Entries in Cord Cutting (13)
Review: LG PF1500 LED Projector
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 5:06PM Note: this projector has since been surpassed by the remarkably similar (and even more affordable, and recommendable) LG PF1500W.
Projectors are the ultimate flat screen display that can transform a blank wall into supersized video viewing nirvana. Sure, the setup and maintenance of a video projector is more involved compared to a regular television, but the visual reward is almost always worth the effort. The LG Portable LED Projector with Smart TV (PF1500W) is a compact wonder of a display device that features useful multimedia capabilities and technologies that help ensure long-term, hassle-free enjoyment.
Size, style, and setup
The compact design of the LG PF1500 measures about 5.25" x 3.5" x 9.25" (WxHxD) and weighs in a 3.3 lbs. The projector’s stylishly well-ventilated exterior is textured to resist fingerprints and mask dust while improving grip when handling. The PF1500’s exterior controls are simple and effective with a chromed 4-way joystick, a matching lens focus ring, and a slide for adjusting the relatively limited zoom control (1.1x zoom ratio).
The PF1500 projects its image slightly above the plane of its lens so it can be placed on flat surface and pointed at a nearby wall or screen. The projector’s wide front foot is height-adjustable with the press of a button, and automatic vertical keystone correction ensures a square picture no matter the angle of the projector. A 4-corner keystone adjustment is also available for when the projector is placed in a less than optimal location.
The bottom of the PF1500 features three points for connecting a standard ceiling mount, and a fourth centralized point is compatible with tripod adapters. Use of a tripod made it easy to quickly square the PF1500's image without resorting to digital keystone correction that sacrifices picture resolution. Use of a tripod also made it easier to live with the PF1500's limited zoom (and related throw range) when filling a fixed-size screen. In the case of using an 80-inch portable screen that I'm particularly fond of, the PF1500's zoom control left less than a foot of throw distance to work within. For fixed installations with the PF1500, carefully consult a projection calculator before finalizing a potential mount location.
Power for the PF1500 is supplied by a brick-style switching adapter with a rated output of 19V at 5.79A. Input voltage compatibility is listed as 100V-240V at 50/60Hz (1.5A maximum). During operation, the power brick became very warm to the touch and measured up to 130F (54C) according to my infrared thermometer.
Projection tech
A lamp module is a key component of any projector, and its eventual failure is all but guaranteed to occur immediately prior to an important viewing event. The LG PF1500's lamp module ditches the old school bulb in favor of an array of RGB (red, green, and blue) LEDs that are rated for 30,000 hours of operation - about 5-7 times the longevity of a typical lamp module. The projector's LED array also enables very fast start up and shutdown times - less than 7 seconds before a usable picture appeared! The only downside to the projector's LED system is that it isn't user replaceable. LG rates the light output of the PF1500 at 1400 Lumens making it ideal for screen sizes up to 120-inches with adequate ambient light control.
The PF1500’s imaging system centers around a single Texas Instruments DLP chip. Traditional single-chip DLP projectors utilize a segmented spinning wheel to generate color from a white light source, and increasing the rotational speed of the wheel as well as the number of segments help reduce the perception of a distracting artifact known as color breakup (aka rainbows). The use of fast-switching RGB LEDs in the PF1500 eliminates the need for a color wheel, and another potential source of unwanted noise, while minimizing rainbow artifacts as well as I've seen with any single-chip DLP projector.
Audio
The speakers built into most portable projectors are there for convenience rather than epic audio quality, and the dual 3W speakers of the PF1500 are certainly convenient. I appreciated having sound without the added bulk of external speakers, and the projector's stereo output had enough volume to overcome modest amounts of background noise in indoor and outdoor environments.
For augmented listening, the PF1500 provides several audio output options including an HDMI-ARC port (Audio Return Channel), optical, Bluetooth, and a headphone jack. Bluetooth streaming to a quality portable speaker like the RIVA Turbo X (read my review) greatly improved the listening experience, however, Bluetooth output had the unfortunate side effect of disabling the projector's game mode feature that reduces video lag.
Inputs and networking
The selection of inputs on the PF1500 gave me everything I could ask for in a projector of any size. Ports included dual HDMI (MHL/ARC) and dongle adapters for component/composite video with analog stereo input. Dual USB ports support a lengthy list of popular multimedia file formats as well as office documents including PDF files, spreadsheets, and text files.
The projector's Ethernet and WiFi networking gave a solid performance for accessing local files and streaming content via its built-in apps, and an RF input feeds the projector's ATSC/QAM tuner.
Remote
The projector's Freespace-enabled Magic Remote provides Nintendo Wii-like cursor control for fast and precise menu navigation. The remote's contoured shape and simplified button layout with a clickable scroll-wheel made it easy to orientate and operate, and its RF link eliminated the need for line-of-sight to the projector. The on-screen cursor appreciably enhanced the use of virtual keyboards and interactive apps, and its built-in microphone proved adept at responding to a variety of spoken commands including search queries, channel selection, and changing inputs.
Free TV
Every television sold today includes a built-in digital tuner that enables the free reception of local stations using an antenna. The PF1500 marks the first projector I've used that also incorporates an over-the-air (OTA) digital tuner. Using a quality indoor antenna, the projector's impressively sensitive tuner captured my local stations with ease and stability. The PF1500 lacks a channel guide, but station and program information is displayed at the top of the screen along with the time and date. Also, the remote's scroll-wheel made it easy to quickly zip through and select available stations.
Gaming
With its selection of analog and digital video ports and input signal support up to 1080p at 60Hz, the PF1500 would seem to be a near-perfect companion for any game console made in the last 20 years. However, video lag measuring 170.2ms with my calibrated picture setup was certainly less than ideal for any game that requires precise timing, and the 70.2ms of lag using the projector's Game picture mode translated into more than 4-frames of delay with 60Hz video input - some of the best gaming TVs feature sub-20ms lag measurements.
Apps
Another feature of the PF1500 not typically associated with video projectors is its selection of popular apps. The PF1500's menu of apps was limited at best, but some of the must-haves like Netflix and YouTube were there. Other apps included MLB.TV, VUDU, Spotify, and Google Maps. Obviously absent from the lineup is Amazon Instant Video and Hulu. App performance was very good, and consistent integration with the Magic Remote's cursor control made the projector's app experience all the easier.
Fan noise
Projectors require active cooling to prevent a meltdown, and the PF1500 brightest picture configuration produced audible fan noise that thankfully wasn't overly annoying. Moderate amounts of volume from the projector's speakers easily masked fan noise, and reducing light output using the mid or low power settings all but eliminated cooling-related sounds.
Review: Epson Home Cinema 3500
Video processing
With all keystone correction features disabled and the projector focused on an 80-inch screen, the PF1500 breezed through my suite of 1080i video tests. The classic HQV benchmark revealed terrific deinterlacing and 24p source detection, and results from the Spears & Munsil Blu-ray test disc further confirmed solid video processing with only a slight roll-off noted in the benchmark's chroma tests.
Calibration
Grayscale optimization using the PF1500's 2-point white balance setup proved effective at taming the default response that was too blue and lacking green in the brighter shades. However, I found that the white balance controls for the darker shades of gray were ineffective, and a 20-point white balance setup was available but I didn't use it.
Color measurements showed that red at 100% saturation was very oversaturated compared to the HD video spec. Also, yellow and cyan exhibited the most obvious chromaticity errors. The PF1500's color management system (CMS) proved effective at optimizing primary and secondary colors, but it was unable to reign in the overly saturated 100% reds and blues. Also, unlike the white balance calibration that could be copied to other inputs using a menu option, CMS adjustments required tedious manual entry on a per-input basis.
Viewing exams
My time with the LG PF1500 included many hours of enjoyable video viewing. Having live TV and some of my favorite video streaming apps built-in was further enhanced by the speed at which the projector could achieve full brightness and produce a viewable picture. Using the PF1500 on a tripod mount, it was easy to relocate the projector to different rooms and have it quickly up and operational.
Local HD stations broadcasting in 720p and 1080i looked crisp and detailed. Sports on the big screen looked great with no signs of issues related to fast on-screen action. Likewise, prime time HD programming revealed excellent post-calibrated color and detail. Netflix and YouTube content at up to 1080p resolution loaded quickly and looked as good as expected. The red-heavy logos of these particular streaming services did appear a touch too colorful, but this characteristic of this LED projector didn't obviously taint the content I enjoyed.
For Blu-ray movie exams, I configured a player for 1080p/24Hz output and switched off the projector's video motion smoothing feature (aka TruMotion) for faithful cinema reproduction. Loading up The Dark Knight revealed excellent picture detail with this classic Blu-ray title. Skin tones among the movie's wide variety of characters appeared natural and properly represented in the many bright and dark-lit scenes. However, the Joker's painted smile did appear a bit too colorful with the projector's RGB LED light source.
The audio and visual treat that is the Blu-ray edition of Samsara takes the viewer on a worldwide journey exploring people and places in exquisite film-captured detail. The PF1500 adeptly recreated the cinematic viewing experience with careful preservation of fine detail and naturally colorful imagery that avoided the projector's tendency to over-saturate some red and blue hues.
Bottom line
The LG Portable LED Projector with Smart TV (PF1500) impressed me with its useful integrated features including compatibility with a wide variety of multimedia and office file formats. Its LED lamp technology gives this portable 1080p projector impressive light output for its size as well as hassle-free longevity and fast start up times. A good 720p projector can be had for half the price of the 1080p PF1500, but none incorporate a DTV tuner and smattering of popular streaming applications. The projector's Magic Remote brings everything together with precise navigation and functional microphone control. A dedicated home theater room may be better served by a projector with greater zoom range and installation-friendly lens shift capabilities. However, the PF1500's light weight, good video performance, and feature-rich functionality make it a great option for less than $1000.
Review: Tablo DVR
Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 9:57AM 
Updated September 29, 2014 - added "More AV Details" section
The digital video recorder (DVR) has freed us from the shackles of watching our favorite TV programs on the broadcasters' fixed schedule. The DVR has enabled TV enthusiasts to capture their escapism and enjoy it minutes, hours, or weeks later – and pause playback at anytime, for any reason. When people think about DVRs, most envision a remote controlled set top box connected to a display device. The Tablo differentiates itself from other DVRs by connecting to a home network and delivering over-the-air (OTA) HD television goodness directly to smartphones, tablets, PCs, and popular streaming appliances connected to traditional televisions.
The Tablo is made for cordcutters that want receive a TV fix on the screen of their choice anytime and anywhere. The Tablo experience included a few quirks but no showstoppers, and steady updates have added new features and improved performance.
Size, style, and setup
The Tablo's compact black chassis measures about 7 inches wide by 4.5 inches deep and 1.5 inches high. The unit's matte finished top helped hide dust and fingerprints while glossy sides and a brilliant blue indicator light added a bit of bling - the latter was easily tamed (if desired) in the settings menu.
Setup is simple: connect an antenna, add up to two external hard drives (up to 2TB capacity each) via the USB ports on the back of the unit, decide between Ethernet or WiFi networking, and connect the power. Tablo's WiFi setup requires a direct connection from another wireless device in order to select a local network – once completed, my mobile device automatically reconnected to my local wireless network.
Controlling Tablo depends on the viewing plaform. Dedicated apps are available for newer Android and Apple tablets. Roku users can add a custom channel, and a browser-based app that is optimized for Chrome and Safari is for all other mobile devices and PCs.
Channel guide
Tablo includes 30 days of its custom channel guide data service that features high quality cover art and episode synopses. This data also enables recordings that may be scheduled by time, episode, or series. After the trial period, guide data subscriptions cost $5 a month, $50 a year, or $150 for the lifetime of the units associated to a user account. Without guide data, the Tablo offers only basic manual recording.
Tuner tech
The Tablo hardware is available in a 2-tuner and 4-tuner configuration. Its OTA tuners are from MaxLinear and a ViXS transcoding chipset converts broadcast MPEG-2 transport streams into h.264 video for expanded compatibiltity of live and recorded video delivery. Tuner sensitivity appeared good as all of my local HD channels reported full strength reception using a quality indoor antenna – distance and local topography have the greatest influence on OTA channel reception. The Tablo defaults to displaying only HD channels, but it's easy to edit the channel lineup however you see fit.
Up to six devices may access Tablo tuners and recorded content simultaneously. Live program viewing is limited by the number of available tuners, but multiple devices may watch the same tuned channel(s) and recorded content – the channel guide highlights in-use live channels as well as potential recording conflicts. Even on a relatively busy home network, I was able to cleanly stream video to four devices simultaneously. I also found that an Ethernet-connected Tablo was generally more stable when streaming to multiple screens than when using the DVR's WiFi connection – your mileage may vary.
Heron Fidelity's Cord Cutting Guide
Remote enjoyment
One of Tablo's most impressive features is its ability to deliver an OTA DVR experience outside of the home – aka Tablo Connect. Setup of this feature involves forwarding three ports to the Tablo's local IP address and selecting a remote streaming quality preset (an auto-quality option is reportedly coming soon). Mobile devices must first connect and sync to the Tablo on the local network, but after that, I enjoyed Tablo's live and recorded programming on my 4G LTE smartphone anywhere I could receive a cell sevice or WiFi. Impressively, the Tablo Connect experience functioned identically to being connected to its local network.
More AV Details
The Tablo's current audio configuration is for stereo output only, but the company is considering support for surround sound as a possible future update.
Also, whatever recording quality level is configured in the Tablo settings menu is how the video is stored on the hard drive. When configured for 1080p recording, all content is transcoded and stored in the 1080p format - including SD (480i) broadcasts.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear!
Playing beta tester
My experience with the Tablo over the last few weeks wasn't all perfect, but regular firmware updates have improved usage to the point were I would recommend it to interested cordcutters. However, even with the latest firmware update (v2.1.16 at the time of this article) that incorporates a Chromecast/Roku streaming quality preset, I continued to experience occasional freezing with Google Chromecast playback. Also, choppy full-screen playback plagued my HTPC's admittedly aging Intel HD 2000 graphics (windowed playback was fine) – I did see this as a good excuse to upgrade the system's GPU.
Mobile performance with an iPhone 4S running Safari on iOS 8 was flawless, but an Android smartphone (OS v4.4.4) required the use of Chrome Beta (v38.x and later) for full functionality.
The Tablo browser interface could use a few tweaks as well. Keyboard cursor support for channel guide navigation is missing, and the mouse cursor remains visible during playback unless moved into the control bar at the bottom of the screen. When selecting a recorded program to view, the large cover art required scrolling on 720p/768p screens to reach the play button next to each recorded episode.
The above issues noted, Tablo has implemented numerous tweaks and improvements related to stability and video quality with every firmware update. Given the complex nature of this network-enable DVR, I appreciate the company's timely response to feedback, community support, and apparent desire to improve their product.
Price comparison
Compared to other OTA DVR options, the Tablo is a good deal. A Tablo with lifetime channel guide data starts at $370 (2-tuners) and $450 (4-tuners) without necessary storage – a new 1TB external drive is less than $65. The Channel Master DVR+ (read review) with an integrated 1TB hard drive is $400 and that includes lifetime guide data, but it lacks the Tablo's useful ability to record only new programs in a series as well as its network/remote streaming features. The TiVo Roamio OTA features four OTA tuners and 500GB of integrated storage for $50 plus $180 a year for channel guide service, or $590 for three years of use. There is no lifetime guide option with the Roamio OTA. Adding a TiVo Stream for downloading and streaming recorded shows to Apple iOS devices adds another $130 – Android support is reportedly coming soon.
Bottom line
If you want to get rid of an expensive cable, fiber, or satellite subscription and you happen to live near free-to-air broadcast towers, cordcutting becomes an increasingly viable option. The Tablo is a uniquely capable multi-tuner DVR that can feed a decent sized household live and recorded television entertainment throughout the home or on the road. Tablo also keeps things simple by focusing on being a good DVR while avoiding the urge to pile on unnecessary or unwanted apps – at least so far.
Cord Cutting Guide
Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 3:54PM 
Updated February 15, 2015: added more premium streaming options.
If you have ever thought about canceling an expensive cable, fiber, or satellite TV subscription in favor of receiving your favorite video programming via the Internet or local broadcasts, aka "cutting the cord", this article is for you. Times are changing, and there are more options for getting the content you desire at prices that can save you a small fortune.
If you are poised to become newly minted cord cutter and are looking for encouragement, then just do it! Remember that you can always return to the old ways if you really need to, but nothing speeds up the adoption process like total immersion.
The benefits of cutting the cord are numerous and almost always result in an improved viewing experience: unedited and often commercial-free programming, uncropped video presented in the correct aspect ratio, and extensive libraries of new and archived content.
Live TV Options
Cord cutting does not mean giving up the live television experience! Two ways to enjoy free live TV are by receiving local broadcasts using an antenna connected to a tuner and online streaming.
Every HD/UHD TV has a built-in over-the-air (OTA) digital TV (DTV) tuner, and the type of antenna you will need to receive digital broadcasts depends on many factors including your distance from the broadcast towers.
The TV Fool website is an excellent resource for finding what stations are transmitting digital TV goodness in your area, and I always suggest starting with the least expensive antenna option and upgrading only if needed. If you have a set-top TV antenna (aka "rabbit ears") laying around, then try it first! If there is a giant old-school antenna on the roof that is still wired up and ready to go, it may prove to be an excellent reception option.
I'm fortunate to have relatively unobstructed views of my local broadcast towers here in Northern California. Using a quality indoor antenna from WallTenna, I'm able to receive dozens of channels - many broadcasting in HD formats.
The main drawback of using a TV's built-in OTA tuner is its inability to record programs for later playback or to provide multiple tuners for viewing one channel while recording another. The Samsung HU8550-series UHD TV (read my review) actually has a built-in DVR app, but this feature is factory-disabled for North American markets - sad. Options for adding a digital video recorder (DVR) include building your own custom home theater PC and set-top recorders like the excellent dual-tuner Channel Master DVR+ (read my review) and multi-tuner Tablo (read my review).
Video Streaming Gear
Take inventory of the cord cutting gear that you may already have! A new TV, AV receiver, Blu-ray player, HD game console, or other Internet-enabled device may feature music and video streaming services that you can use right now. Explore the feature sets of any such devices and try using them to access available services.
Dedicated streaming devices like the Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku 3 are affordable options for adding popular apps to a TV that may have limited or no built-in streaming functionality.
YouTube makes it easy to pair your smartphone or tablet to a connected TV also running the YouTube app. Once paired, you can queue up YouTube videos through the app on your mobile device that will then playback in order on the connected TV.
Video Streaming Sources
ABC, AMC, CBS, CW, Fox, NBC, PBS, and other broadcasters now provide some free TV viewing through a web browser or mobile app. However, many broadcasters restrict online access of the latest episodes of popular shows to only those viewers with a current cable/fiber/satellite TV subscription by requiring them to login with valid account information in order to watch the selected program.
This article assumes that the cord cutting individual has no cable/fiber/satellite TV subscription, and thus no related account login information. However, you may know someone willing to share their account information with you, and some video streaming services like HBO Go and Netflix have indicated that limited account sharing is acceptable.
Blu-ray Movies for Less Than $10!
More Movie and TV Streaming Options
Netflix is an obvious choice for streaming TV shows and movies with high quality 1080p and some 2160p content now available. If you are an Amazon Prime member, then you also have full access to the ever-growing Amazon Instant Video collection. For network TV junkies, a Hulu Plus subscription for $8 a month gives you current season access to shows like Glee, Family Guy, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, New Girl, and Modern Family. Hulu Plus also offers all episodes from every season of past popular shows including The X-Files, Arrested Development, Desperate Housewives, Battlestar Galactica, Monk, Saturday Night Live, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Ugly Betty, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and dozens more - explore the Hulu Plus lineup.
Dish Network introduced Sling TV at the 2015 CES that enables a no-contract/cancel anytime streaming subscription to live TV and sports programming. The basic $20/month channel package includes ESPN/ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Adult Swim, Disney Channel, El Rey Network, Cartoon Network, and Maker. There are also three additional packages available for $5 each: Sports Extra, Kids Extra, News & Info Extra. Sling TV streams content to all Amazon Fire TV devices, Roku LT and higher, iOS 7+ devices, Android 4.0.3+ devices, OSX Snow Leopard 10.6+ , and Windows 7+. Sling TV's limitations are that not all channels can be paused DVR-style, and content can be streamed to only one device/platform at a time. Sling TV includes a 3-day replay feature for select channels (not ESPN/ESPN2), and Sling International customers have an 8-day replay on all international channels.
The online database CanIStream.It will tell you if a particular movie is available for online streaming, what services offer it, and what you can expect to pay.
Sports
Subscription cable/fiber/satellite television services make it easy to receive all of the live sports a fan can afford, but OTA TV often includes some live sporting events such as baseball, basketball, bicycling, football (all kinds), mixed martial arts, motor sports, tennis...all free to enjoy. Options for streaming live sports are as varied as sports themselves and include app and browser-based viewing options. Here are some good places to start:
Sometimes the patient are rewarded. I've found that some streamed sporting events that require a valid cable/satellite login for live viewing can be rewatched later without a login after the live game completes.
Paid Sports Streaming Options
Paid streaming sports options exist, and professional baseball fans have an easy choice with MLB.tv. The MLB.tv service allows you to stream non-local live games and all completed games commercial-free and in good HD quality. I also appreciate MLB.tv's alternative audio/video options including radio and stadium sound audio feeds.
If ice hockey is your professional sport of choice, the National Hockey League (NHL) has taken a cue from MLB.tv by offering fans the GameCenter LIVE subscription service. GCL streams live out-of-market games and on-demand full-length replays in HD quality. GameCenter LIVE can be accessed online through a web browser or an app is available for viewing on Android, iOS, Apple TV, Roku, HD game consoles, and other popular platforms.
Professional motorcycle racing fans can get their fix with a subscription to MotoGP that features 720p live and archived streaming content.
American football fans have a couple of paid streaming options to try: NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL Game Pass. The latter is not available in the U.S. or Mexico, but...
Bypassing Location Limitations
If your streaming options are limited by your location, consider a service like Unlocator. Unlocator is a Danish company that provides smart DNS services that make it simple to enjoy the streaming services that you pay for no matter where you live. Setup is easy and the service is transparent and fast. Unlocator offers a 7-day free trial, and more information about supported devices and services can be found on its website.
Feedback is Welcome
I plan to update this regularly update this document, and I encourage everyone to send me information about their favorite cord cutting gear and services so I can evaluate them for possible addition. For more information about cutting the cord, I recommend exploring these resources:
Also, check out Robert's favorite home theater gear for more recommended cord cutting gear!
Review: Channel Master DVR+
Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 1:07PM Updated October 27, 2014 - clarified file transfer to PC
Anyone thinking of ditching an expensive cable, fiber, or satellite TV subscription and becoming a cordcutter faces a major hurdle: the lack of easy access to live television programming. If you are lucky enough to live in an area covered by the free-to-air transmissions of local broadcasters, then receiving at least some live programming is as easy as connecting a simple indoor antenna and performing a quick channel scan.
Every HDTV sold today has a built-in digital television (DTV) tuner for receiving this free content, but these same TVs lack necessary and useful features like the ability to record a show for later viewing or “pause” live TV like a TiVo digital video recorder (DVR).
The selection of set top over-the-air (OTA) TV tuners that provide even the most basic of recording capabilities is limited at best, and very few of these products feature two or more tuners for the most critical DVR function: recording one channel while watching another live. The DVR+ from Channel Master elevates future expectations by delivering a multi-tuner OTA DVR in a svelt, easy to use package.
Package and ports
Unboxing the DVR+ reveals a compact slab of dual-tuning goodness that measures approximately 10.5 inches (W) by 8 inches (D) by 0.5 inches (H). Audio/video connections on the rear of the unit include HDMI and an optical audio output. An Ethernet port provides a network connection, and dual USB ports are for connecting an optional wireless adapter and external storage. Channel Master offers the DVR+ with a remote control starting at $250, and a bundle package for $50 more adds a Wi-Fi adapter and 12 foot HDMI cable.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Setup
Setting up the DVR+ is simple: connect an antenna and HDMI cable, scan for available channels, and enjoy! Video output supports HD resolutions up to 1080p at 60Hz. The most affordable DVR+ packages lack internal storage, and Channel Master now offers a DVR+ with 1TB of built-in storage. When adding your own USB-connected drive, the DVR+ requires at least 80GB of storage space and the media is formatted prior to use.
Optimizing antenna placement with the DVR+ was a bit convoluted as the signal strength meter is buried in the setup menus, and it only displays info for the currently selected station – checking the signal strength of another station required completely exiting the setup menu, changing channels, and then making the trip back into the depths of the menu system.
Remote goodness
The DVR+ remote is a thin baton-style stick that can be programmed for basic TV operation. Enlarged navigation controls, including the channel guide button, were an appreciated touch. The remote's aspect ratio control button enabled quick scaling of squarish standard definition channels into a wide screen HD format. Dedicated 10 second skip forwards and backwards buttons are sure to please DVR enthusiasts. A recent firmware update improved menu navigation performance, and interactions with the remote proved consistent and quick.
Fee-free channel guide
Accurate and updated channel guide data is critical for any DVR experience, and the DVR+ includes fee-free channel guide information provided by Rovi. The grid-style layout of the DVR+'s channel guide was nicely detailed on a 1080p screen and included station names, channel numbers, and colorful station logos when available.
Blu-ray Movies for Less Than $10!
Remember that when comparing competing OTA DVR products to be sure to always factor in the cost of channel guide information: often billed as a monthly fee or lump sum for updates over the life of the product.
Usage
Scheduling a recording was as simple as selecting a program in the channel guide and choosing a record-once or record-all option. I would have also preferred an option to record only new episodes of a particular program, and this is something that could be added in a future update. Conflicts related to needing a tuner when both were in use were addressed with easy to follow pop-up messages. One benefit of using an external hard drive with the DVR+ was that recorded programs could be accessed from my Windows PC with an ext2 file system driver making it easy to copy the transport stream files for backup or other use.
Update: Channel Master has announced an update for the DVR+ that will add a much requested Series Record (records only new episodes) that will be available November 2014.
Check Today's Audio and TV Sales
Apps
When I previewed the DVR+ at CES, Channel Master promoted the unit's ability to run popular streaming apps. Vudu and Pandora are the only two apps currently available on the DVR+, and these apps are accessed as channels in the guide instead of a dedicated app menu. If comprehensive app support is must for your home theater needs, an Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, or Roku 3 will better provide that functionality.
Update: Channel Master announced the addition of YouTube streaming to the DVR+ with an update due November 2014.
Bottom line
The DVR+ from Channel Master will please anyone looking for a hassle-free, subscription-free, dual-tuner DVR for managing and enjoying over-the-air television programming. Channel Master has a track record of being proactive in dealing with the minor issues DVR+ owners have encountered so far, and my own experience using it over the last few weeks is the best I've had with such a device. Compared to building and managing a PC-based OTA DVR, the Channel Master DVR+ is a cost-effective and well-crafted alternative for cordcutters.
My Home Theater PC v2.0
Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 3:39PM Updated July 3rd, 2015
It's been about three years since I replaced a cable television DVR (digital video recorder) that I was renting with a custom-built PC (original article archive: part one and part two). It was the introduction of multi-tuner CableCARD host adapters that made it easy to turn a Windows PC into a powerful home theater centerpiece that convinced me to craft my own super-DVR. That initial build using the unlikely union of an Intel Atom processor and Nvidia ION graphics technology resulted in excellent energy efficiency and solid 1080p video playback, but the system's ability to smoothly multitask was constantly challenged.
For version 2.0 of my home theater PC (HTPC), I vowed to maintain excellent energy efficiency while significantly improving its performance.
Parts list
The complete parts list for my current HTPC build:
Case: Thermaltake Luxa2 LM100 Mini - discontinued but some refurbished units remain
CPU: Intel Core i3-2100T - an i3 is plenty powerful for HTPC duties
Mobo: Intel DH67CF Mini-ITX - this mobo had consumer IR built-in
Memory: 4GB (2x2GB)
Storage: SSD (boot) + HDD (DVR)
ODD: Slim BD/DVD/CD
Bluetooth Adaper
I've come to appreciate the design of the Thermaltake Luxa2 LM100 Mini case - it's brushed aluminum exterior ages gracefully, masks fingerprints and dust, and provides a perfect home for a Mini-ITX mobo and related components. With the LM100 now discontinued, I'm on the hunt for a successor.
With two years of near-continuous operation to its credit, HTPC v2.0's performance gains over its predecessor are a credit to its Intel Core i3 2100T (Sandy Bridge w/35W Max TDP) processor and solid state drive (SSD) - SSDs make any computer feel twice as fast!
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Cooling upgrade
A hot-running tuner card prompted a case cooling upgrade: additional (2) 50x50mm fans to fill the remaining exhaust ports at the rear of the chassis (also preventing backflow). The Thermaltake LM100's air inlets are located on the bottom of the case in the motherboard mount area, and the new fan setup reduced the tuner's operating temperatures from 65-70C to a far cooler 40-45C without an obvious increase in fan noise.
Hardware and software
My tuner hardware includes the following:
Ceton InfiniTV 6 PCIe - 6-tuner CableCARD host adapter
SiliconDust HDHomeRun EXTEND - 2-tuner over-the-air (OTA)
SiliconDust HDHomeRun PRIME - 3-tuner CableCARD host adapter
All of this hardware needs good software to make it work:
Windows 7 64-bit - Windows 8 with the Media Center Pack option works too
My Movies - how I manage my movie collection
ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater - No longer updated (see note below)
Ceton Companion - my favorite smartphone remote control app
SoundGraph iMON Manager - VFD and IR remote signal management
SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive - a great virtual drive program
Note: ArcSoft has abandoned TotalMedia Theater leaving CyberLink PowerDVD Pro, Ultra, and Live as the remaining recommended options for PC Blu-ray disc playback.
Add to this several terabytes of network attached storage (NAS) for my music, photos, and movies and I'm one happy (couch) camper.
Blu-ray Movies for Less Than $10!
Control
Control-wise, I'm using the aforementioned Ceton Companion application as well as a Logitech Harmony 650 universal remote control. The Bluetooth adapter also allows me to easily connect a wireless keyboard when the need arises. Also, I've recently added the Logitech Harmony Smart Keyboard that provides Bluetooth and RF control options as well as an updated smartphone control app - it's proven to be a terrific HTPC control option.
Costs and options
The cost of this system at the time including software easily exceeded $1000 - not a trivial expense even if amortized over several years of use. For HTPC v3.0 (hint, hint), I'd consider reducing costs by eliminating the slim optical drive altogether as I find I seldom (never) use it. Use of NAS storage for TV recordings could eliminate an extra HDD from the system further reducing costs and space requirements. At that point, I'd consider an optimized micro-PC like the new Intel Next Unit of Computing (NUC) as it features similar computing power as my current HTPC in a package that is but a fraction of its size.
For more information about my HTPC setup, please read this follow up article exploring a brief experiment with Windows 8.
Cord Cutting, DVR, HTPC, How To 
