Just last night I figured out how to take my new EyeTV Hybrid and turn it into a video-streaming machine. In other words, it plugs into my cable feed and makes live TV (and recorded shows) available to any computer on my local network, and conceivably to any computer anywhere if I set up my router properly.

So…when Lisa’s having Trinity Wives Bible Study in the living room, I can watch TV in my office, on my computer. (That would mean Prison Break live!) Or, if I go somewhere and need to keep an eye on what’s going on during March Madness (like, um, class?), I can be right there. (Not that I would ever do that!)

Anyways, if you’re still reading this, you want to know how.

1. Install EyeTV
2. Install CyTV
3. Run CyTV and use the menu to Install the EyeTV plugin
4. If you have your firewall turned on, add an exception for port 8001 (It’s in your System Preferences under Sharing)
5. Install VLC on any OS of your choice
6. In VLC, “File > Open Network…” and enter http://192.168.0.199:8001/stream/live (use the IP address of the computer running CyTV)

That’s it! If you want to change the channel, or watch an old recording, simply open up a web browser to http://192.168.0.199:8001/gui/index.html and use the options there. Enjoy your network streaming from EyeTV, a la HDHomeRun, but without the $170 box and with Analog support!