Sanity Check?

Channels DVR Server
#1

New guy alert :slight_smile:

I am thinking about using HDHR Prime with Comcast/CXfinity cable. I have two TVs, both will have Apple TV with the Channels App and DVR. I think I understand what I need, but I would appreciate a sanity check.

Internet is Xfinity Blast and 100M. The Samsung TV is approx 25 ft. From the router and down one floor, the Vizio is 15 ft., same floor. The house was built before Cat 5, so there is no wiring except some old coax. I could possibly get MoCa o the family room Apple TV if needed. I have a Roku there now and it is working just fine.

I have seen mentions of DRM issues. Will that be a problem with Xfinity? We co==don’t subscribe to any premium channels.

Do I have what I need? Any other thoughts?

#2

Well it looks right. Since you didn’t specify your NAS, that is a variable, I assume you’ve checked it out here.

I can’t answer about your cable vs DRM, but it might help find a person local to you to confirm if you told us your city.

I went with MoCA over WiFi for the bandwidth and stability. In my house, we get congestion with the kids on their mobile devices.

1 Like
#3

Comcast does not DRM any channels expect premiums like HBO, Showtime

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#4

One thing to note is that mpeg2 streams are 2-3x larger than internet based h264 streams, so you might hit bandwidth limitations with Channels even if other apps work fine.

#5

Thanks!

The NAS will be new, so I can order whatever has been tested and known to work.

We currently have Layer3TV but are not happy, and are too far out to get OTA reliably (I’ve tried), so we’re going to switch to Xfinity TV (already have their internet). I have MoCa in use today for the L3 DVR box, so if the ATV has issues over wifi I can switch it to MoCa. I am hoping to keep L3 for a month just so we can be sure that Xfinity is working.

#6

Makes sense. Are there any internet based source of mpeg2 streams that I can use as a test? As I mentioned above, I can switch to MoCa if needed.

#7

What is the path of least resistance (performance, ease of setup, cost) for DVR storage? I like what I am reading about Channels DVR, but I’m not willing to spend several hundred dollars to get it running! I can pay a lot of Comcast rental fees for that!

Tuner will be an HDHR Prime, players will be Apple TV 4K (unless there is something better that I should consider). Basically, this is greenfield. No NAS to speak of, and Roku Sticks.

#8

Nobody uses mpeg2 over the internet because it eats bandwidth. If you have 802.11ac Wi-Fi and a decent signal you should be fine.

Do you have any old computers you can try the DVR on?

#9

Got it. Thanks!

I have an older Compaq laptop that my mother gave me, but no clue what the specs are. What do I need? I know that it is running Windows 8 :open_mouth:

If that will work, what do you recommend for storage?

What is known to work with using a PC?

Thanks, BTW :slight_smile:

#10

Any usb drive attached to the computer will be fine. The DVR works the same regardless of if you install on NAS, PC, Mac or Linux.

#11

Windows 8 suggests 2012 or later, so it could probably do everything.

#12

Hmmm… I am seeing lots of posts about lower cost NAS devices being inadequate and $300+ devices (plus the drive cost) being recommended. For someone new to this it is very confusing.

#13

Thanks!

#14

Entry level NAS tend to be woefully underpowered. Most older computers can run circles around them.

#15

OK. If I decide to use the laptop, does the USB port for the drive need to be USB 3.0 or is 2.0 OK? Any particular drive brand that works best?

If I go with NAS, is this one still recommended? Any particular brand drive to plug into it?

Qnap TS-251A 2-bay TS-251A personal cloud NAS/DAS with USB direct access, HDMI local display (TS-251A-2G-US) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JHHGJJ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_RcPsAbBBJ5044

#16

USB3 is preferred but USB2 is usually fine too.

If you can pull the cpu model/specs on that laptop, that would help.

As far as the DVR, how much do you care about extra features like commercial detection and remote (away from home) streaming?

#17

I’ll dig out the laptop shortly :slight_smile:

As far as DVR, commercial detection would be great, not sure about remote streaming. We haven’t had the capability so far, but if we had it, we might use it once in a while.

#18

OK… Apparently I have two old laptops :slight_smile:

HP Pavillion Sleekbook 14 model 14-b120dx
Processor - Intel Core I3-2375M, 1.50 GHz
4GB RAM
64-bit OS, x64-based processor
Windows 8.1
USB 3.0
500G HDD

Lenovo Thinkpad T430
Intel Core I5-3320M, 2.6GHz
8GB Ram
64 bit OS
USB 3.0
180G SSD
Windows 7

#19

The i5 is more powerful, but either would make a great DVR.

#20

Yeah, but is WIndow 7 going to work?