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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).

Before you continue, make sure you have the following:

  • One or more compatible HDHomeRun device: see List of DVR compatible HDHomeRun devices
  • Mac running El Capitan (10.11) 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.
  1. Download the HDHomeRun Mac software here: http://download.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/hdhomerun_mac.dmg
  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. Go to http://my.hdhomerun.com/ and verify that HDHomeRun RECORD shows at the top of the page.

By default, recordings are stored in

/Users/HDHomeRun/

on your main drive (normally named Macintosh HD).

Change the recording location:

  1. Open Terminal and run:
    sudo nano /Users/HDHomeRun/hdhomerun.conf
  2. 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/
  3. To save the changes, press control-o, and then press control-x to exit. Reboot the Mac, or run the below commands to restart the DVR.


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 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.

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

  • Last modified: 2019/08/29 00:48