Though the EyeTV Hybrid says 'Windows/Mac' on the box, buyer beware: the USB tuner stick's compatible software that's included in the box, called EyeTV 3, is Mac-compatible only. That setup seems more ideal for a desktop computer or all-in-one like the iMac, or a small TV-compatible companion like the Mac Mini. And the computer itself can't be mobile-you'll be tethered to a coaxial TV cable. While a device like the EyeTV offers fewer restrictions-you're not restricted to streaming video within your home network, for instance-it also requires a small but awkward USB dongle to jut out of your computer. Services like Hulu and Netflix offer large libraries of content, and cable providers are increasingly offering online sites and mobile apps for accessing streaming channels and on-demand content. These days, computers and particularly iPhones and iPads are playing better than ever with TV content. But, let's focus on the live TV function first. And it does more than that, too-the Mac-compatible EyeTV software can double as a programmable DVR (recording shows to the PC's hard drive), and stream video to an Elgato app available on the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad. What it does, essentially, is allow you to watch and channel-surf live TV on that computer. It's compatible with over-the-air HDTV and unencrypted cable.

The Elgato EyeTV Hybrid ($149 list) is an example of the former: this USB stick isn't much bigger than a standard thumbdrive, but it's a full-on TV tuner, complete with a coaxial jack on one end. If you wanted to watch TV on your computer-say, an episode of your favorite sitcom, or a news report-you'd need a TV tuner or a video capture device.

Once upon a time-before Netflix, Hulu, and Slingbox-TVs and computers weren't great bedfellows.

Eyetv 3 mac