HDHomeRun Replaces EyeTV 500
By mr. Obsession in EyeTV, Free OTA HDTV, HDHomeRun, HDTV, Hardware
When I read about HDHomeRun being integrated into EyeTV’s software, I immediately ordered one from El Gato. I’ve been using two EyeTV 500 units to watch and record OTA HDTV programming for a while on my Mac HTPC and have been quite satisfied with the set-up. So, why the change? A few VERY compelling reasons.
1. The 500s use Firewire to connect to a single computer. While this is exponentially better than a USB connection, it limits live television to a single computer (I know there are ways around this via streaming in VLC, but they don’t pass the PITA test for my set-up).
The HDHomeRun connects via ethernet to my home network’s router and allows me to watch live TV on any computer connected to the internet that has EyeTV’s software installed.
EyeTV even manages the tuners, tossing up a message when another computer is using a tuner. This is light years beyond how the GUI deals with multiple EyeTV units.
2. The HDHR unit incorporates two tuners into a single small unit. The two 500s are giant by comparison.
3. The HDHomerun package was around $200 and I’ll be able to sell the 500s for more than that on Ebay, creating a net savings. This is always a consideration when acquiring new electronic equipment.
All this means nothing without performance equal to my current set-up, of course. But the HDHR has proved to be more than capable of exceeding the dual 500s.
I’ve successfully:
- Recorded simultaneous shows
- Watched one channel while recording on another
- Viewed live shows on different computers
- Played back a recording while both tuners recorded
As I’ve mentioned before, using two EyeTV units as been a somewhat bumpy road. Interacting with the HDHR has been a pleasure by comparison. In particular, the Preferences interface offers signal strength info on both tuners in one place
Overall, only time will show if the HDHR will integrate into my Mac successfully. But, given the unstable foundation dual tuners created, I’m enthusiastic about the prospects!
Can you watch shows via the wireless network, or do both computers need to be hard wired via ethernet to the router? It’s unclear on the elgato site what the wireless capabilities are.
Jesse | Aug 18, 2008 | Reply
Jesse,
I’ve found that only a proper ethernet network can consistently play back HD programming on my system’s computers. Some report success with N and G WiFi, but that’s never been the case for me…and most of the Mac HTPC folk I come across.
P.S. The “powerline” ethernet adapters don’t seem to fair much better than wireless…the general consensus is that hard-wired ethernet is the best (and only) way to go.
mr. Obsession | Aug 18, 2008 | Reply
Jesse,
Check the website. Endgadget had no problem watching 1 stream over G Wifi with the HDhomerun. Full HD transport stream is 19.4mbs. If you are watching SD, you might get away watching both streams via wireless, but at full HD, wireless would be close to its theoretical transfer maximum.
One reason this probably works better than other setups on wireless is it uses UDP. So you barely use more bandwidth with 100 users watching the same stream as with only 1 user watching that stream.
And I agree, powerline adapters don’t usually work well, unless you have a newer house and don’t need really fast transfer rates.
colinnwn | Oct 12, 2008 | Reply
Mr. O,
Have you tried connecting the HDHR directly to your mini (through its LAN port)? The HDHR site makes a reference to this for PCs — did not know if it works for mac.
Ravi | Mar 15, 2009 | Reply
Mr. O,
I wanted to thank you for the wonderful site. I had a question about the HD HomeRun that might be stupid, but I couldn’t find an answer. Does it come with the EyeTV software, or will I have to purchase that separately? I noticed on elgato’s site that if you buy one of their tuners you get the EyeTV 3 software with it, but I would like the option of dual tv tuners.
Thanks,
Brad | Apr 9, 2009 | Reply
Brad,
El Gato recently stopped selling the HDHR – and they were the ones bundling EyeTV together with the unit. Now, you’d need to buy the HDHR somewhere else and then purchase EyeTV separately.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news – good luck!
mr. O | Apr 11, 2009 | Reply
I’m interested in implementing a solution like this, but I’d like to go a bit farther. I’d like to throw two HDHR’s on the network and then have a Mac Mini on each TV in the house. I’d like to be able to record TV shows from any Mini but have the shows all stored centrally. It’d also be nice to be able to start watching a show in the living room and then move to the bedroom to finish it. Is this even possible?
Stephan | Apr 17, 2009 | Reply
Stephan,
That sounds like an ambitious (and potentially-awesome) set-up you’re working on.
Unfortunately, I don’t know about EyeTV handling more than one device at a time – this has been a sticking point for them in the past.
I’d direct you to the EyeTV forums for more informed ideas about what lies ahead for you…and let me know how it goes!
mr. O | Apr 17, 2009 | Reply
After some more research this I uncovered some folks that were using MythTV. The frontend on the minis and the backend on a linux box being fed by the HDHRs. A mac could also be used as the backend too. Might explore this path.
Stephan | Apr 20, 2009 | Reply