Well, what do you know… CableCARD ain’t dead yet. And, at CES, network tuner manufacturer Silicon Dust is showing an updated HDHomeRun Prime. This incoming model doubles the existing unit’s capabilities by simultaneously tuning six cable channels, in a smaller form factor that SIliconDust has been noodling on for several years. It sounds like the $200 HDHomeRun Prime 6 will effectively replace the $130 Prime when it’s scheduled to launch mid-year, within a more premium enclosure than the prototype shown above. Of course, hardware is only half the picture and some sort of software client is required to present content – current options include Silicon Dust’s own HDHomeRun apps and DVR service, Channels for Apple TV, and Plex on multiple devices including Roku. In that vein, Silicon Dust indicates changes are coming to permit access to CCI Byte-restricted channels like HBO (and something I assume is as much certification as it is software engineering).
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They did mention certification on Twitter as a reason it doesn't also support OTA. This is also one CableCARD for the six tuners correct? Wasn't their previous setup two sets of 3 tuners that required 2 CableCARDs?
I may be tempted to pick one of these up to test with the Plex DVR service.
Awesome! I've been waiting for this. 3 tuners just isn't enough to switch all my recordings to Plex from TiVo. Still won't be able to record copy once channels, but maybe Disney will remove the copy restriction for Fox at least on Fios. Definitely not holding my breath on that though.
Any word yet on the number of concurrent streams it'll support for the HD TV over WiFi function? It'd be nice to run Emby or Plex on smart TV apps throughout the house.