I’ve found that over the years I’m using my TiVo less and less and just watching shows on my Apple TV more and more. I’m considering ending my TiVo service, but there’s still some shows that I get on my cable service that I can’t stream. I’m looking for a way to DVR shows from my cable service (Verizon FiOS) and watch those recorded shows in an Apple TV app. Google led me to Plex but I can’t quite get a handle on what exactly Plex is. Is there a Plex device that I can pop my CableCard into and have it record things for me that I can then watch on my Apple TV?
I just signed up with Plex and the DVR service, others will know much more.
Think Plex is a software only company but a tuner from HDHomeRun
may address your needs.
I just got their Connect Duo which requires an antenna. Seems to be working well with Plex so far.
I see the HDHomeRun Prime (with CableCard slot) is available on Amazon. Although on HD’s web site it says that unit is still under
development.
Anyone tried one of these units?
I don’t know about the status of the prime, but hdhr also had an older 3 tuner cable card device you might find on eBay etc.
Of course how well either cable card device will work is entirely dependent on your cable provider and whether they encrypt/drm channels by default.
Outside of the dvr function, Plex itself simply plays media files you acquired (from whatever source), and a varying amount of plex provided online content (news/podcasts/ad supported video on demand).
Another potential option for dvring your desired shows is the “channels” app/service along with tv anywhere and a subscription to an applicable over the top streaming service. You will need to google for more info, as all that is probably considered plex competition in some respects.
See also https://support.plex.tv/articles/200288286-what-is-plex/
The old HDHomeRun Prime (aka the CableCard model) had 3 tuners. It’s still available but mostly via third parties now.
The model listed as “under development” is the 6-tuner model. It’s been under development for over three years with multiple missed releases. Nobody is sure if it’ll ever release (but SiliconDust says it’s still coming).
Many, many people. They work pretty well. There are advantages to using an internal card, such as not worrying about any issues with packet loss on your network card, though I don’t think there are any working internal cards with cablecard. The Primes are pretty solid.
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The support folks for the HDHomeRun devices said the 3 tuner PRIME is no longer being manufactured and the 6 tuner replacement model is not out yet.
They tell me with that device and Plex Plus it would do what I want. The part I don’t understand is this: Where does the recorded media live? The HDHomeRun support says it’s Plex’s DVR service doing the recording, but if the HDHomeRun is the only hardware, is the media stored on a server run by Plex somewhere? What is the capacity?
https://support.plex.tv/articles/200288286-what-is-plex/
https://support.plex.tv/articles/226463767-frequently-asked-questions-dvr-live-tv/
I actually have 2 of the older cable card HDHomeRun devices…
I am not using currently…
I did use them with Verizon Fios and got most of the stations I paid for. A few were not available and I went through the hoops with them, I’m paying for them I should get them. It came down to the those channels did not want their service available and it was a restriction that they imposed on Verizon Fios (3 years ago)… Cable card was $5 per month each plus the TV service…
So it does work, now i know that HDHomeRun has their own DVR software…I have not tried that…
Basically the HDHomeRun connects to a PC via Ethernet cable and the software then stores the video from them to the hard drive for viewing.
The Plex DVR software was never stable enough for me to justify the setup… I bought the HDHomeRun units, ordered the cable cards, had a system dedicated to using this DVR setup. Figuring that everyone could enjoy this service… Was I wrong… For the first few years only the admin of the server could actually add scheduled recording that made him/her everyone’s remote. And there was no remote access to watch the recordings.
Well they have made progress on that front but then they changed the guide epg data supplier and I see in the fourms that a nightmare.
It comes down to I see no benefit in using this aspect of Plex…
Oh and that’s not cutting the cable since your still using the cable and paying for it.
Now if you go OTA (over the air) with an antenna and if you have a good signal then that maybe something to look into.
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