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I have basic cable and I feel this is the correct unit for getting highdef Clear-QAM channels through your cable provider. I also still use an NTSC receiver as most basic cable channels aren't available on clear-qam.
After reading some of the reviews on this site I'm going to make sure my cables and splitters are rated properly. If you're tech savvy and have your NTSC needs met, I would recommend this.
I've used mine for about 4 months now. I'm able to pickup many channels but some are not automatically identified in windows media center and required me to watch the channel for a while to figure out what station it is.
That may be why I have some problems. The unit itself and the concept of a network tv receiver are amazing.
My only problem is with the state of clear-qam as a technology.
Chances you'll be able to use your fancy new PC to watch TV at that point - 0%Are you familiar with terms like; QAM256, Virtual Channels, Remap Triggers, Me either. website 2 - Use the Setup software to configure the device for the channel Good luck figuring out where to enter the data; [.].
I've configured some of the Net's most popular websites for ECommerce. has a Call Sign, HDSetup has Guide Name, Virtual Channel, and Media Center channel You get to figure out the mapping 3 - Try to use Media Center to get a program listing for the channel (I dare you and best wishes))Just so you don't think I'm a Luddite, I remember manually configuring my 2400 baud modem with AT commands.
Having spent about 3 weeks working with this item, I will relate why I am incredibly disappointed.A successful offering (like my Replay 5000) is a marriage of the Hardware, Software, and Support Service Offering. This device is for you.(1 - Find it on the [.].
Summary - The HdHomeRun is the newest member of the 'Not Ready for Prime Time' Players This has 1 out of 3.The hardware works as advertised; Yes, you will have the device working in about 15 minutes.
Do you want to be, Me Either.Want to tinker and manually configure each and every channel.
I currently using it with Windows Media Center (Windows 7 and Windows Vista). SiliconDust is constantly refining the software and firmware. This was just the solution I needed for my HDTV needs. This dual tuner does a great job. It was easy to set up and works flawlessly.
Couldn't reorder channels or remap the channel names/numbers. I tried Vista Media Player with limited success, GVR didn't work at all, Total Media worked but barely and not well, Beyond TV worked better but wasn't worth the $99 cost to buy. The ease of setup was great. Comcast is going all digital and has remaped channels and makes it difficult to use anything but their boxes. Until a DVR software package comes around that works with channel remaping, I don't recommend this product. Plug it into the nework and to cable and installed the setup software and all worked fine. It is the DVR / tuner software that is very lacking.
This means that this device is useless if you are in one of those areas. Installation: If everything is well it installs in 5 minutes, however if anything is wrong it can take you an hour or longer to figure it out becuase the ONLY way to get started is to run a full channel scan, which is at least 5 minutes, plus another 5 minutes to get MS Media Center to do it's thing. DirecTV, Dish and Comcast should take note and buy this company, becuase this is really what I most want in my own home. Fabulous. Hi Def TV on any computer in your home. I have 5 computers and would like to be able to watch TV in a window or maybe just sit back in bed and watch basic cable. ON my basic cable there are a bunch of analog only signals I want to watch. The concept behind HD HomeRun has the potential to take over the entire TV-PC watching market.
However if you only want 1 PC hooked up to your basic cable OR you MUST have analog cable channels I suggest you try the Happauge WinTV-HVR 1950 instead. It integrates OK with Microsoft Media Center which I personally love compared to say DirecTV or others. Reasons not to get it: First it has NO analog at all. My suggestion is to set the debug mode on and if your first scan doesn't pick up all your channels e-mail tech support. It integrates more easily with Media Center and has analog, which HD HomeRun does not. Imagine: Cable or TV in, and Ethernet out. Wow. Which kind of brings me to the second big bad minus.
UGH. However, what it doesn't do great is tell MC that you are using basic cable, instead of an antenna, which makes installing it confusing. Really, it works great, it's wickedly fast (if you've ever gotten impatient waiting for your router to reboot you know what I'm talking about)and gives the best TV on your PC I've ever seen. Comcast is on the march to moving all of it's analog signals to digital/encrypted formats in some markets.
Can't get any of them. Sci-Fi, Comedy Central, Spike, etc. What incredible flexibility.
However their e-mail support was really responsive. Not to mention you can get 5.1 Dolby Digital out of it if you have the right audio set up. If all you want is digital, off air or cable, and want to watch it on different PC's, this thing is really amazing. The Details: The hardware is top notch.
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