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HDHomeRun or Other OTA Solution?

1756 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by xole, Jan 21, 2008

EmDub

Discussion Starter · Jan 18, 2008

I want to get 2 OTA digital streams into my media center box and am heavily considering the HDHomeRun since it doesn't have to physically be installed in a machine. Is it still as good as any other digital tuner out there, or are there better?

My priorities are 1) quality, 2) sensitivity (ability to tune signals), and 3) responsiveness (time to change channels, etc.).

I'm not using cable at all--only digital OTA signals.

So can anybody argue that there's something better, or is the HDHomeRun the clear-cut winner?

Thanks!

Michael

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

blue_z

· #2 · Jan 18, 2008

Hi there

I'm not going to argue with you, since you seem predisposed to get the HDHR.

However, for priorities #1 and #2, the antenna you use will have a large impact on how well the tuner works. Priority #3 is affected more by the application software you use, and not the tuner hardware.

Regards

EmDub

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 18, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by blue_z /forum/post/12853679

Hi there

I'm not going to argue with you, since you seem predisposed to get the HDHR.

However, for priorities #1 and #2, the antenna you use will have a large impact on how well the tuner works. Priority #3 is affected more by the application software you use, and not the tuner hardware.

Regards

Thanks for the advice. I will also be looking for a high-quality antenna to put in my attic, so no worries there. I definitely appreciate that information!

Not committed to the front-end yet, but am looking at Windows Vista Media Center and Sage. I'm leaning toward WMC, but will test each thoroughly before committing.

I was just curious if there were higher-quality tuners out there than the HDHomeRun. I'm not predisposed to the HDHR if there is something better available.

Michael

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Suntan

· #4 · Jan 18, 2008

There are also USB2 tuners that will do the same and you do not need to put them into the case. I have had good results with the Vbox 3560 USB2 tuners, you can check them out at digitalconnection.com. Two of them will cost less than the HDHR. Also, they usually come with a free, if stripped down, version of BeyondTV. Just a note, if your motherboard does not supply enough power to the USB, you may need to attach a powered USB hub between them and the mobo.

I've never used the HDHR, so I can't say which is better. My main issue with the HDHR is that it ties up a router port. Plus it reduces available network bandwidth while using it. However, a lot of people here have had good results with it.

-Suntan

BigAl

· #5 · Jan 18, 2008

I'm in the same boat... I want an dual OTA HD tuner and I need one with good multi-path rejection.

I've got a fusion 5 tuner and a HVR1600 and the fusion is significantly better at staying locked onto an OTA signal than the HVR1600 (not to mention that the ATSC tuner on my HVR1600 just died).

As for the ethernet port... I was thinking of getting a dedicated ethernet PCI card just for use by the HDHR so the network traffic from the tuners won't interfere with my normal network usage.

If you do get an HDHR, please post back your results.

BTDT

· #6 · Jan 18, 2008

Considering the same question here. I seem to remember a post a while back about someone having to reboot their HDHR every few days. This is a concern if true....

There do seem to be a number of USB-based dual tuners out there as well.

blue_z

· #7 · Jan 18, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by EmDub /forum/post/12854388

I will also be looking for a high-quality antenna to put in my attic, so no worries there.

Hi there

Actually, installing an antenna in the attic is not as good as a rooftop install. The roof material will attenuate the signal. And moisture, rain, snow will make that attenuation worse. The upside is that the antenna is protected from wind and moisture, and will last a lot longer. BTW I have several antennae in my attic, including a 20-year old UHF and a ChannelMaster 8-bay (probably the best-value antenna available @$50 on sale).

If you haven't already, you should check antennaweb.com and tvfool.com for reception info. tvfool has overlays for google earth so that you can visualize the (predicted) TV signal strengths. If you're in a decent reception location (like I am), then a quality antenna installation (w/RG6 coax) will lessen the requirements on the tuner(s). I get excellent results with low-cost KWorld and AverMedia PCI tuners (that routinely get bashed.)

Regards

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PLUCKYHD

· #8 · Jan 18, 2008

i HAVE NEVER HAD TO RESTART MY HD HOMERUN I LOVE IT PERSONALLY BECAUSE IT ALLOWS ME TO KEEP THE TUNERS AND THE CABLES FROM THE ANTENNA IN A CLOSET WITH MY ROUTER AND NOT CLUTTER UP THE LIVING ROOM.

EmDub

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 18, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAl /forum/post/12858404

I'm in the same boat... I want an dual OTA HD tuner and I need one with good multi-path rejection.

I've got a fusion 5 tuner and a HVR1600 and the fusion is significantly better at staying locked onto an OTA signal than the HVR1600 (not to mention that the ATSC tuner on my HVR1600 just died).

As for the ethernet port... I was thinking of getting a dedicated ethernet PCI card just for use by the HDHR so the network traffic from the tuners won't interfere with my normal network usage.

If you do get an HDHR, please post back your results.

The Fusion 5 may deal with the multipath issues a little better, according to this post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3#post10741523

No idea if it's true or not--just passing along what I've read in a 39-page thread.

It doesn't, however, mean you *shouldn't* get the HDHomeRun, though--just that one tester had better luck with the Fusion 5.

If the network traffic becomes an issue, I would also add another ethernet card dedicated to the HDHR.

If I get a HDHomeRun, I will definitely report back on my progress.

Michael

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EmDub

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 18, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by blue_z /forum/post/12859225

Hi there

Actually, installing an antenna in the attic is not as good as a rooftop install. The roof material will attenuate the signal. And moisture, rain, snow will make that attenuation worse. The upside is that the antenna is protected from wind and moisture, and will last a lot longer. BTW I have several antennae in my attic, including a 20-year old UHF and a ChannelMaster 8-bay (probably the best-value antenna available @$50 on sale).

If you haven't already, you should check antennaweb.com and tvfool.com for reception info. tvfool has overlays for google earth so that you can visualize the (predicted) TV signal strengths. If you're in a decent reception location (like I am), then a quality antenna installation (w/RG6 coax) will lessen the requirements on the tuner(s). I get excellent results with low-cost KWorld and AverMedia PCI tuners (that routinely get bashed.)

Regards

I understand that a roof-mounted antenna would be better, but it's either an antenna in the attic or none at all.

I'm not too far from the broadcast towers, so I don't think reception will be a huge issue. I'll create a post over in the antenna forum later tonight or tomorrow and will reference it from here, as I'd love to hear your opinion on an antenna for my attic.

Thanks!

Michael

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grywalsr

· #11 · Jan 18, 2008

My HDHomeRun has been rock solid and much better than my old pair of Fusion 3s.

BigAl

· #12 · Jan 18, 2008

Thanks for the link to that prior post... there was some good info posted a bit later by Dieter2 that gave a bit more background on the tuners and demodulators in the HDHR.

I'm about 8 miles away from most of the broadcast towers... my problem is not signal strength, it's cars/trucks/buses driving by and creating multi-path that messes up my signal.

zaphod7501

· #13 · Jan 19, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAl /forum/post/12858404

(not to mention that the ATSC tuner on my HVR1600 just died).

Sometimes a full power down, including the AC power cord, for 10 to 15 minutes will reinitialize the ATSC tuner on the HVR1600

BigAl

· #14 · Jan 19, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by zaphod7501 /forum/post/12862085

Sometimes a full power down, including the AC power cord, for 10 to 15 minutes will reinitialize the ATSC tuner on the HVR1600

Thankyou... that did bring it back to life.

EmDub

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jan 19, 2008

BTW, for those interested, here is my antenna thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=980354

Michael

zaphod7501

· #16 · Jan 19, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAl /forum/post/12862464

Thankyou... that did bring it back to life.

You're welcome. I Beta tested the card and discovered that reception problems could lock it up. The newer versions seem to be more resilient than earlier production runs. If the problem happens too often, I'd try for an RMA with Hauppauge. They are pretty liberal with their replacement policy. A lot of peolple are having much better luck with their replacements.

xole

· #17 · Jan 21, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by EmDub /forum/post/12854388

Not committed to the front-end yet, but am looking at Windows Vista Media Center and Sage. I'm leaning toward WMC, but will test each thoroughly before committing.

Beware, there is a something with the Sage un-install that will not allow BDA tuners (HDHR) to operate in MCE anymore. After you remove Sage MCE will no longer be able to use the HDHR. The only resolution is to either re-install Sage (MCE will then work again) or format and do a fresh windows install. I gave up trying to get a resolution from Sage for the problem.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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