HDHomeRun - Remote and Split?

[fishy]

I am making a new setup. . I will be using it 100% to record digital OTA

Been debating between HDHomeRun and HVR-2250. Looks like people think HDHomeRun works better, so I am going with it. However I lose a few things that the HVR-2250 had taken care of:


1) With the HDHomeRun I need to split my cable from the antenna. What kind of splitter do I get so I don't get a bad signal? Got a newegg link of the right splitter?

2) HDHomeRun doesn't have a remote like the HVR-2250 comes with. What is a cheap solution for a remote + receiver?


Both these seem like kind of a pain, not sure if its really worth $100 over the HVR-2250 (estimated cost difference after I buy splitter + remote).. but if people say it works that much better...

[Paul H]

The two HDHR's I bought came with splitters. If you have a strong source that should do it, if not RadioShack (yea, I know) has a 1 in 4 out "Bi-Directional Cable-TV" amp,#15-2506, that works great and can boost the signal (adjustable up to 8db).
You don't need a remote. The HDHR plugs into your network and SageTV tunes it directly.

EDIT: I just checked and it looks like the 15-2506 is only available online now.

[Clift]

It really is that much better and worth it. It isn't as sensitive to signal strength issues and is networked rather than PCI so no real "drivers" to speak of. Less issues overall. And Silicondust's support, not to mention channel scanning software is much better.


HVR-2250 Media Center Kit $132.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116036

HDHomerun (Amazon) $142.71
http://www.geektonic.com/2009/06/dea...-dual-qam.html

HDHomerun (Newegg) $158.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815327005

MCE Remote $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16880121002

You can buy mostly any splitter that works up to the 1GHz range and be okay. I could not find anything on newegg. i recommend a regal or similar and those can be found in store or amazon.com for $0.49 + $4.99 shipping...
http://www.amazon.com/Regal-702867-G...5436572&sr=1-1

[Skirge01]

Keep in mind that if you've amplified your signal, you'll need to ensure that the splitter can carry the amped signal along the other paths. I've seen splitters that only send an amplified signal over 1 of 4 outputs.

[fishy]

Originally Posted by Paul H

The two HDHR's I bought came with splitters. If you have a strong source that should do it, if not RadioShack (yea, I know) has a 1 in 4 out "Bi-Directional Cable-TV" amp,#15-2506, that works great and can boost the signal (adjustable up to 8db).
You don't need a remote. The HDHR plugs into your network and SageTV tunes it directly.

EDIT: I just checked and it looks like the 15-2506 is only available online now.

Well I DO need a remote.. because I need to control sage TV. I am not going to use a mouse across the room

The MCE Remote off Newegg looks okay for like $27 bucks.. hmm

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Keep in mind that if you've amplified your signal, you'll need to ensure that the splitter can carry the amped signal along the other paths. I've seen splitters that only send an amplified signal over 1 of 4 outputs.

The amplified signal still goes to all outputs.. what that 1 output is is where the DC power for the amp can be fed from. Normaly, the splitter sends the signal through, but blocks DC. The DC passthrough splitters allow the DC from the power injector to be send upstream to power the amp located at the antenna.

[pjpjpjpj]

The advantage of the HDHR being network is that you can put it closer to the antenna and cut down on coax run, which gives you a lot of signal loss. My HDHRs are on a little shelf that I put in a hall closet, right below my attic-mounted antennas. Coax runs are less than 10 feet.

The splitter that comes with the HDHRs is pretty good quality. Splitters will give you (if memory serves) a minimum 3.5 dBa loss. I checked once without the splitter, plugging the coax into one tuner, and compared to using their supplied splitter and connecting to both (as intended). I didn't see any significant signal difference (on the HDHR tuner software)... though, as I said, I have very short coax runs to begin with, plus I am in a pretty sweet OTA reception location.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

The amplified signal still goes to all outputs.. what that 1 output is is where the DC power for the amp can be fed from. Normaly, the splitter sends the signal through, but blocks DC. The DC passthrough splitters allow the DC from the power injector to be send upstream to power the amp located at the antenna.

I'm trying to ensure I understand this now because I'm apparently confused as to how these work. Let's say I install an antenna preamplifier such as this Channel Master 7777, then I install a distribution amplifier such as this Channel Master 3042. If I want to send the signal to 3 more TV's, I don't need a splitter that can carry power after the CM3042 because the signal is already amplified?

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

I'm trying to ensure I understand this now because I'm apparently confused as to how these work. Let's say I install an antenna preamplifier such as this Channel Master 7777, then I install a distribution amplifier such as this Channel Master 3042. If I want to send the signal to 3 more TV's, I don't need a splitter that can carry power after the CM3042 because the signal is already amplified?

Correct, as long as the power inserted for the 7777 is in between the pre-amp and the dist. amp, you should have no problem using any splitter downstream of the dist. amp.

[Skirge01]

That makes sense. Thanks so much for the explanation!