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[kstuart]

I'd like to try out MC18 on ATSC digital TV recording for USA OTA channels only - no cable feed, no analog.

I can use PC-E, USB or networked, if it means a better, more reliable result.

(I already have a top-of-the-line antenna, I just need a good tuner.)

I see some recommendations for Haupphage, but also see some strong complaints about their customer service, and driver/software support.

I also see some recommendation for HDHomerun.  While I have no need for networked tuners (I never watch anything "live", because I always want to be able to "pause" to answer the phone, etc.), if the HDHomerun is otherwise the best product, then I don't see a problem with using a networked tuner.

Any thoughts ?

[SpeedD408]

I have 2 of the HDHomeRun DUEL units. I think they are great.  I've never had an issue with them. 

To me there are 2 main benefits to the HDHomeRUN units:

1) You can run multiple units on the network.  As stated I have 2 now, but it could just as well be 4 and each unit has 2 tuners.  So today I can record up to 4 shows, or if I had 4 units, I could record 8 shows.  I'm not sure if JRiver has a limit or not.

2) Location.  I have my antenna in the attic and the two units mounted to a laptop cooler in the attic as well. (Attics get hot so I figured why not.)  Anyway, RJ-6 cable as 6 dB of loss per 100 feet (plus at least .5 db per connector).  I needed about 40 feet of a 50 foot run to get from the attic to my network switch (50 feet would be 4dB of loss; 3+1).  Therefore, by moving the tuners to the attic next to the antenna I gained 3dB of signal strength.  For most channels I was fine before, but now I don't get any pixelation on any channel, so it was a good move.

Card based systems can't compete with benefit #1, though a USB setup could.
USB based systems can't compete with benefit #2.

Future benefit - Silicon Dust is adding DLNA support to the HDHomeRun line so in the next few months any DLNA client will be able to access the tuner and watch content.

Sub benefit - I rent out 2 rooms of my house, by using network based tuners, they can run their own media player and watch TV in their room on their laptops with no issue.  Also, with 4 tuners I have not run into any issue of us fighting for a tuner either so big plus there as well.  But if we do, I just buy another unit and bam, 2 more tuners, problem gone.

[kstuart]

Thanks for the personal review on the HDHomerun.  I'm considering getting one.

Meanwhile, I have a low-end USB stick (similar to the one sold by JRiver on this site) that I am using to test, and while doing some web searching on all this, I came across a notification that a surplus seller on ebay is selling hundreds of single-tuner Haupphage PCI-E TV tuner cards.   Due to the prevalence of dual-tuner cards, they are now selling for $14.79 with free shipping !

I ordered one just to see how I like the Haupphage product.  If you want one, just search on ebay for:

WinTV-HVR-1800

( On Amazon, they are still upwards of $100. )