Any problems with HDHomeRun Prime?

[ttfitz]

So, I've had a DCR-2650 for a while now on my main computer for just recording, works pretty good, so I thought when building a HTPC I'd use another one. But with the always on state, I've had a lot of problems with it disconnecting, remote suddenly not working, basically many of the problems I've seen reported around the internet. I even sent it back to Hauppauge and got a replacement, but it exhibits the same behavior.

So I'm thinking of switching to the Silicondust HDHomeRun Prime, and I was wondering if it suffers from any of the same problems, or if it is more reliable than the Hauppauge. I'd need to get a receiver for my remote, I guess, but it would be worthwhile if I could rely more on the tuners working.

Any info or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[mulletback]

I've been running a Prime for six months, flawless. Best results with gigabit LAN, connect the Prime through a switch, not directly to your router. No experience with the 2650, but USB disconnects aren't unusual.

[ga_mueller]

Only problem I have is some recording which fail for "data not being delivered", very random, maybe 1 out of 20. Installed an inline amp, which seemed to help somewhat. From the web page typically quality=90, signal strength=100, not sure if this is good or bad. Everything is always on.

[Graham]

typically quality=90, signal strength=100, not sure if this is good or bad.

Typically, Signal Strength values are unique to a model of device. Even devices from the same manufacturer use widely different values. I had two Hauppauge devices ... one had Strength values above 1000 and other had values below 100 on the same coax.

Quality seems to be more reliable ... anything below about 80 and I would expect to see artefacts on screen ... below about 60 - 70 and I would expect breaks in the recording or failed recordings. Quality = 100 is as good as it gets.

[soccerdad]

I used a DCR-2650 for over a year (with WMC7). I liked it but had many problems with the tuning adapter for switched digital video disconnecting. If you use it on NPVR, then you might not use a TA, but I have to. Anyway, I bought a HDHomerun Prime a couple of months ago and love it. It has been rock solid. I never have TA problems any more. The DCR-2650 is made by SiliconDust for Hauppauge so much of the hardware is the same. The good thing about the Prime is that it is a network device and does not connect to the HTPC USB. To me, the USB is the weakness of the 2650 so the Prime is much more robust. As long as you have a good network, your tuner should always work.

[sub]

So I'm thinking of switching to the Silicondust HDHomeRun Prime, and I was wondering if it suffers from any of the same problems, or if it is more reliable than the Hauppauge. I'd need to get a receiver for my remote, I guess, but it would be worthwhile if I could rely more on the tuners working.

Keep in mind that they're pretty much the same device running the same software. The only real difference is the Hauppauge has two tuners instead of three, and includes a network to USB bridge. I'd expected pretty much the same performance out of the two.

[ttfitz]

Keep in mind that they're pretty much the same device running the same software. The only real difference is the Hauppauge has two tuners instead of three, and includes a network to USB bridge. I'd expected pretty much the same performance out of the two.

Yeah, I knew they were made by the same company, which is why I was wondering about it. I see reports of many people having the kind of problems I've run into, but no similar reports from HDHR Prime owners. I think soccerdad is right, the problem is somewhere in that network to USB bridge - sometimes when it isn't being recognized, I can unplug the USB cable and then plug back in, and it fixes the problem.

Thanks.

[ttfitz]

Only problem I have is some recording which fail for "data not being delivered", very random, maybe 1 out of 20. Installed an inline amp, which seemed to help somewhat. From the web page typically quality=90, signal strength=100, not sure if this is good or bad. Everything is always on.

Yeah, I occasionally have that happen on my desktop system that I've run for over a year, it seems to happen more frequently with the new one. I think maybe because I shut down the desktop every night, things don't go hinky as much.

[ttfitz]

Typically, Signal Strength values are unique to a model of device. Even devices from the same manufacturer use widely different values. I had two Hauppauge devices ... one had Strength values above 1000 and other had values below 100 on the same coax.

Quality seems to be more reliable ... anything below about 80 and I would expect to see artefacts on screen ... below about 60 - 70 and I would expect breaks in the recording or failed recordings. Quality = 100 is as good as it gets.

Going from his signature, I believe ga_mueller is talking about the DCR-2650 and the status webpage it has. On that page, both signal strength and quality are both expressed as a %, followed by an actual figure, such as:

Signal Strength 96% (-2.4 dBmV)
Signal Quality 100% (36.0 dB)