The biggest trend in antenna TV today is streaming. That may not make sense, but it really looks like by the end of the year, there will be tons of different alternatives to add live TV channels from your antenna to your streaming box. No more changing inputs, no more monthly fees… just FREE live TV from your antenna on the same screen as your Netflix, Hulu, and other watching opportunities.
Leading the pack so far are two contenders. DISH’s AirTV is a streaming box that has a USB dongle that connects the antenna. It looks like a complete solution for over-the-air and streaming that includes a robust app for live TV and the Android TV versions of all your favorite streaming apps, all in one package. It’s just now beginning to ship, and it’s in the early days of production.
If you’re looking for something that’s already robust and ready to go, check out this HDHomeRun from SiliconDust. The HDHomeRun has been out for years and is a robust device that’s been providing live TV for PC users for quite some time. Recently, it learned a new trick.
Connect this device anywhere in your network and add an antenna to it, and you’re just one step away from live TV on your AppleTV device or iOS device. All you need to do is go to the App Store and get an app called Channels, and you can watch live TV on your device! It’s super simple. Setup of the HDHomeRun is fast and only needs to be done once. Once you do that, you’ll be all set to watch FREE live TV, nothing else to buy, ever. That sounds like a great deal, right?
And now you’re thinking there’s a catch.
Really, there isn’t. You need to find a place for the HDHomeRun box where it has access to wired networking, power, and the antenna cable, but that’s about the only thing that’s even mildly inconvenient. I have to say I really wondered what would become of this device when Windows cut out its Media Center functionality (that’s what the HDHomeRun was designed for) but being able to use it on a streaming box, phone, or tablet is even better. If there’s any catch at all it’s that the Channels app only works on Apple devices, leaving Android folks out in the cold for now.
If you’d like to get live HDTV on your phone, tablet, or streaming box, why not try an HDHomeRun device now?
