Want satellite TV on your tablets and smartphones? Then
the Elgato EyeTV might just be the answer
ELGATO'S
EYETV Netstream 4Sat is a four-tuner satellite receiver that conveys your
choice of channel (HD or SD) via a home network to computers or wireless
devices. Up to four such'IP (internet protocol) streams' can be sent
simultaneously.
Up
to four such'IP (internet protocol) streams' can be sent simultaneously
Free
tuner software - which remotely selects and receives the channel - can be
installed on PCs and Macs, while 'Netstream' apps are available for iOS and
Android devices. These apps also cover configuration. Set-top boxes aren't out
of the question, since the Netstream 4Sat adheres to the Sat>IP standard.
Tunerless
Sat>IP receivers are alas rare here, so we hope that Sat>IP support will
become widespread on smart TVs, which include the hardware and integrated uPnP/
DLNA clients; what's needed is an app to select channels.
Build
The
solid wall-mountable metal box the Netstream 4Sat is built into can be
installed 'out of the way; provided the necessary cabling can be routed there
and a mains point (for the 'wall-wart' power supply) is available.
Outdoor-equipment configuration is flexible. You can have four universal LNBs,
each fed from a different dish (and thus satellite) although this would limit
what could be simultaneously streamed to multiple users. More practical would
be two satellites, each dish being fitted with a dual LNB. A quad LNB is
another option; so too is the quattro LNB (which dedicates separate outputs to
the two polarities of each band). The Netstream 4Sat is also compatible with
DiSEqC and Unicable.
The
inputs are labelled 1-4; any unused inputs should be the higher-numbered ones.
Then
it's a case of installing the relevant software. The supplied 'quick start
guide' contains a registration code for the software that runs on Macs (EyeTV
3) and PCs (Terratec Home Cinema).
You
can download the relevant Netstream app from Apple's App Store, Google Play or
Amazon Appstore; I tried the Android version on my Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini.
Running
it gives you a settings menu, from which your outdoor equipment can be
configured
You
can choose between LNB types (this is a 'universal' setting; combinations
aren't allowed) and the number of active inputs. It's then a matter of going to
'satellite configuration' and specifying the available satellites. A handy
'auto detect' mode is available. Scanning for radio/TV channels can then begin,
a process that can take ages (channel lists can, however, be downloaded from
the internet). You can't configure the Netstream 4Sat via a web browser; the
only possibilities here are listing its current status and firmware updates.
