Nov 15, 2010 10:44 GMT  ·  By

Elgato, the makers of the EyeTV Netstream Sat, have announced an update to their EyeTV iOS app, which allows it to connect directly to an EyeTV Netstream tuner to watch live TV on the iPad.

The news is undoubtedly exciting for owners of the Apple tablet. Even better, the feature will be immediately available for iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod touch devices as soon as iOS 4.2 is rolled out, Elgato claims.

“Now you can connect the EyeTV app directly to an EyeTV Netstream tuner to watch live TV on your iPad! Enjoy superfast channel surfing,” reads the company’s November 10 announcement.

“This feature requires an iPad, iPhone 4, or iPod touch 4th generation running iOS4 (requires iOS4.2), and a local 802.11n Wi-Fi network. You need a Mac or PC to install EyeTV Netstream, but you don’t need to keep your computer turned on to watch live TV,” Elgato notes.

The company also points out that direct connection to an EyeTV Netstream tuner is available only for MPEG-2 standard definition television signals. Streaming is also not supported outside the local Wi-Fi network, Elgato outlines.

So how does it do it?



To get started, you obviously need the company’s EyeTV Netstream Sat device. The hardware enables the entire family to share one TV tuner device, and it delivers a high-definition TV picture to every room.

Users simply place EyeTV Netstream Sat near their existing satellite connection and connect it to a router. The device receives DVB-S2 and streams the TV signal via the users’ Ethernet or home Wi-Fi network.

To enable users to watch TV on the iPad, the EyeTV Netstream Sat needs to talk to the Apple tablet via the $5 app that customers must download and install from iTunes.

The app literally turns the iPad into the ultimate portable television, allowing you to watch live TV, view previously recorded shows, check the program guide, and even set up recordings anywhere you go. It works over both 3G and Wi-Fi.

iOS 4.2 is expected to arrive this week, although some reports indicate it will not be available until later this month.

Download EyeTV for iOS ($4.99)