SiliconDust HDHomeRun HDHR-US Dual Networked High Definition Digital Tuner Device (White)
by SiliconDust USA, Inc
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List Price: Our Price: $69.00 You Save: $100.99 (59%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of SiliconDust HDHomeRun HDHR-US Dual Networked High Definition Digital Tuner Device (White)
Customer Review: Easiest to use HD tuner available
Summary: 5 Stars
Let's start out with what this product is not. The HD HomeRun will NOT allow you to record encrypted cable. It will not tune analog television. It does not have a cablecard slot. It does not work with on demand programming. Most of those reasons, with the exception of analog television, have to due with the demands of CableLabs, who specify that PC devices that can do all of that must be OEM only.
Now, what is it? It is the easiest to use device to record over-the-air HD (ATSC) or unencrypted HD cable (QAM). I've been using a variety of different devices to record HD cable: several internal cards, firewire from the cable box, etc. All of those had their own little quirks -- issues with power, driver stability, interrupt conflicts, firmware issues. The HDHomeRun runs as an independent network device. Plug it in, and if you have a supported media center application like MythTV it just works. No need to reinstall drivers, tweak bios settings, etc. Also, because it doesn't take up a slot in PC, this means you can easily expand your network of recorders and have your entire media center contained in a very small form factor case.
If you're a hacker the device is also great because it's dead simple to program. It comes with a nice library and an easy to use API that will have you recording programs in minutes.
If you're running MythTV or another home media center software and want to make the jump to HD, there really is no reason not to get this. It just works -- and with tech products, that's something that doesn't happen often enough.
Customer Review: One of a kind product - I fired the cable company
Summary: 5 Stars
Combine this with MythTV or Win7 Media Center, a properly installed antenna, and a wired Ethernet or WiFi G or N LAN and you have the ability to distribute uncompressed HD DTV throughout your home over your data network. You also have the ability (based on the capability of the HTPC software and hardware) to pause and or record HD content. I am able to use MS media center on an older XP desktop to record I use batch files and the Scheduling utility integrated into XP. For an example of the batch file used, check the forum at TV Fool. When tuned to an HD channel, expect to see 15 to 20 Mb/s across the LAN. This means that if you are using WiFi, you need a solid signal. Win7 Media Center is running on my wife's new laptop and runs great when connected via our Linksys WAP54g.
Here in Seattle, OTA transmissions arrive from all points of the compass. Rather than installing an antenna rotator that will almost always have the antenna aimed wrong in someones opinion, I have chosen to install two HDHRs, giving me four antenna inputs. I have one antenna outside, the others are attic mounted. This gives me reliable signals from all of the local broadcasters and a few close to the Canadian border. The signal strength and quality indicators included in the HDHomerun Config utility are superior to any other signal indicator I have seen on a set-top converter or DTV capable set.
I am happy I fired the cable company. Just a few months of cable bills paid for it all... YEAH!
Customer Review: Great Product with the Right DVR Software
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using the HDHomeRun for five months. It is a great product. I was a little hesitant when I initially purchased this product because I read on different websites/forums that some people had networking issues that made set up difficult or prevented the product from working. Although I am an experienced computer user I am definitely not a networking expert. As it turns out my set up could not have been easier - simply a matter of connecting the device and following the onscreen instructions. This is where my title comes in - make sure you are using DVR software that is compatible with this device AND provides easy set up (unless you have networking expertise).
My set up: I have the HDHomeRun connected to an Apple Airport Extreme Base Station using EyeTV software to record on a Mac mini. The EyeTV software is compatible with the HDHomeRun - one actually selects the HDHomeRun during set up. After following the onscreen instructions the HDHomeRun was set up and has been working flawlessly since then. One tip: if you use the Apple OSX firewall, make sure to allow the HDHomeRun (and EyeTV) access through the firewall. I only record Over-the-Air (OTA) HDTV so I don't have to deal with the QAM (cable) issues that some people have. It is great using DVR software on the computer - so much easier to view the TV guide and record shows on a computer with a keyboard and mouse than on a TV with a remote, although I do use a remote for viewing programs.
Customer Review: Awesome product....
Summary: 5 Stars
I was debating for a while if I should purchase a mac mini with the hd homerun or an apple tv or tivo. A tivo will cost me $299 plus a monthly cost. The apple tv will cost $299. A mac mini is $599 plus $170 for the hd homerun for a total of $769.
It cost more than tivo or the apple tv but you can do a lot more with a mac mini and hd homerun combined. You can use it as a standalone computer and dvd player.
The hd homerun can record two shows at once and will work just like the tivo.
If you pair the hd homerun with elgato eyetv software this setup becomes superior and easy to use.
The mac mini can do the same as the apple tv. You get less memory on the mini but cheap external hard drives take care of the problem. The mini comes with a remote and front row as well.
Here is my setup:
-Mac Mini 1.83ghz c2d
-Silicon Dust HD HomeRun
-Elgato EyeTV Software
-Google these free plugins for EyeTV: pyetv (integrates eyetv into front row), etvcomskip (skips commercials automatically when watching a recorded show.
-Logitech Dinovo Edge Mac Edition: This is essential to the setup. Its a keyboard with a built it trackpad. No more shuffling between a keyboard and mouse. Its an all in one making life a lot easier.
The hd homerun works perfect. With elgato eyetv software setup was really easy.
Customer Review: Why didn't I use this sooner?
Summary: 5 Stars
Got a hold of this little gem after researching on DVR/PVR for home use. What caught my attention was the fact that I didn't have to buy TV Card/Tuner for each computer at my home. I was some what skeptical that HD TV can be reliably streamed to computers on 10/100 wire. Boy, I am glad I got this now. HD channels look fantastic on wired network. As other reviewers mentioned, wireless is shaky for HD channels but non-HD channel streamed over 54Mb wireless without an issue.
I did upgrade my wireless set up from 54Mb to 300Mb. It's better and reliable but is it worth extra money to upgrade wireless network? To me it is. I don't get 300Mb but now consistently get 100Mb+ ...if you believe what computer tells you. DSLReport test does indicate about 40% boost...
Anyway, get this little gem and enjoy TV everywhere! Just download the latest and greatest software update from SiliconDust site. I have successfully watched on XP SP2, Windows 7 Beta 32 bit and 64 bit. I am still testing 64 bit a little more as it's somewhat flaky. Perhaps due to driver and Windows 7 Beta issue.
All my machines have minimum 2GB memory running dual-core CPU and LCD has DVI connection.
Did HDHomerun hit a home run with this? It's not out the ball park but indeed a homerun once it's up and running.