less without opening your computer - True. After plugging in a few wires, installing the software and rebooting the computer, MyTV/fm was ready to go
• 125 channel cable ready TV tuner - True. And this was just as easy to set up. After plugging in the source, it was just a matter of clicking the proper auto-tune button (cable or antenna) to access the channels. These settings can then be fine tuned if necessary. Inexplicably, this auto search feature doesn't work with the FM portion; stations must be manually entered. This is also where the interface gets annoying. FM stations and TV stations are stored in the same window with no distinct separation. It's a big mess of numbers and letters that could greatly benefit from a remote control.
• TV in a resizable window while running other applications. Or watch TV full screen - True. Wonderfully true. The quality of the video capture is better than I thought possible over USB. Even at full screen size, there was little stuttering or misalignment of video/audio signals...provided MyTV was kept in the foreground. But even when dumped behind another app, MyTV performed admirably.
• Capture QuickTime movies at full frame rate from any analog video source or from broadcast television - True. You're limited to 320x240 at 30 frames per second (NTSC) or 384x288 at 25fps (PAL) when capturing, but this is on par with similar USB capture devices.

Capturing video with MyTV/fm was as simple as turning from Oprah. When you see something you want, hit Command+R. When you're done, simply click the mouse on the video window. The longest video segment I captured was just over five minutes, and I had few problems with frames dropping or the video/audio signals getting out of sync.

So what happens after you've captured the video? MyTV/fm ships with a full version of Strata VideoShop, but as is the norm, you're doomed to figure out this massive program with only a PDF. In the future, Eskape Labs may sell the VideoShop manual at their website or at least link to places where it can be purchased. Strata VideoShop is a great program, but it's also one of those that requires a manual to be handy at all times.

At least the process of getting video into VideoShop is easy once you figure out how. And since there is no printed manual, here's a quick tutorial...

With VideoShop active and a video source feeding MyTV/fm, select "Show Digitizing Window." Provided you have no other digitizers installed, you should see the video source playing in the digitizer window. If not, select "Digitize" on the VideoShop menu bar and then select "Video Settings..." This will open QuickTime's standard video dialog, from which you should chose "Source" and set "Digitizer" to "Phoenix USB Video" (the Eskape Labs USB VDIG that works on all Eskape USB video digitizers).

Now, to be fair, most of my previous complaints are just personal gripes...the type that will vary in importance from user to user. What won't change is the fact that MyTV/fm is a surprisingly powerful tool that actually lives up to its claims. I'm still not convinced that--outside of those guys who make their living posting video and screen captures of Charlize Theron to their websites--anyone really needs this technology, but since when is technology about necessity? Also, if you're simply looking for a way to get your analog video onto the computer for editing, it might be wise to get your hands on a copy of Eskape Labs' MyVideo instead. But if you want both these abilities, MyTV/fm is up to the task..and at a great price. Even greater, in fact, if you forgo the FM ability and purchase the cheaper MyTV ($168.95). You lose VideoShop in the process, but you can somewhat make up for it with a free download of iMovie.

So yeah, do it. Get this program. It's fun. Ugly, mind you, but fun. And hey, if you're not happy watching TV, edit it. I can tell you without doubt that "Dawson's Creek" is much more entertaining when Brisco County, Jr. comes to town. Now that's entertainment!

Special Note: Early packages of MyTV/fm shipped with a USB cable that was out of specification, negatively affecting video quality due to insufficient voltage delivery. To insure that you have the proper cable, be sure to register your product and contact Eskape Labs. If necessary, they will send a replacement cable free of charge.

Available at the Applelinks Store

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