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Setting up DVR storage on a certified Android TV device

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Unlike other platforms, the normal HDHomeRun Android app contains the DVR storage software in a single app. You only need to install the normal HDHomeRun app and enable the DVR settings, as described in the guide below.

Requirements

Before you continue, make sure you have the following:

  • HDHomeRun DVR subscription
  • One or more compatible HDHomeRun device: see List of DVR compatible HDHomeRun devices
  • A wired ethernet connection is highly recommended
  • USB 3.0 is highly recommended if connecting an external USB hard drive, for performance reasons. A USB 2.0 speed port on the host device should still be fast enough for four recordings and four playbacks at the same time, but USB 3.0 should be used for heavy use.
  • A connected drive that is 500 GB or larger in size.
  • Certified Android TV device is highly recommended. (see here for more information on hardware)

FireTV is not supported (no exFAT/NTFS support).

Installing

  1. If you are using an external drive, attach it to the Android device and format it as “Use as removable storage“, so that you can access recordings if the drive is plugged into a computer. Using the other option, “device storage”, will make the drive only work on the Android device.

    TIP: Plug the drive into a computer and format it as exFAT, then plug it into the Android device. This will work with most Android TV devices.

  2. Install the HDHomeRun app from the Google play store
  3. Open the HDHomeRun app
  4. Press “back” or select the menu button on the action bar to get to the “Recorded/Discover/Tasks” area.
  5. Select the gear icon in the top right corner
  6. Select the DVR option and enable it

Uninstalling

WARNING: Android will automatically delete your recordings if you uninstall the HDHomeRun app. This is an Android OS limitation and not under the control of Silicondust.

To uninstall you can simply uninstall the HDHomeRun app like any other app. If you only want to disable the DVR storage portion of the app:

  1. Open the HDHomeRun app
  2. Press “back” or select the menu button on the action bar to get to the “Recorded/Discover/Tasks” area.
  3. Select the gear icon in the top right corner
  4. Select the DVR option and disable it

Known compatible hardware

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of Android hardware that is compatible with the DVR software. It contains results discovered by our community of users, and may unintentionally include outdated information. Use this information as a starting point in your research, and feel free to reach out to us if you need any help in choosing hardware.

Works

  • Nvidia Shield - All models of the Nvidia Shield work with the HDHomeRun DVR software. Works if you format the drive as exFAT or NTFS before plugging it in. While it is technically possible to set up the “Tube” version of the Nvidia Shield with a 500GB+ mSD card, it is not recommended to use flash-based memory for the DVR.
  • Jetstream 4k Ultra - Works if you format the drive as exFAT before plugging it in. Formatting the drive from within Android TV results in it using vFAT, which won't work.
  • MiBox S - Works if you format the drive as exFAT before plugging it in. Formatting the drive from within Android TV results in it using vFAT, which won't work. A USB ethernet adapter is highly recommended if using for DVR. “MiBox 3” version should also work.
  • TiVo STREAM 4K - Works if you format the drive as exFAT before plugging it in. Formatting the drive from within Android TV results in it using vFAT, which won't work. A USB ethernet adapter is highly recommended if using for DVR.
  • Mecool Android TV devices - MK9 Pro works, other models of Mecool running Android TV also presumed to work.

Might work

  • Sony Android TV - Newer (most 2018/19 and later) models appear to do very well with the DVR software. However, some users have reported that recent firmware updates have changed how permissions are handled on removable media, preventing recordings from being made, while other users have not had any such issues.

Doesn't work

  • Fire TV devices (all) - Only supports vFAT for removable media (can't make files larger than 4GB).
  • 2020 Chromecast with Google TV - Only supports vFAT for removable media (can't make files larger than 4GB).
  • Hisense Android TVs - Only supports vFAT for removable media (can't make files larger than 4GB).

FAQ

  • Q: Can I use a USB thumb drive or an SD card?
    • A: Not recommended. Flash storage frequently has very poor write speeds and may have unpredictable performance.
  • Q: Can I run an external USB on Android device? Which drive will it save to?
    • A: Yes, HDHomeRun Record will save to the external drive
  • Q: Will HDHomeRun RECORD wake the Android device for a scheduled recording?
    • A: Yes.
  • Q: Will I be able to access recordings from the Android device like I do now with my NAS (or my PC)?
    • A: Yes, you will be able to access recordings on your LAN as you do with your NAS (or PC).

Next step: Using DVR in the HDHomeRun app

Once you finish setting up a DVR storage device, see our guide link below for instructions on using the DVR features in the HDHomeRun app.
Instructions on using the DVR features in the HDHomeRun app

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