Compatible Tuner for Plex Live TV/DVR

[djdwosk97]

I'd like to set up Live TV/DVR on my FreeNAS server (I'm running the Plex Plugin and FreeNAS 9.3) and I figured I'd have better luck here than the Plex forums as I need a tuner that FreeNAS has drivers for (if any even exist).

I was also wondering if I would need an antenna or if I could just hook it up to an Optimum Cablevision box.

 

[gpsguy]

You could use one of the standalone SiliconDust HDHomeRun (https://www.silicondust.com/) boxes.

I have an older version of the Extend and use an over the air antenna with it. My understanding is that if you used their Prime product, you could get a cable card from your cable company to use it with their service.

I should mention that I'm running it with Plex on Sever 2012R2. I figured for the WAF, I could get me up and running faster on Windows than FreeNAS.

 

[nojohnny101]

@djdwosk97 i think you are looking at this the wrong way. You really do not have to ensure a tuner or antenna is compatible with FreeNAS. You must however ensure the tuner is listed as compatible with Plex which you can find a list of here:
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/225877427-Supported-DVR-Devices-and-Antennas

Follow the "hardware guide" in the link and everything will work.

 

[scrappy]

I use the current gen HDHomerun Extend. Works perfectly with my setup.

 

[scrappy]

Oh, and yeah, the HDHomerun TV tuner boxes should have nothing to do with FreeNAS. They only talk to Plex over an IP address.

 

[djdwosk97]

@djdwosk97 i think you are looking at this the wrong way. You really do not have to ensure a tuner or antenna is compatible with FreeNAS. You must however ensure the tuner is listed as compatible with Plex which you can find a list of here:
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/225877427-Supported-DVR-Devices-and-Antennas

Follow the "hardware guide" in the link and everything will work.

Oh, and yeah, the HDHomerun TV tuner boxes should have nothing to do with FreeNAS. They only talk to Plex over an IP address.

Oh, I was under the impression that it connected to the server itself, not the network.

I ordered the HDHomeRun Prime and it should get here sometime today. So I'll set that up and hopefully it works as well as I hope it will. Any comments as to how Live TV/DVR functionality is?

 

[gpsguy]

Works okay.

I don't care for the way Plex organizes the Program guide. I wish it was more like a tradional TV guide organized by days and times.

 

[adrianwi]

I'm using a HDHomeRun Connect without any problems, but it's just another network device. Agree that the Plex EPG is the main problem, as it's difficult if not impossible to use for browsing whats on.

 

[djdwosk97]

Works okay.

I don't care for the way Plex organizes the Program guide. I wish it was more like a tradional TV guide organized by days and times.

I'm using a HDHomeRun Connect without any problems, but it's just another network device. Agree that the Plex EPG is the main problem, as it's difficult if not impossible to use for browsing whats on.

Well that's kind of sad to hear, but we'll see how it goes.


I had another question that I figure I may as well just ask here since it's pretty simple. I want to get smart functionality on a tv that's outside of the range of my main router, so I can handle it in one of two ways.

1. Buy a Fire Stick ($40) + AC router ($70~) and use the router as an access point.
2. Buy a Fire TV ($90) and try to just run an ethernet line to the fire TV.

Right now, the highest bitrate stream that will be streamed is 30mbps~ (bluray), but I want to leave room for a 4k bluray -- which is what's making me hesitant about the Fire TV route as the Fire TV only has 10/100 ethernet (I know the Fire Stick maxes out at 1080p anyway, I'd have to upgrade it to something 4k capable in the future). I'm sure the Fire TV route is the better option, but I'd just like to hear a second opinion.

But would it be better to spend the money on the Fire TV (and potentially have to replace it and add a router if they drop ethernet all together, which they potentially could) or get a Fire Stick and a router and just have to replace the Fire Stick.

 

[scrappy]

Well that's kind of sad to hear, but we'll see how it goes.


I had another question that I figure I may as well just ask here since it's pretty simple. I want to get smart functionality on a tv that's outside of the range of my main router, so I can handle it in one of two ways.

1. Buy a Fire Stick ($40) + AC router ($70~) and use the router as an access point.
2. Buy a Fire TV ($90) and try to just run an ethernet line to the fire TV.

Right now, the highest bitrate stream that will be streamed is 30mbps~ (bluray), but I want to leave room for a 4k bluray -- which is what's making me hesitant about the Fire TV route as the Fire TV only has 10/100 ethernet (I know the Fire Stick maxes out at 1080p anyway, I'd have to upgrade it to something 4k capable in the future). I'm sure the Fire TV route is the better option, but I'd just like to hear a second opinion.

But would it be better to spend the money on the Fire TV (and potentially have to replace it and add a router if they drop ethernet all together, which they potentially could) or get a Fire Stick and a router and just have to replace the Fire Stick.

Whenever possible, always use the wired option. This especially holds true for media streaming.

I use the 4th Gen Apple TV, but sort of wish I had purchased the Nvidia Shield instead. I have zero experience with Amazon's Fire TV products, so I cannot comment there.

 

[adrianwi]

I also use the lastest aTV with a 10/100 wired connection but also have a Fire Stick for watching Prime stuff. Don't know whether its the Amazon hardware or the AC wireless connection, but watching Plex on the Fire Stick is painful compared with the problem free experience on the aTV.

 

[djdwosk97]

I also use the lastest aTV with a 10/100 wired connection but also have a Fire Stick for watching Prime stuff. Don't know whether its the Amazon hardware or the AC wireless connection, but watching Plex on the Fire Stick is painful compared with the problem free experience on the aTV.

That could be wifi related. I watch Plex from my Sony X850c and a Fire Stick, both on wifi, and I would say they're equally responsive.

 

[djdwosk97]

You could use one of the standalone SiliconDust HDHomeRun (https://www.silicondust.com/) boxes.

I have an older version of the Extend and use an over the air antenna with it. My understanding is that if you used their Prime product, you could get a cable card from your cable company to use it with their service.

I should mention that I'm running it with Plex on Sever 2012R2. I figured for the WAF, I could get me up and running faster on Windows than FreeNAS.

I use the current gen HDHomerun Extend. Works perfectly with my setup.

I'm using a HDHomeRun Connect without any problems, but it's just another network device. Agree that the Plex EPG is the main problem, as it's difficult if not impossible to use for browsing whats on.

I got my HDHomeRun Prime working, but shouldn't I be getting more channels than I am? I have Optimum Silver, which should get me a few hundred channels (excluding on demand/interactive stuff), but I only found 78 channels with the channel scan. Also from a quick glance, not of the channels seem to be premium channels (e.g. I feel like I would get most of these from an OTA antenna).

P.s. Is there a way to sort Plex Live TV by channel?
P.p.s How come I don't see a play button (only a record button) when I click on a show that's "now airing"?

Optimum Plans: https://www.optimum.net/pricing-packages

Code:

Optimum Silver:
Includes Optimum Preferred, Optimum Value and Broadcast Basic, plus:
Chiller
HBO2 West HD
Showtime Too West HD
HBO HD
LMN
Showtime West HD
HBO Comedy HD
Showtime HD
Showtime Women
HBO Family HD
Showtime Beyond
Starz HD
HBO Family West HD
Showtime Extreme HD
Starz Cinema
HBO Latino HD
Showtime Family Zone
Starz Comedy HD
HBO On Demand
Showtime Next
Starz Edge HD
HBO Signature HD
Showtime On Demand
Starz in Black
HBO Signature West HD
Showtime Showcase HD
Starz Kids & Family HD
HBO West HD
Showtime Showcase West HD
Starz On Demand
HBO Zone HD
Showtime Too HD
Starz West HD
HBO2 HD

Optimum Preferred:
Includes Optimum Value and Broadcast Basic, plus:
American Heroes Channel
FX Movie Channel
POP
BBC America HD
FYI HD
Science Channel HD
BBC World News
The Golf Channel HD
Smithsonian Channel HD
BET Soul
Great American Country
Sprout
BTN HD**
Hallmark Channel
Starz Encore HD
CBS Sports Network HD
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries HD
Starz Encore Action
Centric
i24NEWS HD
Starz Encore Black
CMT HD
IFC HD
Starz Encore Classic
Cooking Channel HD
Logo
Starz Encore Family
Destination America HD
MLB Network HD
Starz Encore On Demand
Discovery Family Channel
MTV Classic
Starz Encore Suspense
Discovery Life SD
MTV Live (HD only)
Starz Encore West
Disney XD HD
MTV Tr3s
Starz Encore Westerns
DIY Network HD
Nat Geo Wild HD
SundanceTV
English Premiere League HD
NBA TV HD
Teen Nick
ESPNEWS HD
NBC Universo
TV One
ESPNU HD
NFL Network HD
Univisión Deportes Network HD
ESPN Deportes
Nick Jr.
UP
Euronews
NickMusic
Viceland HD
FOX Deportes
Nicktoons TV
Z Living
FOX Sports 2
OWN HD

Optimum Value:
Includes Broadcast Basic, plus:
A&E HD
EWTN
ReelzChannel HD
AMC HD
Food Network HD
Religious Programming
Animal Planet HD
FOX Business Network HD
Spike TV HD
ASiPRE
FOX News Channel HD
SportsNet New York HD
BET HD
FOX Sports 1 HD
Sports Overflow HD
Bloomberg TV HD
Freeform HD
Syfy HD
Boomerang
fuse HD
TBS HD
Bravo HD
FX HD
Telecare
Cartoon Network HD
FXX HD
TLC HD
Classic Arts Showcase
Galavisión HD
TNT HD
CNBC HD
HGTV HD
Travel Channel HD
CNN HD
History HD
truTV HD
CNN Headline News
Investigation Discovery HD
Turner Classic Movies HD
Comedy Central HD
Jewish Broadcasting Service
TV Land HD
Crime & Investigation Network
Lifetime HD
Universal (HD only)
C-SPAN3
MSG HD
USA Network HD
Daystar
MSG Plus HD
Velocity (HD only)
Discovery Channel HD
MSNBC HD
VH1
Disney Channel HD
MTV HD
WE tv HD
Disney Junior HD
MTV2 HD
WGN HD
E! HD
National Geographic Channel HD
The Weather Channel HD
ESPN HD
NBCSN HD
YES Network HD
ESPN2 HD
Nickelodeon HD

Optimum Broadcast Basic:
50 channels of digital music, access to Pay Per View, On Demand, interactive and enhanced TV services, plus:
ABC HD
HSN
Optimum Channel Guide
Antenna TV
ION HD
Public Access
Movies! Network
JewelryTelevision
QVC HD
C-SPAN
Kids Thirteen
Thirteen (PBS) HD
C-SPAN2
Leased Access
This TV
CBS HD
Live Well HD
Trinity Broadcasting Network
Cozi TV HD
Local Programming
UniMÁS HD
CW HD
My9 HD
PBS HD
Educational Access
News 12 HD
WLIW World
Estrella TV
News 12 Traffic & Weather HD
WLNY HD
EVINE Live
NBC HD
WMBC
ExitosTV
NYC Life HD
Telemundo HD
FOX HD
Optimum Channel HD
Univisión HD
Government Access

The channels I got in the scan:
Channels:

Code:

2 WCBS
3 WPXN
4 WNBC
5 WNYW
6 WXTV
7 WABC
8 NJTV
9 My9
10 WLNY
11 WPIX
12 N12NJ
13 WNET
14 OPTCH
15 EVINE
16 WNJU
17 UNIMS
18 HSN
19 WRNN
20 WMBC
21 WLIW
22 NYCLF
33 WJLP
61 N12TW
66 WNYJ
68 RELI
74 QVC
76 PA
77 EGACC
78 LOCAL
80 CSPN
94 HSN2
95 BUZZR
99 GUIDE
100 DGDE
108 LAFF
109 COZI
110 LIVEW
111 THSTV
112 DECAD
113 MVIES
114 ANTTV
115 CSP2
131 13KDS
132 21WLD
133 21CRT
134 WTBY
140 HICON
182 JTV
183 QVC2
683 HSNHD
687 WJLPH
688 COZIH
695 NJTVH
698 WNYJH
702 CBSHD
703 WPXNH
704 NBCHD
705 FOXD
706 WXTVH
707 ABCHD
708 UNIHD
709 My9HD
710 WLNYH
711 WPIXH
712 N12JH
713 13HD
714 OPTHD
721 21NYH
728 WNJUH
785 WRNNH
792 NTWHD
817 NYCHD
845 QVCHD
1004 WXTV
1005 UNIMS
1007 WNJU
1010 estre
1048 EXITV

 

[scrappy]

I got my HDHomeRun Prime working, but shouldn't I be getting more channels than I am? I have Optimum Silver, which should get me a few hundred channels (excluding on demand/interactive stuff), but I only found 78 channels with the channel scan. Also from a quick glance, not of the channels seem to be premium channels (e.g. I feel like I would get most of these from an OTA antenna).

P.s. is there a way to sort Plex Live TV by channel?

Optimum Plans: https://www.optimum.net/pricing-packages

Code:

Optimum Silver:
Includes Optimum Preferred, Optimum Value and Broadcast Basic, plus:
Chiller
HBO2 West HD
Showtime Too West HD
HBO HD
LMN
Showtime West HD
HBO Comedy HD
Showtime HD
Showtime Women
HBO Family HD
Showtime Beyond
Starz HD
HBO Family West HD
Showtime Extreme HD
Starz Cinema
HBO Latino HD
Showtime Family Zone
Starz Comedy HD
HBO On Demand
Showtime Next
Starz Edge HD
HBO Signature HD
Showtime On Demand
Starz in Black
HBO Signature West HD
Showtime Showcase HD
Starz Kids & Family HD
HBO West HD
Showtime Showcase West HD
Starz On Demand
HBO Zone HD
Showtime Too HD
Starz West HD
HBO2 HD

Optimum Preferred:
Includes Optimum Value and Broadcast Basic, plus:
American Heroes Channel
FX Movie Channel
POP
BBC America HD
FYI HD
Science Channel HD
BBC World News
The Golf Channel HD
Smithsonian Channel HD
BET Soul
Great American Country
Sprout
BTN HD**
Hallmark Channel
Starz Encore HD
CBS Sports Network HD
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries HD
Starz Encore Action
Centric
i24NEWS HD
Starz Encore Black
CMT HD
IFC HD
Starz Encore Classic
Cooking Channel HD
Logo
Starz Encore Family
Destination America HD
MLB Network HD
Starz Encore On Demand
Discovery Family Channel
MTV Classic
Starz Encore Suspense
Discovery Life SD
MTV Live (HD only)
Starz Encore West
Disney XD HD
MTV Tr3s
Starz Encore Westerns
DIY Network HD
Nat Geo Wild HD
SundanceTV
English Premiere League HD
NBA TV HD
Teen Nick
ESPNEWS HD
NBC Universo
TV One
ESPNU HD
NFL Network HD
Univisión Deportes Network HD
ESPN Deportes
Nick Jr.
UP
Euronews
NickMusic
Viceland HD
FOX Deportes
Nicktoons TV
Z Living
FOX Sports 2
OWN HD

Optimum Value:
Includes Broadcast Basic, plus:
A&E HD
EWTN
ReelzChannel HD
AMC HD
Food Network HD
Religious Programming
Animal Planet HD
FOX Business Network HD
Spike TV HD
ASiPRE
FOX News Channel HD
SportsNet New York HD
BET HD
FOX Sports 1 HD
Sports Overflow HD
Bloomberg TV HD
Freeform HD
Syfy HD
Boomerang
fuse HD
TBS HD
Bravo HD
FX HD
Telecare
Cartoon Network HD
FXX HD
TLC HD
Classic Arts Showcase
Galavisión HD
TNT HD
CNBC HD
HGTV HD
Travel Channel HD
CNN HD
History HD
truTV HD
CNN Headline News
Investigation Discovery HD
Turner Classic Movies HD
Comedy Central HD
Jewish Broadcasting Service
TV Land HD
Crime & Investigation Network
Lifetime HD
Universal (HD only)
C-SPAN3
MSG HD
USA Network HD
Daystar
MSG Plus HD
Velocity (HD only)
Discovery Channel HD
MSNBC HD
VH1
Disney Channel HD
MTV HD
WE tv HD
Disney Junior HD
MTV2 HD
WGN HD
E! HD
National Geographic Channel HD
The Weather Channel HD
ESPN HD
NBCSN HD
YES Network HD
ESPN2 HD
Nickelodeon HD

Optimum Broadcast Basic:
50 channels of digital music, access to Pay Per View, On Demand, interactive and enhanced TV services, plus:
ABC HD
HSN
Optimum Channel Guide
Antenna TV
ION HD
Public Access
Movies! Network
JewelryTelevision
QVC HD
C-SPAN
Kids Thirteen
Thirteen (PBS) HD
C-SPAN2
Leased Access
This TV
CBS HD
Live Well HD
Trinity Broadcasting Network
Cozi TV HD
Local Programming
UniMÁS HD
CW HD
My9 HD
PBS HD
Educational Access
News 12 HD
WLIW World
Estrella TV
News 12 Traffic & Weather HD
WLNY HD
EVINE Live
NBC HD
WMBC
ExitosTV
NYC Life HD
Telemundo HD
FOX HD
Optimum Channel HD
Univisión HD
Government Access

The channels I got in the scan:
Channels:

Code:

2 WCBS
3 WPXN
4 WNBC
5 WNYW
6 WXTV
7 WABC
8 NJTV
9 My9
10 WLNY
11 WPIX
12 N12NJ
13 WNET
14 OPTCH
15 EVINE
16 WNJU
17 UNIMS
18 HSN
19 WRNN
20 WMBC
21 WLIW
22 NYCLF
33 WJLP
61 N12TW
66 WNYJ
68 RELI
74 QVC
76 PA
77 EGACC
78 LOCAL
80 CSPN
94 HSN2
95 BUZZR
99 GUIDE
100 DGDE
108 LAFF
109 COZI
110 LIVEW
111 THSTV
112 DECAD
113 MVIES
114 ANTTV
115 CSP2
131 13KDS
132 21WLD
133 21CRT
134 WTBY
140 HICON
182 JTV
183 QVC2
683 HSNHD
687 WJLPH
688 COZIH
695 NJTVH
698 WNYJH
702 CBSHD
703 WPXNH
704 NBCHD
705 FOXD
706 WXTVH
707 ABCHD
708 UNIHD
709 My9HD
710 WLNYH
711 WPIXH
712 N12JH
713 13HD
714 OPTHD
721 21NYH
728 WNJUH
785 WRNNH
792 NTWHD
817 NYCHD
845 QVCHD
1004 WXTV
1005 UNIMS
1007 WNJU
1010 estre
1048 EXITV

Wish I had an answer. You might need to ask your question on the Plex forums. I use an OTA antenna for my HDHomerun and therefore get a whopping 9 channels that are worthwhile/watchable.

 

[djdwosk97]

Wish I had an answer. You might need to ask your question on the Plex forums. I use an OTA antenna for my HDHomerun and therefore get a whopping 9 channels that are worthwhile/watchable.

I asked over there, hopefully I get an answer I like. It would be kind of ridiculous to not get all the channels that I pay for since the cable card is capable of delivering all the channels. OTA I kind of get as you're limited by the antenna and your location, but with a cablecard I should get the exact same content as I do with a cable box (on demand/interactive stuff excluded).

 

[gpsguy]

Now, you see why we don't like their EPG.

P.s. Is there a way to sort Plex Live TV by channel?

My setup is similar to @scrappy 's with OTA.

 

[gpsguy]

Probably because it's only currently only supported on Android TV and iOS.

How come I don't see a play button (only a record button) when I click on a show that's "now airing"?