[mythtv-users] HDHomeRun Prime does _NOT_ do US OTA, what does?

[Joseph Fry]

On Thu, Sep 5, 2013 at 10:53 PM, Robert M. Riches Jr.
<rm.riches at jacob21819.net> wrote:
> A week or three ago, I asked for suggestions for a network-based
> TV tuner for US ATSC over-the-air.  Sadly, the HDHomeRun Prime
> is incapable of tuning US over-the-air channels and is cable-only.
> This is according to Silicondust support, which is consistent
> with my attempts to configure the new Prime that arrived a couple
> of days ago (now an expensive paperweight--unless I decide the
> hassle of returning it would be worthwhile).
>
> Is there another maker of network-based/attached TV tuners that
> do support US over-the-air channels and work with MythTV?  (If
> possible, I'd like to vote with my wallet against Silicondust's
> lack of disclosure that the Prime is lacking in such a basic
> function.)
>
> Ceton has a 6-tuner infiniTV6ETH, but the website admits it does
> not do over-the-air.
>
> Kaiser Baas has a Network TV Tuner, but it apparently only does
> DVB, not ATSC.
>
> Failing another maker that supports US OTA, how difficult is it
> to configure two HDHomeRun Duals on the same network?
>
> (The LinuxTV.org Wiki now, as of an hour or two ago, has a page
> for the HDHomeRun Prime with a warning that it does not support
> US OTA.)

You just made the mistake of buying the Prime... who's selling point
is the ability to use a cable card.  All you needed/wanted is the
regular HDHR3-US.  As far as network based tuners are concerned... get
the HDHR, nothing comes close to being as reliable for MythTV use and
their support is excellent.  They are one of the few devices that
advertise MythTV compatibility, and they actually work with the MythTV
developers to ensure a good experience (IIRC).

Please don't judge the company because you misunderstood what you were
buying... they make a great product.

Using multiple Duals is no more difficult than using one.  You plug
them in and configure them with Mythtv.  The only thing to be aware of
is that you will need a splitter to split your signal between them,
and if you have a really weak signal it may not survive the split so
you might need to add an amplifier.  If you do, get one that installs
as close to the antenna as possible, usually called a tower mounted or
mast head amplifier; it will give you a much cleaner signal than other
amps that would amplifying an already degraded signal.