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Setting up DVR storage on a Mac computer

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This page describes how to set up the HDHomeRun DVR software on a Mac computer. Please use a Mac that is connected to your network using ethernet, and is always-on (doesn't go into sleep mode or shut down).

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
  • Mac running El Capitan (10.15) or newer
  • Sufficient disk space to hold recordings. HD content typically runs around 6GB per hour, so a 500 GB hard drive for recordings is a good minimum to have.
  • The Mac must be on at all times in order to make recordings or access previously recorded content. Sleep mode should be disabled.
  • Wired network connection. The DVR will handle a great deal of video traffic, so wireless connections should be avoided.

Install the storage software

  1. Download the HDHomeRun Mac software here:
  2. If it hasn't already opened automatically, open the HDHomeRun installer disk image so that a “virtual” disk with the HDHomeRun set up software installer opens up. You can do this by double clicking on the .img file that is downloaded, normally in your downloads folder.
  3. Double click on the installer and enter your Mac's administrator password when prompted. If you've never set up an administrator password, simply press enter.
  4. The installer will ask which parts of the software to install. You will want at least the DVR storage recording software, but you can also install the viewer app, so that you can view live TV and recordings on the same Mac.
  5. And you're done. You should now be able to record using the HDHomeRun app.

By default, recordings are stored in 

/Users/HDHomeRun/

on your main drive (normally named Macintosh HD).

Advanced options

Change the recording location

  1. Open Terminal and run: 
    sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.silicondust.dvr.plist
  2. Then run the command: 
    sudo nano /Users/HDHomeRun/hdhomerun.conf
  3. Change the record location to the exact location you would like to record to. Do not use paths with spaces in them, and do not use quotes around the path.

    For example, your recording path might look like this 

    RecordPath=/Volumes/My_new_harddrive/HDHomeRun/
  4. To save the changes, press control-o, and then press control-x to exit.
  5. Run the command: 
    sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.silicondust.dvr.plist​
  6. Open the System Preferences from the Apple menu
  7. Open Security & Privacy
  8. Click on the Privacy tab.
  9. Click on the padlock icon in the bottom left corner of the window and enter your computer's administrative password (if you have no password just press “enter” on your keyboard).
  10. Scroll down on the list in Security & Privacy and click on Full Disk Access.
  11. Enable the checkbox next to the hdhomerun_record entry.
  12. Restart the DVR again by placing the following commands into the Terminal: 
    sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.silicondust.dvr.plist
sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.silicondust.dvr.plist


If you are using a “Mac OS Extended” or “APFS” formatted external drive then you will need to make sure that the recording folder has read/write permissions set to “everyone”. You can do this by clicking on the folder or drive icon used for recordings and going to the “File menu” → “Get info” and changing the settings near the bottom of the info screen.

Restart the DVR without rebooting the Mac

  1. Open Terminal and run:
    sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.silicondust.dvr.plist
sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.silicondust.dvr.plist​

Uninstalling

Uninstalling the Mac DVR storage software will also remove the folder used for recordings. If you do not move the recordings to a new location, they will be erased by the uninstallation.

To uninstall the DVR storage software from a Mac computer:

  1. Open the “Terminal” application.
  2. Type in the command: 
    sudo /Users/HDHomeRun/uninstall
  3. Enter your password when prompted. If you have never set an administrator password on your Mac, simply press enter.

This will uninstall the HDHomeRun DVR recording software from your Mac.

Troubleshooting

Install error

If you get an error message during the installation of the DVR then you may need to manually uninstall the DVR to reinstall it:

Open Terminal and run the following: 

sudo -s

Enter your password when prompted. Then copy/paste the following into the terminal and press return: 

/bin/launchctl unload "/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.silicondust.dvr"
/bin/rm "/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.silicondust.dvr"
/usr/bin/dscl . -delete "/Groups/_HDHomeRun"
/usr/bin/dscl . -delete "/Users/_HDHomeRun"
/usr/sbin/pkgutil --forget "com.silicondust.dvr"
/bin/rm -rf "/Users/HDHomeRun"

You may see some errors about things not being found; that is OK. After the last command is run, re-run the installer for the DVR.

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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