What is the status of CableCARDs / HDHomeRun PRIME these days?

Playground Hardware
#1

Boy I love channels. I could go on and on about how perfect the UI is. But since more and more of the channels I want are moving away from TVE, I've had to resort to YouTube TV, Hulu LIVE, etc but their UIs all STINK in comparison to Channels. I miss it so much! lol

Seems the only way left to get the cable channels I want on Channels DVR is either with IPTV (not ideal for obvious reasons) or a CableCARD from my local cable provider and the HDHomerun Prime.

Anyone out there still using that setup still? Do we know if the cableCARD's days are numbered and I shouldn't even bother? Any feedback is appreciated! :slight_smile:

#2

Comcast/Xfinity still supports cable cards (and free of monthly charge).
Not sure about other providers.

1 Like
#3

I'm using 2 cable cards with Verizon FIOS. 1 in a TiVO which is my wife's DVR and 1 in a HD Homerun Prime that feeds Channels DVR. It's a rock solid setup and Verizon is happy to collect the rental fee for both cards. The last I knew you can only get used HD Homerun Prime devices.

I believe you can receive Youtube TV channels or at least some of them via TVE.

Morris

1 Like
#4

HDHR Prime still works if you could find a provider that provides Cablecards so...yeah

1 Like
#5

Silicondust still has them new and refurbished on their website, but they're both "Temporarily out of stock"

https://shop.silicondust.com/shop/product-category/refurbished-hardware/?orderby=popularity

#6

That’s great to hear. Will be calling my local cable provider tomorrow to see if they still offer the card. Good news is yes I can get the Prime used for like 60-90 bucks which seems like a good deal. As for TVE that’s true yes but unfortunately a handful of my must have channels aren’t TVE compatible anymore. Namely NBC and Paramount stations. Thanks for the reply!

#7

Perfect thanks! Just wasn’t sure since it’s older if it’s still something people would advise getting into in 2024 lol

#8

You might want to also think about adbtuner and an encoder. You mentioned that you had YTTV earlier. Im using this method with 4 ONN devices and YTTV broadcasts in 1080p 59.94fps with a high bitrate (for most channels now). It looks freaking amazing. I actually have channels prefer the adbtuner channels over TVE becuase they look so amazing...

1 Like
#9

I have 6 Primes with Comcast cable cards and all running perfectly through Channels DVR server. 18 cable tuners is the perfect amount. I no longer have to worry about recording conflicts and I can add extra time to recordings most of the time so I don't miss the last minute or the ends of events.

HD Homerun Primes come up for sale a lot on eBay. I added 3 more Primes this year and with a little patience and luck you can find them for about $30-50. I think my average price is about $30 each.

1 Like
#10

I have 2 recently retired primes. If interested, PM me.

1 Like
#12

How that setup sounds amazing. How does that work out practicality wise? Wouldn't that mean you'd have 6 copies of each channel in your lineup? Or do you hide them and have some for just DVRing certain shows, and one for the guide... etc ?

1 Like
#13

Channels will see the channels as one line in the guide, and then tune across the primes, based on priority order. In essence, you wouldn't know if you had 1 or 6 primes, guide-wise.

1 Like
#14

I have a prime I picked up for $40 about 15 months ago with a cablecard from verizon which I think is $5 a month? Anyways, it works great. Only DRMed channels are HBO, FS1, FNC/FBN, FX and the USA4K channel that's broadcasting now.

#15

My 2 Xfinity CableCARDs are still working great, but I'm terrified to make any changes to my account for fear of inactivating something and not being able to get the cards working again. I would like to adjust my subscription package, but it just isn't worth the risk!

#16

Holy cow I had no idea it was that easy. Ok. thank you for the info. I just called my cable company (optimum) and they DO still offer cablecars and I will be picking it up tomorrow. the Prime I already ordered last week from eBay and will be here this week hopefully. If this works out and I need more tuners I will absolutely be interested in getting more Primes. This is great news and I hope this solution lasts!

#17

I hadn't even considered DRM channels! I hope what you listed here is all that there is so far for the basic cable lineup.

#18

Unfortunately, if you have Spectrum, they encrypt most of the Cable Card channels, so they won’t work in Channels.

#19

Yeah I didn't realize this is becoming a thing. Luckily my cable provider doesn't require contracts -- so I signed up ordered a cableCARD and a PRIME is on the way. If not at least I can cancel the cable service. Thanks for the input!

#20

Comcast plans to stop sending out new cards according to latest bill notes.

"Equipment Update: Starting on October 24, 2024, Xfinity will no longer provide new CableCARDs to new or existing customers. If you require new TV equipment, please call 1-800-xfinity to speak with an agent who can assist."

Order now before it's too late.

1 Like
#21

Thanks all for the replies -- they were very helpful. I wound up signing up for Cable and getting a cable card. Took at least 6 people to finally get someone who knew what I was talking about. Then I had to wait two weeks just for a cable guy to come to my house and give me the card. After all was said and done, half the channels weren't loading, or weren't supported by the card anymore. Some worked, but most did not. This was a really annoying and long way to find out that it didn't work.

Funny how I was ready to pay WAY more than YouTube TV prices, just to get cable working in Channels. Shows how much a good UI really means to me I guess. Oh well! On to the next thing! Thanks again to all -- this is a great community.