Problems with Elgato EyeTV 200
The EyeTV200 is written up everywhere as being a great product, but I have yet to find that to be true. At least every other time I go to use it, I have connection issues. although I get a green light on the box, the software does not recognize it, and I get a "no signal" error.
And although the tech support guys at Elgato are very responsive, it seems that this issue is going nowhere. I have tried their various troubleshooting steps:
I'd like you to try the following steps, using EyeTV 2.1, not EyeTV 2.2 (which may have some issues).
http://www.elgato.com/downloads/eyetv21update.dmg
Here is an exhaustive lists of tests and changes that usually get EyeTV working for users.
(Permissions Check)
Try to Repair Disk Permissions using the Disk Utility (in the Applications/Utilities folder).
(FireWire or USB Bus)
Some EyeTV's use FireWire, while others are USB/USB 2.0 only.
Try EyeTV on all of your other FireWire/USB ports, with another FireWire/USB cable, and try it with other FireWire/USB devices detached. There might be a fault with the FireWire/USB connection, or some sort of conflict with another device. If you're using a portable, then also try it while plugged into a wall outlet, instead of using battery power. This will ensure that EyeTV is getting enough power over the FireWire/USB. If you're using a FireWire/USB hub, make sure that it's self-powered by an AC adaptor.
(Refresh EyeTV Helper)
You can also remove and reinstall a small program called EyeTV Helper, which is involved in detecting EyeTV on the FireWire/USB bus. Do a search for that program (hard drive/Library/Application Support/EyeTV). Then, start the Activity Monitor (located in Applications/Utilities), and find EyeTV Helper. Quit it. Then, erase EyeTV Helper from your hard drive. Start EyeTV and it will be reinstalled.
(EyeTV Preferences)
You should also try to erase the four EyeTV Preference files, starting with com.elgato. They can be found in the following locations:
In /Library/Preferences/
-com.elgato.eyetv.devices.plist
-com.elgato.eyetv.plist
-com.elgato.eyetv.world.plist
In /Users/<YourUserAccountName>/Library/Preferences/
-com.elgato.eyetv.plist
Don't erase these files unless you have a back up of your activation key - it will be lost by removing these files. Only newer EyeTV products require an activation key. If you don't have one from the beginning, then you don't need one, and can safely erase the preferences.
After you erase them and restart EyeTV, then you'll have to re Auto Tune via the Setup Assistant, or the Setup part of the EyeTV Preferences.
(EyeTV Software)
Please try the latest available version of EyeTV to see if it helps.
Make sure to unplug EyeTV, start the new software, wait 30 seconds, and then plug in the unit again, to make sure the new software is activated.
(Mac OS X User Issues)
You can also try a new admin user account, and see if that helps. Go to the Accounts section of the System Preferences to create a new account. The Security tab will let you select Administration access.
(PRAM/NVRAM)
Finally, you can perform two system adjustments that help some mysterious problems:
Try to reset your PRAM:
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Press the power button to turn the computer on. You will hear the computer's startup sound.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.
Also reset the NVRAM (Will not work with an Intel Mac):
First, shut down your computer. Then boot up, and press and hold the Command-Option-O-F keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
Then, do the following
1. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-nvram
2. Press Return.
3. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: set-defaults
4. Press Return.
5. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-all
6. Press Return.
7. If your computer does not automatically restart, then type: mac-boot
---and still, it does not work. Has anyone had a similar experience with their unit?
Mac OS X (10.4.7)
And although the tech support guys at Elgato are very responsive, it seems that this issue is going nowhere. I have tried their various troubleshooting steps:
I'd like you to try the following steps, using EyeTV 2.1, not EyeTV 2.2 (which may have some issues).
http://www.elgato.com/downloads/eyetv21update.dmg
Here is an exhaustive lists of tests and changes that usually get EyeTV working for users.
(Permissions Check)
Try to Repair Disk Permissions using the Disk Utility (in the Applications/Utilities folder).
(FireWire or USB Bus)
Some EyeTV's use FireWire, while others are USB/USB 2.0 only.
Try EyeTV on all of your other FireWire/USB ports, with another FireWire/USB cable, and try it with other FireWire/USB devices detached. There might be a fault with the FireWire/USB connection, or some sort of conflict with another device. If you're using a portable, then also try it while plugged into a wall outlet, instead of using battery power. This will ensure that EyeTV is getting enough power over the FireWire/USB. If you're using a FireWire/USB hub, make sure that it's self-powered by an AC adaptor.
(Refresh EyeTV Helper)
You can also remove and reinstall a small program called EyeTV Helper, which is involved in detecting EyeTV on the FireWire/USB bus. Do a search for that program (hard drive/Library/Application Support/EyeTV). Then, start the Activity Monitor (located in Applications/Utilities), and find EyeTV Helper. Quit it. Then, erase EyeTV Helper from your hard drive. Start EyeTV and it will be reinstalled.
(EyeTV Preferences)
You should also try to erase the four EyeTV Preference files, starting with com.elgato. They can be found in the following locations:
In /Library/Preferences/
-com.elgato.eyetv.devices.plist
-com.elgato.eyetv.plist
-com.elgato.eyetv.world.plist
In /Users/<YourUserAccountName>/Library/Preferences/
-com.elgato.eyetv.plist
Don't erase these files unless you have a back up of your activation key - it will be lost by removing these files. Only newer EyeTV products require an activation key. If you don't have one from the beginning, then you don't need one, and can safely erase the preferences.
After you erase them and restart EyeTV, then you'll have to re Auto Tune via the Setup Assistant, or the Setup part of the EyeTV Preferences.
(EyeTV Software)
Please try the latest available version of EyeTV to see if it helps.
Make sure to unplug EyeTV, start the new software, wait 30 seconds, and then plug in the unit again, to make sure the new software is activated.
(Mac OS X User Issues)
You can also try a new admin user account, and see if that helps. Go to the Accounts section of the System Preferences to create a new account. The Security tab will let you select Administration access.
(PRAM/NVRAM)
Finally, you can perform two system adjustments that help some mysterious problems:
Try to reset your PRAM:
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Press the power button to turn the computer on. You will hear the computer's startup sound.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.
Also reset the NVRAM (Will not work with an Intel Mac):
First, shut down your computer. Then boot up, and press and hold the Command-Option-O-F keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
Then, do the following
1. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-nvram
2. Press Return.
3. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: set-defaults
4. Press Return.
5. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-all
6. Press Return.
7. If your computer does not automatically restart, then type: mac-boot
---and still, it does not work. Has anyone had a similar experience with their unit?
Mac OS X (10.4.7)
