I did, but unfortunately without any change to the choppiness 
It was one of the first things I played with. I tried it both on the app end (on the Chromecast) as well as on the server side of things.
Have you tested network speed from the CC to your cDVR server. I realize the other apps are working OK on there, I'd like to rule your wireless network connection out.
Also, is there anything running in the background on your CC?
Those are good points. AFAIK, there's nothing else running in the background. To make certain, I unplugged my CC just now. I had it reboot, and tried the Channels app. The issue was still the same.
I ran a speedtest a few minutes ago and was shocked to find it was quite slow (around 20 Mb/s). Checking my phone's Channels app, the speed was over 600 Mb/s to my cDVR. I then checked the wifi settings on my CC, which showed that it was on 2.4 ghz. After changing the wifi on my CC to my 5 ghz network, I did another speedtest which came out to 364.93 Mb/s (still about half of what my phone gets, but at least better than what it was before lol). Latency was 5.49 ms and jitter 1.34 ms. The issue unfortunately remains even on 5 ghz.
Interestingly, when trying things out just now, I had one moment with a smooth video stream. During this time, no audio was being broadcast (which may have happened as I was trying the surround sound settings again). However, when I switched channels and the audio came back, the stutters in the video were also back.
Also, the available space left on my CC is currently 486 MB. It's not a whole lot but I'm assuming it should be enough still.
You need about 15 Mb/s to stream 1080p/60. The CC has very little storage, I checked one and it has 430 MB free. The only other setting I can think of is stretch to fit under Advanced.
Do you use Tailscale? I've had it route what would normally be local traffic over the tailnet and thus over the Internet. This has caused slow throughput and lag. I've moved away from it.
Do you have channels on your phone? If yes, does it play well on it when on your WiFi?
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With that little storage you should have the setting to keep the live buffer at the server. Look under playback... Streaming Quality... Original Quality Delivery and set it to streaming. Tuning might take a bit longer but the buffer will be kept at the server. Then you can set the buffer to be as long as 4 hours on the web page..
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The storage is a bit why I'm thinking that maybe I should be looking into the Google TV Streamer instead. It isn't a big upgrade but it does come with more storage than the CC has.
I tried the stretch to fit setting, but changing that had no effect.
No. We do subscribe to a VPN service but it is always off unless we manually turn it on (I live in HI and the closest VPN servers are at least 2,500 miles away, so it's only used in specific situations).
Yep, it's one of the things I tested and why I believe the issue is either with my CC or with the app on the CC. I have clear/smooth video and audio on my phone with no need to change any settings. When testing the speed between the app and the cDVR server, I got the same speeds on the 2.4 GHz network (roughly 20 Mb/s) and over 600 Mb/s on the 5 Ghz network. I made the CC forget the 2.4 Ghz network and it's now only connecting via 5 Ghz to make sure it has a decent speed available.
Thanks. I've changed the setting to streaming as instructed and changed the buffer on the server side to 4 hours, but it appears this isn't making any difference
Just to add weight to this problem. I have the same problem. My setup is very similar. I haven't done any in-depth testing like this user has. However I have 3 HDrunner units. 2 get feeds from my cable provider and 1 is the same over the air unit this user has. I only have problems with my Chromecast 4k and recordings or feeds from the over the air HD runner
When viewing the other HDHR units through Channels on your Chromecast, do you also experience this issue, or only with the HDHR Flex 4K?
In the meantime, I have ordered the Google Streamer. I'm not sure it will help, but I was able to get it at a discount (I'm not sure I would've gotten it at the full price, though) and will give it a shot when it arrives (which isn't for another few weeks as I didn't want to go with the white one lol).
It seems that it's only happening on the hd flex.
I'm hoping you will post your results when you get the Google streamer running. If it works those footsteps you hear behind you will be me. 
Thanks for taking one for the team.
clairnas - Sorry for my late reply.. been trying to space it out a bit to avoid the topic from closing before I receive the streamer. Anyways, will definitely get back with results here once the streamer arrives. I just checked, it should arrive within the next 10-12 days.
Well, I received the Google TV Streamer, but it does not solve the issue. It is the same as with my Chromecast 4K.
I'm pretty much at a loss at this time. I tried so many things, but the issue appears to be only present on Google devices. I did the same checks mentioned before, and I even got myself an extra ethernet switch to be able to hardwire everything, including the TV streamer, so Wifi could be ruled out, too, but alas.
It's weird. It works perfectly when I look via a browser on my TV, my Android phone etc. But Google devices, for some reason unknown to me, seem not to be able to work correctly with the Channels DVR app.
Not sure what I'm going to do next, but I'm probably going to cancel my Channels subscription and go with the HDHR one instead. I'm not liking it, but that seems to work without issue.
If anyone else has any suggestions, I'm open to them.
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You could try apple tv, its just a better experience in general.
I have a Chromecast with GTV, and used it briefly with Channels, both Release app, and the Carbon modded app.
It streams any channel fine. OTA, TVE, M3U. It is a bit slow though, and does not even come close to the performance of the old 2019 Nvidia Shield Pro. If you have to have a Android/Google based streaming device client, the Shield is your only real option.
However, if you want the best experience with Channels, the most current generation Apple TV 4K 128gb(due to it having ethernet port) is the best option. Having both in my household, Shield and ATV, for sure, the win goes to Apple TV.
Have you tried plugging your Google Streamer into the port that the working TV is using?
I did, but that didn't make any difference either. It works correctly everywhere else, just not on my Chromecast or Google TV Streamer. Streaming it from a mini PC when hooked onto the TV isn't an issue either. Seeing it work everywhere else and that the HDHR app works fine as well makes me believe the Channels DVR app on Android must be having issues when being used on Chromecast or the Streamer.
As for Apple TV; truth be told, I never was one to support Apple. But besides that, I just looked up the price and I'm not exactly willing to spend yet another $129+ for my setup when I can get other apps to work fine on the TV streamer and Chromecast. With the Streamer, new antenna, mini PC, and other things like new cabling and such, I spent over $500 only to rule out that those weren't the issue.
There are a lot of us using Google TV devices with no issues. It is something about your environment.