I heard it’s possible and super easy to use my Roku device and Plex subscription to stream live TV including sports. I’m having a nightmare of a time with this somehow. Can someone please share a dummy-proof step by step guide in plain language suitable for a tech-novice like myself to set this up on my own? Please include the devices that I will require, if any.
Thanks so much!
This is a pretty good step by step article:
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/225877347
I do not believe it mentions which tuners to purchase. You’ll want to aim at the HDHomeRun line of tuners to use Plex’s DVR capabilities.
I don’t believe anyone has written such a thing as of yet. The basic steps are:
- Purchase a DVR (aka TV) Tuner that is compatible with Plex
- Configure the Plex Server to use the DVR (aka TV) Tuner
- Use an App that supports Live TV viewing
The documentation that cover all of the above can be found here:
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/sections/205778607-DVR-Live-TV
If you need additional help, you’ll have to post as much info as possible about your current set up:
- OS/computer running Plex Media Server
- DVR Tuner you purchased
- If you’re using an antenna (OTA) or unencrypted channels from your cable company (which cable company)
- How far along you get with configuring the tuner on your Plex server
- Which app you’re using for Live TV
- What happens when you try to watch Live TV
Thanks!
Do I need a digital antenna as well as a DVR Tuner?
That is correct. I have an amplified digital antenna that splits into two HDHomeRun boxes. Since each box can record or watch 2 shows, this gives me 4 possible live TV streams to work with. If you’re using more than one HDHomeRun, or you have long coax cable lines in any part of your setup, you’ll want an amplified one.
Bear in mind, I err on the side of overkill.
@phunky_monkey said:
Thanks!Do I need a digital antenna as well as a DVR Tuner?
Keep in mind that “digital antenna” is mostly just marketing crap. You need an antenna; it doesn’t need to say “digital” anywhere. Best bet is to use a site like TVFool or AntennaWeb to determine which antenna will work best for you (you enter basic info like your address and it analyzes what stations are broadcast near you, where they transmit from, etc).
@darcilicious said:
I don’t believe anyone has written such a thing as of yet. The basic steps are:
- Purchase a DVR (aka TV) Tuner that is compatible with Plex
- Configure the Plex Server to use the DVR (aka TV) Tuner
- Use an App that supports Live TV viewing
The documentation that cover all of the above can be found here:
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/sections/205778607-DVR-Live-TVIf you need additional help, you’ll have to post as much info as possible about your current set up:
- OS/computer running Plex Media Server
- DVR Tuner you purchased
- If you’re using an antenna (OTA) or unencrypted channels from your cable company (which cable company)
- How far along you get with configuring the tuner on your Plex server
- Which app you’re using for Live TV
- What happens when you try to watch Live TV
OK so I do need additional help, please!!
I was able to figure out the set up and somehow the channel scan only turned up 1 channel. That’s ONE channel!
I run Plex on my Mac (OS) and on a Roku 3. I got a HDHomeRun for a DVR, which is plugged directly into my modem via ethernet cable and hooked up to a Phillips 22dB amplified antenna via coaxial cable.
Even the 1 channel gives me an error message when I try to watch it.
Any insights? Is it a Canada thing?
Lets check some things out with the HDHR before worrying about Plex. Can you go to my.hdhomerun.com and show the information for the uner. For example my.hdhomerun.com for my setup looks like:
From there click on the tuner device.
Then click on channel lineup:
Do you see all the channels your HDHR is picking up?
Right click, on one of the channels and choose Copy Link. Then go to some other software. I use VLC to start a network stream.
Paste the copied URL into the network URL box and click Play. Do you see the channel playing in VLC?
While the video is playing in VLC go back to the tuner page in the web browser. Click on tuner status.
Click on the tuner playing the video:
From the tuner status we can tell if we are getting a decent signal from the antenna. As you can see I am getting 100% signal strength and symbol quality with 85% signal quality on the channel I am viewing. Ideally we want these numbers as high as possible. Lower numbers can be causes for recordings aborting due to loss of signal.
Let us know if you are able to access the tuner and verify the tuner status.
@johnm_ColaSC said:
Lets check some things out with the HDHR before worrying about Plex. Can you go to my.hdhomerun.com and show the information for the uner. For example my.hdhomerun.com for my setup looks like:
From there click on the tuner device.
Then click on channel lineup:
Do you see all the channels your HDHR is picking up?
Right click, on one of the channels and choose Copy Link. Then go to some other software. I use VLC to start a network stream.
Paste the copied URL into the network URL box and click Play. Do you see the channel playing in VLC?
While the video is playing in VLC go back to the tuner page in the web browser. Click on tuner status.
Click on the tuner playing the video:
From the tuner status we can tell if we are getting a decent signal from the antenna. As you can see I am getting 100% signal strength and symbol quality with 85% signal quality on the channel I am viewing. Ideally we want these numbers as high as possible. Lower numbers can be causes for recordings aborting due to loss of signal.
Let us know if you are able to access the tuner and verify the tuner status.
Thanks for the very detailed instructions!
I tried this all and it seems the one channel it had detected is now also gone.
I took screen grabs of every step.
First thing I would suggest is updating the firmware on the HDHR. There is a newer firmware 20170930 that can be installed. Are you able to detect any channels from the HDHR device? If it is not detecting channels then you may need to check the cable coming from your antenna to ensure it is working fine. Try hooking a TV up to the antenna where it is located for connection to the HDHR tuner. Is the TV getting any channels from the antenna?
You’re onto something! I connected the antenna directly to the TV and got nothing either. Looks like the antenna is a lemon?
The HDHR device definitely didn’t pick up any channels at all when I ran the detection through Plex.
Not getting a signal from the antenna so HDHR is unable find any channels to use.
@phunky_monkey said:
You’re onto something! I connected the antenna directly to the TV and got nothing either. Looks like the antenna is a lemon?
The HDHR device definitely didn’t pick up any channels at all when I ran the detection through Plex.
Or you’re not in range of any broadcasting towers. This site will give you more info about that based on your address: http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13
@johnm_ColaSC You should make the diagnostics/screen shots that you posted above a separate post that should be pinned in this forum. Good stuff!
