Just when Elgato hybrid: The device is very easy. Install the software, plug it in, start scanning, country (in my case, Austria) can be adjusted.
He is at once more than 40 analog TV channels (cable) and more than 200 digital (DVB-C) and tons of radio programs, as well as analog and digital.
Selected stations and already has one the "lossless" digital TV Full Screen on the monitor - cool!
To what extent DVB-C works in Germany, I can not say. According to various media reports one need a certified DVB-C Box with any serial number, etc., here so you should advance its cable TV operators ask if unencrypted digital cable TV is available in the network. I live in Lower Austria, where we are blessed with an operator called "cable signal" that offers not only great internet via cable, but also provide digital cable TV at no extra charge, without encryption and without any other barriers.
The hammer but is HD. Although I have informed myself as a power user course in detail before buying the HD functionality is obviously indicated as hidden (but it is similar in large LCD screens always advertised!) That I have not discovered. The greater any case my pleasure to ORF 1 HD received, also Arte HD, HD Suisse and frills as Luxe TV HD. At least come on ORF 1 HD sometimes quite a few movies in true 720p and a few series, including Desperate Housewives.
To sprinkle I was totally surprised to suddenly have a small cable whip in his hand while unpacking. This provides S-Video, composite and RCA audio inputs, allowing you to record any analog video sources. Today I have the old VHS recorder vacated my room and testing purposes connected. At the beginning of funny choppy, it has been "broken in" for something Rumprobiererei and I have a good image on Mac monitor. I am not an expert, but have a critical eye, I think the quality is not noticeably worse than what I saw in the living room on CRT, and who was connected via SCART, S-Video so.
Strangely enough, the image over S-video, a track is indeed sharper, but trimmed with fine wavy lines, the nerves are more likely. May be on cable ... no idea. About Composite image is trouble free and absolutely ok. To dub older VHS recordings in any case sufficient.
Otherwise eveTV software is really the best thing that I know in the sector. Clear navigation, fast switching, comfortable picking up the lossless DVB-C data stream. Converting to MPEG4 (H.242) I'll do but rather with the free tool "HandBrake". Produced by my tests better image quality at a lower bit rate. But AFAIK only available for Mac.
