iView 3500STB: An HD Tuner / DTA Converter / DVR / Media Player for under $40?

[dkreichen1968]

The new firmware update certainly does allow you to set up a recording from the EPG, adds actual channel numbers to the scheduling setup, and makes the EPG more reliable (less re-boots)

But there's still a plethora of issues to be worked on, including the problem of not recording a scheduled event on certain channels.

Well, I took the plunge and installed the new firmware. The point and shoot programming certainly makes it a lot nicer. But, it is a unfinished product for sure. For me it seemed to slow the response time of certain functions. I did leave it turned on to KWGN and recorded three events to see if it worked. It worked fine. Then tried it with it turned off last night to see if it would work. It recorded the first timed event, but I don't think it recorded the second two. It did turn off when it was done, which it didn't do with the original firmware.

 

[MrPogi]

If they could just make the record scheduling more reliable, it would do everything I need.

I am encouraged that they are working on the firmware for it, and a thousand thanks to videobruce, the guy that's been in contact with the company and the driving force that got them to work on the firmware.

 

[dkreichen1968]

Okay, I recorded the following with the iView, and then uploaded it to YouTube. I'm not sure why the picture got squashed.

[video=youtube;kI3goER3kSk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI3goER3kSk[/video]

 

[MrPogi]

Thanks Dan. The video quality of recordings is great, when it records. The new firmware is better, but introduces some sluggishness and new quirks, too.

The biggest problems with the 3500STB now that need a firmware fix ASAP are scheduled recordings - Whats up with a 12 day week? Daily recordings are totally unpredictable. And crashes in the EPG happen way too often - I believe that it occurs when it loads the extended program info. I could live without the extended EPG if it solved the freezing and crashing, and the scheduling is a MUST fix. Everything else I can live with for the price I paid.

Speaking of price, I noticed it's gone up to about $45 on Amazon, and it's currently the "#1 best seller in digital to analog converter boxes".

But more important, it has competition:
HomeWorx HW-150PVR ATSC Digital TV Converter Box w/ Media Player & Recording PVR Function / HDMI Out

$39.99, prime eligible - only 2 reviews as of today, but both look "real" and both are 5 star.
Features? Sure, it has features! -
Product Features

• Converts Digital Broadcast to your Analog TV, Analog Pass Through, Favorite Channel List, Parental Control Function
• Auto Tuning, HDMI 1080P Output / YPbPr output / Coaxial Output, Closed Caption,
• Real-Time recording & Programmed Time Reocrding, Auto, 16:9 Pillar Box, 16:9 Pan G Scan, 4:3 Letter Box, 4:3 Pan G Scan, 4:3 Full, 16:9 Wide Screen
• Timing Start Up & Shut Down, USB Multimedia Player
• Dual Digital Tuner feature: Allow you to watch other channel while a selected channel is in recording mode

Here's a link to the HomeWorx, aka MediaSonic, site: Mediasonic
And the owner's manual: http://www.mediasonic.ca/files/1367455387_0.pdf

It lacks the bright red display of the iview, and the remote, while still tiny, has a MUCH better layout than the iview. And the big surprise? Look at the owner's manual - The menu functions and layout are almost IDENTICAL to the iview 3500! Maybe the firmware in the HomeWorx is better? Perhaps they both can run the same firmware... Hmmm....

So, when I get a little free cash, I'll give it a test run. It's on my "wish list" now. I really hope that the iview gets the firmware straight, but - I'm willing to spend another $40 to find out if this HomeWorx is any better, but I'm waiting for more reviews and scrutiny. I'm sure I can sell off either one for what I paid for it.

 

[dkreichen1968]

Well, from what VideoBruce has indicated, it's the same firmware. So, if we can fix one, we can fix both. But, here is the deal. Back in 2009 the government restricted the features that CECBs could have in order to keep the price down, yet these non CECBs seem to be able to produce the "expensive" features for less than what CECBs cost. Recording, HD output, HDMI... For less than $40.00... Isn't free market economics great?!!

 

[videobruce]

My ears were ringing.

To make a long story short;

1. The same system processor (SoC) is used in the iView and Homeworx versions. The case & remote are different,
2. There are literally dozens of different versions of this board for other countries,
3. Things have changed over at iView. My contact has now left the company and the latest firmware was called a "finalized" version. (Take that for what it's worth),
4. Firmware is now posted on their site (called V2, even though the last "Test" version was V7),
5. The recording bugs may still be there, too early to tell, many things can not be changed, the others probably will not,
6. A new model is planned (designed and manufactured probably by the same unknown Chinese company) that will have two tuners & more memory among other things.

This 'Homeworx HW-150PVR appears to have more promise. Supposedly some of these recording bugs were fixed.

 

[dkreichen1968]

The new V2 firmware is available at this link here. I haven't had a chance to use it yet.

Edit: I'm not recommending that anyone "update" their firmware at this time. I updated, and I'm planning on going back to the beta firmware because with the new firmware installed the tuner doesn't see one of my local (strong signal) stations, and it doesn't see the previously recorded programs. I hope that going back to the beta firmware fixes it.

 

[MrPogi]

Dan,
I've ordered one of the Homeworx units. They've released firmware v10 that fixes the scheduling and EPG bugs. The iview will go to the bedroom to do things that my TV and Roku LT don't do, like play files, games, EPG, and pause live TV. I'll wait for possible future firmware updates. I'm sticking with v7 for now.

videobruce,
Welcome to the forum, and thanks for all the work you've done regarding this device and others. There may have never been any firmware updates without your efforts.

 

[dkreichen1968]

The latest rumors (coming allegedly from the sales department at Mediasonic) is that iView stole the design from Mediasonic, which may explain why the new Mediasonic firmware works and the iView firmware is messed up junk.

 

[MrPogi]

Perhaps the manufacturer of one also sold a slightly redesigned box to the other company. It seems there is also at least one other pvr that uses the same design. Mediasonic / Homeworx seems to be more responsive and has fixed the major problems at any rate. I think I can flash the iview with the Homeworx firmware and buy the homeworx remote for $10, also. HomeWorx HW-150PVR Remote Control

When I have both units in hand, I'll give a report.

 

[sonex293]

I'm still trying to decide between the Homeworx and iView units. I see on August 12, 2013 iView released a new firmware with the following info...

Has improved the:

· QAM capability
· Daily and weekly recordings
· Midnight recording bug
· Daylight Saving time
· Closed Captioning functions
· Freezing issue

Does this firmware bring it up to the Homeworx level of firmware?

==
Michael

 

[dkreichen1968]

Fairly close. The firmwares are departures from each other, but they are fairly close in functionality. I've used both firmwares on my iView STB. Neither one is perfect by any means, but a lot of the major bugs (like those mentioned above) are fixed. Both firmwares still have problems with handling the tuner which leads to missed recordings, and I have to keep telling myself it was only $40.

 

[sonex293]

Tnx, Should be able to start "playing" with the iView this week sometime....whenever Amazon decides to deliver it. I find it amazing that there aren't more options in this arena for OTA DVR's. But I do like the $40 entry point.. he he he.

Thanks Again,
Michael

 

[alg2468]

The new version of the iview firmware is version V6, which updates the remote control and box functions. Yes, there are some improvements, BUT there are still problems with daily recordings in which the box fails to record TV shows even though you did program them. I too plan to Flash the iview with the Homeworx PVR's v10 firmware and have just purchased the remote control from Mediasonic.

 

[alg2468]

Two updates to my previous post:

The iview's recording issues seem to be related to the time settings, which are related to its reliance on GMT time. The settings seem to change at times without notice so that the program you record records an hour or two later than scheduled. there should be a way to lock in your time settings.

And regarding to flashing the iview with the Mediasonic firmware, where on the internet can I download the latest firmware for the Homeworx box? There only download on the Mediasonic website are for the owner's manual.

In addition, with either unit, the recordings when completed to your memory stick or Hard Drive, are recorded with a file extension .mts and are called in a high definition format. If you use software like the free CUNA movie converter, you can convert it to formats like MP4 which takes up much less space and can play on tablets.

 

[Tom_M]

One of iView's recording issues stems from relying on the embedded data (PSIP) for it's time reference. Sometimes the time that the TV station is embedding is incorrect. The iView will set it's time to match the PSIP time and thus will not record at the proper time. One solution is park the iView on a channel that is known to have correct time. This should at least get the first recording started at the right time. If the channel that is getting recorded has incorrect time the next recording will probably get screwed up.

 

[dkreichen1968]

If you want to record off a station that doesn't have the correct time, start by having the iView set on a station that has the correct time. Have it record the program from the station with the wrong time... Then set a timer to "view" a channel with the correct time before the next recording.

 

[summerski]

I purchased this unit just after reading the first post about it. Never really used it much until recently. I finally ditched the Boxee TV which I was using as a converter box. It was horrible. All this time I thought my antenna had problems when it was the Boxee. The Iview works great for me. Finally I can delete all the channels I don't want to watch and best of all, when the wife yells at me to take out the trash, I can pause live tv. Priceless. Not tried to record a show yet but for me, pausing live tv is fantastic. My only gripe is not being able to read the tiny remote buttons.

Cheers

 

[knobbysideup]

Homeworx vs. Iview and swapping firmwares

I have two homeworx and one iview unit. I much prefer the iview firmware. Mainly because of the shorter channel info popups when switching channels and such, but now also for the transparent menus and if I ever do go back to cable (unlikely) the qam support.

Since I liked the ivew software better, I decided to put it on my homeworx units. While this works if you are using digital audio output (hdmi or coax), it totally breaks the audio on the homeworx if you are on an older set up where you need rca or audio over the coax modulation.

Does anybody know where I can get a homeworx firmware to revert homeworx? They don't publish them as far as I can tell. Any help is appreciated.

With all that said, I would go with an iview in the future. They seem to have a better firmware and seem to also be updating it more frequently. If only they would open source it so that we as a community could fix it and add better features.

 

[MrPogi]

Since I liked the ivew software better, I decided to put it on my homeworx units. While this works if you are using digital audio output (hdmi or coax), it totally breaks the audio on the homeworx if you are on an older set up where you need rca or audio over the coax modulation.

Does anybody know where I can get a homeworx firmware to revert homeworx? They don't publish them as far as I can tell. Any help is appreciated.

I found the firmware for both Homeworx/Mediasonic and iView converters on their respective sites. The iView firmware is on their support pages, and the Homeworx firmware and support is in a blog format.