Mediasonic HomeWorx DTV Box with DVR - Updated Model Review

In this video I review the Mediasonic Homeworx ATSC Digital Converter Box with DVR model HW-150PVR-Y22. While it’s technically a digital converter box it can be used as a DVR to record local channels from an antenna. It can also be used as a signal meter.
Affiliate Links:
Link to the DTV box on Amazon:
amzn.to/4bEZ3VJ
Link to the DTV box on eBay:
ebay.us/seTBAO
Link to recommended hard drives:
amzn.to/3BRFEBU
amzn.to/3HROF1B
📡 For an antenna recommendation visit my website
www.antennaman...
🔌 Did my videos help you cut the cord? If so, consider a PayPal contribution, Patreon, or a Channel Membership 👇
www.paypal.com...
/ antennaman
Visit my Amazon Store for recommended antennas and accessories:
www.amazon.com...
Sign up to my e-mail list:
bit.ly/2whSoTI
Like my Facebook page:
/ antennamanpa
E-mail brief general questions or sponsorship inquires to [e-mail] - before sending an e-mail consider a custom antenna recommendation below if you are looking for help with an antenna setup.
www.antennaman...
Note: this video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I'll receive a small commission.

[@AntennaMan]

📼 Affiliate Link to the DTV Box on Amazon 👉 amzn.to/4bEZ3VJ 💾 Affiliate Link to recommended hard drives: amzn.to/3BRFEBU amzn.to/3HROF1B

[@goldenpacificmedia]

Thank you for sharing your assessment and insight. More importantly, thanks for the how-to videos and the links!

[@drboom2]

Those extra RCA jacks are for YPbPr component. Allows for analog 480p to 1080i in most situations.

[@bjs2022]

Tyler is too young to know about the history of how video was output and routed from recorders, tuners, and processors, starting with B&W analog standard definition composite video, then SD Y/C video (separate luminance & chroma), and SD and HD analog component video. In the early days of SD digital video the composite video cable carried both video and multiple audio channels. It was called SDI, Serial Digital Interface and was the predecessor to DVI and HDMI.

[@CommodoreFan64]

Component cables can actually do 1080p 60Hz all day long just without HDCP handshaking like HDMI, and Display Port standards, which is why a lot of devices limit them to 1080i at best, or have just dropped them altogether over the years to appease Hollyweird.

[@bjs2022]

@@CommodoreFan64 Yes, good information. In the early days of HD and my 2005 Panasonic plasma TV (only one HDMI input!) for some shows/programs I frequently would switch to component (and, remember there was more than one type of component) because the color was better and the picture did not have the the overly enhanced, ultra sharp, almost grainy look.

[@drboom2]

@@CommodoreFan64 Indeed! I've only ever seen it as an option on the Xbox 360, but it's a thing.

[@zoomzoomboomboom]

What is the black coaxial jack for?

[@bloqk16]

One aspect to consider when using a hard drive for the DVR: There's a slight time lag when the drive will start recording; such as if you set the timer for a 3 PM start time, and when using a 1 TB hard drive, the DVR will start recording at around 15 seconds later. Because of that, I always manually set the DVR start time at a minute before; for example, the 3 PM time for a TV show, I'll set the DVR at 2-59 PM. I highly recommend using external Solid-state [hard] drives, known as SSDs; as conventional hard-drives can have read-write issues with many repeated record/playbacks. The Samsung brand SSD I've used for over 1,000 consecutive days with scant problems; where such problems were probably due to reception drop-outs and not the fault of the SSD.

[@AntennaMan]

Good point!

[@philbiker3]

On the precious version the lag was like a minute or two. It was very annoying.

[@Juliaflo]

I had that experience myself once. I have found that I get awesome results when I use an SD card tethered into a flash-drive adapter. In the latter method, at least from my standpoint, the recording starts on time.

[@richs39]

SSDs have a limited write cycle life, whereas platter drives last much longer. (Assuming proper care, especially keeping them from shock & vibration.) Granted, the number of write cycles an SSD can take are improving, but still not as good as a platter drive.

[@CoCoNutBob]

@@richs39 for a DVR, it's not re-writing the same areas over and over. Most people don't immediately delete a recording once they watch it. As a traditional platter drive fills up, seek times increase. Doesn't happen with SSD. SSD is best for this application.

[@jamesslick4790]

I like this box. I don't want to SUBSCRIBE to anything. I like that it dose not require an internet connection! It's a "VCR", and that's ALL I need.

[@stevejablonski3403]

I ordered both. The recent ice storm in Michigan, and power outages, took out a few of my electronic devices including my dvr. Channel master antenna, tower and rotary control still working fine after 60+ years with zero maintenance. Amazing to think that if the installer was 20 something years old, at the time, They're now approaching 90.

[@cythurman]

❤

[@JoshRazauskas]

It’s great to see that it has made these improvements and remains a more affordable option.

[@JonathanMcKey]

Those other RCA inputs are Component video cables, it can produce an image from 480i-1080i, it was common for older tvs, and could get you HD picture on more devices than the 2-3 HDMI ports you were limited to.

[@philschwarz7233]

Ya, hook up 5 RCA cables and party like it's 2008 :-). This was how high definition signals traveled before HDMI.

[@jamesslick4790]

@@philschwarz7233 I still use these! (I'm old, and have old "gear") This was THE way to get high quality in a "pre" HDMI world!

[@JonathanMcKey]

@@jamesslick4790 Me too! My tv only has 2 HDMI inputs and one of them is broken, and I have 2 component inputs, so I depend on component for hd video on devices that still have component outputs on them.

[@eastwoodrmc1995]

They're actually composite

[@JonathanMcKey]

@@eastwoodrmc1995 No, they are not. The standard RCA cables are Composite.

[@summerwindcharters1326]

We just got one as our old tuner for our DVD/VCR died. Wow, we love this and have stopped using the DVD to record shows. A 64 gig USB drive works just fine. But the biggest benefit is our two-year-old Samsung 40 inch TV only received 18 channels. The new tuner receives 40! We couldn't believe it, we more than doubled the channels we can get. Best $39.95 I've ever spent on electronics.

[@markfuller]

_" the biggest benefit is our two-year-old Samsung 40 inch TV only received 18 channels. The new tuner receives 40!"_ That's a matter deserving more attention. Roku (the Comcast of streaming) started this trend about 3 years ago when they massively broke their OTA experience. It was obvious they didn't care because OTA viewers are freeloaders in the Rokuverse. Roku doesn't make any money when you're leaching free broadcast content. They have _every_ incentive to make streaming (carriage fees) more usable. (It's also possible that so few people watch OTA nowadays that there's not that much pushback.). It seems like other tvs (brands with their own walled-garden streaming environments) are doing the same thing. OTA is an afterthought. A burden. No downside to neglecting/deprecating it.

[@abighairyspider]

Dude, your channel rocks. I helped a friend hook up a VCR this morning of all things... To time shift one program to this evening

[@stannovacki2406]

I had to smile when you mentioned the loop-through feature that lets you watch one program on your TV using its tuner while the converter box is doing its DVR thing, just like my parents did with their VCR in the 80s and 90s! thanks for review and the stroll down memory lane!

[@eastwoodrmc1995]

I'm really surprised that you didn't take a minute to research the inputs that you weren't familiar with but at least you were transparent about not knowing what they are. Nice review, thanks!

[@roberthansen2008]

I'm glad to see that this thing has had some upgrades. I still have my device after like coming up on 4 years. I gave one to my lady friend about 4 years ago and she loves it.

[@PC4USE1]

Love the Mediasonic and it's clones. Thanks for revisiting it. I like that the format is compatible with a PC and videos can be converted to Mp4 on your PC. The signal meter IS very helpful.

[@kensmith5694]

...MP4 or other formats if you want. Also with "avidemux", you can edit to paste two programs together etc

[@PC4USE1]

@@kensmith5694 True-handbrake and avidemux are very good cross platform tools for Windows.linux and I think Mac.

[@user-us3lh3lj8n]

I really dig all your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@SirRommy]

This is an older video now so my answer is probably not needed. The top row of RCA jacks are called component video; the bottom row are called composite video which is from the VCR (vague chance of recording) days. The top row is an upgrade from the bottom but, HDMI has really supplanted them both.

[@DanLaTour12]

I am so sorry for not subbing to you sooner, been watching you for a long while now. Ever since I went ota. Your knowledge saved me money on every step of my cord cutting agenda. Where I stay I cannot have an antenna on my residence which limits my signal strength and range from indoors, with your help I addressed many of my receiving issues and fixed them “on the cheap”. Looking forward to more from you.

[@kensmith5694]

Unlike some other brands, this one will record an hour program that goes from 11:30PM to 1:30AM. What it records is in a known format and not scrambled so you can transfer videos to your PC to watch them there if you have software for it. The movies, audio and still picture features are good things to have when want a TV to slideshow images or play music for you instead of being a TV. You may need to place a heavy weight on top of the box so the cables don't drag it around. Remember that FAT formats can't handle huge files but NTFS can. Any memory stick you try, will have to be NTFS formatted if you want to record a long program, even if fast enough. I use one of these and get about 125 channels total

[@cactusjackNV]

Yes I noticed the videos are recorded in the .mts format. VLC video player has no problem with mts files.

[@richs39]

It would be interesting to be able to move recordings a phone/tablet, since VLC will playback those recordings.

[@kensmith5694]

@@richs39 Yes, that could be good. You can convert formats as needed. You can even compose a HTML page to make it work in a browser. Inserting a video is not hard to do.

[@Myotherhobbies]

Just ordered one. Love the signal meter I am for sure going to need it .. I've never paid for cable TV ever in my life or all tne streaming stuff neither

[@myobfool]

@@Myotherhobbies as opposed to the Roku dvr which has it in a proprietary format why why why Roku

[@AustinFVIXV]

Convenient timing, have been in the market the past week for a new basic but sensitive tuner ever since the one on my tv broke and i’ll definitely give this one a whirl, thanks for the review

[@Fender178]

The Red Blue and Green connectors shown @2:24 are component video which was the old HD standard before we got HDMI and it is capable of a 1080i signal. I had a similar DVR box that records the same .mts file format which plays great on PC if you want to back up your recordings if you are running out of HDD space.

[@BillMontana]

It took a while to get this set up. Just go antenna coaxial in and then HDMI out to tv. Remote was slow to work as if it was figuring my tv out. Finally working well. Unexpected benefit is that it worked as an antenna amplifier and now I get more channels, better quality and less dropout. Worked well with my Seagate 4 tb external hard drive. I appreciate your videos. Thanks

[@julioc4718]

I was lucky enough to find to this exact same model in working condition while thrifting at Goodwill yesterday for only $5.49!

[@AntennaMan]

That's a very lucky find!

[@mkuhlman77]

I just bought the GPX box i ran across my local Menards. Nice little single tuner device for backup recording of local channels. It was $25 and got it for my 72 yr old mother for a bday gift. She loves it and is able to record a local that was removed from DTV for the time being.

[@murphlee8255]

Appreciate your no-nonsense advice and evaluations in plain English. Keep up the good work and call it like you see it. After all, we the people own the airwaves. So far...

[@eddiepiedade6860]

I wish i can buy the converter box but I am on the third floor on my apartment and i recently got 63 channels and i have a good signal i will get one soon thanks Tyler for your statement!

[@gregoryschaffer6893]

I run two of this model off an amplified bow tie antenna. Best I've ever owned so far. Run 64g flash drives. Do get old after a lot of use and need replacing more often then stand alone hard drives.

[@larryk3671]

The Mediasonic 150 works good for me. I cut the cable cord a few months back to watch streaming. Problem was my wife missed some of the local shows, Bachelor, Big Brother, AGT, etc. Now I can pick them up on a cheap antenna, save and them for her to watch later Another plus is I have the Mediasonic 150 on HDMI 1 and the Roku on HDMI 3 so I can watch something else streaming while it records.

[@ronaldwharton939]

I have bought several Mediasonic and other low cost DVR's and put them on different TVs around my house. I have found, without exception, that all of them stopped working without being used. I have bought a couple new ones and I don't leave them on if I won't be using them for awhile. I like that you say the remotes have been improved. That was always a big hassle with these cheap DVRs. They are a very affordable way to record TV programs though.

[@alexp.6145]

Overheating perhaps?

[@Joshdr99]

I have been using an antenna for a while now and have no signal meter or DVR. I just ordered the DVR and a drive you linked to now I will be able to record and tweek my antenna direction so I can have the most reliable signal. THANK YOU!

[@ClicktheMaverick]

I really appreciate your reviews. Thank you

[@jrs9264]

An online alternative is the streaming service FRNDLY tv. they carry many of the ota subchannels, minus antenna tv, but have Hallmark, GAF, UP, and DOVE movies. for $9 month, you get a 3 month window online DVR service. You can also tape more than one channel st the same time. You can choose or not to buy your own unit. always good to have a choice.🤗

[@russellanderson746]

Great video on a GREAT product. I will add that it is better to use a hard drive that has its own separate power supply than using one intended for laptops that draws its power from the USB jack. These Mediasonic units are not designed to handle the load of powering a hard drive and will usually fail. Also, keep them where they get plenty of air movement and they will last a long time. I've had mine for over five years with no problems. The picture quality on the tuner in mine is really remarkable.

[@AntennaMan]

Great point on using a hard drive with an external power supply. I never thought about that!

[@kennylauderdale_en]

This seems like such a novelty even though this is the correct way to do it. Setting up a box to record a TV program always makes me think of VHS, & there were VCRs that recorded in 1080i for a limited amount of time. In even a decade we may look back at DVRs like caveman technology. The rapid advancement of tech is fascinating.

[@jamespiercehd720p8]

Red blue and green Jacks are called component and I will purchase one just like it and because I like the style of it

[@a.rhoden7137]

Thanks for your videos! Just purchased an antenna, DTV box, and coaxial cable from your Amazon store. Great recommendations!

[@Juliaflo]

Keep up the wonderful work, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@richardholappajr.6184]

Thank you, very helpful video.

[@JayRCela]

I bought one of these about a year ago, the tuner works well and gets all the channels available in my area, and it has A/V output for older TV sets, I have not used the DVR feature. I think considering the price it is a no brainer purchase, if you need something like this. Thanks for the review :_)

[@spiderkidLarry]

This is awesome My power was out a day and half got this model, I love it

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

I reviewed this unit (previous version of the 150). It’s been a reliable converter box.👍

[@RobbieStrike]

@NorthcoasterHobby Have you ever fixed the power supply on one?

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@RobbieStrike No. I think it’s better when the power supply is external. It can be replaced easily, if needed.

[@RobbieStrike]

@@NorthcoasterHobby Yeah, I wish Mediasonic would do this since there power supplys are so cheep!

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@RobbieStrike I had one fail and I contacted the company. They sent me a new power supply.

[@wisconsineaglesfan7925]

Another use case, someone with a home theater projection system. Most projectors don't include a tuner, so an HDMI tuner is needed for cord cutters. I've been using an Xbox One X with a USB TV tuner, but they crippled the software for the tuner so I am looking for a tuner replacement. Think I found it. Thank you!

[@RarestAce]

The Red, Green, and Blue RCA connectors is for Component video out. They are good for 480i-1080i video

[@RobbieStrike]

Early HD tv's had that before HDMI was the standard!

[@RarestAce]

@@RobbieStrike Yup I had a HD CRT with DVI and component inputs. I really miss that thing

[@LuckySTR8]

One of the best tv talk channels thank you

[@TheMetroPhotographer]

I got one of these and it's amazing. I'm in Miami and somehow picked up a station in the Bahamas! I've never used the DVR feature.

[@jamesbeemer7855]

I’m not as tech savvy as you are , but I will suggest that my son get one . He grew up with it .

[@scootertrs11]

Wow Tyler... even though I will probably have to share a house with our puppy (as wife has just mastered the Tablo) but it may be good enough considering I will only have one TV... I thank you for your very informative videos and have no regrets of hiring you to help in system/antenna selection... it was a bargain!

[@garyflinn3989]

The additional RCA ports are for the 'component' outputs found on older DVD players and earlier HDTVs that got superceded by HDMI. "Component" has three color coded plugs--red, blue and green along with the two standard stereo audio plugs.

[@CTSFanSam]

I use one of these boxes so my Amazon TV doesn't know what over the air TV I watch. Also, I use an NVME drive in an enclosure as a hard drive. Works great. Oh, if using it as a DVR, DO NOT LEAVE IT TUNED IN TO AN ODD BALL STATION. It gets time from the currently tuned TV signal. I have found some do NOT send correct time.

[@davdietrich]

Hi All. I purchased 2 of these about 3 years ago, and both boxes completely failed to power after a year for one and a year and a half for the other. There's little choice I found for a reasonable price, so I bought 2 more replacements. 1 of those 2 replacements also failed to power after about a year. It's not just the power supplies, I've swapped them with a working power supply from the other box to confirm it was the box itself, not the power supply. The 4th box is still in use and has been working for about 2 years now. I love the features, and when it works, it works well. The cost of these was under $30 at the time on Amazon, so it was worth just replacing them when they failed.

[@nataliegrn17]

Could mounting a heat sink and or fan to its video chip (inside the box) help prevent this problem?

[@JackT_Music_on_Vinyl]

I bought the older version a few years ago, along with a 1TB drive and it worked well. Some things were slow to navigate but it looks like the new remote would be a great improvement. I may buy the new version. Thanks Antenna Man!

[@anewberr]

I haven’t I used the d r function but I love the song Al power feature and the amplifier really helped. Thanks!

[@jhors7777]

Thanks for posting Tyler. Great channel.

[@ronaldvernon788]

Like I said on Facebook and KZbin your videos are awesome 👌 thanks 😊 for telling us. Happy Holidays

[@noscrubbubblez6515]

Thanks for the 'info-info' signal strength meter...info. Also I plugged this in and turned it on... and nothing (thought I had a dud sent to me) but no, By Design this item does Not light up when turned on. No clock or channel lights up. Still it's mostly easy to use. It even plays back USB recordings from a different DVR. While it doesn't improve the picture, It doesn't seem to degrade the picture either. I grade it B with inexpensive being a big plus.

[@marcosvillagran7656]

I want to thank you for the information on the dvr mediasonic device. It works and I see the faults you pointed out and maybe more. When you record it says "Enter Record Waiting", and it takes a while to start recording. It is kind of frustrating when it does that and I will try a different hard drive which might be the issue it takes so long. I did format the drive I am using, but I still get that message. I just wanted to try out a dvr device, because I missed being able to record tv programs so I can watch the later. It is not a perfect system, but I needed to see for myself how it worked. I do restart it when the voices are not in sync and it fixes that like you mentioned.

[@CommodoreFan64]

I say If they really wanted to improve these boxes, then they could start with a total interface redesign that does not look, and function like it's from a 90's DBSS receiver box, but at least the remote is greatly improved, as the RCA model I've had for some years now has a remote that is just way too tiny, has crap buttons, is hard to aim, and uses an annoying CR2025 coin cell battery.

[@Bob9961]

@ 2:28 The green, blue and red RCA jacks labeled Y, Cb and Cr respectively, are known as the "component" type RCA jacks. While they're capable of HD video, there's no audio associated with them, so one must take simple stereo outputs from the white and red "L-AUDIO-R" jacks. The COAXIAL connector delivers a "composite" video signal for older style AV connections, typical of analog standard definition, or SD.

[@trevorbartram5473]

Hi Tyler, my experience with flash drives is, they need to be at least USB3.1, even then not all brands are created equal. I use Samsung Bar Plus 64GB drives. They worked great initially but after a couple of years use errors build up (pixelization). This is solved by a full reformat and zeroize of the drive (Win cmd.exe, format i: /p:0 where i is the drive letter). These drives run cool (so don't damage the USB socket, a common problem with older fast drives) and don't overload the DVR's power supply (a common problem with older HDDs). Good luck.

[@900Yugo]

The top Red,Green,blue jacks are component video jacks. That was HD video used to be up to 1080i resolution,before HDMI was common place. Those jacks used were especially common before 2010. I remembered when I was a kid , the Xbox 360 just came out with HD video resolution those cables were very commonly used for HD TV's back in the day during 2005. Most TV's still have component input jacks today despite being less commonly used.

[@ToddHa]

Note: You can also use the 150PVR as a Media Player: Video, Podcasts, etc. Just copy your content to the drive. Plug in the drive to the 150PVR and playback anytime (offline). Also Note: 150PVRs can record to USB 2.0 flash drives. But they do not like USB 3.0 flash drives at all. I've been using 150PVRs since 2013'ish. And have only used USB 2.0 Flash Drives with these tuners. I have never connected a mechanical-motorized USB drive to any of my (6) 150PVRs. Everytime I tried USB 3.0 devices, it fails. But USB 2.0 devices are fine.

[@Pappysan]

Do you know why it doesn't like 3.0? Is it the higher transfer speed that it can't handle? Is it still the case, or are the newer ones able to handle 3.0 USB?

[@ToddHa]

@@Pappysan I've never been able to determine the reason. I only have the older, non-y22 units. None of them like USB 3.0 drives.

[@wpherigo1]

Nice recommendation! I’ll be getting this!

[@winterburden]

So long as it's got HD then it's good enough for me!

[@coreybabcock2023]

I use the magic stick Mini for my camper van and a homemade antenna at my apartment they both work very well

[@tgp-rq2wi]

I have 3 of the older models of this, and they work fine, but the remotes stop working and the cost to replace the remote is almost as much as a new converter. They don't give codes for universal remotes, so they become worthless. Any suggestions? I'm not buying another box just for the remote.

[@virginia8beach8man]

I'm using a "My Book" 320Gb Ext H.D. It seems to work well.

[@That_Handle]

~2:18 : 🔴 the red, blue and green component video connection should be good for 1080i if not possibly the better 1080p in most cases (don't know at what point screens capped out support at 1080i through component-V and if they ever supported 1080p through that connection until later flat screens... before they dropped component-V all together for HDMI-only support). 🔴 For anyone using the "coaxial"-digital audio connection for surround sound and, often times, the option of surround sound down-mixing to 3.1, 2.1 and 2.0 while enjoying better sound quality and dynamic range, a higher quality/~heavier-shielded RCA COMPOSITE-video cable may very well work; but, in case it doesn't and there's a problem with surround sound channel(s) dropping out, an upgrade option to ward off the problems can be found in the beefed-up RCA cables - found on eBay and Amazon now for $3 to $10 (and might still be carried at big-box stores) - that were marketed and sold as "Coaxial (digital) Audio" cables which had additional cable shielding. Take note that "coaxial" digital audio is a lot more sensitive to electromagnetic interference from nearby cables and home theater equipment especially when near their power supplies and even within inches of their relatively noisy circuitry now commonly found inside. 🔴 A minor gripe: although my HT amplifier has both Toslnk Optical-digital as well as "coaxial"-digital audio connections, it'd be nice if this unit had Toslink Optical-digital output so the digital audio listening experience could be streamlined into my amplifier via my $15 Toslink Optical switcher and its affiliated shorter/ less clutter, electromagnetic-averse and cheaper Toslink cables (when bought in a multi-pack). The Toslink setup is so much more accommodating and streamlining (never having to switch inputs on my home theater amp) when it comes to other legacy equipment - much of which strictly utilizes optical-digital output - such as a CD-DVD carousel changer (with onboard post-upscaling A-V sync adjustment) ready to receive concert DVDs and CDs for a long run of listening/watching when not a movie as well as switch among the older gaming consoles starting with the PS2.

[@josephdubiel7129]

Just happened to see your review here. Antenna's are great. I have an old radio shack antenna on the roof for various local channels. Also being a ham radio operator I use vertical antenna's and dipoles for my radio's. Nice review here. Thats a handy device. I think cord cutting is great. Cable companies have long been taking advantage of the consumer for way too long. I am amazed with how many free streaming services are out there today. I do a combination of stuff so as to be able to watch the sports I want. I have NESN 360 to access New England Sports. Keep up the good work Antenna Man. I am going to subscribe. I want to see what other reviews you have done. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays! Joe

[@robertheckman9813]

Those other RCA connections on the back are COMPONENT VIDEO connections. They separate the black and white and the color information of the signal. You need a cord with the 3 colors on it to use them. They do not supply audio. You have to connect the audio to the other regular left and right audio on the back of the unit.

[@JFD62780]

The extra RCA's are Component Video Outputs. From the time where HDTV was in its infancy. In fact, they're the reason I just Wishlisted this model on Amazon! :D

[@JCWise-sf9ww]

Say Tyler that DTV DVR converter/tuner box has what you call component RBG Video Ports, I have a 32 inch Sony CRT TV that includes the Component RBG video inputs, really it's analog HD video. I have one or two other TV's with those video inputs. Very nice that box has those beside the HDMI hookup. I have an older box just like the one you demoed here.

[@jeffreykoerber6595]

One important difference between these budget DVRs and others, like the Tablo is that this one won’t adjust itself based on the guide data. You have no way of telling it to just record new episodes and if the program changes nights or times, you will need to adjust the timers accordingly. It just will record a program on a schedule no matter what the guide says, like an old VCR.

[@AntennaMan]

Correct. You can't expect too much from a $35 DVR.

[@Juliaflo]

I have recorded using a hard drive, but there is a wait of about five seconds before the record function begins. I also use SD cards with a usb card holder and gotten excellent results.

[@stanleyone5222]

Hey Tyler, I used to set up media boxes for commercial installation and it was recommended by suppliers to use a standard-size SanDisk USB for video (which I have also been using for my 150VR). I don't use it a lot but never had any problems with a SanDisk. I'm revisiting recording videos because ABC came up with some good shows that are very popular now. btw, some of those commercial installs ran for years with a SD USB drive - probably still going,,, lol

[@Ron2600_]

What size did you use?

[@stanleyone5222]

@@Ron2600_ only a 64, but have a few other USBs on hand. Did I mention that I record in the computer room, pull the USB and slip it into the TV's USB slot on the family room TV. This works great and very easy to skip thru commercials using the TV remote. I don't like a lot of recordings on a single disk anyway, too confusing.

[@tomtheplummer7322]

The extra RCA jacks are for the 3 connector cable on the old SD and composite video from the CD players.

[@RarestAce]

The Red, Green, and Blue RCA connectors is for Component video out. They are good for 480i-1080i video

[@CommodoreFan64]

@@RarestAce Component cables can actually do 1080p 60Hz, as long as the device firmware allows it, but they rarely do these days because of Hollyweird trying to stop people from making clean high quality recordings, as they would rather people use HDMI, and/or Display Port connectors that have HDCP Handshaking enabled by default, and many devices that are HDMI/Display Port only won't work without it. I've ran into HDCP issues over HDMI several times over the years as my work has a 50in Zenith(LG) Plasma hanging on the wall with HDMI 1.0 ports, and some things want HDMI 1.1 ports, or higher, so it was either replace a really heavy/hard to move Plasma TV(took me, and 2 other people to lift it to mount the thing on the wall), or upgrade the audio to 5.1 surround, so we got a SONY 5.1 HDMI receiver to get around the issues, and no problems since.

[@RarestAce]

@@CommodoreFan64 Yes they have that ability but it's so rare it's that I didn't mention it.

[@Juliaflo]

I own a Mediasonic Homeworx, and am looking to purchase another one or two.

[@bauertime]

I bought one 2 year ago and it had a heart beat effect, signal strength wise. The signal meter would bounce from 30% to 75% on most channels. Then I bought a Leelbox brand and it holds a steady signal. I've found you better not FF a recording because the screen will go white and you have to start over at the beginning. I also took the cover off so it stays cooler.

[@joe10117]

FEB 2024 enjoying my media sonic dvr How I playback ??.. after recording all that I can record I use my main computer USB port VLC MEDIA player works well to playback thank you antennaman any update on your ADTH atsc 3.0 tuner ?? also requesting video on smart com 3 way tv splitter... you never did a vifeo on it need to see a video besides someone in chicago...

[@anotherguy2741]

The other RCA jacks are for component video. I wish some of these tuners had RCA video input jacks to allow connecting to other video sources.

[@derekvallem]

Thanks for your review. Always appreciate your content. This device won’t allow my non-atsc 3.0 tv to watch content in 3.0, is that correct?

[@bubbahubba121]

The other RCA jacks are component outputs...chroma, brilliance, etc...lots of TVs had them before HDMI inputs

[@chetapace79]

Yes, they are still being made. Some people STILL do use CRTs

[@ghost_tom_joad8530]

I just purchased the HW250TB. I hope it's worth the money.

[@antoniky11]

I ordered one and came D.O.A.🤯

[@kensmith5694]

I actually have 3 of them. All were fine when they arrived. It may be you were unlucky or it may be they have some new problem. Two of the three were fine on arrival but failed few years later. The fault was the capacitors on the low voltage power supply. I replaced them and they have been working since.

[@antoniky11]

@@kensmith5694 i will give it one more try.ty

[@catholicSTL]

Amazon and eBay link show recording feature doesn't work any longer.

[@red2965]

Extra ones yes, but most older crt tvs didn't cone in hdmi, just rf and Rca connections

[@ds99]

That’s so weird. I just finished watching an episode of THAT GIRL with Marlo Thomas and I saw it playing on your screen. It would be nice to have a strong competitor for TiVo. I really haven’t found a DVR better than TiVo. After more than 10 years.

[@DanielWhitaker]

The graphics look like an updated version of what's on my RCA dvr box. My box is old and has similar issues. I did notice my box doesn't do well with a 3.0 flashdrive, but does fine with a 2.0 flashdrive for recording.

[@RobbieStrike]

Great breakdown on this box. I had a older version of this that had that quaky remote it was annoying. I have about 3 of these OTA tuners and the power supply died on it . I should but some compositors and re soder them, (That is on my long SOME DAY list) Also you can play media files on these. I use to have MP4 files on a USB drive and watch them on one of these!

[@AntennaMan]

I hated the remote on the older units. This one is much improved!

[@RobbieStrike]

@@AntennaMan I like how you pointed out the quarks of it. I wish they made a atsc 3.0 unit for under $50 Hopefully some day

[@ethansaunders995]

Good review. I don't even need this as I already have a Tablo but I want to check it out. I will give away as a gift eventually.

[@NJRoadfan]

Great, now I can finally retire my Digital VHS deck + Samsung T-165 ATSC tuner. :P (No I don't actually use that setup, but it does work. The Samsung even has manual RF ATSC tuning, impressive for 2002)

[@davidscott5903]

Great information!

[@davidscott5903]

With the low price, you'd be better off buying two of them with a signal booster and splitter and then record both shows at the same time without any need to have a subscription or internet connection!

[@kensmith5694]

Yes and why stop at 2 if you want to do that. You can have 2 on this TV and 2 on that TV and record 3 things while you watch a 4th. This way, you can watch all the late night shows.

[@archiehendricks6093]

Had two origenal convertors still useing one.

[@WaltBankes]

Might you be doing a review of the new model TABLO? It seems to have 128 GB built in storage as well as a USB for external storage. Only $100.

[@timbo303official9]

Antenna Man has never heard of component cables omg. The wii and even the gamecube had this option.

[@zoomzoomboomboom]

I bought this DVR & one of the recommended external hard drives (UnionSine). I started having recording problems right away (scheduled shows wouldn’t record). As recommended in the video, I changed the Modulation from Ch-3 to ‘Loop Through’ because I change the TV input a lot while shows are recording. Well…that caused my DVR to record continuously. So I did more research online, plus based on comments here & just now reading the back of the box it says, “a HD that draws power through the USB port may not work” with this DVR. So this UnionSine will find another purpose & I will be searching for a HD with its own power cord. You might want to change your HD recommendations.

[@AntennaMan]

Someone else said this as well.

[@ringtailedfox]

oooh, legacy connections! yellow = composite video (480i at best, oldest out there). coloured cables = component video (480i-1080p, nearly as good as HDMI). glad to see some hardware still supports those older connections. Where my S-Video at, though? :P

[@mannhimself]

I got 6 of these and a cheap hdmi multiviewer to actively monitor our 6 streams at once. After awhile one will get a green tint that can be removed by changing the channel. Beats the gpx boxes from menards and their exploding capacitor.

[@admirals818]

This is timely because my AirTV just became a paper weight (in less than 2 years). I'm down to one older model converter box that I record on, and now have to decide if I want to invest in another converter box or a Tablo. I'm not a fan of Tablo's monthly guide data subscription to unlock all the features I had for no fee with the AirTV (streaming over the internet, better guide). I may just go with this new improved converter box to give me the ability to record another program (2 total when also using my older box). I have to decide how important streaming OTA channels outside my home is.

[@Jean0987654321]

This doesn't hold a candle to my HDHomerun but it's okay for a basic VCR replacement

[@stanleyone5222]

Oops my apologies, I do not have the 22y model and see that a hard drive is recommended for the newer model. However, I did try something today "just in case it works" I removed the USB (with tv video on it) and plugged it in the back of the TV/USB. It loaded right up, no converter box at all needed for playback.