Miglia's New TVMini² is the smallest avaliable digital TV available, and from what we can see it is. The slim design allows for neighboring USB port access. This DVB-T tuner is USB 2.0 powered and features a high performance tuner and demodulator able to capture HD resolutions (requires dual g5 or intel processors).

The Tuner and Demodulator technology was borrowed fro m the in-car entertainment market, translating to a much stronger signal, then the previous model. The TVMini² captures video in MPEG-2 digital quality, allowing for easy editing and video management.

Included with the TVMini² is the latest version of Equinox's The Tube software, which now includes Timed Recording, EPG, and open XMLTV standards, which we have covered before.

Unfortunately the TVMini² will do us Americans little good with limited DVB-T broadcasts, but Europe can take full advantage of this innovative product. The TVMini² sells for £59.99 or €78.99, and includes a 2 year manufactures warranty.

Miglia has introduced VideoExpress™, a USB 2.0 h.264 hardware encoder. To promote this new device, Miglia has produced a Mac & PC style video comparing software and hardware encoders.

This little device, the size of a tumb-drive, speeds up you video conversions, quickly transforming your unprotected DVD, Divx and movie files to a H.264 file compatible with your PSP™, AppleTV™, Video iPod, iPhone™ and of course your MacHTPC.

The hardware encoder is about 3x as fast as your standard software encoding processes on an Intel Mac. On older hardware such as a G4, the process is 5x or 6x faster! In addition to the faster conversion speeds, the hardware encoder doesn't utilize your mac's processor(s) allowing you to keep working, without any decrease in performance.

Included with the device is VideoExpress™ software that includes several video quality presets and dvd ripping software for your stack of dvds collecting dust. Being that TheTube powers many Miglia TV tuners, VideoExpress™ works perfectly with it. Other software titles such as Final Cut, iMove, and Quicktime Pro also take advantage of the device with the QuickTime plug-in included.

Output resolutions include Video iPod 320x240 and 640x480, Sony PSP™: 320x240/640x480 for Sony PSP™, Apple TV™ up to 720x576 (PAL) or 720x480 (NTSC). Audio is all AAC, bitrate linked to video selection.

For more information you can read more on Migia's VideoExpress' Overview, Features, and Technical Spec pages. VideoExpress™ is priced at $99 USD and will be available through the Migla Store.

Miglia has been frequently in the news pages of EntertainMac as of late. From their merger with the HDMI Group, to ending their agreement with ElGato, and the introduction of some new products. Today they are making plans to produce their own software, MigliaTV.

Miglia's software promises a easy-to-use user interface. Functions such as Play, Add to iTunes, Burn to DVD, Show in Finder. The software goes beyond others by including video cropping and supporting MP4 as well as DIVX formats.

The latest version of the software is available for download.

Miglia is known for being one of the leaders in video tuner devices for the Macintosh. Their most recent hardware based TV Tuners, include the TV Max, TVMax+, and EvolutionTV.

It appears that Miglia, is being taken over in a management buy-out, but the HDMI-Group. This is being completed with the support of SEGF, a venture capital fund. Miglia the European based TV-Tuner manufacture has been one of the top manufactures for Macintosh tuners.

The HDMI Group plans on continuing to provide support for existing products, with software updates, warranties etc. They are also looking to expand their collection of products with a series of Windows components.

Many tuners out there are simply re-branded Windows devices so, this makes sense, a company would want to do the reverse and will hopefully reduce the pricing for these devices in the future.

Miglia is continuing to release new products for us Mac owners. The latest is the TVBook Pro Express and the TVMicro Express.

The TVBookPro Express come to us in the shape of a ExpressCard/34 for those MacBook Pro owners out there. The full featured digital tv tuner, includes 'The Tube' software, which allows for pausing, rewind, and recording of DTT signals. Also included is a USB amplified power antenna for better signal. Once again this leaves out the US, which doesn't have DTT broadcasts. It comes price tagged at £99.




The TVMicro Express is a USB Stick type device that allows for viewing digital cable broadcasts. Powered by your USB 2.0 port, you can use the supplied antenna or connect to your cable tv to start viewing your tv shows on your mac. Once again this product includes 'The Tube' software by Equinox.

Just when your about to ask, where is Miglia's 2nd tuner they promised, the announced their next TV tuner for DVB-T / OTA Digital TV, the TVMini Express. This USB stick tuner includes a nifty antenna, usb cable and Miglia's new software, now called TheTube™ TV, but which nobody has seen.

As you may recall EyeTV was the supplied software until Miglia decided they would not renew their licensing agreement. Miglia has promised 2 tuners in the next week and now they have delivered with the TVMini Express and TVMax+.

Making good on their word, Miglia has introduced their latest Hardware TV Tuner for your Macintosh. Like most tuners on the market, TVMax+ functions as a DVR and allows your to export your recordings to your AppleTV, iPod, or iTunes. All this for £143.00 or roughly $270 USD.

This tuner is unique in the fact that it is design to stack under your Macintosh Mini. Sharing the same form factor the TVMax+ compliments your media center nicely. The included remote allows you full control of the PVR software, which is an excellent upgrade from the 6 button Apple Remote. This tuner also requires an external power source, as the USB2.0 interface probably does not provide enough juice for proper functionality.

The encoding behind the TVMax+ is the main difference between the it and the previous model, the TVMax. The new software takes advantage of the building in hardware encoder making transfers faster and less processor intensive.

Specs:

Host Interface: USB 2.0 (B Type connector)
TV Tuner: Analog Tuner, Cable TV ready, up to 125 channels
Antenna Connection: Antenna or Cable box
Video Inputs: Composite (RCA) and S-Video
Audio Inputs: 2 RCA Connectors, stereo 48 KHz, 16 Bits stereo capture
Recording Formats: iPod Good, iPod Best, Apple TV, DVD ready, Full size (Mpeg4) DIVX Portable, DIVX Home Theater
Power: External Power Supply
Warranty: 2 Years Miglia Warranty, return to base.

Miglia TVMax+ is unique in it design, however there are less expensive tuners on the market that can handle the same load. At close to $270, we believe they have over priced this device based on the markets average tv tuner pricing, and their previous version sells for $180.00

Miglia has responded to EyeTV's licensing announcement made yesterday. Miglia has elected not to renew the EyeTV license and will begin shipping products with their own application. Customers that use EyeTV will still be able to receive support through Miglia's support section.

The discontinuation of the EyeTV Licensing will benefit consumers as the licensing price is no longer included in the purchase price. To celebrate this, 2 new models, the TV Mini Express, and TV Max Plus will ship at lower prices and with Miglia's new software.

Miglia has always had one of the broadest lines of TV tuners designed for the Mac Platform, and aren't simply re-branded Windows devices. (a la El Gato)

As more details about the TV Mini Express, TV Max Plus and Miglia's TV-Tuner Application as they become available.

Miglia and ElGato have decided to part ways with their long standing licensing agreement. Miglia TV Tuners have been bundled with El Gato's award winning PVR software EyeTV. Due to the termination of the agreement all future Miglia Tuners and advertising will no longer be bundled with El Gato's Eye TV software.

Current EyeTV/Miglia users are not affected by this change. Future improvements and upgrades for EyeTV will continue to support current Miglia/EyeTV users.

EyeTV is currently the leader in PVR software for your Macintosh. With seamless integration with FrontRow, and online scheduling with TitanTV. It will be interesting to see where Miglia turns for future software. Perhaps they will go back to developing their AlchemyTV DVR Software.