MediaSonic ATSC Digital Converter Box with TV Tuner and DVR UNBOXING & REVIEW

[@noscrubbubblez6515]

To me the most important button on the remote is the 'channel back/previous channel' button that one uses to avoid commercials. I believe this has one (sure hope so).

[@MikesWorld1]

Yep, it’s called RETURN on the remote

[@NickEDeeShow]

2 questions if I may...I wrote telescopic antenna on Amazon but that one you showed says used for fm radio...unless that is a different telescopic antenna...no.2 I have comcast 4 tv boxes...would buying Homeworx at least reduce my cable bill ??

[@dk60ish]

I use mine solely for the old Toshiba DVR 620 DVD/VHS Dubbing unit I still use that has no tuner, so I can record from my TV, though my TCL 50" Smart TV does have a built-in tuner.

[@stephendevore9926]

Awesome Review. I'm ordering it now.Thank😊

[@MikesWorld1]

Hope you like it!

[@awarriorinside5814]

I purchased two of these, one for upstairs and one for downstairs. 2ND one has weak signal strength even when plugged into the same Antenna cable.

[@Doorass-uu8nv]

Hi quick question, I want to ditch my tv built in tuner and get a cable box. I have basic cable from the wall from the local cable company. Will this do the job?

[@MikesWorld1]

Yes

[@MSDOGS1976]

I may have missed it but can you set it to record a tv series in its entirety or do you have to go set each episode every week? And how far out does the guide to record go? The Tablo for example is 2 weeks. Sorry for the dumb questions.

[@MikesWorld1]

You can set it to record the series. To do so, you have to set it on the day of the first show within about 6 hours by using the EPG button and going to the channel you are going to record, then scrolling down the list of shows on that channel that day. Select the show and it will ask if you want to record it once or the series. It’s kind of a weird process until you get the hang of it.

[@MSDOGS1976]

@@MikesWorld1 Thanks. I ordered one so will see how it goes. I like the features of the Tablo but it's been really flaky and unreliable.

[@BlondieSL]

@@MikesWorld1 So about the EPG... does this unit auto update the EPG on the fly, over night, throughout the day? I have 2 different PVRs. One is an older Channel Master PAL7000 with dual tuners. That one will always keep the EPG updated in the background, even if the PVR is turned off (standby mode). However, we have a Channel Master DVR+, also dual tuner, but that one doesn't auto update if in standby mode. It ONLY updates the EPG when it's on and only as we surf through the channels. It's a pain. LOL Which way does your DVR work?

[@homer5606]

Can I use this with a super box? If socan show to hook up both the converter box and superboc for streaming thanks

[@MikesWorld1]

What is a super box?

[@spotdog]

Exactly what is the antenna for? Is that what you used to pick of the OTA channels or can I just use the existing antenna my coax is currently attached to?

[@derpmansderpyskin]

Yes, the little antenna he put on there is for picking up OTA TV channels. If you already have a TV antenna that works, then it should work just fine with this product.

[@MikesWorld1]

Exactly right

[@nelly8058]

What channel do you select on the tv so that you can see the menu page from the box?

[@MikesWorld1]

Whichever HDMI input you are using on the TV. Mine is connected to HDMI input 1.

[@greginfla_1]

12:47. There’s no TV list button on my remote, but if you hit the “OK”button a list appears.

[@SigFatstoker]

How did you attach the Homeworx to your laptop (to capture the tutorial)? I tried it via the HDMI port and get nothing.

[@MikesWorld1]

HDMI out of the HomeWorx to a HDMI to USB capture card and I used OBS to record.

[@alphonso136]

he probably did it with an HDMI cable

[@BlondieSL]

@@MikesWorld1 That raises a question. As you mention that you captured with an HDMI to USB cap card, is it safe to say that the image we see on this video is really low quality as compared to the actual box connected to an HDTV? I'm very picky about picture quality and found this to look very low res and lacks sharpness. I now suspect that this is just the capture card doing that. My old cap card works about the same. LOL Please confirm. Also, now that you've had it for over a year, do you still find that it's stable and doesn't pixellate?

[@carapungo]

thanks for sharing. Will this device record anything you see on the screen?, I don't have an antena, I use Comcast Xfinity, which also has a cloud DVR, but I would like to see if I can record on my own box.

[@MikesWorld1]

Yes anything on the screen

[@dmprdctns]

Thanks... Liked, Subscribed, Shared, Commented... Do you think you might like to do a review of the new, 2024 MEDIASONIC HOMEWORX HW250STB, updated unit? I'd love to see it... Thanks again...

[@MikesWorld1]

I’ll look into it

[@dmprdctns]

@@MikesWorld1 Hey, fantastic. Thanks, sir...

[@donlou2225]

Only question not answered is if you can watch a previously recorded program while it is recording.

[@MikesWorld1]

No, you can not do that.

[@BlondieSL]

@@MikesWorld1 Ooops! LOL and there's the deal breaker. Thanks for that info.

[@sbal0909]

How to use with a Chromecast?

[@MikesWorld1]

This box has to be directly connected to the tv. It can’t cast wirelessly. Connect it to the HDMI input of the tv. If you have multiple TV’s, you’ll need a box for each tv.

[@sbal0909]

@@MikesWorld1 Thanks for the response. I can get the converter box to work. However, I cannot connect chromecast to my tv at the same time. The converter box is the primary input, and the chromecast is the secondary. If I switch the order, the chromecast works; but, the converter box doesn't. Could you please advise on how to resolve? Is a splitter needed?

[@27days949]

I ordered the antenna with the box and the antenna connector is too small for the box

[@MikesWorld1]

After looking into it, this manufacturer has a misleading item listed on Amazon. I’ve updated the link in my description to a telescopic antenna that works. I suggest returning the antenna you bought.

[@kesler20219]

@@MikesWorld1 The one that you also listed has the wrong connector also, I am just going to buy a SMA female to Coax male connector.

[@badnewsjd]

Can I hook up a fire? Stick to it and record off my fire stick. And if so, where will the playback come out on

[@MikesWorld1]

No, you can’t use it like that

[@AAa-qd8hb]

12 Reasons why OTA DRM ATSC 3.0 TV will fail. Just say NO to (DRM). Tell your USA Government about the Hostile Takeover of (OTA DRM ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN-TV) issues listed below. DRM (Digital Rights Management) Encrypted TV Station's signals. Why? Some 3.0 tuners at this time require you stay on the internet to decode DRM 3.0 TV Stations. Why? 3.0 Currently no 4K and you only get the Simulcasted main channel and no sub channels. Channel Crawling = super slow channel changing (DRM 5 + seconds slow). No sound because of Dolby AC4 audio codec does not have a legal open source license to decode legally on many devices. Some 3.0 tuners have Out of sync audio to video problems. Private Home Networked OTA antenna tuner boxes like (Tablo TV box) can not get official certified approval for DRM ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN-TV. Why? You may need non OTA home pay internet for updates and to unlock DRM encrypted ATSC 3.0 tv channels. Possible DRM restrictions on DRM ATSC 3.0 recordings and no viewing anywhere on any device with no sound. Emergency alert messages can not be received if DRM is blocking them. OTA DRM ATSC 3.0 TV will fail because the FCC is not going to turn off ATSC 1.0 TV stations for many years if not enough people buy 3.0 TVs and 3.0 boxes. No one has solve the problem of no government money for free DRM 3.0 TV tuner boxes because 1.0 TV turners and recorders will not work after that TV Station switches to 3.0 TV broadcasts. (Range and signal error correction) OR (more sub channels and near 4k picture) trade off problem. FCC is not forcing any 1.0 TV Stations to move over to 3.0 TV. So some TV stations will be on 1.0 and others will be on DRM 3.0. The FCC is only allowing OTA Simulcasts of the ATSC 1.0 main channel at this time on DRM ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN-TV. DRM ATSC 3.0 is a not finished product and is a work in progress mix of unproven ideas that has never gotten full FCC approval at this time. Software updates for 3.0 tuner boxes may be needed for changes made to the unfinished and future added new official ATSC 3.0 standards modules. Patent License problems. LG no longer sells TVs with ATSC 3.0 tuners. Some 3.0 TV tuners companies may go out of business or stop updates leaving you with no DRM or software updates. OTA ATSC 3.0 is better but is not perfect and still can be affected by weak tv signals: (distance, weather, planes, trees, buildings, trucks, poor antenna, etc). FCC rules that 5 percent of old ATSC 1.0 coverage area does not need to be covered anymore = (SHORTER RANGE). Viewing zone outside of your 15 minute city or town could be blocked. Your TV viewing habits could be tracked by your serial number or IP address. ATSC 3.0 is updatable until it is not updatable without new hardware tuners (ATSC 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0......). Some of these 3.0 TV issues may be fixed over time. This is only some of the mess with DRM ATSC 3.0 TV. This is my opinion why DRM ATSC 3.0 TV will fail. IMO. Stay on OTA 1.0 TV until DRM is removed from OTA ATSC 3.0 by law. It is the people versus the hostile takeover by private DRM 3.0 TV stations for control over the USA public airwaves. IMO 2024. ..