Help me find a box?

by markmcw

Hello.

I'm based in the UK - so I'll do my best to make this as internationally friendly as possible.

For years, I've had my standard DVR box (YouView via TalkTalk) that records my free OTA channels. Then, when I want to watch something on Plex I either use my Fire TV Stick, or Cast it to my Chromecast (depending which I've got plugged into the TV at the time).

I'm getting more and more into using Plex, and now the majority of my TV watch time is Plex Content (probably about 99%). Even the stuff I would usually have recorded on the DVR, I've now got on Plex within an hour of the show ending.

So while I could just throw the DVR out the window and stick with plex, incomes my partner. They're not as technically savvy, loves to flick through the programme guide and watch live TV when I'm not about.

I'm loving the idea of a NVIDIA Shield, as it's got the gaming function, strongly believe it'll be far better for Plex and it looks so nice. BUT - I have to have the Live OTA TV function....

Do I just get an adapter? Or is there a box out there that can do what I want already? My research isn't looking positive.

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Thanks

ecureuil

You need a tablo or a HDHomerun to record OTA channels

https://www.tablotv.com/

https://www.silicondust.com

BiggussDikkuss

The problem you are going to find is the majority of users on here are going to suggest something with ATSC that is completely incompatible with the DVB-T/T2 TV transmission standards in the UK.

If you want time shifting, a free EPG, remote scheduling of recordings and such. Seriously buy a proper PVR. By the time you fuck around with a DIY solution, you could have bought a much easier to use solution out of the box.

If you do go down the DIY route, splash out for a DVB-T / T2 HDHomerun networked tuner. That will be the easiest to Plug N Play and have widespread compatibility.

Second problem you have if you also watch 24p content on say Apps like Netflix AND also want to watch 25i/50fps UK TV and catchup TV services - is the Android TV version of Netflix has No auto Frame Rate Matching. You will be constantly in Androd settings, manually changing screen resolution output Hz searching for a match that gives smooth video playback and then have to change it back to 50hz for UK TV viewing.

Without matching Frame Rates, this means 24p Netflix will be output at 50fps, it's a horrible combo to watch on any TV. USA users do not have this issue because 24p Netflix at 59.94Hz is fine for them (using 3:2 pull down). ATSC TV is 29.97 fps as well, which again is fine at 59.94Hz.

The Apple TV 4K has auto Frame Rate matching for a whole swag of Apps and is a far better match in parts of the world that have to deal with 25i / 50fps TV and 24p Apps like Netflix and Prime. Video. Yes that sort of inbuilt functionality makes a difference for day to day use. It also has better local Apps availability, especially outside the USA vs what Android TV provides.

Both platforms have the superb Channels App, that can interface with HDHomerun hardware. The Plex Server I believe also works with networked HDHomerun hardware, but I have no experience with that.

There is No cheap Plug N Play solution.