Using MAC for Storage

[jwwhite001]

I have a HDFX-4K. Currently have a USB hard drive attached. Been having some difficulties with playback. I read that I could use a MAC for storage. So I downloaded and installed the software.

First problem, I wanted to change storage location. Couldn't get that to work so postpone that till later.

Main question, How do I tell the unit where to store the recordings? And is this even a viable option and I should stick with the USB drive?

Thanks.

[Señor Bob]

I read that I could use a MAC for storage. So I downloaded and installed the software.
[...]
Main question, How do I tell the unit where to store the recordings?

That is documented here:
https://info.hdhomerun.com/info/dvr:mac

And is this even a viable option and I should stick with the USB drive?

Sure. As documented in the URL above, just change RecordPath in the hdhomerun.conf file.

[jwwhite001]

I think more my question was, how does it know whether to record on the usb drive or the MAC. Or do I need to unplug the USB?

[Señor Bob]

I think more my question was, how does it know whether to record on the usb drive or the MAC. Or do I need to unplug the USB?

I can't remember where this is documented, but as I understand it, if you have more than one record engine, then whichever one has the most free space, is the one that will get used to do the recording. I don't know if you can have a record engine (i.e., what you're running on your Mac) and an external USB drive hooked up and have both work.

[Señor Bob]

Here's where it is documented how things work with multiple record engines:
http://info.hdhomerun.com/info/dvr:advanced

In so far as I can tell, there's no mention there of using a record engine simultaneously with an external USB drive.

[signcarver]

Multiple record engines typically use the engine with the most space.

If you are attaching external drive to a computer/nas, that is typically the RecordPath, there can be multiple locally attached directories for locations and that device records to the first location in that path, while other directories can be served as storage. If you are referring to that usb drive being on the mac I believe with the mac that would be something like /Volumes/drivename/HDHomeRun (it would need reformatting if previously attached to flex as mac doesnt fully support writing xfs last i checked).

If you are referring to having that drive attached to the flex, there is no method to ensure which recording engine records (as mentioned it will typically be the one with the most space) other than pulling drive so flex is no longer an engine, a computer or nas can be configured as a storage engine rather record engine (RecordStreamsMax=0) to serve such previously recorded content that was moved there but not record anything new but the flex has no such configuration.

[jwwhite001]

I can't seem to get this to work. I uninstalled the MAC recording engine. Re-installed and made sure everything is as it should be. I did not specify an external drive. Wanted to see if it would work with all the defaults. I unplugged the Disc on the unit itself. re-booted everything just to make sure. But says 'Your HDHomeRun DVR wasn't found'. And no recordings.

HDHomeRun is on wired ethernet as well as my MAC. All on the same network.

Any suggestions?

[Señor Bob]

I can't seem to get this to work. I uninstalled the MAC recording engine. Re-installed and made sure everything is as it should be. I did not specify an external drive. Wanted to see if it would work with all the defaults. I unplugged the Disc on the unit itself. re-booted everything just to make sure. But says 'Your HDHomeRun DVR wasn't found'. And no recordings.

HDHomeRun is on wired ethernet as well as my MAC. All on the same network.

On your Mac, under System Preferences->Security & Privacy->Firewall, be sure the firewall is disabled.

[jwwhite001]

Firewall is Off.

[jwwhite001]

Regarding this whole issue, here is what my problem is.

When playing back a recording the audio and video will get off during the playback. I can exit, restart, and it will be fine for awhile.

I have tried this on my Apple TV 4k, which is the main TV I use, and my Ipad. Both do the same. Thought the problem might be the disck. So I switched the disk to a new one and that didn't solve the problem.

Is there maybe some setting I am missing that would cause the playback problem?

I have channels running on my MAC. It doesn't have that particular problem but it has an issue with some recordings jumping ahead for some reason. Thus wanting the backup from HD direct.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

[NedS]

Sometimes the Mac DVR installation gets "stuck" and you need to manually uninstall to get the installer to work again: https://info.hdhomerun.com/info/dvr:mac#install_error

That being said, DVR storage shouldn't have an impact on A/V sync.

We would like to get some diagnostic data:

1. Please go to http://hdhomerun.local
2. If it tells you that a firmware update is available, please install it
3. Click System Status
4. Check the Send diagnostic information box
5. Go back one page
6. Click Channel Lineup
7. Click on Detect Channels

Reply back to this post and provide us the device ID of your HDHomeRun and we will check the logs. You can find the device ID on a label on the bottom of the HDHomeRun itself.

[jwwhite001]

Device ID 10A4D677

I tried this on a Roku and a Google TV. Same result. So doesn’t appear to be Apple related.

[jasonl]

Can you go to http://hdhomerun.local/ and click on Recorded Files, then one of the shows that has the issue (preferably a 30 minute show), then one of the episodes of that show. This will download the recording. Once the download finishes, upload it to a file storage site like Dropbox or Google Drive, set the permissions so that anyone with the link can access it, and email the link along with a link to this thread to support at silicondust dot com and we will take a look.