Home > Consumer Reviews > SiliconDust HDHomeRun HDHR-US Dual Networked High Definition Digital Television (White)

So the reason I was searching for a TV Tuner for my computer was to of-course watch television on my computer AND more importantly watch what was recorded on my DVR on my computer.
Pro:
+ I loved being able to watch TV from any computer, even on my wireless laptop on a N router. And the QuickTV software was adequate.
+ No hardware installation hassles

Cons:
- I realized that I can't watch my DVR since the DVR's Coax output is Analog and this box is digital only.
- Can't get any more that 5 ClearQAM HD channels, not realizing that I am so used to HD that watching standard definition again was depressing.
- For the price that should either include Analog through Component or just allow HDMI if digital only. That way I can watch HD DVR recordings on the PC.
- Now I thought I'd just record on my PC using Windows Media Center. But after HOURS of going through the forums and manual setup it just didn't work well enough to provide an enjoyable, hassle free experience. That's the straw that broke the camels back. At $160 it should just work. They say they are working on a fix but no timeline. The hand-me-down Haupauge PVR 150 I had worked beautifully till I went above 4GB ram on my Windows 7 64bit box.

I so wanted this to work, but I decided this isn't for me and am returning it. The AVerTV Hybrid TVBox 11 looked promising but without the ability to watch all the HD channels I would be setting myself up for another disappointment.

So I decided to get myself a new 25.5" Samsung Monitor with a lot of inputs and ordered a $5/month HD cable box.

The prerequisites aren't clear for this product. You either need a dedicated Linux box so you can run MythTV or your own PVR software if running any other OS (TotalMedia that ships with it, it's total s***). Vista may be able to provide some relief through WMC, though I was unable to get it working in the short time I had it installed.
If you're a WinXP user and don't already own a PVR software, look elsewhere. At $167 for the box + at least $80 for software, I'll buy just about anything else. I've tried both Pinnacle and Hauppauge so far. Their software works. This doesn't.

HDHomerun worked for about 3 minutes before my mythtv system came up with an error. ANTonline won't issue a return since the box was open. I am still working on trying to get any cable signal back - it's been 2 weeks. I am very disappointed because from other reviews it sounded like this box was plug-and-play.

Below you will find a rather nasty review of this item when I tried to use it with Vista Media Center. I don't know what they did but the experience with Windows 7 is completely different. Used the SiliconDust config tool to scan the channels fired up Windows 7 Media Center and BAM.

Still requires a bit of manual configuration (that should be much better documented) but I haven't used my Comcast DVR in weeks and I'll be returning it shortly, which was the whole reason to buy this device.

So as previously stated:

A successful offering is a marriage of Hardware, Software, and Support. This now has 2 out of 3; Hardware - works great, Software (Windows 7 Media Center) works great; Support - SiliconDust - Knock, knock, Anybody home?

(No Microsoft Employees were harmed for this review. I'm a PC and Vista was sure not my idea)

BAD VISTA EXPERIENCE -
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 has 1 out of 3.

The hardware works as advertised; Yes, you will have the device working in about 15 minutes. 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. Do you want to be, Me Either.

Want to tinker and manually configure each and every channel? This device is for you.

(1 - Find it on the [...] website
2 - Use the Setup software to configure the device for the channel

Good luck figuring out where to enter the data;

[...] 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. I've configured some of the Net's most popular websites for ECommerce.

Summary - The HdHomeRun is the newest member of the 'Not Ready for Prime Time' Players

This device did not work out for me. The things that Silicon Dust does not tell you when you buy are: 1. this device does not work with all cable. This is nowhere explained in the specs. 2. Their customer support is ALL by email, i.e. you email them your problem and several days later they respond. Save your money.