SiliconDust HDHomeRun

Having two tuners in the HDHomeRun allows TV to be streamed to two computers on the network, with each computer being able to watch or record a different channel. Try viewing on a third computer and you’ll simply lose the signal on one of the other machines. However, additional HDHomeRun units can be connected to the network if you want to stream TV to more than two machines at a time.

That's in contrast to the Slingbox Pro, which will stream to only one device at a time.

The installer enables DVR application choices for each tuner

Networking was pleasantly straightforward, as there’s no need to adjust network settings or IP addresses, and streaming the TV signal to both wired and wireless computers was handled with equal ease. However, playback of the live TV signal was a bit jerky on our old MacBook using an 802.11g wireless card, so we’d recommend using 802.11n, if possible.

The only real disappointment on the hardware side of things is that there aren’t currently any HD channels available on Freeview, so the ‘HD’ part of HDHomeRun doesn’t really apply to the UK. Nectar says that SiliconDust is working on support for Freesat and Virgin’s cable TV system in the UK, but couldn’t confirm when those options are likely to be available.

But while the HDHomeRun’s hardware worked perfectly well, the software and documentation are a mess. The bundled CD-Rom includes a basic set-up utility that runs on Windows, Mac and Linux PCs, but this does little more than connect your computer to the HDHomeRun and scan for TV channels. It doesn’t include even basic DVR features, such as the ability to pause live TV, schedule recordings, or view an electronic programme guide.

And, unlike Sling, there's no way to stream to a PDA or a phone - you're limited to computers.

There’s no proper manual – just a few pages of A4 notes written up for UK users by Nectar. These instructions were far from comprehensive and give the impression that users are supposed to either use Windows Media Centre as their DVR software or purchase one of the third-party DVR programs recommended by SiliconDust. Hardly helpful if you’ve got a version of Windows XP or Vista that doesn’t include Media Centre – or if you’re using a Mac or a Linux box.

Windows Media Centre is the assumed DVR choice, but won’t suit everyone

Only after rooting through the Help files on the website did we discover that it’s actually possible to download a copy of ArcSoft’s TotalMedia DVR software for free and use that to control the HDHomeRun properly. During installation, as the HDHomeRun software scans for channels, a pull-down menu allows you to specify the DVR software to watch and record those TV stations. If you select TotalMedia, the program downloads the application from the SiliconDust website for you to install onto your PC.