Server Version#: 1.32.4.7195
Player Version#:
Tuner Make/Model: TBD
I’ve been using Plex for years and have a plex pass. I’m looking to buy a dvr/tuner for the first time, but want to understand how it works to kind of help me buy the right one. From what I’ve been reading (on here and in the FAQs) DVR recording uses an external tuner (like a HDHomeRun) that streams the data from its tuner over the network to the plex server, which then writes out the data to a local file.
Assuming I’ve got this all correct, how much control do you have as to where the recordings get placed? And are the recordings standard mpeg files that could be copied over to a plex media library should you wish to keep them?
Final question : I’d like to hear opinions on what tuners are considered the best. I’m considering the HDHomeRun Flex Duo 2.
Correct.
Using HDHomerun devices is recommended, as you don’t have to fight with drivers and the like. These devices are simply added into your home network as separate hosts.
All the control you want. Which has nothing to do with the choice of tuner, btw.
DVR recordings get stored into the Plex library of your choice, and the folder of your choice. i.e. if you have added 2 folders or drives to our movie library, you can pick one of these 2 locations as target when you’re scheduling the recording.
One important detail to keep in mind, is that you may need at least 2 libraries as recording targets. One of the type “Movies” and one of the type “TV shows”. Depending on the category of the programme in the EPG, Plex will only offer libraries of the suitable type as recording target.
The recording are stored in a .TS container, using the video and audio codec as they were originally being broadcast over the air.
(unless you decide to let them transcode during the recording, which then will change the video codec to H.264/AVC)
Sorry, I cannot advise on that. These devices are not available over here. And currently you cannot receive or record any broadcasts from ATSC 3.0 stations in Plex.
Neither can you record or stream any stations which are broadcast with the “don’t copy” flag activated. Nor encrypted stations.
