HD HomeRun questions

[LaoChe]

I have been using 4 Hauppauge SD tuners (PCI interface) - I am upgrading to get HD programming and was going to get a couple of Avermedia HD tuners but it looks like people are happier with the HDHomeRun than tuner cards. Anybody have any experience with both that can compare? Also, it looks like the HDHR uses an ethernet interface. How would I connect that to the server if it only has on ethernet port. Am I going to need to add a second for this?

Thanks.

[Polypro]

While you *can* "Direct Connect" the HDHR to your PC, it is also a network device...plug it into your router and the HDHR software will find it.

P

[QueOnda]

I cannot comment on the avermedia.

As for the HDHR, I have 2 and love it. If you have OTA or unencrypted QAM source, the HDHR works well. As for the connection, If you have a home network then your fine. IF not, then you can get another nic card (internal or usb) to connect (see silicon dust forums).

I have a 100MB network and I'm maxed out with my 2 HDHRs (using about 20MB per channel max with the beta fix or not it will use 40MB per channel). If you get a GB network/card then you can have more.

[stanger89]

What HD programming are you "upgrading" to, and are you sure the HDHR (or any other HD tuner) will be able to recieve it?

As far as comparisions, my HDHR is worlds better than the Avermedia A180 it replaced.

[LaoChe]

Thanks all. I think I will look at the HDHR. I do have a wired and wireless network so I will connect it that way. I have analog cable and my plan is to supplement it with OTA HD programming. I live 10 miles outside Boston so I am expecting to pick up pretty decent signals with a medium range uni-directional antenna.

[SWKerr]

I have the Aver and HDHR. I had the Aver first and added the HDHR to hopefully eliminate my multipath problem. I would say the HDHR is just a little better with multipath. Aside from that they were both great. The Aver is much cheaper and does give you the option to plug in an Svideo port but does not come with a IR blaster. The HDHR is more complicated to setup but it works great in Sage and can be placed anyhere you have both a cable and nework connection.

Note: My brother has basic cable and was able to get the unencryped QAM channels without upgrading to digital. This probably depends on the are but his was Time Warner. With QAM you should not even need an antenna which in my case has delivered inconsistent signal.