The end of the road for my EyeTV 250?

[steve...]

I now get a "Device could not be initialized" on my EyeTV 250. When the Setup Assistant scans for channels, it gets an error message and fails (has always worked before). I have version 2.5.3 software on a mid 2010 iMac with Mavericks.

I have a splitter that divides one incoming cable between my modem and the EyeTV. The TV signal on the EyeTV has not been the greatest and it doesn't get every channel, but on a small window, it's OK for background TV viewing (I have a cable box in another room that provides a great picture/all channels to a regular TV).

After several year's use with the EyeTV, maybe it's time to upgrade. What is the best/most economical solution for watching TV on a Mac these days?

[SteveG]

After mine fizzled, I bought a used one on eBay. It works.

[Black]

steve... wrote:
I now get a "Device could not be initialized" on my EyeTV 250. When the Setup Assistant scans for channels, it gets an error message and fails (has always worked before). I have version 2.5.3 software on a mid 2010 iMac with Mavericks.

I have a splitter that divides one incoming cable between my modem and the EyeTV. The TV signal on the EyeTV has not been the greatest and it doesn't get every channel, but on a small window, it's OK for background TV viewing (I have a cable box in another room that provides a great picture/all channels to a regular TV).

After several year's use with the EyeTV, maybe it's time to upgrade. What is the best/most economical solution for watching TV on a Mac these days?

A used EyeTV hybrid and EyeTV 3.x software.
Any chance you'd be interested in sending me the 250 so I can see if it works? (serious suggestion.)

[SDGuy]

There's always the replacement route - looks like our Friendly Forum Sponsors have them on sale for $99

[PeterB]

Whenever I've gotten this message, I've had to do a "cold reset" ... unplug absolutely everything from it, let it sit a good 10 minutes, then reconnect, and voila! Everything back to normal. It might also require a software reinstall, but I don't think so.

[Black]

PeterB wrote:
Whenever I've gotten this message, I've had to do a "cold reset" ... unplug absolutely everything from it, let it sit a good 10 minutes, then reconnect, and voila! Everything back to normal. It might also require a software reinstall, but I don't think so.

I assumed that was tried, but not a bad idea to mention it.
Not sure why the old software-- isn't it a free upgrade to 3.x?
Also-- the one time I experienced a 'bad' unit-- it got very hot to the touch- wondering if that's the case here too.
Also... a direct connection to a USB port may be good to try if it's currently connected to a hub (assuming it's USB-- I never had a 250.)

[steve...]

Success!

I tried PeterB's "cold reset" and connected the usb cable directly to my iMac (was connected to a hub) and it is now working fine! I tried it again with the hub connection and NO problems there either.

I had already reinstalled the software (I think 2.5.3 is as high as the 250 will go). It did seem to run hot in the past.

Thanks everyone for your help and comments. (tu)


Edit: ...looks like 2.5.3 is the last free upgrade, EyeTV 3 is an $80 upgrade.

[space-time]

SDGuy wrote:
There's always the replacement route - looks like our Friendly Forum Sponsors have them on sale for $99

I wonder why they opened 18 boxes of these?

ElGato EyeTV 250 Plus - Analog/Digital TV Receiver and Video Controller W/ Clear QAM Dig Cable. The most powerful HDTV recorder for your Mac. New, Inspected Box, Complete with Full 1yr Elgato Warranty. (10020780)

Supply Limited: 18 available

Elgato
EyeTV 250 Plus
Analog / Digital TV Receiver & Video Converter
New Condition | Open Box

[mlfrank]

steve's:
"(I think 2.5.3 is as high as the 250 will go)"

I am using a 250, working quite well on version 3.6.3 - it was bought used as well.

[RAMd®d]

I am using a 250, working quite well on version 3.6.3 - it was bought used as well.

But it's still an $80 upgrade.