best way to record OTA material?

[tvmaster2]

What's the best way to record OTA (over-the-air) HDTV signals in Sage? Is there any external / internal tuners people recommend? Preferably something which uses Sage's listings somehow. I was looking at HD Homerun, but that looks like a standalone system.

[Fuzzy]

HDHomeRun is likely the best supported device, and, being external, provides some added benefits (like being able to locate it near the antenna, instead of needing to be in the server). Hauppauge devices are aplenty, but driver support is pretty hit or miss between different devices. HDHomeRun 'just works' with sage.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

HDHomeRun is likely the best supported device, and, being external, provides some added benefits (like being able to locate it near the antenna, instead of needing to be in the server). Hauppauge devices are aplenty, but driver support is pretty hit or miss between different devices. HDHomeRun 'just works' with sage.

But you need to pay for another tv guide subscription, correct? And then, how do you get material from the HR to the Sagetv

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

But you need to pay for another tv guide subscription, correct?

IIRC OTA has built in guide info. Not sure how robust it is, but it's there.

[dgeezer]

HdHomerun does have a dvr and guide service available but you don't need any of that in SageTV. As of July 1 you will need Schedules Direct since the SageTV epg is coming to an end. There is an OTA epg which is broadcast with the signal but it only goes out about 3 hours so it's not very useful. I only have an OTA signal and use Schedules Direct with SageTV.

I've used HDHomerun tuners for years. Since they are network tuners they can be physically located anywhere that you have ethernet access. For example, mine are located in the attic where the antennas are located.You basically just plug the HDHomerun in attach the cat5 and the lead from the antenna and scan for channels in SageTV. The included (free) software from HDHomerun allows you to scan for channels and see the signal strength. I used their android app when I first set up my system since I could carry my tablet up to the attic and use the signal meter to fine tune my antenna's direction. I have 2 antennas pointed in different directions with 2 sepaprate HDHomerun tuners.

[wayner]

With an SD subscription you can download multiple lineups, I think it is 5, so you don't have to worry about that. I use both an OTA lineup and a cable lineup

[Steve52]

If it works for you the HDHomerun would probably be your best option. I really like the way you can put it anywhere in your house as long as you have a network connection. The problem with the HDHomerun is that the tuners in it are very weak. I live a long way (about 60 miles) from the broadcast antennas in my area and the HDHome run would not work for me. My signal would be broken up or no signal at all. If you live close to the antennas it will probably work fine for you but if you live a long way away then purchase the HDHome run from some place where you can return it if it doesn't work for you.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

But you need to pay for another tv guide subscription, correct?

All SageTV users ultimately will need to get a Schedules Direct subscription before July to be able to get guide data into SageTV. Doesn't matter what actual tuner/cature device you use.

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

And then, how do you get material from the HR to the Sagetv

The 'regular' HDHomeRun devices (HDHR-US, HDHR4-2US, HDTC-2US) will all work with SageTV right out of the box and tune in unencrypted ATSC (Over-the-air) broadcast television, and sage will record it as broadcast.
The HDTC-2US has the capability to transcode the stream to h.264 as it is capturing it, but SageTV itself does not support this feature.

The HDHR-Prime (which is used for CableCard encrypted cabletv) is not directly supported by SageTV, but OpenDCT is a free bit of software to interface with it and allow sage to record non-DRM channels from it. OpenDCT also allows SageTV the use of the h.264 feature of the HDHR Extend (HDTC-2US).

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

All SageTV users ultimately will need to get a Schedules Direct subscription before July to be able to get guide data into SageTV. Doesn't matter what actual tuner/cature device you use.
The 'regular' HDHomeRun devices (HDHR-US, HDHR4-2US, HDTC-2US) will all work with SageTV right out of the box and tune in unencrypted ATSC (Over-the-air) broadcast television, and sage will record it as broadcast.
The HDTC-2US has the capability to transcode the stream to h.264 as it is capturing it, but SageTV itself does not support this feature.

The HDHR-Prime (which is used for CableCard encrypted cabletv) is not directly supported by SageTV, but OpenDCT is a free bit of software to interface with it and allow sage to record non-DRM channels from it. OpenDCT also allows SageTV the use of the h.264 feature of the HDHR Extend (HDTC-2US).

Excellent news, so no subscription other than SD needed. Fry's is running a promo on 2US this week, thought of grabbing one. I hope you don't drink anything less than 5% with that beer money

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

Excellent news, so no subscription other than SD needed. Fry's is running a promo on 2US this week, thought of grabbing one. I hope you don't drink anything less than 5% with that beer money

I believe the promo they have currently is only for the HDHomeRun Extend (HDTC-2US), which is the converting one, which would only be of added use to you if you intend to use OpenDCT and have it set to enable the conversion. Granted, with the current promo, it is only about $20 more than the non-converting model, just want to make sure that if you are going to get the more expensive model, you intend to get the full benefit of it.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I believe the promo they have currently is only for the HDHomeRun Extend (HDTC-2US), which is the converting one, which would only be of added use to you if you intend to use OpenDCT and have it set to enable the conversion. Granted, with the current promo, it is only about $20 more than the non-converting model, just want to make sure that if you are going to get the more expensive model, you intend to get the full benefit of it.

didn't you say the HDTC-2US was on the good list? is it the -M that changes things? If, for $20, the conversion feature can be turned off so as to work with Sage, the $20 may be worth it for future options?

[Fuzzy]

As far as the core sagetv is concerned, the HDHR4-2US, and the HDTC-2US, work identically. They will tune in and send the original unaltered stream to sagetv to record. The TC one can ALSO convert the file on the fly to h.264, but only if you are using openDCT, since sagetv itself isn't aware of this extra capability. If it was me, at those prices, I would buy the better model anyway, and use openDCT to use the h.264 conversion feature, just wanted to make sure you understood the situation completely before making your purchase.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

As far as the core sagetv is concerned, the HDHR4-2US, and the HDTC-2US, work identically. They will tune in and send the original unaltered stream to sagetv to record. The TC one can ALSO convert the file on the fly to h.264, but only if you are using openDCT, since sagetv itself isn't aware of this extra capability. If it was me, at those prices, I would buy the better model anyway, and use openDCT to use the h.264 conversion feature, just wanted to make sure you understood the situation completely before making your purchase.

ok, that's what I thought you meant. Agreed, $20 isn't much extra

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

The HDHR-Prime (which is used for CableCard encrypted cabletv) is not directly supported by SageTV

Don't use OpenDTC but do record from 3 HDHR Primes WITHOUT cable cards so just the OPEN QAM channels that the other HDHRs can pick up as well and no H264 encoding. Got them so that if I do decide to get cable cards I already have them plus I get one extra tuner per box with the Primes. I also have serveral of the non-primes as well.

Just wanting to point out that for Open QAM channels a HDHR-prime IS supported by SageTV directly just not the encrypted cablecard only channels and not with H264 re-encoding.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by BobPhoenix

Don't use OpenDTC but do record from 3 HDHR Primes WITHOUT cable cards so just the OPEN QAM channels that the other HDHRs can pick up as well and no H264 encoding. Got them so that if I do decide to get cable cards I already have them plus I get one extra tuner per box with the Primes. I also have serveral of the non-primes as well.

Just wanting to point out that for Open QAM channels a HDHR-prime IS supported by SageTV directly just not the encrypted cablecard only channels and not with H264 re-encoding.

Yeah, I didn't bring that up because he was asking about OTA, which unlike the other HDHR's, the prime will not tune ATSC.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by BobPhoenix

Don't use OpenDTC but do record from 3 HDHR Primes WITHOUT cable cards so just the OPEN QAM channels that the other HDHRs can pick up as well and no H264 encoding. Got them so that if I do decide to get cable cards I already have them plus I get one extra tuner per box with the Primes. I also have serveral of the non-primes as well.

Just wanting to point out that for Open QAM channels a HDHR-prime IS supported by SageTV directly just not the encrypted cablecard only channels and not with H264 re-encoding.

I'd have to check, but i'm pretty sure Cox has killed QAM. Anyone know for sure?

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

I'd have to check, but i'm pretty sure Cox has killed QAM. Anyone know for sure?

It's probably not universal, as every head end is programmed by a different guy, but I see no reason why any cable company would leave it open.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

It's probably not universal, as every head end is programmed by a different guy, but I see no reason why any cable company would leave it open.

yeah, we don't get any analog channels via the wall-coax connector anymore - they all need a $1.99 digital box. Regarding the Silicondust: do you have to install any software on the Sage server for the unit to be seen, or does Sage magically find it on the network under "Setup Video Sources"?

[Monedeath]

As long as you're not using a CableCard as part of a HD HomeRun Prime, SageTV will be able to auto-detect them as network tuners. (With discovery turned on)

Of course, there's some fudge factors in play, on a Windows system you may need to load in the Silicon Dust software first. Channel line-up config is done in the HomeRun first, then duplicated in Sage, and so on as you do not use the SageTV channel scan on a HomeRun.

If you're running Open DCT it'll do most of the work for you, and let you skip the need for the Silicon Dust software install IIRC. (Although that install should be a "once and done" thing, while OpenDCt is ongoing)

Edit: Minor note that SageTV directly using the tuners gives you access to signal strength details, while OpenDCT will mask that data. In most cases, it shouldn't matter, but there are exceptions that crop up.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by Monedeath

As long as you're not using a CableCard as part of a HD HomeRun Prime, SageTV will be able to auto-detect them as network tuners. (With discovery turned on)

Of course, there's some fudge factors in play, on a Windows system you may need to load in the Silicon Dust software first. Channel line-up config is done in the HomeRun first, then duplicated in Sage, and so on as you do not use the SageTV channel scan on a HomeRun.

If you're running Open DCT it'll do most of the work for you, and let you skip the need for the Silicon Dust software install IIRC. (Although that install should be a "once and done" thing, while OpenDCt is ongoing)

Edit: Minor note that SageTV directly using the tuners gives you access to signal strength details, while OpenDCT will mask that data. In most cases, it shouldn't matter, but there are exceptions that crop up.

Actually, for OTA, the channel scan IS done in sage. You don't have to do much in the HDHomeRun configuration, other than set it up for ATSC, and SageTV usage (windows - I have never used a HDHomeRun directly from Linux, only ever running it with the openDCT docker).