HdHomeRun - Our Answer to QAM?!

[thomaszoo]

I think it is a little early to say, especially for QAM. I am only using mine for OTA and so far so good. To be fair, they are still calling this a Beta.

[SHS]

For QAM support you need take in count that not all cable companies allow for Clear QAM which I do know is being plan for later on when it get standard but only very small handful like less 5% of all the cable companies do allow for this that which only seem to be very small handful of major providers in very few city so if your lucky good for you but that must likey going to changes and round late 2007 in to 2008.

[Kimper]

With the latest beta (uploaded on Thanksgiving) the HDHomerun seems to be working great with Sage!

My only problem is a little EPG snafu described in this thread http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21562

If anyone can help me get that EPG straightened out, that would be awesome!

[Muchacho]

I just tried the new beta, and QAM tuning with subchannel mappings works well. I could not be happier with my HDHR and am amazed by the speed and helpfulness of the people developing it.

I am very happy with the HDHR and highly recommend it!

[Kimper]

Originally Posted by Muchacho

I just tried the new beta, and QAM tuning with subchannel mappings works well. I could not be happier with my HDHR and am amazed by the speed and helpfulness of the people developing it.

I am very happy with the HDHR and highly recommend it!

Ditto! Great product and great support!

Ironed out my EPG problems too!

[ToxMox]

I just wanted to say I'm extremely happy with my HDHRs and seem to have everything working nicely both QAM and OTA all with Guide Data

[blade]

With all the positive comments I may have to see if Santa can leave me one under the tree.

[evilpenguin]

Another success story here. I've got one QAM tuner up and running and after I do a little cable rewiring I'll have the 2nd one working too. Haven't had a chance to give it a full stress test yet, but I'll take care of that once I get home from the holidays.

[MTuckman]

OK... At this point I am about an inch away from ordering two of these to replace my internal PVR-150 and PVR-500. I just want to make sure I understand how these work and what I should expect.

I have a new Samsung HDTV with a built in digital tuner and it can take a cablecard (which I don't have). I have been able to tune in almost all of the channels so far and I think the ones missing are due to a weak signal which I am going to deal with.

So based on the TV, does that mean I should be able to receive the same channels using the HDHR?

Also, what is the impact on the SageTV machine that is doing the recording? Using my existing PVR cards, the CPU utilization is below 15% when recording only. Is there any encoding required on the SageTV server? And what is the bandwidth requirements on the network interface? Would it be ok to put two HDHRs on the same interface?

I hate to jump to conclusions, but this product sounds like an incredible piece of hardware!!!!! So... What am I missing?

[fyodor]

It doesn't record analog, so you'll only be able to record those channels that are broadcast digitally, which will include at least your HD locals and potentially some other channels like TNT, ESPN,etc, but this depends on your provider.

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by fyodor

It doesn't record analog, so you'll only be able to record those channels that are broadcast digitally, which will include at least your HD locals and potentially some other channels like TNT, ESPN,etc, but this depends on your provider.

Comcast and Time-Warner are basically simulcasting all their analog channels in digital in most of their markets. This allows them to use cheaper STB's that have digital only tuners. This sames quite a bit of money, even in highend boxes. For example, the 6416 has a digital only counterpart, the 3416. Not having to tune analog also means not having to encode analog via PVR-150 style chipset. So if they have capacity on the system, pretty much every MSO will do simulcast. It will still be awhile before analog disappears of course.

I just wish the HDHOMERUN folks would implement listening to the OOB channel that broadcasts the channel map. Then we wouldn't have to play this game where we have to do the channel mappings ourselves, and then have to tweak it when the MSO changes the map.

Thanks,
mike

[MTuckman]

It doesn't record analog, so you'll only be able to record those channels that are broadcast digitally, which will include at least your HD locals and potentially some other channels like TNT, ESPN,etc, but this depends on your provider.

I understand that it doesn't tune analog channels, but the HDHR should tune in any of the channels that my HDTV is tuning in digitally. For example, the channel on the TV is 71.1, etc.

I was actually amazed at the shear number of channels that I am receiving this way. Most are not in HD, but if I can get my signal cleaned up I think there may be even more channels.

By the way, I am using Comcast out of Jacksonville, FL.

[MTuckman]

Originally Posted by mikesm

Comcast and Time-Warner are basically simulcasting all their analog channels in digital in most of their markets.

I am using Comcast in Jacksonville, so it looks like you are right. I am pretty sure the only reason I am not receiving more channels is due to poor signal strength.

Originally Posted by mikesm

I just wish the HDHOMERUN folks would implement listening to the OOB channel that broadcasts the channel map. Then we wouldn't have to play this game where we have to do the channel mappings ourselves, and then have to tweak it when the MSO changes the map.

I saw on their support forum that they had requested information on the OOB signal, and based on their progress so far, maybe we can look forward to this feature sometime soon.

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by MTuckman

I am using Comcast in Jacksonville, so it looks like you are right. I am pretty sure the only reason I am not receiving more channels is due to poor signal strength.


I saw on their support forum that they had requested information on the OOB signal, and based on their progress so far, maybe we can look forward to this feature sometime soon.

They haven't responded to my post on their forum yet. Depending on the part they are using for the demodulator, it should be a clear answer on wether or not they can tune and demod the OOB signal. The rest is fairly straightforward.

Thanks,
mike

[bhyman1]

Looks like it's time to order one!

edit: Just ordered one!

[blade]

Are you guys purchasing them through the 9thtee.com? Are they available anywhere else?

[MTuckman]

Originally Posted by blade

Are you guys purchasing them through the 9thtee.com? Are they available anywhere else?

Just ordered mine from 9thtee, and am hoping i get another one for X-Mas!

[Kimper]

Originally Posted by blade

Are you guys purchasing them through the 9thtee.com?

Yes, I have a feeling they are a super small company. Only available through 9thtee as far as I know. I really am impressed with this product, been using it for several days now with no problems.

[Polypro]

Just set mine up...pretty painless. I'm running it directly connected to the HTPC...so the hardest part was setting up a DHCP server app. tftpd32 was the one I went with. That was the hardest part...configuring the HDHR was easy, just follow the directions on SiliconDusts' forum. I already had .NET 2.0 installed but got an error, so I downloaded from the link on SD's forum and did a repair of .NET. I scanned for QAM on my line, but only came up with what I get OTA...so OTA is what I set up. Anyone want a Fusion5

P

[waynedunham]

Based on the posts here and on the Silicon Dust forums plus the enthusiastic support that seems to be coming from the HD HR people I ordered one the other day.

Then once I see how many channels I can get and how often I actually record those channels I may get a 2nd one.