Question about Channel Master Stream+

by Immediate-Release

Hi guys. I've been using for years now the 2 older model DVR's from Channel Master. I have both the CM7400. And the newer CM7500 (aka DVR+). I love both. They made cord cutting a possibility for me. (If I HAD to choose one I would choose the older CM7400 probably). So when I saw they released a new one, the CM7600 (aka Stream+) I of course wanted it right away. But when I looked into it and saw what it is exactly, I realized that it wasn't for me. Because I mostly want it for a DVR, So all the streaming options and apps wasn't really interesting to me at all. Cause I didn't have very good WiFi anyway (I get it free from my landlord, but it's really slow when others use it too). But recently, like 2 weeks ago I found, and switched to a new cell phone carrier (Visible Wireless) so I'm getting fully truly unlimited data, (no speed caps) for only $25 monthly. And they also include free unlimited hotspot use! Which I never really used, but now with my unlimited data, why not! I can use it all day for my home computer etc etc. So in the back of my mind I even thought about the Stream+ now being a possibility..... And low and behold.....in perfect timing!!! I get a email from Channel Master about a March DVR madness sale. It only cost $89! That is a awesome price! And I even got another $5 off with a coupon code. So it only cost me total $84. The timing of this sale couldn't be better for me! Just when I got good enough internet to support it. Amazing timing! So I'm really excited to be finally getting the newest model of the Channel Master DVR's. I can't wait for it to be delivered! Ok ok, that's my story...... NOW HERE IS MY QUESTION!.......

My question is this. I couldn't find this info anywhere online. So I'm hoping a Stream+ owner could maybe tell me this.... How long can I pause live TV for?? What is the limit? On the DVR+ It's a 2 hour limit. In the older model allows till the show after the current ends (complicated I know). But I couldn't find this info anywhere about the Stream+ And also....if I pause live tv, say for 10 minutes. Or just rewind it 10 minutes. I can then fast fwd through commercials to catch up with live?? I saw someone saying online that you can't fast fwd. But it doesn't make sense! Then how do you catch up?? So please can any owner clarify this for me?
How long is the pause/rewind limit?. And can I fast fwd through the commercials to catch up? (Of course I know that changing the channel makes you lose the buffer. But my question would be for when I've been on the same channel for a while) Please enlighten me

pepperduck

I own the Steam+

I haven’t used it in a while but from what I’ve read the situation still seems to be the same.

Channel Master did not design the DVR functionality, it is handled by the Live Channels Google app.

The app itself is ok and is constantly being updated. The last I used it, Chase Play was a possibility although I’m not sure how long you can pause a show for.

With all of that said, I stopped using it because of its extremely weak tuner. I live pretty close to a lot of broadcast stations in an LA suburb with a 6’ antenna on my roof. No real obstructions. ANY other tuner I’ve used has just flawless reception. I’m currently using this crappy little DVR box from Target that gets the job done but is clunky like a 90s VCR.

The Stream+ is useless for me because it can’t do what I bought it for in the first place.

I’ve been considering going the Shield route with a usb tuner but I’ll wait until the new ATSC Protocols are implemented before I take the plunge.

Cutting the cord is a labor of love. Good luck.

EDIT: Fixed autocorrect

trophyguy

The Stream + is pretty good. You will like it. I've had it since it came out in 2018(?) and went from the CM7500 also when I first cut the cord. The preorder price then was $99 I think so I jumped on it.

It's stuck with the September 2018 security update and Android 7.0, and my USB storage gets "lost" every once in a while. Other than that, it was an excellent choice.

I dont do a lot of DVR OTA recording myself and have only paused live tv once in a while and screwed it up watching by pressing the wrong button & losing the pause lol. I suspect it's done getting anything new, but it has been a really good little box.

Baymavision

I've had the Stream+ for about a year.

You can pause live TV for roughly 15 minutes. After that, it kicks you back to live as though you just turned it on. As in, after it kicks you back to live, you cannot rewind. At all.

Once you start watching your paused live show within your 15 minutes, yes, you can fast forward through commercials to catch up.

I do this every Sunday so that my slow as fuck eating kids can watch all of America's Funniest Videos.

Now, you cannot schedule a show to record, tune to the channel after it started, and expect to rewind and watch from the beginning. There just isn't a way to do that.

As for how long you can watch a channel and then rewind, I honestly don't know. Haven't thought to try that yet.

Immediate-Release

I just got it delivered a few hours ago, it came late late afternoon. I started playing it around setting it up. Everything went smooth. The tuner pulled in channels way way better than the older models. I downloaded, and added pluto tv channels. It plays beautifully with my hotspot internet. But finally after playing around a while. I tuned it to my channel (MeTv) and leave it without changing, so I can finally see what the live buffer time is, by seeing how far it will let me rewind it. (I was told here in the comments that it is 15 minutes limit. Which scared the shit outta me)... I did check it after 15 minutes, after like 20 minutes or so, it still allowed me to rewind all the way to when I tuned the channel. So I knew the 15 minutes isn't true. I breathed easy..... I waited to go passed an hour, it still allowed me to rewind all the way... So I know the limit is more than hour (thank God)..... So right now I'm an hour and 22 minutes after tuning to the channel....just checked.....STILL WENT BACK ALL THE WAY. Yooohooooooo! I'll edit at 2 hours. As I have a feeling that might be the limit. Which I'd be EXTREMELY satisfied with btw. But I'll post either way at passed 2 hours.....

So far I'm very very VERY happy with this box. Maybe I was expecting it to be horrible cause almost EVERYONE hates it. But I don't get it. I'm loving this thing so far

realjet201

I agree the tuner sucks. I now use a digital converter box that can record. The DVR+ was much better.

Baymavision

So, after our discussion here and seeing the response you received on AVSForum, I decided to just pause it an leave it. I'm happy to say that whatever problem was causing my 15 minute limit, it's gone and I was able to pause for over an hour.

I don't know why CM told me there was nothing wrong and that it was something to do with algorithms or some shit because I definitely have more on my dvr more than I did last spring!