Table of Contents

HDHomeRun FLEX

For the most recent documentation and help with ATSC 3.0 broadcasts, please visit our support forum here: https://forum.silicondust.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=133

The HDHomeRun FLEX is similar to the 5th generation CONNECT, but adds a USB port for use with the HDHomeRun DVR service. Without a USB hard drive connected, the FLEX acts as a CONNECT. With a USB hard drive (and DVR subscription) the FLEX acts like a SCRIBE.
Model numbers Tuners Signal type
FLEX DUO HDFX-2US 2 ATSC 1.0 & QAM64/256 x 2
FLEX QUATRO HDFX-4US 4 ATSC 1.0 & QAM64/256 x 4
HDFX-4DT 4 DVB-T/T2 & DVB-C
FLEX 4K HDFX-4K 4 ATSC 3.0/1.0 x 2 tuners, ATSC 1.0 x 2 tuners (all tuners also support QAM64/256)
Works with DVR Yes
Size 3.4“x3.4”x0.8“
Ports Antenna, Ethernet (100baseTX), Power, USB (for DVR)
Power supply

12Volt 1.0Amp regulated power adapter (higher Amp rating ok)
1.3mm ID / 3.4mm OD plug, 9.5mm depth, center positive
Noise ⇐ 150mVp-p

Updating firmware

DVR storage mode

This section mainly applies to the optional HDHomeRun DVR service.

  • With a paid subscription the FLEX can record shows to a hard drive connected to the FLEX's built-in USB port.
  • The USB port can also act as an extended buffer for pausing live TV in the HDHomeRun app, and that pause-buffer feature is free to all users.
  • Third party DVR services such as Plex, Channels, Jellyfin, Emby, and others, will not use the USB port on the FLEX for DVR storage. Please consult the documentation for those programs about their DVR server requirements.
  • We recommend avoiding USB “thumb” or “stick” drives, as they are normally not designed for prolonged use.
  • Solid State Drives (SSDs) are supported, but not required. A mechanical spinning hard disk drive (HDD) will easily suffice for recording four simultaneous channels at the same time.
  • We recommend at least 500 GB or larger, which will provide approximately 150 hours of DVR.
  • The FLEX will work with a max of 17.6 TB. Larger drives can be used, but the FLEX will only use 17.6 TB of space on those drives.
  • The USB port will support 5 volts up to 1.8 amps of power, which should be enough for most bus-powered USB hard drives.

Setting up the USB hard drive on the FLEX:

  1. Plug a USB hard drive into the FLEX's USB port
  2. In a web browser go to http://hdhomerun.local
    1. NOTE: That address will go do the first HDHomeRun device found on your network. If you have more than one HDHomeRun device, use the “device ID” printed on the bottom of the unit instead of “hdhomerun” in the address. For example, if your device ID was 104FFFFF then you would go to http://104fffff.local
  3. Then click the “Format” button. That will erase and format the hard drive for recordings, and when it is done you will be all set up

Once the DVR storage is ready, you will be able to set recordings and watch them from any device running the HDHomeRun app, as long as you are connected to the same local network.