HDHR owners, advice please

[SafetyBob]

I would like to get an HDHR to try out and see how well it will integrate with all my SageTV stuff and I remember hearing so many positives about it.

Question: For try out purposes, does it really matter since I do NOT need cable card capability and I will be using an HDHR for OTA HD from my local Oklahoma City channels and probably a second one for my analog cable tv viewing/recording. Is there anything that makes the old grey unit that much worse than the newer HDHR3-US? Two antenna connections is not a big deal to me right now.....I got spliters.

Is there anything major to be gained by going for the new HDHR? Just trying to keep costs down is why I am looking at old HDHR and I will more than likely never need cable card for anything.......I have noticed the old units going for a song so I could get a couple of spares by buying old ones versus getting the newer HDHR3 or even the newer cable card model.....help.....

Thanks for any advice, I certainly can use all I can get at this stage of the battle.

Bob E.

[KeithAbbott]

Originally Posted by SafetyBob

Question: For try out purposes, does it really matter since I do NOT need cable card capability and I will be using an HDHR for OTA HD from my local Oklahoma City channels and probably a second one for my analog cable tv viewing/recording.

HDHR (2nd or 3rd generation) does not work with analog television signals, strictly digital. Works fantastic with OTA.

[NetworkGuy]

Bob,

I have been using two of the "old" units for almost 2 years with no problems. Other than the single coax connection, I am not sure what the difference is.

[PLUCKYHD]

Bob it wil work fine. I think the new one has a bit better sensitivity but I live in the same spot as you and use two old ones for years with now issue

[gplasky]

Any HDHR only supports digital cable, not analog. (Along with OTA for the older models.)

Gerry

[gambitpvr]

There's only a few minor differences, none of which are enough for me to upgrade to the newer version. I have 3 older models and my brother-in-law has the newest model so, I've had a little hands on with both. Here's my two cents:

• The newest model is a bit more sensitive. If you have a strong OTA signal, then you won't even notice, especially with a good antenna.
• As you have already noticed, the newest model only has a single input. The spliter is built into the box. The older dual tuner models have separate inputs for each tuner so, you would have to split the cable from your antenna and run a line to each input. Not a really big deal, but it adds extra hardware to the mix. Every splitter and extra piece of cable is another possible point of failure.
• The newest model is about half the width of the older models. Considering the size of the old ones, this also isnt a big deal, unless you are totally out of space.

[SafetyBob]

Ok, thanks guys for the info. I have purchased two of the old dual tuner HDHRs from the big auction site. I think I will get another one, maybe two for backup although the HDHR3 will soon be cheap enough....I need to do some stupid cost comparison for fun.

I look with great love towards the Tech and it's mutliple streaming although for now, I don't thing I will need it much, I see us viewing recorded material that scheduled or Netflix, Hulu, Vudo, or one of the other numerous and increasing streaming video services. Key point: OUR desired, recorded material is normally NOT available from netorks for later viewing....

Bob E.

[jdc]

I need one more dual tuner HDHR. Was this a liquidation through a power seller or just a good deal on used ones? I've seen them new for as low as $100 recently, current bids for used around $30, and refurbs around $75. What kind of deal did you find? thanks.

[SafetyBob]

I think forum rules will allow me to tell you that I do not think they were power sellers....ok, one most likely has been at it awhile and the other was a noob.

You are correct they start around $30 and go to around $45 to $50.

Power guy gave the usual lines and the other said he upgraded to cable card model.......

I think these HDHRs on a gigabyte network should really be great with my OTA cable. After I built the antenna and checked it out on just a plain jane LCD TV, the picture was simply outstanding.......I truly believe it was close to my HDTV watching a DVD movie at 1080. OK, it was PBS broadcasting at true 1080, but it was unbelieveable, that's what started me slowly changing SD televisions to HD televisions. I can't wait to set Sage up to take advantage of that.

Bob E.

[jdc]

Thanks for the heads up.

The OTA quality helped me decide to make the move to get rid of my dish. Well that and because sage simply rocks. The HDHR setup in sage was almost effortless.