SiliconDust HDHomeRun HDHR5-2US Connect Duo Dual Tuner

This is a fantastic box. Although I only needed two tuners, I decided to get the four-tuner version because I figured it would be nice to have the extra two tuners in case I wanted to watch on my phone or add another television to the house. br>For this box, I strongly advise you to use an external antenna. To begin, I hung one of Amazon's flat (non-powered) antennas from a window. This box has a good tuner, but it struggles when the signal is weak. Freezes and pixelation are likely with the low-cost antenna. br>Once I installed a yagi antenna on the roof, I was able to get 155 channels out of a possible 166 (orange county, California). br>I also had to purchase a new netgear router because I had about 45 wifi connections at home and my old router only supported 25, so I figured that once I started watching streams from this box, it would tax my router. Finally, I was using FireTv sticks on the TVs. I got the Netgear X6S from Costco (if you need a router, this is the one to get; it's currently half off). br> br>It's critical to note that if you're going to stream with a Firestick, you must use/purchase the most recent Firestick 4K. The current best-seller is the 4K stick, not the cube or the less expensive 1080p stick. This is due to the fact that the 4K stick is the only one that does not display interlacing. All of the other sticks are slow and have interlacing. br>The ideal combination is a good roof antenna, a powerful router, and a 4K stick; anything less is likely to cause problems.

Jayda Gaines

| Nov 17, 2021

UPDATE: We've dropped from four to three stars after nearly a year: br>THE UNIT WAS PURCHASED FOR SETTING UP A ROOF-MOUNTED ANTENNA. Unfortunately, when the signal fluctuates due to trees, planes, weather, or clouds, the signal drops, and when it does, this unit has a difficult time stabilizing the picture. The image frequently stops and freezes. Jumping 30 seconds ahead or 10 seconds back when watching a recorded program will cause the audio to stutter. We've contacted the company, and their hit-or-miss customer service is disappointing, or perhaps there isn't enough staff to deal with the issues. It's great when it works (which it did at first but became worse over time), but we're having problems far too often now. We're on the lookout for a more effective mousetrap right now. Continue reading the original review by clicking here: br>br> My series 1 and series 2 TIVOs both stopped working after nearly 20 years. I needed to get into the swing of things in 2018, so I went online and found HDHomeRun. We cut the cable years ago, so the Connect DUO 2- uses only a rooftop antenna. The tuner was exactly what I needed to start recording shows in HD and say goodbye to the grainy analog image. The unit was delivered quickly and easily connected as directed. (We're using a wired Ethernet connection, which is preferable to Wi-Fi. ) )br>br>However, you'll need an external hard drive to tape shows; SiliconDust recommends WD NAS drives, but you can use any external hard drive. SiliconDust's DVR software is a "work in progress," and it is evolving. The app, in particular. br>br>Here's what you need to know: Once the unit is installed on your computer (in our case, a PC) and "discovered in set-up," it is ready to use. DVR software can be downloaded by typing "up" in the search box. The annual DVR Electronic Programming Guide fee of $35 is well worth it because you get great visuals, information on shows, and search features (plus one E. can be used in conjunction with multiple HDHomeRun units in the same house). There's also a "discover" feature for shows. (If a show does not appear in the search or guide, you can find it by searching for it. ) ) When you're installing DVR software and going through the steps to indicate programming storage, look for your already-installed external hard drive and make the necessary changes. If you're not using an NAS drive, simply click to finish when it comes to external hard drive with NAS setup. Our unit discovered the external hard drive and began using it as a recording storage device. Note: At the time of this review, there are very few instructions on how to use DVR functionality, including recording and options. The online tutorial videos don't cover all of the possible questions. br>br>PROS: br>*Easy to set upbr>*Unit pulls in over-the-air signals that are stronger than the original decoder boxbr>*HD viewing on your TVbr>*NO CABLE BILLS! br>*Compatible with HDHomeRun DVR software (currently in development). )br>*Shows are taped in the format. *Can pause a show to grab a large file screen capture (using Microsoft Snipping tool)br>mpeg format, which loads quickly in our Sony Movie Studio editorbr> )br>br>CONS: )br>br>CONS: )br>br>CONS: br>*Instructions are vague on DVR softwarebr>*Instructions are vague on FAQ or potential problemsbr>*DVR setup does NOT require their "sponsored" WD NAS drives as heavily pushed (and offers 0 troubleshooting help online at their site or fully explains the options at time of purchase/review). )br>*REMOTE IS NOT AVAILABLE. Although you can watch programming from your phone, you must have Wi-Fi. Fi has been turned on and is functioning. br>*It is not possible to set the DVR to record specific times within a show or to record a channel manually. (For example, you wouldn't be able to record the first 15 minutes of a 30-minute show. ) Our Connect Duo 2-br>br> Tuner did record two shows at once and stored them in our external (Seagate 6tb) drive as we instructed. To record a show individually rather than an entire "series," simply click on the show you want to watch, and the 14-day programming guide will populate all of the series' upcoming shows. Simply click on the line of the show you'd like to record, and the red record button will light up to indicate that it's time to record. (If you're not sure, look in "TASKS"). br>br>We paid for our unit and it came with everything it said it would, and we were not paid in any way for our honest user review.

Joziah O'Brien

| Jan 24, 2021

For PCs, it may work, but the setup instructions are lacking. br>I thought I could use this with ROKU via Emby, plex, etc. BUT, in addition to the $35/yr that HDhomerun wants for DVR service, each of the apps needed to connect on ROKU requires an annual subscription, and some of these apps even require a 2nd subscription for a 3rd party TV guide site. That is at least 2-years worth of subscriptions. 3-year subscriptions to two different publications Three different companies for one product; by the time you're done, a TIVO will be cheaper and easier to obtain. Also, while some reviews claim that TIVO can be used with cable subscriptions, this is not the case. Only OTA antennas should be used. As a result, I'm currently putting a TABLO 4-in-1 through its paces. tuner (only works with OTA antennas). While I've had problems with the TABLO, I'm not interested in keeping this Quatro device; if the TABLO doesn't work out, I'll go with TIVO.

Eden BROWNE

| Jun 10, 2021

So far, everything has gone smoothly; I'm using Plex because I have a lifetime pass, and it's far superior to the Homerun app, which isn't even available for Apple TV. It's a lot smaller than I had anticipated. My Tablo, which cost me $5 per month, has been replaced.

Matteo Arroyo

| Jul 23, 2021

I had DirecTV for years, and with all of the price hikes and content removals, it was a no-brainer to cut the cord. br>br>The HDHomeRun was my first choice. It comes with four turntables and an app that lets you use it as a DVR and watch live television. br>br>You have to pay extra for DVR service, but if you're like me and pay for Plex Pass, I use that because it's a lifetime subscription. That's not to say that the silicon dust dvr service is bad; I don't have it because I already have Plex. If you want four Turners, DirecTV will charge you for each Turner. Like 5. Turner is paid a monthly fee of 00. To your already-exorbitant bill, this has been added. br>br>In addition, the DirecTV app has some limitations. It isn't the case with HDHomeRun. br>br>I have no problems using their app on any device. br>br>I was paying more than 180 dollars. 00 for their top-tier package, and I was simply fed up with their price increases. br>br>HDHomeRun is a fantastic and easy-to-use device. You only require an antenna to get started. br>br>The app is very simple and straightforward to use. br>br>I'll tell anyone who wants to cut the cord that this is the best thing they can do.

Beckham Eaton

| Sep 25, 2021