14 DAY TRIAL // Following reports putting Apple on track to replace its Apple TV with an “iTV”, Elgato, the makers of EyeTV, said they had no immediate plans of switching to another name, in the event rumors of Apple’s new service materialize.
Elgato, the developers of the EyeTV tuner hardware and software for Mac, said though a spokesman that they didn’t “see themselves changing the name of the product line,” according to a report by iLounge.
The spokesman reportedly suggested that Apple should be more concerned about i.TV applications, and the ITV British television network.
Last week, ITV officials went on record saying they were prepared to meet Apple in court, in case the company proceeds with renaming its new Apple TV to “iTV.”
Elgato seems to be well aware of Apple’s initial plans to name its original set-top-box “iTV.”
“iTV was going to be the original name for the Apple TV,” another Elgato spokesman noted.
“I don’t think Elgato said anything about changing the name then… But who knows what Apple have in mind,” this person added.
However, Elgato is likely to begin seeing tough competition, should rumors of the new iTV service from Apple materialize.
“EyeTV software, together with a Mac TV tuner, turns your Mac into the coolest television in the house,” reads a promo on Elgato’s web site.
The EyeTV application, together with compatible hardware, turns a Mac into both a TV and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR).
However, the company’s offerings are far from revolutionary. Alternatives include Boxee, BoinxTV, Hulu desktop, Netflix, and others.
The rumored iTV from Apple is said to rely on cloud syncing, a variant of the iOS operating system powering the iPhone, as well as its own place in the App Store.
Furthermore, alleged support for iOS applications would turn the device into a state-of-the art media and entertainment center.
Nevertheless, Elgato offers a wide variety of solutions to meet customers’ needs, based on the type of TV signals broadcast in their area, as well as the type of TV reception service they use or subscribe to.
Elgato recently released a software edition of Turbo.264 HD, a video converter for Mac OS X, which enables users to edit HD camcorder clips without converting them first.
The software supports nearly any kind of video source format and uses advanced encoding technology to convert video files to iPhone- and iPad-compatible formats.
Elgato also develops and sells an EyeTV iOS app.