I love this product. It does take some work to get it up and running, but it's well worth it. I configured it for use with Windows Media Center on a Windows 7 desktop, and laptop, as well as an Xbox 360 media extender connected to our main HDTV (via HDMI cable). I bought an Xbox 360 Media Remote to control WMC (easier and more features than with game controllers, but they work fine too) on the Xbox and this is the main way we watch TV on our HDTV. I have Time Warner Cable, and I am getting beautiful, HD channels with the HDHR-prime, and I love the WMC guide and DVR ability. 3 Tuners to watch live TV and also record at the same time is very convenient. I just have a 1TB external USB 2.0 drive connected to my desktop and set as my DVR storage location and it works perfectly. I will say that live sports tend to lag a little bit sometimes, but I think this is more due to the refresh rate on my older HDTV (60Hz rather than 120), and perhaps my Time Warner cable internet speeds which are not blazing fast, more than anything.
The setup:
Because each cable company may be different, I'd suggest to do a little Cable Card research on your cable companies website, in my case TWC;
I called TWC's Cable Card support number and they mailed me the equipment needed.
You get a Cable Card (TWC $2.50/month), and a Cisco Tuning Adapter (free), which is a box (think the size and shape of a large DVD player) that plugs into A/C power and is powered on all the time. TWC uses Switched Digital Video (SDV) which is why you need the tuning adapter. (SDV is basically used to free up bandwidth). It has a coax in, and a coax out and a USB type B port on the back. In my case I used a 4 way cable splitter. The main coax into the living room goes into the 4 way splitter's (in) and then a coax (out) goes to the (in) on the back of the Cisco tuning adapter, another short coax goes from the coax (out) on the back of the Cisco adapter to the (in) on the back of the Prime. The type B end of the USB cable from the tuning adapter runs into the back of the Prime where it plugs into its type A USB port. I also used the rest of my available splitters to send cable out to my main HDTV and secondary TV (you can still watch regular basic cable using a direct coax connection in the back of your TV, the Prime works either on computers, or using the Xbox connected to a TV as an extender when using Windows Media Center app to watch live TV). Now, you'll need to run an Ethernet cable from an available LAN port on your wireless router into the Ethernet port on the back of the Prime. The Prime also has an A/C power cable of course and you are now at the part where you have the basic physical setup ready, and you can call your cable companies Cable Card support number for activation. Be prepared to be on hold for a while, but in my case at least, the tech was friendly and helpful. He was very patient and did a nice job. It does take a while. The Cable card (think the size and shape of a PCMCIA card) is inserted into the back of the Prime first, and then the cable company tech can run the activation.
The following Silicon dust site has step by step instructions;
http://www.silicondust.com/support/instructions/primewmc7/
Software Installation
01.Download and install the latest HDHomeRun software from downloads. http://www.silicondust.com/support/downloads/
choose the one for your operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux).
02.Open HDHomeRun Setup
03.On the Location tab, set the Country and Zip/Postal Code
04.On the Applications tab, set the Main Application to Windows Media Center
05.On the Tuners tab, set the Signal Source to CableCARD for each of your HDHomeRun PRIME tuners.
06.On the CableCARD tab, click Scan to download a channel list from the CableCARD. Uncheck the boxes for any channels you don’t subscribe to or otherwise don’t wish to see in Windows Media Player/HDHomeRun QuickTV. If you do not receive a channel list, this means the card has not yet received programming information from the cable provider. Follow the steps in the next section to activate the card.
CableCARD Validation
Your CableCARD must be validated (paired) with your HDHomeRun PRIME in order to receive copy-protected content. This normally only needs to be done once, unless you switch to a different CableCARD, or insert your CableCARD into a different device.
01.On the Tuners tab in HDHomeRun Setup, click on one of the Tuner IDs to access your HDHomeRun PRIME’s webpage. This can also be done by clicking the link on the Device tab in HDHomeRun Config GUI, or by directly navigating to the IP address of your HDHomeRun.
02.Click on CableCARD Menu. In the CableCARD Status section, you will see the current status of the CableCARD in your HDHomeRun PRIME. Verify that Card Authentication and Card OOB Lock show success. If Card OOB Lock does not show success, this suggests that your HDHomeRun PRIME does not have a good cable connection. Verify that the TV cable is securely connected to the RF in port on your HDHomeRun PRIME and to the wall outlet or splitter.
03.Follow your cable provider’s directions for validating your CableCARD. This normally involves calling the cable company or accessing a web page and providing the CableCARD ID and Host ID (and if using a Motorola CableCARD, the Data number) listed on this page. The validation process can take anywhere from 1-30 minutes depending on the cable provider. Refresh the Status page every few minutes to check to see if the process is complete, indicated by the Card Validation status showing success.
Windows Media Center – Digital Cable Advisor
The Digital Cable Advisor needs to be installed and run once on each PC you wish to use with your HDHomeRun PRIME.
01.Open Windows Media Center. If WMC opens fullscreen, restore it so that it is in windowed mode.
02.In the Extras section, click on Extras Gallery
03.Click on the Digital Cable Advisor, and follow the prompts to install
04.Go back to the main WMC screen, and in the Extras section, click on Extras Library
05.Click on Digital Cable Advisor and follow the prompts to update your system for CableCARD support
Windows Media Center – Configuration
01.Open Windows Media Center
02.Click Tasks, then Settings, then TV, then TV Signal, then Set Up TV Signal
03.Confirm your region and click Next
04.Enter your ZIP/postal code and click Next
05.Read and agree to the Program Guide Terms of Service, and click Next
06.Read and agree to the PlayReady. Click Next. If it has not already been installed, PlayReady will now download and install.
07.Windows Media Center will now download configuration data and detect the tuners you have installed. Verify that it detects all 3 of your HDHomeRun PRIME tuners, select Yes, configure TV with these results and click Next.
08.Select Yes to set up Windows Media Center for use with a CableCARD, and click Next
09.If you are shown a message about activating your CableCARD, click Next
10.If your are shown a Call Your Cable Company screen, click Next
11.If prompted, select your cable provider from the list (make sure to choose the Digital option if available) and click Next
12.Click Next. WMC will new download guide information.
13.Click Finish
Using Windows Media Center
◾To watch live TV: from the main screen, click TV, then Live TV
◾To see the guide: from the main screen, click TV, then Guide
◾To see a mini guide when watching TV: click the Guide button at the bottom
◾To record a single program: Locate it in the guide, click on it, and click Record
◾To record a series: Locate one airing in the series, click on it, and click Record Series
◾To change where recordings are stored: from the main screen, click Tasks, then Settings, then TV, then Recorder, then Recorder storage. Other drives can be selected using the +/- icons.
This product is definitely worth it. If you are on the fence, I'd say go for it. If you were to pay the cable company for what you get from this (DVR capability on aover the course of a year, it more than pays for itself. You will save money.
You can also watch live TV on tablets and smartphones. The InstaTV Pro for Android and InstaTV Pro for iOS support direct streaming from HDHomeRun devices on Android and iOS devices.
Additional Details
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From the manufacturer
You'll be viewing in no time with our simple flexible set-up
Watch on the following devices:
- Windows 10/Surface
- Sony Android TVs
- MacOSX, iOS & TVOS
- Android tablets, phones
- Amazon branded media devices
- Playstation 3&4
- Xbox One/One S/X
- Nvidia Shield TV
HDHomeRun CONNECT DUO
Have you thought about cutting the cord and forgetting about cable TV? Make HDHomeRun CONNECT DUO part of your home network.
Receive Free to air TV via an antenna allowing you to send glorious high definition content to anywhere in your home over your existing home WiFi, or a wired Ethernet connection from your home router. No more expensive Cable TV subscriptions or cable boxes rental fees. You can now easily watch another program in a different room or enjoy football in the yard – whether on Android TV device, phone, tablet, computer or smart TV.
You can watch Live TV through our HDHomeRun DVR app and you can record, pause, rewind and schedule your favorite shows using the HDHomeRun DVR service*.
You can also watch and record Live TV with Plex or you can record, pause, rewind and schedule programs using our Kodi/ XBMC Add-On or popular compatible third party DVR software.
* Requires Guide Subscription
Benefits
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Cord CuttingCut the cable and cut your costs. No more expensive subscriptions or cable boxes. |
2 TunersHaving two tuners means that you can watch Live TV on two devices simultaneously. |
Compatible with our DVR serviceThe CONNECT DUO works with our DVR service, so you can watch, pause and record. |
ExpandabilityConnect more HDHomeRun tuners to your router to expand the number of channels you can watch or record simultaneously. |
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| Customer Reviews |
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| Number of tuners | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Watch on tablets and phones | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Works with our DVR service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Receives free OTA Live TV | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| Receives Premium cable TV | – | – | ✓ |
| HDTV over Ethernet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HDTV over WiFi (via your home router) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built in video transcoding | – | ✓ | – |
| DNLA streaming | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Our app runs on a huge number of platforms. Please see website for more details.
Our App. Available from all the major download stores.
With our free App download on Android / Windows 10 / Mac - you get Live TV with 24 hours of program guide, show posters, and brief synopsis of each show.
Upgrade to our Annual DVR Service - now you have 14 full days of program guide and DVR functions including, scheduling, organizing priorities, and playback on multiple devices across your home network simultaneously. It also includes:
- Pause and rewind Live TV
- Seamless Viewing. Pause on one device and resume on another
- SliceView EPG
- Program image posters and synopsis
- Record entire series
The HDHomeRun App and DVR Service
We looked at the current media-PC way to record TV. It requires a fair bit of technical know how, high powered media PCs that need to stay on, and often pages of complicated setup.
Enter the HDHomeRun App. Simply put, it’s the software that works with your playback and network storage devices adding the ability to watch, schedule and record Live TV.
At it’s most basic, viewing Live over the air TV around your home on multiple devices has never been easier or as cost effective than with HDHomeRun tuners and DVR. Equally simple to setup is our full DVR service enabling you to schedule whole series recordings. Our DVR solution allows you to search by category, so why not record the whole series of your kids’ favourite shows and keep them entertained for hours and you can use your NAS drive to record to so they can watch on any compatible smart device around your home. Or why not catch up on your favorite shows or those not to miss ‘must win’ sporting events by setting it to record all the games only your team play.
Expandability and flexibility are key - it can be as simple as a laptop or as expansive as a multi-client, multi-NAS, multi-tuner masterpiece…install the app and you are up and running. Give it a few recording tasks and it goes to work. TV viewing on your terms with HDHomeRun DVR.
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Reviews with images
Best integration for TV and Computer yet! Smooth...
Have been using a SD HdHomerun Prime 3-Tuner for about 8years now on my home network and it's Simply the Best Computer/TV integration to be Found!Have tried most all of em, Hauppage,TIVO,Kodi,Plex & more...And now, Amazon FireSticks have a fully functional app HDHomerun for Firesticks & Droid phones so the SD network tuner's to it all CableTv/Ota/DVI all wireless...I run all TV's in the house from the cablecard tuner on the network(both wired and WiFi) - and it works near perfectly and very reliably (easily 98% uptime availability - but does require both solid tech understanding and additional supporting hardware! - Like UPS's on communication and networking gear and either small HTPC computers or laptops for all TV's). But if ya have a good network infrastructure in your home - It's really Sweet!!!WMC (WindowsMediaCenter) on Win7(or above) runs great, has an integrated channel guide(per your zip), total DVR capability and the best total TV/Computer integration I've found yet!But it ain't for the technically faint of heart! (and your cable provider support for the cablecard is marginal at best)I run 3 wired connections for TV in my home office(dual monitor setup), in LivingRoon (with small HTPC), and bedroom (with a small Dell mini tower), plus run TV's in garage and basement from a laptop wirelessly.Setup requires the full alpha soup of DLNA and PlayReady compliant vid cards and hardware but I Lovit!And I've got the best integrated TV/Computer access throughout the complete house house I've found Yet!(Eat your heart out MAC/IUsers - I got it ALL! Plus Power User Computer power and Communications Everywhere! {and a persomal (Synology)NAS Cloud!)
