Right now I have my HDHomeRun set up in my basement The first step is to connect the HDHomeRun to a coax cable connection, network connection, and power outlet. Compatible with Windows Media Center, Elgato EyeTV, MythTV, BeyondTV, SageTV, Media Portal, GB-PVR, VLC, and TS Reader.Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.It retails for $149.99 but can usually be found for much less at online sites such as NewEgg were it currently goes for $99. I decided to go with the HDHomeRun Dual (2 Tuners).If you are curious what digital channels are available in your area HDHomeRun has a web page that will show this based on your zip code. Since this is a digital tuner I lose all the analog channels, but I am only concerned with getting the basic network channels (all of which are available in digital). There were two main reasons I chose this tuner (1) Two tuners are included and (2) it is a networked tuner so all that needs to be done is for it to be connected to your network and any PC on your network can access. For my setup I decided to go with a HDHomeRun Networked Digital TV Tuner. The best way to determine what “free/unencrypted” channels you get from your cable provider is to simply plug your TV directly into your cable line without a cable box and see what channels come in. Unfortunately I live too far away from the network station towers to get OTA without a NASA grade antenna, so “cutting the cord” is out of the question. I am a Cablevision subscriber, so several analog channels are made available (aside from the basic network channels I also get SD versions of Disney, ESPN, HGTV, Food Network, etc…) and well as digital (QAM) channels (mostly just the basic network channels).

What channels you can access freely will be dependent on your cable provider, or if you live close enough you can try getting OTA (over the air) with an antenna. However, if you are like me and a large majority of your TV viewing is from the basic network stations (CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, CW) you can avoid some of the more involved steps (such as CableCard or HDPVR) and get a basic TV Tuner Card. It sounds great but of course there are limitations as many of the channels are blocked from free access. One of the nice things about using a PC as a “media hub” is the ability to watch, record, and share Live TV without the restrictions of a cable box.

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