OTA tuner recommendations

[jjstok]

It's been such a long time since I've built my server, is there an updated list of supported tuners? I'm looking at the hauppauge quad. Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

[Telecore]

I would recommend the Hauppauge Quad - I am currently using one and it works fine; it's in-the-box PCIe, 4 tuners = highest available density, no network bandwidth used like HDHR. In the past, I have used HDHomerun (2 models) and Avermedia Duet and the quad works at least as well as those.

[texneus]

HD Homerun is the only way to go for OTA, IMHO. I've tried several PCI and USB tuners in the past and all had issues with reception, drivers, or stability. HDHR just works...muss, no fuss. Maybe somebody can defend that particular Hauppage...I haven't had a need to try anything else after getting my original HDHR several years ago.

P.S. I also just read the quad is on sale $135 at Amazon.

[BobPhoenix]

The only thing I would say about the quad is that it only works on a Windows OS for OTA/QAM. I could see the tuners in my SageTV Docker on unRAID (linux OS) but nothing will tune or record. I had to setup a Windows VM and use my Quads as Network Encoder tuners with my SageTV unRAID dockers. I hear the DBS version quads work fine with a Linux OS.

[wnjj]

Originally Posted by texneus

HD Homerun is the only way to go for OTA, IMHO. I've tried several PCI and USB tuners in the past and all had issues with reception, drivers, or stability. HDHR just works...muss, no fuss. Maybe somebody can defend that particular Hauppage...I haven't had a need to try anything else after getting my original HDHR several years ago.

P.S. I also just read the quad is on sale $135 at Amazon.

I second this, but also for the reason that I can locate the HDHR near the antenna and make use of existing network cables to get back to the server.

[anotherhaus]

Another vote for the HDHR Quatro. I replaced two very old HDHRs (first gen) and a myriad of splitters and coax cables with a single HDHR quad; it's *tiny*, efficient, provides more tuners than I had before, and the signal is slightly better across the board, probably because of the simplified cabling. A total win.

With that and the HDHR Prime (wife insists on cable as well) I've removed all local tuners from my server, which will eventually be downsized to a more space- and power-efficient box (I'm thinking a NUC or something similar).

[snipeman]

I switched to a HDHR Quatro from a dual Avermedia PCIe card.

It is true you have one more power plug, but all the previous post list the benefits. IMO they outweigh the negatives.

I didn't think I really needed 4 tuners but right after I installed the HDHR Quatro some scheduling changes on my local channels actually made it useful.

I also think server upgrades will be easier with an external tuner. As PCI form factors change, you don't have to worry if your old tuner is compatible with your new motherboard.

[OldPCGUY]

Currently I have 2 dual Hauppauge cards receiving from two different antenna sources.
Antenna 1 = 11 foot VHF diplexed with UHF 8 Bay
Antenna 2 = 8 Bay UHF

Both have about a 50ft cable run and both have a low noise preamplifier.

I have recorded S/N From Hauppauge for all the channels I receive.

Since both Hauppauge and HDHome Run offer quad receivers I suspect that they are both using the same Analog chip for ATSC reception.

Unless someone can tell me that the HDhomerun will improve my S/N ratio by 1-3 db more then no real reason for me the get the HDHomerun.

Although it might be worth while to buy one and do a test. But I don't know if they provide the same S/N signal that hauppauge does.

[Dargason]

I have been very happy with the HDHRs that I have. Much less trouble than the Hauppauge devices I've had in the past.

The HDHR can be placed closer to the antenna, so you might improve your S/N ratio, though I couldn't say how much. The other advantage that I haven't seen anyone mention is that the HDHR tuners can be used by multiple servers. So, for example, I have a 'production' SageServer that services the family, and a 'TestServer' that I use to test things out. Both servers can use the same HDHR tuners.

[nyplayer]

With PC work stations getting smaller and more powerful ... I would definitely get a HDHomeRun quatro because there is no need for a large PC and can be moved anywhere you have a switch or Ethernet connection ... also you cannot beat the Premium TV addition ... if you desire to add additional channels. Plus like Dargason stated it can be used by any PC in the network.