Elgato Eyetv One Review: A Mixed Bag of Features and Design

The Elgato Eyetv One is a USB TV tuner that promises to bring the world of television to your computer, but its execution leaves much to be desired. While it has some impressive features, its design and usability can be frustrating at times.

Firstly, the remote control that comes with the device is poorly designed. The mismatched function and color buttons are awkward and difficult to understand, making it a chore to navigate through menus or change channels. It feels like Elgato took a button layout from another product and slapped it onto this device without much thought about user experience.

In fact, most users will likely prefer using the Eyetv One with a mouse and keyboard rather than the remote, as the device itself is chunky and poorly designed. The black line around the device serves as an IR sensor for the included remote, but it's more of a nice design touch than a functional feature.

On the other hand, the Eyetv One has some impressive technical specifications. It comes with two dongles that connect to video sources, allowing users to watch and record live TV on their computers. The device is also capable of accepting F-connector cables and composite and S-video inputs through metal coaxial adapters and analog video bundles respectively.

One of the standout features of the Eyetv One is its software. Elgato has developed a powerful program guide, DVR, and place-shifting application that allows users to watch their recorded shows on other devices connected to the internet. This feature alone makes the Eyetv One an attractive option for Mac users who are looking for a way to watch TV on their computers.

In conclusion, while the Elgato Eyetv One has some impressive features, its design and usability can be frustrating at times. Mac users may find themselves envious of the device's capabilities, but PC owners will likely be left feeling disappointed. Overall, the Eyetv One is a mixed bag that fails to deliver on its promise of providing an intuitive and user-friendly TV viewing experience.

Elgato eyetv one review