SiliconDust HDHomeRun High Definition Digital Television Tuner (Refurbished): Triple Tuner $105, Dual Tuner $55

Quote from karazi : I have two set-top boxes, one for each TV. By purchasing the more expensive cablecard tuner, can I get rid of my set-top boxes and have the tuner feed live streams to both my TVs? Sorry, having difficulty understanding the capabilities of these things.

That is exactly the use case. Understand it requires a windows mce box or mce extender (xbox) as well in order to access the tuner on each tv. Hdhomerun does not provide any direct video output.

Quote from babbi : I have a xbox 360 and just purchased this dual one. Any good article on how to use xbox to display live TV (assuming possible)? Do I have to have an HTPC with xbox? Thanks in advance.

Yes needs to be an extender for windows mce. In the meantime you can tune directly from any win/mac pc using their included software. For full fledged dvr and guide you need windows mce.

if y'all bought dual tuner instead of triple tuner, you guys know that you will NOT be getting encrypted channels from your local provider right?

so no ESPN, HBO, TNT, History Channel, Food Network, etc.

Those are all encrypted channels.

Not a good deal. The FCC is removing the requirement for clear qam, so the dual tuner one will be worthless except for OTA (antenna) applications.

Quote from hightop32 : That is exactly the use case. Understand it requires a windows mce box or mce extender (xbox) as well in order to access the tuner on each tv. Hdhomerun does not provide any direct video output.

Since I have you here...I have an Xbox 360 and multiple desktops/laptops with Win 7 Pro/Ultimate. So the TV that has the Xbox will not be an issue, but will the a Win 7 PCs on the network be able to pick up the HomeRun stream over the network through media center? How many simultaneous streams through the HomeRun can I have with only one cablecard rental? Thank you!

edit: Ultimately I want to see if this thing will pay for itself after a few months of use, by getting rid of my two set-top boxes.

Quote from karazi : Since I have you here...I have an Xbox 360 and multiple desktops/laptops with Win 7 Pro/Ultimate. So the TV that has the Xbox will not be an issue, but will the a Win 7 PCs on the network be able to pick up the HomeRun stream over the network through media center? How many simultaneous streams through the HomeRun can I have with only one cablecard rental? Thank you!

Yes, 3.

Quote from jeanluc33 : Not a good deal. The FCC is removing the requirement for clear qam, so the dual tuner one will be worthless except for OTA (antenna) applications.

yeah a network based dual ATSC tuner with PVR functionality for $50 is completely worthless.

Additionally FCC is removing the requirement but not mandating encryption, meaning some providers may leave it open.

not to mention the thread is covering two distinct models, one of which supports cable card, which isnt going away any time soon....

where do you people come from?

Quote from hightop32 : Yes, 3.

Thanks for your help!! Anyone know offhand what Verizon charges to rent a cablecard?

How good is the quality of the refurb? Is it refurb from SiliconDust themselves or woot? I feel like some companies can be better at the quality of their refurbs than others.

Just buy a ceton echo, no need for an xbox 360 anymore

I bought a triple tuner. I think it should pay itself off after a year, maybe a little more, depending on the monthly cost of my two fios STBs which I'll be saving, and the monthly cost of the cablecard from fios.

Bought this for 129 sometime ago as new. This an amazing deal.

I don't understand why you all need this when the cable company provides its own boxes and cable cards? Is it just so you can watch on pcs and record through there? They have TV tuner cards for computers as well so you can record.

Quote from hightop32 : Yes, 3. yeah a network based dual ATSC tuner with PVR functionality for $50 is completely worthless. Additionally FCC is removing the requirement but not mandating encryption, meaning some providers may leave it open. not to mention the thread is covering two distinct models, one of which supports cable card, which isnt going away any time soon.... where do you people come from?

few quick questions, complete Noob when it comes to network tuner, from what I have researched so far, it seems all have to do is connect this box to my router, then install a DVR software to watch and record TV?

2nd, I don't have Windows media center on 2 of my pcs, so I can use other DVR software such as Beyond, sage TV to watch and record? what software would you recommend?

3rd, would I be able to connect my laptop wirelessly to access the tuner?

TIA, btw, I just need OTA.

Quote from TDMVP73 : The lowest price ever on the HDHomeRun Prime was $119.99 at Frys. THREAD Definitely a hot price at $105 Shipped for a Refurb model. However, I wouldn't be surprised if these are on sale for $99.99 somewhere in the near future NEW.

i am confident of your abilities to find it with Mail in rebates from TD lol

Quote from doomtoall : I don't understand why you all need this when the cable company provides its own boxes and cable cards? Is it just so you can watch on pcs and record through there? They have TV tuner cards for computers as well so you can record.

Some cable companies charge 15$/month for a cable box that is for single source viewing. Compared to 4$/month for cable card that can stream to multiple sources. The math adds up for people with HTPC's and xbox's to save the cost of the hdhomerun the first year, and then more money every year after that. And that's only assuming you have ONE cable box.. the tech gods help you if you pay for multiple boxes..