This is exactly how the Plex DVR works…
Here’s a good review/walkthrough of the interface. I love the advanced recording options like keep X number of episodes, record only on X channel, etc.
But does it have live viewing for sports? That is an absolute must for sports fans.
Also, I don’t want to have to use a computer to control my viewing. With my current setup all I have to do is turn on my TV & I can access of my content from my Fire TV devices.
Not yet, it came out yesterday in beta. It does have 5.1 sound and non-transcoded viewing options, which are also nice features for sports fans.
There are also Plex plug-ins that I believe can run in the Plex app on your FireTV which allow live TV. You could also use the HD HomeRun app on your FireTV for live viewing. Similar to switching between Netflix and Amazon Prime depending on what kind of content you want to watch.
You don’t need to turn on your computer. You can access all recordings from your FireTV. If you mean you want to setup future recording, you can also do that from your phone. Hopefully they add it to the client app soon, until then Tablo has a leg up.
I’m not here to sell this, I don’t even have a compatible device at the moment. But if we are going to compare, we should at least do a fair comparison. This has a few features that people have been asking Tablo for for YEARS. Still has a ways to go in some other areas like Live TV, unless you don’t mind using it with the HD HomeRun app or a Plex plugin.
Honestly, I’m not really having any desire to jump ship so much as the UI options in Plex DVR are very much in line with several personal preferences I have as far as DVR functions go. The YouTube video above has more details but I particularly like the Plex recording schedule views.
I just wish the UI of Tablo was a little more refined (allowing the user to determine which views of which information they prefer) and consistent, both feature wise and the UI across devices. I’m primarily an Android user (all mobile devices in the household are Android and we have a Shield Android TV on our machine TV) although we do have a Roku 3 on our second, smaller TV. It’s frustrating to have stuff like the Upcoming and Recent views only available on the Roku 3 on the smaller TV.
The only other real appeal to me is being a Plex Pass user being able to purchase a single Plex Pass lifetime subscription that includes lifetime guide data (I’m assuming it does?) and the very consistent UI of Plex across devices.
Good lord there is some serious fanboying here (which I guess, is appropriate, given your username). So moving to another product is “abandoning ship” now? I didn’t realize by purchasing a Tablo, I was somehow super invested and part of something biggere here. So you’re saying that if something better than Tablo were to come out (not even plex, just something) and people moved to it, they would be “jumping ship” and ultimately disloyal? lol
Of course there is optimism. Plex has been in development for quite some time and continues to provide a refined user experience with constant development. I like my Tablo for what it does but their development cycle is quite a bit less impressive and their polish is somewhat lacking.
And live tv? Lmao. Live TV on Tablo is a mediocre experience. I only use it when I anticipate wanting to rewind or pause live tv. Otherwise, I use my HDHR through the Android TV live channels app. And then theres of course the complete lack of 5.1 audio or an option to leave the initial stream untouched.
No one is proclaiming “omg fuck tablo, jump ship, everybody out.” People are simply stating that there is a lot of potential here in Plex. Plex is already a major player in the market and they have entered new territory that many people thought they never would venture into. Its exciting times.
Competition encourages innovation and improvement. Or would you prefer Tablo to stagnate?
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I would like this option too. But one thing to note about the HD Homerun/Plex option - there is no live TV. You have to record it, then get to watch it. I’d like the ability to plug my Tablo into my server and let recordings go there where I can access them in Plex. I suppose live could still come thru Tablo app
To your point, if you use AppleTVs, you could use the HDHomeRun/Plex option for recordings and the AppleTV Channels app for live TV. So it would be a similar solution to what you’ve suggested. I’ve not used it myself, but understand Channels to be an excellent, and very fast, app.
Similarly, on Android TV, you can use the Live Channels app to view live TV. Or just use the HD Homerun app on pretty much every other platform.
So…I got my HDHomerun Connect on Friday and have been trying to get it to ingest recordings to Plex…and I am having an awful time trying to get stable reception off of my antenna. Even running off the same RG6 that my Tablo utilizes with little/no reception issues…the HDHR is providing an unusable picture. I’ve tried with my pre-amp, and without the pre-amp. FM trap…no FM trap. Through Plex, and directly to my laptop VLC. Nothing is working. I’m not sure if the HDHR isn’t sensitive enough…or if it’s TOO sensitive. I’m line of sight to the transmitters with an attic-mounted directional antenna. I have a little omni-directional indoor antenna coming from Amazon. If that doesn’t fix the problem…the HDHR is going on Ebay. They are sold-out almost everywhere now…so maybe I could pull a small profit for my trouble. 
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try going to http://my.hdhomerun.com/instructions/index.html
this is where the HDHR keeps all it’s info pages. Most importantly, you can see signal levels when a channel is tuned…
Plex Dvr isnt What you think it is. here is a detailed video explaining benifits and pitfalls
NOT FLAMING YOU, just pointing out some issues with your video… You did cover a lot, and the video is otherwise good.
- SD DVR is planned to be $30 per YEAR, not per month, upon release.
- Plex transcode requirements for transcoding the recordings are identical to those for regular live transcoding.
- Plex WILL transcode .ts files for live view as long as your server is capable.
- PC hardware is not less efficient than NAS hardware- just consumes less power at full use. More powerful CPU’s are actually more efficient as they ramp up, get the task done, and ramp back down.
- SD DVR will scale across multiple HDHR tuner devices, the Plex DVR does not (yet?).
Both the SD DVR and the Plex DVR are still BETA, so your coverage should be labeled a PREview, vice a review, until they hit release in order to be a fair assessment. Neither DVR package is ready for prime-time yet. (Thus the reason I have a Tablo)
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Let’s put it this way . Tablo is 90% better than homerun connected to same coax . I would say the homerun is in beta
But thanks for pointing out these facts. But I’m not sure you got your facts right
I’m not watching a 30 minute video from someone I have never heard of. List out your points instead of solely soliciting youtube views.
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Have you confirmed the HDhomerun saves the 5.1 audio? Sorry if I missed it earlier. I did watch your video don’t remember it being mentioned.
It does. Its also mentioned in their support pages.
Audio is always retained as-is.
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That means Plex doesn’t change it. My question is about the HDHomerun recording in surround sound. I will look it up.
That means plex doesn’t change it, even when you transcode with Plex.
I own one of these and have tested it with the new DVR and I watch live TV through the HDHR view beta app on Android TV. It retains the 5.1.
Thanks. Just wanted to make sure. Tablo recording in stereo only is my biggest hang up.