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ehrens

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 4, 2013
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the 651
Finally bit the bullet today and am piloting Channels on our 2 4th gen boxes using the 2 tuner Connect. To those who use this hardware/software combo, any tips on making this a smooth transition? Do you use DVR software to timeshift?
 
We've been using channels and connect for almost 6 months. For playback with pause it was a simple set up. We just set up their DVR and are really enjoying it. We had been using Plex DVR, but were having trouble with playback and com skipping. So far Channels is working much better. We have it set up on a Mac for the recording and it installed easily. There were a couple of settings we missed on the ATV app the first go round so it wasn't seamless, but after going through their forums we found the box to check and it's working nicely now.
 
Also using this with the Connect. Works pretty well, and just added the DVR software to my spare pc at $8.00 p/mth. It really works well and they are constantly improving the app and dvr features since it is technically a beta. Just a few days in for me and it's working flawlessly. I have a TiVo system so not sure if I'll keep the dvr feature since I'm tied in to that system for the rest of the year but it's looking like a great alternative down the road.
 
ATV+Channels is a fantastic combination. It works perfectly.

I do have a Plex server and use the Plex DVR very rarely, and it does the job for my limited recording use. I briefly tried the Channels DVR, and it is definitely a step ahead of the Plex solution, but I already have Plex Pass so the DVR functionality was no additional cost.
 
I forgot I posted this thread!

Channels and the SD box are a perfect match and it was dead simple to set up. I went from plugging in the tuner to using the app in about 5 minuted. Haven't tried the DVR beta but am anxious to. Also worth noting that the HD streaming over 802.11ac is impressively stable.
 
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I forgot I posted this thread!

Channels and the SD box are a perfect match and it was dead simple to set up. I went from plugging in the tuner to using the app in about 5 minuted. Haven't tried the DVR beta but am anxious to. Also worth noting that the HD streaming over 802.11ac is impressively stable.

Yeah, everything is pretty much "auto discovery", very nice.

We've got an HDHomeRun Connect, OTA from an attic mounted powered Esky antenna, ethernet from the HDHR/C into the network, 2X AppleTV4s (also wired/ethernet).

Love it!
 
I'm using an unamplified RCA mini directional mounted on the back of my house, directly run to the Connect, and it pulls in an impressive list of OTAs (about 30 that I might actually want to watch). The Apple TV in our living room is hardwired for gigabit, but I have found it nigh impossible to run cat6 up to the second floor of our house (1889 and on the smallish side) so have to depend on the AirPort Extreme to hump a usable signal up there. The Connect is plugged into a 10/100 switch in my basement where my keystone panel is.
 
I'm using an unamplified RCA mini directional mounted on the back of my house, directly run to the Connect, and it pulls in an impressive list of OTAs (about 30 that I might actually want to watch). The Apple TV in our living room is hardwired for gigabit, but I have found it nigh impossible to run cat6 up to the second floor of our house (1889 and on the smallish side) so have to depend on the AirPort Extreme to hump a usable signal up there. The Connect is plugged into a 10/100 switch in my basement where my keystone panel is.

The last switch needs replacing really soon to a Gigabit switch!
 
I only have local channels debating it its worth the $8 a month for the DVR. I have tried Plex DVR but did'nt really care for its incorporation into my library, plus it missed recordings
 
The last switch needs replacing really soon to a Gigabit switch!
Meh. The HD Homeruns only have 10/100 connections and it's not like that switch is doing anything major (the only other things plugged into it are IP cameras and their corresponding DVR).
I only have local channels debating it its worth the $8 a month for the DVR. I have tried Plex DVR but did'nt really care for its incorporation into my library, plus it missed recordings
That's the quandary I am facing right now. I'm also wondering how the recordings are stored (raw mpeg or a container file).
 
I see no need for DVRing local channels. I love channels though, the live pause and time-shifting is good enough for me.
 
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