'NAT' Network-attached-tuner

The HDHomeRun is the coolest device in your high-tech home theater.

Imagine a dual-tuner card you'd stick in your PC that can tune both OTA and cable-company encoded-but-not-encrypted QAM. Dual tuners means you can watch one station and record on a different one (if you have the right software).

Imagine also that it came with great software (Arcsoft Total Media). And fast channel locking- and built-in EPG, and high-output bitstreams for the two channels.

For $150.

Great deal, right?

How about this- it doesn't go in your PC at all. So not you're thinking.. it's a component that goes in my rack. Well it can.. but it can also go anywhere. The picture fools you into thinking it is something bigger than it is.

It's the size of a paperback book. And it only has 2 input jacks, 1 ethernet port and a power plug.

Meaning, it is a fully networked device allowing any- and all PCs in your network to access the tuner itself. Please realize the distinction between this and a 'media center' where you stored your movies- this device actually outputs live video streams- two of them- that can be shared simultaneously by all the deviceces in your network (where upon you could do the traditional media center functions with a networked PC).

I am thrilled with it. It's not an easy setup- documentation is scarce- but it works wonderfully.