HDHomeRun 4+

This little box and a flat antenna is all you need to start your “Cut the cord” journey. Amazingly enough... it just works! Ya plug it in, hook up a antenna and the network cable (you still must have internet)...BAMM! It’s working. No crazy setup and confusion...But, like all new things, it still needs work on the GUI and compatibility with all the platforms integrations. (Like Apple TV, there’s a app you use, but it’s far from perfectly glorious)Not everyone wants you to have free TV when they are selling monthly subscriptions. I will say, it has only gotten better and better over time...both hardware and software wise via free OTA updates..I have tried ALL the main ones and this is by far the simplest way to get your local TV fast and easy while still having on screen menus,DVR functions, and the technology your used to having.

The hardware setup is truly outstanding. You do need to go to their site and download their downloadable app from their site to either max or windows. This app… the desktop player, they didn’t mention, is what does the firmware upgrade.

I hooked it up and it simply worked. Incredibly well. You don’t have to program it for channels or get it to scan anything. It literally just worked. Outstanding job on the hardware side. Everything is able to instantly see the home run device on my network. (Multiple AppleTVs, mac, pc, iPhones). Easiest 5/5 rating I could have.

Then there’s the App UI

That’s a different story. It does work, but it isn’t quite obvious on how it expects you to work with it. That took some patience to figure out some type of ideology that was used to dream up how to navigate the thing.

Great hardware, clearly made by great hardware people… who are trying to do an app. Give ‘em some time, I’m guessing it’ll get better. App: 2/5.

Fantastic buy for me. Brought as their hardware works with multiple apps as a standardized network service. So even if I couldn’t deal with the app (not the case though) I would be able to use another app.

For me though, this works just fine.

The most glaring shortcoming is the interface. I find it to be confusing and unintuitive especially compared to Channels or Plex (which aren't free). The app is pretty zippy with the delay between switching channels taking maybe 2 seconds. Interface shortcomings aside, I also like that I can browse channels while watching a program, which is something lacking in other apps.

It would be nice if users could disable channels that don't work, or create a favorites list. It would also be nice to see a grid schedule similar to what's found on pretty much every TV interface device since TV Guide.

I guess the most compelling reason to download HDHomeRun over something like Channels, is that it's free. It's not a bad app at all, and if I had not already bought Channels, I'd be content with this.