Hi all
Whilst waiting patiently for Channels DVR (hint hint 
), I need some software to record shows, in the meantime. I know EyeTV is the way to go but it’s £80! I also know I can buy a cheap Elgato tuner and get the software but I’ve been checking ebay for nearly two weeks and not found any.
Is there any other software out there for the Mac that will allow me to record from my HDHomeRun? Preferably for free, as I do plan on buying Channels DVR, whatever the cost!
Thanks
You won’t ever get the channels DVR as it will only be supported and rolled out in North America, Alpha, Beta and then final release, this is not a joke. In the latest state of the union they have confirmed this. Time we start looking else where my friend. Seems the rest of the world has been segregated from this. VBox@home is looking promising. They are working on a Kodi and Apple TV app.
The SiliconDust (SD) DVR kickstarter is still open for new users. A lot of users in US started with the SD program and then transferred to Channels (prior to the split).
They are the manufacturers of the tuners you are using and started a DVR project over a year ago. They do have UK users, however many are dissatified due to problems with EPG supplier. This could be a show stopper for you.
Cost is 60usd. Please review their forum on software development for their solution. They are primarily working on Android TV, Windows 10 and now have a native MAC solution. Thay are leaving iOS to third party developers, like Channels and InstaTV (? If in UK).
Some started with the SD solution prior to Channels. Others joined SD just to utilize Channels. I joined 2 weeks before the split, and was very unhappy when the split occurred, but I adjusted.
The SD recording engine is reliable, however, no traditional guide (due to licensing) and the playback capabilities are atrocious. There are some anomalies in their design protocol, but most can be circumvented. It’s definitely not Channels but you can utilize all of the hardware which you’ve invested in.
See the suggestions here in the (Channels) SD DVR Support thread for utilizing other third party players for recording playback and possible scheduling devices. Lots of users in the SD camp are using Android/Windows 10 (mobile or desktop).
Terrible blow for all of you to be delayed so long for Channels, but there are alternatives.
As has been mentioned elsewhere on this forum but oddly not on this thread yet, DVBLink is another option now. As of recently, there are iOS, Android and Apple TV apps for this as well as recording engines (DVBLink server) for many many platforms including Mac and many NASs. Full guide (via subscription), recording, playback and record via all the client apps. Everything Eye TV offers but cheaper (~£40 one off for a ‘TV Source’ license then ~£20 per year for guide data) and with an Apple TV app already out and a much more functional iOS app than Eye TV. I have been a long-time Eye TV user and am now starting to experiment with DVBLink (there is a 20 day free trial) now since the Channels DVR announcement. Works very easily out of the box with the HDHomeRun tuners. Initial setup was very easy.
Major caveat is that the team appears not to have an ounce of style anywhere within them. The UI looks like it’s been designed by a techie as an afterthought. But if you can see past that, it’s OK.
One more thing - live TV streaming to the iOS app is a bit hit and miss with frequent stuttering on some channels whereas Channels on the same device on the same channels in the same location in the house and hence same wifi signal, performs flawlessly.
I’m still personally on the fence about whether to swap out from Eye TV but it’s certainly worth a look to see whether it fits your needs.
The DVR update says that Alpha, Beta and initial release may only be North America (US & Canada). It does not say that it will never include support outside of North America. The initial release is scheduled for January, which is only 5 months away. How long has Silicondust been working on their DVR solution with a still fairly unpolished product? The Channels team is limiting the scope of their DVR to MacOS and Linux and NA to focus their efforts. It makes sense.
You don’t have to buy guide data, there is a free guide. Must say, it’s pretty comprehensive too.
DVBLink is working really well for me.
I tried a load of the options last night and personally I didn’t get on with DVBLink. The interface on the tvOS app was just not great. Ease of use nowhere near simple enough for whole family adoption which is what I need.
Have stuck with Eye TV for recording and Channels for live on the Apple TV. But have solved one of the major issues I had with that setup - namely that the recordings being transcoded and put into iTunes took at least as long as the show airing time after the show had aired. Now I use Infuse on iOS and ATV for playback of Eye TV recordings, which it does natively without the need for the files to be transcoded first. And it picks up the metadata properly too. The Infuse UI is really nice so now I just launch infuse, click a favourite called ‘Recorded TV’ and presto there are all my recordings presented simply and nicely with all the right metadata and artwork based on a frame from the video, which is fine for me. Plus this works well with Infuse free edition - no need to spend the £7.99 on the Pro version.
Hello, I’m new here, just joined. I do have EyeTV and things have been going well. I was wondering what Channels could do for my set up.
So would I have access to more channels or cable channels adding this to my system? I realize I have to purchase a new Apple TV, which I’m going to do eventually anyway, and I already have the Tuner. So what more would this give me?
Any opinions would be helpful,
Thanks
Andy