ATI TV Wonder 650 Combo USB for Mac debuts

AMD on Wednesday announced the new ATI TV Wonder 650 Combo USB for Mac (AMD product page), a new HDTV solution for Mac users. ATI TV Wonder 650 Combo USB for Mac integrates two TV tuners to receive off-the-air ATSC/HDTV broadcasts as well as analog television programming. Almost one month after the PC product launch, the ATI TV Wonder 650 Combo USB for Mac transforms Mac desktops and notebooks into TV entertainment systems, with full personal video recorder (PVR) functionality. Using the included ATI tvPORTAL TV application for Mac, users can watch, pause, or record high definition TV. The company also claims that analog TV is "made brilliant" on the Mac with "sharp, true-to-life analog TV images." The software also offers a full-featured Electronic Programming Guide to help schedule and manage TV recordings.

Reports indicate that the Mac version comes in a special white case, with a Mac-specific interface and parental controls in the software (photo updated to Mac version).

The ATI TV Wonder 650 Combo USB for Mac is scheduled to be available later this month for $150. The ATI TV Wonder 650 Combo USB is being distributed by VisionTek, a supplier of 3D graphics and desktop enhancement products.

"AMD continues to bring The Ultimate Visual Experience to consumers' displays and screens including HDTVs, PCs and game consoles. Today AMD expands that visual experience with high definition multimedia entertainment for Mac customers," said Matt Skynner, vice president, AMD Graphics Products Group. "AMD is enhancing the Mac experience with HDTV support from ATI TV Wonder 650 Combo USB for Mac."

The software requires a G4/G5- or Intel-based Mac with native USB 2.0 support and a dual-G5 or better CPU for ATSC reception and recording. The company also says that OpenGL 2.0 or newer graphics card is recommended for optimal display output quality, but that the software will adjust video quality on lower-end graphics system automatically. It requires Mac OS X 10.4.10 and higher (no mention of Leopard compatibility.)