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tech [2026/03/24 05:10] – nedstech [2026/03/24 06:39] (current) – neds
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 ====== SiliconDust TECH manual ====== ====== SiliconDust TECH manual ======
-<lead>These pages consolidates documentation relating to the commercial-grade TECH product line from SiliconDust.</lead>+<lead>Documentation relating to the commercial-grade TECH product line from SiliconDust.</lead>
  
 ===== Hardware ===== ===== Hardware =====
Line 7: Line 7:
 ==== Ethernet ==== ==== Ethernet ====
 <WRAP indent> <WRAP indent>
 +
 Connect the Ethernet port(s) to a network switch. On models with multiple ports, all ports must be connected in order for all tuners to be accessible. A single port can be directly connected to the network interface on a PC to access that specific device. All ports are auto-crossover so a standard Ethernet cable can be used. Connect the Ethernet port(s) to a network switch. On models with multiple ports, all ports must be connected in order for all tuners to be accessible. A single port can be directly connected to the network interface on a PC to access that specific device. All ports are auto-crossover so a standard Ethernet cable can be used.
  
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
 +
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
 ===== Additional Tools and Software ===== ===== Additional Tools and Software =====
Line 40: Line 42:
  
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
 +
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
- 
 ===== Command Line Utility (hdhomerun_config) ===== ===== Command Line Utility (hdhomerun_config) =====
 <WRAP indent> <WRAP indent>
Line 49: Line 51:
 The list of supported commands can be obtained by running hdhomerun_config without any parameters: The list of supported commands can be obtained by running hdhomerun_config without any parameters:
  
 +<WRAP indent>
 <code> <code>
 hdhomerun_config discover hdhomerun_config discover
Line 59: Line 61:
 hdhomerun_config <id> upgrade <filename> hdhomerun_config <id> upgrade <filename>
 </code> </code>
 +</WRAP>
  
 ==== Discover devices on the network ==== ==== Discover devices on the network ====
Line 65: Line 67:
  
 The discover command will find devices that are on the same subnet as the host: The discover command will find devices that are on the same subnet as the host:
-<code>hdhomerun_config discover</code>+ 
 +<WRAP indent> 
 +<code> 
 +hdhomerun_config discover 
 +</code> 
 +</WRAP>
  
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
Line 101: Line 108:
  
 <WRAP indent> <WRAP indent>
-| /card/status | Get status of CableCARD (6CC only) | +<code> 
-| /oob/channel | <nowiki><modulation>:<freq></nowiki> Get/set out of band channel (6CC only) | +/card/status Get status of CableCARD (6CC only) 
-| /oob/debug | Get out of band channel debug info (6CC only) | +/oob/channel <modulation>:<freq> Get/set out of band channel (6CC only) 
-| /oob/status | Get out of band channel status info (6CC only) | +/oob/debug Get out of band channel debug info (6CC only) 
-| /sys/boot | <config> Get/set boot configuration | +/oob/status Get out of band channel status info (6CC only) 
-| /sys/copyright | Get copyright information | +/sys/boot <config> Get/set boot configuration 
-| /sys/debug | Get/set system debug information | +/sys/copyright Get copyright information 
-| /sys/features | Get system feature information | +/sys/debug Get/set system debug information 
-| /sys/hwmodel | Get system hardware model string | +/sys/features Get system feature information 
-| <nowiki>/sys/ipaddr dhcp|"<ip> <mask> <gw> <dns>"</nowiki> | Get/set system IP address | +/sys/hwmodel Get system hardware model string 
-| /sys/model | Get/set model string | +/sys/ipaddr dhcp|"<ip> <mask> <gw> <dns>" Get/set system IP address 
-| /sys/restart | <nowiki><resource> Restart device/component</nowiki> | +/sys/model Get/set model string 
-| /sys/version | Get firmware version | +/sys/restart <resource> Restart device/component 
-| <nowiki>/tuner<n>/channel <modulation>:<freq|ch></nowiki> | Get/set channel | +/sys/version Get firmware version 
-| <nowiki>/tuner<n>/channelmap <channelmap></nowiki> | Get/set channelmap | +/tuner<n>/channel <modulation>:<freq|ch> Get/set channel 
-| /tuner<n>/debug | Get tuner debug information|  +/tuner<n>/channelmap <channelmap> Get/set channelmap 
-| /tuner<n>/filter "0x<nnnn>-0x<nnnn> […]" | Get/set tuner PID filter | +/tuner<n>/debug Get tuner debug information 
-| /tuner<n>/lockkey | Get/set tuner locking | +/tuner<n>/filter "0x<nnnn>-0x<nnnn> […]" Get/set tuner PID filter 
-| /tuner<n>/plotsample | Get raw plotsample data from tuner | +/tuner<n>/lockkey Get/set tuner locking 
-| /tuner<n>/program <program number> | Get/set MPEG program | +/tuner<n>/plotsample Get raw plotsample data from tuner 
-| /tuner<n>/streaminfo | Get list of programs on current channel | +/tuner<n>/program <program number> Get/set MPEG program 
-| /tuner<n>/status | Get tuner status | +/tuner<n>/streaminfo Get list of programs on current channel 
-| /tuner<n>/target <ip>:<port> | Get/set stream target | +/tuner<n>/status Get tuner status 
-| /tuner<n>/vchannel <vchannel> | Get/set virtual channel number (6CC only) | +/tuner<n>/target <ip>:<port> Get/set stream target 
-| /tuner<n>/vstatus | Get/set subscription/protection status (6CC only) |+/tuner<n>/vchannel <vchannel> Get/set virtual channel number (6CC only) 
 +/tuner<n>/vstatus Get/set subscription/protection status (6CC only) 
 +</code>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
Line 180: Line 189:
  
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
-==== Tuning a virtual channel (TECH3-6CC only) ====+==== Tuning a virtual channel (TECH3-CC only) ====
 <WRAP indent> <WRAP indent>
  
Line 202: Line 211:
  
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
 +==== Checking the signal strength ====
 +<WRAP indent>
  
 +The basic signal information can be obtained by using the get status command:
  
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> get /tuner<n>/status
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF get /tuner0/status
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Example output:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +ch=qam:33 lock=qam256 ss=83(-10dBmV) snq=90(29dB) seq=100 bps=38807712 pps=0
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +  * ch = channel requested
 +  * lock = actual modulation detected
 +  * ss = signal strength.
 +  * snq = signal to noise quality (MER).
 +  * seq = symbol error quality (based on the number of uncorrectable digital errors detected).
 +  * bps = raw channel bits per second.
 +  * pps = packets per second sent through the network.
 +
 +More advanced information can be obtained by using the get debug command:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <device id> get /tuner<n>/debug
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF get /tuner0/debug
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Example output:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +tun: ch=qam:33 lock=qam256 ss=84 snq=88 seq=100 dbg=22081-6930
 +dev: resync=0 overflow=0
 +ts: bps=38809216 ut=94 te=0 miss=0 crc=0
 +flt: bps=38809216
 +net: pps=0 err=0 stop=0
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Each line contains a prefix to indicate the type of data, followed by the values.
 +
 +  * tun = tuner status
 +    * see above section
 +  * dev = device status
 +  * ts = transport stream
 +    * bps = bits per second
 +    * ut = utilization percentage (100% is filled to capacity)
 +    * te = transport error counter (uncorrectable reception error)
 +    * miss = missed packet counter (jump in sequence numbers)
 +    * crc = crc error counter
 +  * flt = results after pid filtering
 +    * bps = bits per second
 +  * net = network status
 +    * pps = packets per second
 +    * err = packets or TS frames dropped before transmission.
 +    * stop = reason for stopping the stream
 +
 +The counters are reset to zero upon a channel change, but may indicate a small number of errors caused before the tuner locks on the channel. As a result, diagnostics should be based on the change in values over time, and not the initial values.Detecting the programs on a physical channel:
 +
 +The device will detect the programs (sub-channels). Use the get streaminfo command to query the detected programs:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> get /tuner<n>/streaminfo
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF get /tuner0/channel streaminfo
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +The output format is:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +<program number>: <virtual major>.<virtual minor> [<name>] [(<flags>)]
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Example output:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +3: 20.1 KBWB-HD
 +4: 20.4 AZTECA
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Digital cable does not always provide the channel name or virtual channel number:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +1: 0.0
 +2: 0.0 (encrypted)
 +3: 0.0 (control)
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +It may take several seconds after setting the channel for the stream information to be fully populated (depending on how long the channel takes to lock and how often the stream information is sent by the broadcaster/cable provider).
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +==== Filtering by program (sub-channel) ====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +
 +TECH3 and later supports automatic PID filtering by program number or virtual channel number:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> set /tuner<n>/program <program number>
 + hdhomerun_config <id> set /tuner<n>/program <virtual channel number>
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/program 3
 + hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/program 11.2
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +When filtering by program the MPEG TS tables are generated by the device. The result is a valid single-program transport stream.
 +
 +The program filter is cleared when a set channel or a set filter command is received.
 +
 +**Advanced:** By default the PAT and PMT are generated. To also generate a ATSC-style TVCT use:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +hdhomerun_config <id> set /tuner<n>/program "<program number> tvct_from_pmt=<virtual major>.<virtual
 +minor>(<name>)"
 +</code>
 +<code>
 +Example: hdhomerun_config <id> set /tuner0/program "3 tvct_from_pmt=11.2(TEST)"
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +==== Filtering by PID ====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +
 +The TECH supports arbitrary hardware PID filtering:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> set /tuner<n>/filter <filter>
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/filter "0x0000-0x1FFF"
 + hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/filter "0x0000 0x0030-0x0033 0x1FFB"
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +When filtering by PID the stream is filtered but otherwise unmodified.
 +
 +The filter is cleared to pass-all (0x0000-0x1FFF) when a set channel command is received.
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +==== Saving a stream ====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +
 +The hdhomerun_config command can be used to automate the process of saving to the local filesystem:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> save /tuner<n> <filename>
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF save /tuner0 capture.ts
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +While saving the stream, a single period “.” will be displayed every second. Errors will be indicated by
 +a letter.
 +
 +Example output:
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +............n...............................n..........ts..........
 +-- Video statistics --
 +23323 packets recieved, 2 network errors, 1 transport errors, 1 sequence errors
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +**Advanced:** A filename of “null” indicates no file should be created, allowing the use of the save command as a diagnostic tool.
 +
 +**Advanced:** “-” may be used as a filename to indicate standard output, allowing the save command to be used as a pipe on supported platforms.
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF save /tuner0 - | vlc -
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +==== Streaming to a target machine ====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +
 +Set the target IP address and port number using the set target command:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> set /tuner<n>/target udp://<ip>:<port>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> set /tuner<n>/target rtp://<ip>:<port>
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/target udp://192.168.1.100:5000
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/target rtp://192.168.1.100:5000
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +The target machine must be listening on the given UDP port. The TECH3 will automatically clear the target if a ICMP port unreachable message is received when sending to a unicast address. To override this, add no_clear to the target.
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> set /tuner<n>/target "udp://<ip>:<port> no_clear"
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> set /tuner<n>/target "rtp://<ip>:<port> no_clear"
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/target "udp://192.168.1.100:5000 no_clear"
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/target "rtp://192.168.1.100:5000 no_clear"
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +A global broadcast (255.255.255.255), subnet broadcast, or multicast target can be specified however care must be taken to ensure that the traffic will not cause problems with other devices on the network.
 +
 +If the local network is bridged to a wireless network then the AP will typically transmit at a low broadcast speed saturating the wireless network.
 +
 +The time-to-live (TTL) defaults to 64. To configure a lower TTL use the following format (quotes required):
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> set /tuner<n>/target "udp://<ip>:<port> ttl=<n>"
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> set /tuner<n>/target "rtp://<ip>:<port> ttl=<n>"
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/target "udp://192.168.1.100:5000 ttl=8"
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/target "rtp://192.168.1.100:5000 ttl=8"
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +==== Example: Streaming to VLC ====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +
 +Run VLC: Media, Open Network Stream. Select UDP/RTP. Specify port 5000.
 +
 +Discover the device:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +hdhomerun_config discover
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Run a channel scan:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF scan /tuner0 scan0.log
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Set the physical channel:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/channel auto:651000000
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Check sub-programs:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF get /tuner0/streaminfo
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Select a sub-program:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/program 3
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Set the target:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/target udp://<ip address of pc>:5000
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== HTTP Streaming (TECH3-CC only) =====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +TECH3-CC models can be used to stream via HTTP (unicast only) to VLC or other clients.
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: http://<ip address of device>:5004/auto/v<vchannel number>
 +Example: http://10.10.10.2:5004/auto/v721
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Lineup file (TECH3-CC only) =====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +TECH3-CC units support virtual channel lineup information transmitted by the cable provider and received via the CableCARD. This is available in XML and JSON format.
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +http://<ip address of device>/lineup.xml
 +http://<ip address of device>/lineup.json
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Datacast operation =====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +
 +TECH3 units support Datacast TCP/IP over OTA broadcast. Datacasting often provides news, weather, traffic, stock market, and other information which may or may not relate to the program[s] it is carried with. An electronic program guide is usually included. Datacast TCP-IP packets are reassembled and then routed to the LAN port.
 +
 +Example:
 +
 +Discover the device:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +hdhomerun_config discover
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Set the physical channel:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/channel auto:651000000
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Set the datacast PID:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/filter 0x0A00
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Set the target:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /tuner0/target datacast
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Using /sys/boot =====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +
 +The /sys/boot variable allows the TECH unit to automatically set variables at startup, allowing you to preserve settings across power outages or simply set the power on defaults.
 +
 +The syntax for the /sys/boot consists of multiple lines of text; a variable name followed by a single space and then the value: (there should not be any space before the variable name)
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +<variable1> <value of variable1>
 +<variable2> <value of variable2>
 +...
 +<variableN> <value of variableN>
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Example (save as boot.txt):
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +/tuner0/channelmap us-cable
 +/tuner0/channel 103
 +/tuner0/program 4
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +To store the configuration to the device:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> set /sys/boot - < filename
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF set /sys/boot - < boot.txt
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Changes will be applied the next boot; to execute the new /sys/boot immediately:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <id> execute
 +Example: hdhomerun_config FFFFFFFF execute
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +==== Static IP assignment ====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +
 +A static IP address can be configured using the following command (the quotes are required as shown):
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <old ip> set /sys/ipaddr "<new ip> <subnet> <gateway>"
 +Example: hdhomerun_config 169.254.34.98 set /sys/ipaddr "10.10.20.43 255.255.255.0 10.10.20.1"
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Note: The TECH requires a gateway when used to stream multicast, even if on the same subnet.
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +==== Reverting to DHCP ====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +
 +The TECH can be configured for DHCP operation (default) using the following command:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <old ip> set /sys/ipaddr dhcp
 +Example: hdhomerun_config 169.254.34.98 set /sys/ipaddr dhcp
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Setting the channel map =====
 +<WRAP indent>
 +
 +The channel map is a non-volatile configuration option that is used to set the channel to frequency table, to configure the channel scan table, and to optimize the auto-modulation detection.
 +
 +GUI: The channel map can be set for each tuner by running HDHomeRun Config (GUI).
 +
 +Command line: The channel map can be set for each tuner using the following command:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +<code>
 +Format: hdhomerun_config <ip|id> set /tuner<n>/channelmap <channelmap>
 +Example: hdhomerun_config 10001000 set /tuner0/channelmap us-cable
 +Example: hdhomerun_config 10001000 set /tuner1/channelmap us-cable
 +</code>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Channel maps supported by HDHR-TECH-US hardware:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +^ Name ^ Description ^ Location ^
 +| us-bcast | Digital Antenna (ATSC). | US, Canada |
 +| us-cable | Digital Cable - Normal frequency layout. | US, Canada |
 +| us-hrc | Digital Cable - HRC frequency layout. | US, Canada |
 +| us-irc | Digital Cable - IRC frequency layout. | US, Canada |
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Channel maps supported by HDHR-TECH-EU hardware:
 +
 +<WRAP indent>
 +^ Name ^ Description ^ Location ^
 +| au-bcast | Digital Antenna (Australia). | Australia |
 +| au-cable | Digital Cable (Australia). | Australia |
 +| eu-bcast | Digital Antenna (Europe). | Europe, New Zealand |
 +| eu-cable | Digital Cable (Europe). | Europe, New Zealand |
 +| tw-bcast | Digital Antenna (Taiwan). | Taiwan |
 +| tw-cable | Digital Cable (Taiwan). | Taiwan |
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  • Last modified: 2026/03/24 05:10