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Setting up DVR storage on a Windows computer

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This page describes how to install the HDHomeRun DVR software on a Windows PC. Please use a PC that is connected using ethernet and is always on (doesn't go to sleep or need to shut down).

Before you continue, make sure you have the following:

  • One or more compatible HDHomeRun device: see List of DVR compatible HDHomeRun devices
  • Windows 7, 8.1, or 10 PC (Windows 10 preferred. Windows 7 and 8.1 can only run the DVR storage software and not the official HDHomeRun viewing app)
  • 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.
  • PC must be on at all times in order to make recordings or access previously recorded content. Sleep mode should be disabled.
  1. Download the Windows software: The latest download for Windows can be found here: http://download.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/hdhomerun_windows.exe
  2. Run the program you downloaded in the previous step. At the end of the installation wizard, the HDHomeRun Setup program will open. If you need to change the DVR settings in the future, you can find the HDHomeRun program on your
  3. Start menu in the HDHomeRun folder.
  4. Enable the DVR: Click on the DVR tab in HDHomeRun Setup. Check the “Use this PC for recordings” box.
    • By default, the DVR will record to the public Recorded TV folder on the C drive. If you have another location you would prefer to record to, click the … button and select that location.
  5. Click OK to enable the DVR and close the HDHomeRun Setup program.
  6. Verify the DVR is active by going to http://my.hdhomerun.com/ and see if HDHomeRun RECORD shows at the top of the page.

Note: the record location must be on a drive that is physically connected to the computer. Do not attempt to record to a shared drive on another device. Limitations in the Windows file sharing protocol will cause problems for the DVR.

Note 2: the drive you are recording to must be using a filesystem that supports large files. For internal drives, we recommend NTFS. For external drives, we recommend exFAT. FAT32 will not work.

Click here for additional DVR troubleshooting help

By default, Windows 10 blocks Windows Store apps from communicating with other apps/services on the same PC. This can prevent the Windows 10 app from finding a DVR running on the same PC. The HDHomeRun installer changes a setting that should bypass this issue. Should you find that you can access the DVR from other devices but not from the Windows 10 PC it is running on, do the following:

  1. Right click on your Start menu icon and choose Windows PowerShell (Administrator) or Command Prompt (Admin)
  2. Run the following command:
    CheckNetIsolation LoopbackExempt -a -n="ef712ba7.hdhomerundvr_23nna27hyxhag"

The HDHomeRun app for Windows 7 and 8.1 does not support the DVR. Use Kodi with the HDHomeRun add-on instead: Kodi

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 00:49