SiliconDust HDHomeRun Flex Quatro 4xDVB-T/T2/C Tuners - HDFX-4DT

I have this connected to my router, it shows up on my smart TV (not used it this was through); I mainly use this on my Synology NASwhich has PLEX running on it, it shows clearly, Plex is able to record multiple channels for free and the recorded items and live TV can be viewed outside the house / in other households over the internet. I found setting this up needed the PC/Mac to run the HDHomeRun App to be able to search for channels/Tune the box (it was already up to date so did not need a software update) everything else I have done has mainly been within Plex.I have found the Home HD app clunky and you cannot record on this unless you have a subscription to do so on their own app.I have read it can be powered through a POE switch but read that this is not advised from the maker so i have not tried this (expensive if i break it).Although expensive, it has been doing what I is intended for really well, and fairly simply and in good time (not clunky or slow).

The product was smaller than I expected (not a bad thing at all!), but setup couldn’t have been easier. It’s truly plug-and-play—just connect the antenna, power it on, and you're all set. It integrated seamlessly into my home network with no need to run messy coax cables around the outside of the house.I added it to Plex, and it was instantly discovered on the network (after assigning it a static IP, which I highly recommend for stability). Everything has been working flawlessly since.One downside: the HDHomeRun app doesn’t support remote viewing via VPN, which is a bit frustrating. Fortunately, Plex fills that gap perfectly for streaming away from home.

So, I have been using a couple of USB tuner sticks for my Media server to give me 4 tuners, along with a signal amplifier to ameliorate signal issues and to allow me to split the feed between two devices. I had lost all the Freeview HD channels at some point though.Enter the HD Home Run. (a best buy of 2023 for me!)First minor issue was the instructions provided seem to be incorrect. They state you need to browse to my.hdhomerun.com to configure the device. This didn't work. Instead you need to browse to the device's IP (discovered from your DHCP server) or more simply, http://hdhomerun.localChannel scanning is simple and fairly quick (and doing it once in the device's web interface prevents the need for a scan in my Media server.)Second issue was I then discovered I still had no HD channels. Suffice it to say, this was a little perturbing. BUT! it would seem that the issue was, in fact, being caused by the signal amplifier as, with this removed, I now have a 100% signal strength and a full compliment of HD channels.The fact that this discreet little box of tricks has a standalone app for Firestick & Chromecast means the Freeview channels are available locally, regardless of the status of my Media server. It's also got better picture quality than my Media server, certainly on the SD channels. For now, I'm reluctant to add HDHR's recording facility as I'll continue to use my Media server for this.The HD HomeRun's app works on mobile but only on the local network (it scans the network on launch for the device) and will not work remotely which is where my Media server will work. There may be a way to use port forwarding (or VPN) and a third party video app, but that's a lot of trouble to go to when I have a Media server.In summary, the HDHR is a great device; I wish I had got one sooner.

I purchased this device having already sent back two USB TV tuners which had proven extremely problematic. I balked at the price to begin with, however now that the device is in and running I have absolutely no regrets.Like a couple of other reviewers on here I have a PLEX media server. For all sorts of reasons I needed to replace the USB tv tuner device we've had for 10 years+.I tried x2 TV sticks, both caused me issues. Either couldn’t find the channels, with or without a signal booster. Would cause issues with the PLEX PVR etc. I spent days troubleshooting before I decided to buy this device.This purchase was at least £80 more expensive than the most expensive USB device I purchased.It worked straight out of the box. I plugged it in, pointed the PLEX server at the IP address for the box and watched as the scanner located all the channels. I was expecting more set up and config time.In addition the family now tend to use the HD Homerun app rather than PLEX if they just want live TV, using PLEX to run as the PVR, or on the off chance they want access outside of the home.Then app just found the box, no need to point it at an IP address. I presume therefore it will only work on the local network, but for our use case that's fine.The app itself is clean and we've not had an issue either on phone, tablet, smart TV, projector or PC. The web based configuration for the box itself is clean, easy to access and free of clutter.You get x4 HD TV tuners, so when you factor that in (both USB devices had 2) and the flexibility this device provides it’s a bit of a no brainer really in terms of value. Will we ever use the 4 tuners? Perhaps over Christmas when we tend to want to record across multiple channels. Anyway, better to have too many than too few!A couple of things.If you have a signal booster try setup and scan with and without it. We got better results without the booster and so removed it from our setup.An adaptor is included for the 'screw to UK style' antenna connection. Suspect there are technical names for those! I didn’t realise this and so ordered a pack of two.Overall, after all the grief I had with the USB tuners I wish I'd just bought one of these first!