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HDHomeRun's DVR app is ready for the Xbox One
Earlier this year Microsoft confirmed that development of a DVR feature for the Xbox One is "on hold," so what's next for fans of its OneBox dream? SiliconDust's answer is an app that lets you watch TV streamed directly to the game system from a DVR (which could be a PC, Android TV box or NAS -- but not the Xbox itself) running its software and connected to a TV tuner device. Doing that means you can completely control it via the gamepad or Xbox remote -- and ditch the system's HDMI passthrough/IR blaster combo that can't do simple things like set up a new recording without switching remote.
HDHomeRun tuners connect directly to Samsung TVs
While we wait for the FCC and cable companies to work out a plan for the future of TV, Silicon Dust has a way for you to experience cable with as few boxes as possible. This week the company detailed the ability of Samsung's 2016 TVs to access streams from its network cable TV tuners -- no external box necessary. If all you want to do is watch live TV, then just having a HDHomeRun Prime in the US or HDHomeRun Expand in Europe plus cable is enough (antennas work too, with the HDHomeRun Connect or Extend).
HDHomeRun is ready to make your Android TV a DVR
When SiliconDust announced its DIY DVR project a year ago, recording your shows meant building a PC dedicated to the task, or hooking up network storage. Now it's testing out HDHomeRun Record for Android TV, which lets you create an entire DVR with just one of its TV tuner devices and an Android box. Unfortunately, suggested requirements of Android 6.0, Ethernet, and a USB 3.0 connection for external storage mean Amazon's Fire TV and Google's Nexus Player won't work, but NVIDIA Shield Pro owners should be able to try it out immediately, thanks to their 500GB of built-in storage. You can watch the recorded shows directly on the device, or on any platform that runs its HDHomeRun View app.
HDHomeRun Kickstarter wants to build the perfect DVR for you
Now that Microsoft has announced it's through with Windows Media Center, what options do you have left to build your own machine for recording, organizing and watching TV? A new one ready to enter the scene is SiliconDust's HDHomeRun DVR, which recently launched on Kickstarter and is scheduled to arrive this fall. SiliconDust made a name for itself among home theater PC builders by bringing the devices they need to plug in cable or antenna TV, and with the DVR it's making the software too. Diving into the crowdfunding effort now will get you early access to software that promises TV how and where you want, all without needing to build a computer to run it. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Simple.TV's second-gen DVR streams to mobile apps, ships December 12th for $249 (hands-on)
Simple.TV gave us a peek at its second-generation streaming DVR back in September, and today it's committing to a US launch. The dual-tuner set-top should arrive stateside on December 12th, when it will sell for $250 in a basic kit with both recording and live streaming to local devices. Matching new software, also available for the first-gen device, delivers TV to native Android and iOS apps alongside previous support for browsers and Roku players. Avid viewers can spring for a premium service that offers remote viewing, automatic recording and downloading either as an after-the-fact subscription ($60 per year, $160 lifetime) or bundled with the hardware ($300 per year, $400 lifetime). We gave the media hub a spin at Expand here in New York -- read on for our impressions of the pre-release gear.
Simple.TV reveals second-gen streaming DVR and Version 2.0 interface
Simple.TV's first streaming DVR had its rough edges, but the company is clearly willing to make improvements -- it just announced the second generation of its set-top box. The redesign is more flexible, sporting both a second tuner and compatibility with international broadcast standards like DVB-C, DVB-S2, DVB-T2 and ISDB-T. Both first- and second-generation owners will also get a revamped Version 2.0 interface that offers personalized content, faster updates and new streaming clients for Android, iOS, Roku players and the web. Simple.TV doesn't yet have pricing for the new DVR, but it tells us that both the device and the Version 2.0 upgrade will reach the US by mid-to-late November; Europeans will get the hardware next spring.
HDHomeRun Prime firmware featuring DLNA streaming comes out of beta
You'd really like to stream some HD cable TV to a DLNA client from your HDHomeRun Prime, but aren't willing to risk introducing beta firmware into your fully functional entertainment system? We have good news: after a little more than two months of beta, your wait is over. Today's official HDHomeRun Prime update comes with release notes detailing its newfound ability to stream Copy Freely content to any DLNA playback device (like XBMC, PS3 or Samsung's HDTVs, for example) that supports MPEG-2 and AC3. Protected content, like anything marked Copy Once, works as well if your device happens to be one of the few that supports CableLab's transmission DRM of choice, DTCP-IP. So while we warned that this feature might not be worth injecting beta software into the mix back in January, a number of fixes in this release plus weeks of testing should push HDHomeRun Prime owners to update now. [Thanks, Rob]
HDHomeRun Prime beta update for DLNA streaming is live
Got your HDHomeRun Prime, your favorite DLNA client and an itch to watch some premium HD cable TV? Well, then it's time to head over to the beta forum, download the latest firmware then register as a tester. Those of you lucky enough to have a nice TV provider that doesn't lock everything down with Copy Once flags will be able to watch live TV on just about any DLNA playback device that supports MPEG2. Those not so lucky will need a PS3 or a 2012 Samsung HDTV, without which this little gem ain't going to do you much good. Sadly, this exclusive to the HDHomeRun Prime because its the only one with the hardware to support DLNA, but the new tuners due this spring will allow DLNA access of ATSC, QAM and DVB sources -- as well as allow playback on Media Players that only support h.264. The usefulness of this is still pretty limited while we wait for the rest of SiliconDust's Project:Connect to come together, but we don't see any reason why you wouldn't join in on the fun.
SiliconDust announces two new HDHomeRun network tuners with transcoding, DLNA DMP beta firmware available soon
SiliconDust let us know that it would be the first to certify a live TV tuner as a DLNA Digital Media Server, easily enabling premium cable TV to more devices with its existing HDHomeRun Prime network CableCARD tuner. A beta firmware of that software will be available next week for existing customers. The rub, though, is that you'll need a DLNA Digital Media Player (or Rederer) that supports MPEG2, and that just isn't as common as you might think -- as well as DTCP-IP support for copy protected content. In comes two new network tuners, the HDHR4-US and the HDHR4-CC. Both offer hardware transcoding for "digital-to-digital conversion of high-bandwidth MPEG2 streams to bandwidth-friendly H.264." The primary difference between the two new models is one has a CableCARD slot for recording four HD premium channels at once, and the other has dual clear QAM or ATSC tuners -- there is also a third unit, HDHR4-DT2, for Europe and Australia. The number of DLNA Digital Media Players (DMP) that support H.264 is far more vast and the codec is far more efficient. This basically means you'll have access to your favorite live content on more devices and in more places, and use less bandwidth while enjoying it. These new ones should be available starting in "mid-2013" with no mention of price in the releases below. But with the HDHR3-CC retailing for $199, we'd suspect the new quad tuner versions with transcode, will come just a bit above that. %Gallery-175391%
HDHomeRun Prime is the first CableCARD tuner to deliver live TV to DLNA Devices
Our favorite shows, anywhere, that's all we really want. Of course that is asking too much but we'll be closer to the dream now that Silicondust has announced its three tuner HDHomeRun Prime CableCARD is a certified DLNA Digital Media Server (DMS). While the options this opens are seemingly limitless, one specific use case is watching premium cable on a PS3. CableCARD tuners aren't exactly known for their ease of setup, but once you do get this working with your cable company and on your network, it'll show up like any other DLNA source to your PS3. From there you can browse the list of channels and watch any you happen to subscribe to. The PS3 isn't the only DLNA Digital Media Player (DMP) or Digital Media Renderer (DMR) that works with a DLNA DMS, and plays MPEG2 video. However, at this point it's the only one we know of that also supports DTCP-IP, which is the DRM required to play premium content. A representative of Silicondust told us he's confident more compatible devices are on the way, while even more devices will support the unprotected content. Keep an eye out for an official list of compatible hardware on its site some time after this update starts rolling out later this month. Finally, yes, you will be able to use your DLNA Digital Media Controller (DMC) to record content to your other Digital Media Servers -- is that enough acronyms for you? If this interests you, then stay tuned for CES where Silicondust plans to announce phase 2, which is where we think things could really get interesting.
SiliconDust HDHomerun Prime CableCARD tuners hit Woot for $130
If you've been thinking about building an HTPC without spending a lot of money then first of all we have a post that can help you with that (and a comment section of folks saying they can do even better), and second, it might be time to grab one of SiliconDust's HDHomeRun Prime TV tuners. The three tuner CableCARD device can turn your computer into a cable box, and Woot is selling brand new units for just $130 (plus $5 shipping) in this morning's one day sale, a decent discount form the $180 - $200 prices we found elsewhere. Still not convinced this is for you? Check out our hands-on with the device or a quick video trailer embedded after the break. Oh, and if you need a new HDTV to plug it into, Woot's also running a sale on some LG LCDs with 3D and connected apps for $650 / $900 (47-inch / 55-inch).
Ceton officially drops the InfiniTV 4 price to $199
A device that was selling for around $600 on eBay just two years ago, is now officially priced at $199 -- the second $100 price drop in the past eight months -- and is available immediately from some of your favorite online retailers. That means both the USB and PCIe versions of the CableCARD tuner that can record four HD channels at once, cost a mere $50 per tuner. While this makes it the cheapest per-tuner CableCARD tuner ever available, the dual tuner Hauppauge WinTV DCR-2650 at $149 retail ($112 street) still requires the lowest total entry cost into the PC CableCARD tuner market. We've come a long way since ATI offered a single tuner for $299, but the still-pricey cards make it easy to understand understand why TV manufacturers and other set-top box makers, like Boxee, can't hide the price of a CableCARD tuner in the cost of their products.
Elgato HDHomeRun iPad app brings (some) cable channels to the tablet
Whether or not your cable TV provider has decided to offer live TV streaming to your mobile devices, you can do it yourself with the new HDHomeRun iPad app from Elgato. Paired with one of SiliconDust's new HDHomeRun Prime CableCARD tuners, the $17.99 app can tune into cable channels that are sent without encyption or are marked copy freely (varies from provider to provider) and even allows users to record them right on the app. Restrictions include that it only works on the iPad 2, with standard definition MPEG-2 channels and (for now) only the most recent HDHomeRun hardware is supported. Check out the video demo for more information on exactly how it works or click the source link to get to iTunes and buy -- in a market suddenly flooded by CableCARD tuners maybe this extra functionality is just what's needed to tip the balance between one device or another. %Gallery-131171%
HDHomerun Prime CableCARD tuner hands-on
Looking a little different than the prototype we got our hands-on at CES, the retail version of the CableCARD tuner from SiliconDust found its way in front of our camera today. Those who preordered this little guy for $249 should start receiving it shortly, as a series of frustrating delays finally come to an end. We can't wait to plug this network tuner in and toss up to three HD feeds at a time through our Ethernet cabling and expect most others feel the same way. Check out out our pics in the gallery below, we'll let you know if the InfiniTV 4 has competition worth worrying about -- seems like it, given the price drop -- shortly. %Gallery-131085%
SiliconDust delivering HDHomeRun Prime preorders, 3 tuner ships next week
If you preordered an HDHomeRun Prime from SiliconDust and haven't received it yet your wait is almost over. The company has informed buyers that it expects to fill all preorders by Labor Day weekend, and before it starts shipping devices to any retailers other than Newegg, so don't expect any more wayward Amazon listings until at least that date. As for the 3 tuner version of the Prime, it should start shipping on August 22nd so dust off that Ethernet port, pick up a CableCARD from your local office and get ready for the UPS guy to drop by.
Niveus demos its idea of TV Everywhere at the CableLabs Conference
The name Niveus should sound familiar to you if you've followed the home theater PC market for a while, but those who follow the cable industry might not be so familiar. The cable types will become more familiar if they trek to the CableLabs Summer Conference this week as the Niveus Connected Platform (project Snowbird) is among the demonstrations. NCP is currently being shopped to service providers (like cable and satellite), consumer electronics manufacturers and PC OEMs and with any luck will bring you your favorite content from your set-top-box or DVR, to your PC, tablet, phone or Smart TV by early 2012. We're sad to say that although NCP is built on industry standards like DLNA and DTCP-IP, we find it very easy to temper our excitement any time a cable company is expected to buy something for us we'd actually want. Oh, and while the three tuner HDHomerun Prime isn't shipping just yet, Niveus managed to get one to use as part of its demo.
Six tuner HDHomeRun Prime CableCARD tuner ships tomorrow
We're not exactly sure what is so complicated about building CableCARD tuners, but after being bitten by the inevitable delay bug Silicondust says it is ready to ship the six tuner version of its HDHomeRun Prime. A tweet went out earlier stating Newegg would be forwarding the units to customers beginning tomorrow, while a post on the company forums confirms the first shipment leaving their location just a short while ago. Unfortunately that still leave the $249 three tuner version twisting in the wind, but if you preordered just hang in there, more word is promised "later this week."
Elgato offers HDHomeRun TV tuner bundled with its EyeTV software for $180
Elgato has been pushing EyeTV for Mac software alongside its own various TV tuner devices for a while now, but if you prefer Silicondust's HDHomeRun it's added a new package to the list of offerings. For $179.95 the dual-tuner HDHomeRun comes with EyeTV3 software for Mac, drivers for a PC and the requisite cables for you to watch some TV on your computer. It's not a major leap for the hardware or software involved, but if you're a fan of both they're now available in one convenient package at the Apple Store, Amazon and other retailers.
HDHomeRun Prime TV tuner passes CableLabs tests - Update: Preorder pulled, 6-tuner ships first
We've been waiting for SiliconDust's CableCARD-compatible HDHomeRun Prime for a little over a year and it seems finally ready to bring its triple tuner TV magic home, having gained CableLabs certification as of April 28th and subsequently showing up for preorder on Amazon. While this is mostly big news for Windows Media Center fans who need a new way to get premium channels on their box it also supports other DVR software like MythTV on Copy Freely-marked content. HTPC builders don't have to choose between this HDHR3-CC and the (suddenly in abundant supply and still $399) Ceton InfiniTV 4 just yet, since the listing has no shipping date and the last we'd heard from SiliconDust was that preorders would ship around 30 days after it completed certification. Check out our hands-on impressions from CES a few months ago if you're on the fence, but right now all that's standing between you and that grey box is a little bit of time... and $207. Update: According to a post on its forum, SiliconDust confirmed the HDHomeRun Prime has been certified and an email announcement will follow shortly, however it expects to deliver a 6-tuner Theater version first with the three tuner box appearing afterwards. The post also notes sites are "incorrectly listing" the HDHomeRun Prime for preorder and "will not be first in line for delivering product" so you may want to wait for the official word on which "major retailer" has the go-ahead to make sure you're first in line. The option to preorder disappeared from Amazon this morning, we'll let you know when and where the option to purchase pops up next. [Thanks, robniep] %Gallery-113086% [Thanks, Neil]
Hands-on with the HDHomeRun Prime CableCARD tuner
Now look what we have here, the long awaited HDHomeRun Prime triple CableCARD tuner for Windows 7 Media Center. Originally announced at CES last year, the little black perforated box is already in production and will soon be selling for $250 after it makes it ways through the final stages of CableLabs certification. The sad fact is there is no way to know when that cert will be sealed, but when it is you'll be able to pre-order and then you can expect to receive it 30 days later. The other little tidbits we picked up from the booth is that SiliconDust is working on a six tuner rack mountable version that should ship later this year and that the ATSC and QAM version we've loved for years has a new case a new price of $129 and will be shipping in February. %Gallery-113086% %Gallery-113088%
