On the Fence about purchasing Channels

Channels Apple TV
#1

I currently have the HDHomerun Connect using OTA. I am running Live TV through a Plex Server. However I have to consistently restart my Plex service because the live streaming just randomly decides to stop working.
The Channels App looks so promising because it looks like I do not have to have a dedicated server to use it.

  1. Will the channels app work with my Apple TV 4th generation WITHOUT a dedicated PC?
  2. How is the quality?
  3. I’ve tried the native HDHomerun app and to be honest is sucks. The stuttering and buffering make it unwatchable. It’s not my connection because when Plex Live TV works there is NOT stuttering. Only the HDHomerun app.

Thanks in advance

#2

Yes.

The app plays raw video from the HDHR, so it’s the same quality as your source.

I assume you’re talking about their iOS app, since they don’t have a tvOS app?

Stuttering/buffering issues mean there’s a bad link between the app and the HDHR. With Plex, you’re proxying data via a computer which is also transcoding to compress the video, so the bandwidth requirements are different.

Note that Channels for iOS and Channels for tvOS are separate apps and require separate purchases.

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#3

OMG. That was a quick response !!! Thanks.

One more question then, since HDHomerun connect does NOT have built in transcoding, what device is doing the transcoding then? My Plex Live TV experience is smooth as butter when it works. My Apple TV and HomeRunHD are both hardwired on a 1 GB ethernet switch. With that in mind, should channels be able to stream without buffering?

#4

The Channels app does not need to transcode. It plays the raw video directly onto the screen. With an ethernet connection you should have no problems, and TV channels will start playing in less than a second.

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#5

You guys seem great so far. I think you just earned a new customer :slight_smile:

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#6

You won’t be disappointed, the HDHR apps are a mess imo and even though I’m not big on the Apple TV the quality of Channels DVR is making me consider buying a second one while I wait on them to further develop their Android Tv app. If you’re interested in the DVR engine and don’t mind waiting a little while on development, I believe the Shield TV will be the way to go for an all-in-one solution.

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#7

I’m excited to buy this tonight and try it out. My wife is about ready to throw me and the Plex Live TV out the door :slight_smile: All I want to do is stream Live OTA TV nothing fancy.

#8

There’s no contest between Channels and anything else. You won’t regret the purchase. I haven’t almost 2 years later.

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#9

It is important to note that you do not need a dedicated PC for live TV. If you get into using their DVR, then you do need a dedicated machine to run their DVR software.

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#10

Amazing app, it just works. Plex is good for some things, but not Live TV. You won’t regret the purchase.

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#11

I have both Plex and Channels. Plex has 1 major flaw, it has to do transcoding on a PC or a NAS server. There are 2 issues with Plex, transcoding has delay, I compared the live tv watching on Channels vs. Plex. Plex would have 3 to 5 seconds delay. 2nd issue is that the transcoding often causes high CPU on PC or server. Channels tvOS or iOS do not need to do any transcoding. So, there’s virtually no delay.

Another issue with Plex Live TV is that its interface is not really designed for Live TV. Channels tvOS or iOS interface is more intuitive. This is very important especially if any of members in your family prefers ease of use.

I’d prefer Channels over Plex. Anyway, Plex is still a very good software for cataloging your movies or TV shows. To me, these two software don’t really overlap. If I want to watch live TV or recorded shows/games, I’d go with Channels. If I want to watch my own movies, I use Plex.

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#12

Also made the switch from Plex (and Youtube TV) to Channels for Live TV and DVR. No regrets so far, the app works great on Apple TV.
I wish the apps were free and the DVR subscription was happening through iTunes. But these are minor considering everything works great!

2 Likes
#13

First of all. A great big thank-you for everyone talking the time out to respond.
I bought Channels last night and I am SO GLAD I did. Everyone was right. For me this is the best application I’ve ever purchased. So far it works flawlessly. Amazing application and amazing community and support. My wife has the TV on all day so that will be the true test when I get home tonight to see. But so far I’m in love. I was ready to throw out my HDHomerun box and Plex Live TV and just go back to cable. At first I was blaming the HDHomerun box because their app is worthless and Plex Live TV was spotty at best. But boy oh boy, I can’t PRAISE HDHomerun box enough now. Channels App + HDHomerun + Apple TV = cord cutter heaven. The developers of Channels are geniuses in my mind. Thank-you for making such a great application. You should consider getting a licensing deal with Silicon Dust because EVERY tuner deserves to have to great app !

5 Likes
#14

Literally my exact thoughts prior to buying Channels. It’s a great app, great developers, and great community. The DVR works amazing as well if you haven’t tried that yet.

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#15

Now set up the DVR, if you like the basic app this much you’ll be even more impressed with the DVR.

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#16

Not only is Channels a great application, the support has been top notch.

After a few weeks of testing, and passing the “significant other” test…I have officially “cut the cord”.

We got rid of our DirecTV, popped an antenna on the side of the house and we have 21 channels!

I also have the DVR app, and we are happy campers!

Welcome to the Channels family…

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#17

You can also have Plex use the Channels DVR recordings folder, if you want to use Plex for playback. It works well.

1 Like
#18

Update:

My wife had the TV on all day with Channels and it worked perfectly all day with no buffering or issues. My OTA and HDHomerun box worked perfectly today. THANK-YOU developers for a great product so far.

5 Likes
#19

Quite honestly, Apple should partner with these companies to co-market or package HD Homerun and Channels with aTV, as it all works so well. This package is especially essential if you’re in situation like mine, a cable cord cutter in a mid-size city where only 1-2 of the networks are available on OTT options like DirectvNow.

1 Like