Question 1

So I've currently got the HSHomeRun Prime (3 tuner mcard) network attached tuner, and well, it works, but the quality of the signal is not the same through any of my media center pc's as it is on a cable box on the same line. The pc's are all top shelf components, way beyond anything required to get it to work.(i7/16gb/ssd/1300mbps wifi) I do not have any issues buffering, recording, or tuning. My problem is that the video just looks washed out, the color reproduction and clarity is simply not the same as the cable box. I can actually split-screen my tv and watch both sources (pc and cable box) side-by-side. My question is, would the Ceton tuner be able to provide a higher video quality than the HDHomeRun?

Accepted Answer

Hi.  I have been using the Ceton InfiniTV 6 ETH for about the last 8 months.  The picture quality is perfect 1080p, with perfect color and clarity.  I had the Ceton InfiniTV 4 for several years before the ETH 6 until the cable connector broke off the InfiniTV 4 (they had the miniature cable connectors), and it too had great color and clarity.  The only issue I have had with the InfinitTV 6 ETH has been the picture breaking up and loosing pixels.  I thought this was a problem with the InfinitTV 6 firmware or the Windows driver for it, but it turned out that it was a lack of bandwidth in my Verizon cable modem/router.  Once the cable modem/router was replaced for a different problem I was experiencing, I have had no picture quality issues at all with the InfinitTV 6 ETH.

I have had issues with Windows 7 Media Center suddenly claiming Play Ready cannot be updated after displaying HD video for hours requiring the PC to be rebooted.  I didn't have this problem with the InfiniTV 4 and I don't know if this problem is corrected in Windows 8.

I do have a CableCard in the InfinitTV 6 ETH and I have no issues watching or recording premium channels (HBO, Showtime, STARZ, etc.).  If the protected content indicator is on for a recorded broadcast, the recording can only be played back on the Windows PC that recorded the show.

Overall I'm pretty happy with the InfiniTV 6 ETH.  Wish Microsoft would get its act together on Media Center though.

Question 2

Does this product work with encrypted cable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Just keep in mind that you cannot play encrypted channels/recordings in anything but windows media center.

If you have not done so... I recommend taking a look at MCEbuddy and serverwmc (this is the only way I know of watching channels using xbmc on android and jailbroken iOS devices... No encrypted channels though)

I use this on Win 8.1 no problems. Have HBO and Showtime working perfectly.. All while keeping mkv versions of my favorite shows comskipped until I can get bluray versions. Its a great device just keep it cooled.

Question 3

I just  want to connect this to 7  hdtv's in the gym using one comcast basic tuner.   5 of the tv's have built in tv monitor on  the threadmill equipment.  Customer  ONLY wants to be able to WATCH (recording is not needed) all the basic the channels independently on each tv.  Don't really need to watch it on PC, just on the hdtv's. Will this device work flawlessly in this type of setup?  IF ok, What other required gadgets do we need to make it work?  Pls. give me a detailed answer or email/call me.  Thanks,  David Baure

Accepted Answer

I believe the Ceton is really setup to work with Windows Media Center (although other software, MythTv, etc... loosely support it). That however requires a PC to be involved. In-fact pretty much anyway you slice it with this turner you are going to need a PC.

To get this working in the manner you would like you would need a single PC running Windows with Media Center installed (free with 7, additional cost with 8) on the same network as the Ceton. For each one of the devices (HDTVs) you would need a Media Center Extender, Ceton makes one called the Echo (Newegg has them for $180 at the moment). 7 time $180 and it gets expensive fast, however in the long run it is much cheaper than paying for each set-top box monthly from the provider. For Verizon the cost of the cable card (you need one from the provider for the InfiniTv to work) per month is $5 vs the $35 per month I use to pay for 3 set-top boxes.

With this tuner 6 people could watch 6 different shows. The only question I am not sure of is if the 7th person could watch something someone else was watching or only recorded shows. However add another tuner (InfiniTv 4 or 6) and all could watch what they want.

On a side note I use Xbox 360s as the Media Center Extenders. (the Echo and 360 are about the only extenders left you can buy) You can get brand new 4GB version from Newegg for about $150. Add a few games and leave the controllers at the treadmill and people could play games or watch tv.

Question 4

If I am not mistaken, you so not need a tuning adapter for FiOS.  Just for other cable companies.  Is that correct? The review video failed to say anything about that  Also, I do not plan to use it on my TV, just a PC.

Accepted Answer

The only one that can tell you if you need a tuning adapter is your cable (or FIOS) service provide. But that is not relevant because if you need one they are required by law to provide it to you along with the cable card. and the Ceton is capable of using both. That being said I don't think its worth the money I have both Ceton Infinitv 6 and 4 and the HD Homerun Prime... In my opinion you would be better off with the HD Homerun Prime. I have to reset the Ceton several times a month not so for the Homerun Prime.  Plus you can get 2 Homerun Primes for $99.00 each or less.

Question 5

Will this work using Roku's as extenders? I need to provide 6 independent channels to 6 TV's and I know Ceton offers their Echos but they are very expensive and not very well rated. Can $60 Roku take the place of the Echos?

Accepted Answer

You should really be asking that question to people who bought the Roku. But, I can tell you the Ceton Echos only work properly if the hosing computer is on Windows 7. The software that makes it compatible with windows 8 requires you to change your channels from the computer running media center. Which for me kind of defeated  the purpose of getting a media extender.

Question 6

How stable is this product?  Does it require rebooting?  If so, how often?  I currently have an HDHomerun Prime which has been working flawlessly.  Unfortunately it only has 3 tuners.  Looking for additional tuners while using just one cable card.  Thank you for your time in answering.

Accepted Answer

I have not had any problems or if the unit i have been using, i got it when it first came out, and i have had a few updates which required restarts, but no issues with the unit itself, i like it and use it a lot now that i upgraded my wireless network to the AC standard and went gig on the switches.  Hd works mostly but still had issues wirelessly, but that might be because i live in an apartment. 
Standard tv works great on everything.  
The unit just works for me great, but then i am a cable tech so my service to my house is spot on, and that is what i think a few people have problems with is more the service to the unit and not the unit itself or the cable card in the unit. 
I haven't lost the cable card provisioning in the unit since i got it and set it up, over 2 years ago. 
Hope this helps, just make sure the unit gets good service and you should be fine

Question 7

I can not get my New InfiniTV 6 Ethernet to recognize my Ciscso STA1250 tuner, provided by my cable company.  It does see the cable card and can read it.  But can't find the tuner.

I originally had the InfiniTV 4 USB.  That worked great until some pins in the card reader broke.

The old set up had the cable coming into the house to a splitter, with one part going to the Ceton and the other part going to the Cisco.  The USB on the Ceton plugged directly into the PC as did the one on the Cisco.

Now with the new Ethernet version, the Ethernet cable now plugs into the router.  There is a tuning cable, but where do I plug it in?  Do I remove the cable in the Cisco that went to the PC?  Or do I need some kind of a splitter on that outlet?  Because I think I still need the USB from the tuner into the PC, don't I?

I am not technically literate.  My spouse who is deceased set up this system.  I don't know how to get my SDV channels.  The cable company says on their end it looks like the Ceton Drivers are not functioning correctly, but the Ceton diagnostic says it is.

Do downloading the Ceton InfiniTV 6 BETA updates help?  Any problems with people running Windows 7 Home premium, with any of their Stable or Beta updates?

Please Advise.  Thanks.

Robin P

Accepted Answer

The InfiniTV 6 does not need to recognize another tuner.  It is a tuner (actually 6 of them) in itself.

The cable coax should go to the splitter as before, with one part going to the Cisco and the other going to the InfiniTV.

There is no USB on the InfiniTV, only ethernet which should go to the router.

I don't know anything about the Cisco since I don't have one.  Perhaps you're doing something with the USB on that device that's useful to you, but I don't see that it's needed or has any relevance for the Ceton.

I've been running several PCs off the Ceton, some Windows 8 64-bit, some windows 7 64-bit, using Windows Media Center for viewing/recording.  All you should need are the Ceton drivers, the Media Center software, and an Ethernet connection.

Sometimes Windows Media Center can be a PITA and might need a good swift kick to get it working right.  I've bought several refurb win7 PCs to use with these ethernet tuners and WMC sometimes doesn't work right with the refurb OS install, so I've needed to go searching various forums for help.

Question 8

I wanted to know if this unit gets hot like the other Ceton units I went with the SiliconDust HDHomeRun PRIME a couple years ago it has worked really good with no problems the reason was the heat issue with the Ceton my SiliconDust unit is not much more over room temp so does this new 6 tuner Ceton stay cool?

Accepted Answer

The unit itself doesn't get to hot but the cable card does get hot

Question 9

is it necessary to have a digital tuner from your cable provider, as the gentleman in the video stated?

Accepted Answer

Some cable providers require a Switched Digital Video (SDV) Tuning Adapter, which  is what that cable is for. I am unsure if that is what the box he is using is or not. If you need a SDV Tuning Adapter your cable provider will let you know and, I think, provide it free of charge.

Also contrary to the video. I believe there is a law that requires cable providers to provide a "Self install" option for CableCards. This may only be local but check your rights before calling as cable providers are slow to accept this technology. My cable provider insisted my only option was to have a technician come install it for me. When I could listen to her no more I hung up and called back. 
The new representative told me I could pick it up at my nearest service center that day, which I did.

Good luck.

Question 10

Since this has 6 tuners why do you need  the digital tuner pass thru  in the video?  Also, is there a kodi plug in that will allow you to watch live television?

Accepted Answer

You may not need the digital tuner pass through if your cable provider does not require it. I have FiOS and it is not required. Check with your cable provider.

I use a great open source media management system called Emby (emby.media) that I have found to be far simpler in setting up than Kodi. If you already use Kodi and like their interface Emby has a fully supported plugin for Kodi. Emby has several plugins for live TV that you can use and are currently developing their own built-in functionality. Check it out at the address above and visit their support forum for more information. I am currently an hour and a half away from my home and can watch live TV from my Android device as well as any of my media.

Brand	Ceton
Model	5504-DCT06EX-ETH

Type	External TV Tuner Box
Others	350 GB of available hard disk drive space recommended for 50 hours of HDTV recordings. 7200 RPM SATA drive or faster recommended for recording 6 channels at once HDMI output, or DVI output with separate 5.1 audio output required for Dolby 5.1 surround sound Wired home network (100 Mbps or greater) Available Ethernet connection on your network or router One multi-stream CableCARD (M-Card), available from your cable TV provider Television or PC display with HDMI input, or HDCP-compliant DVI input and separate audio input A Tuning Adapter from your cable operator might be required if your cable TV provider uses Switched Digital Video technology. Please check with your cable operator. Digital cable TV subscription from your local cable TV provider. HD package required to receive High Definition TV channels. Premium package required to receive premium TV channels. InfiniTV 6 ETH does not support over-the-air (ATSC), satellite or Internet Protocol (IPTV) TV services
Specifications	Six QAM 64/256 tuners CableCARD M-Card DRM Processor Full 1080i and 3D support Dimension: 7.1" x 5.25" x 1.1" Weight: 1 lbs. Connection to PC: Ethernet via LAN (cable included) Power Source Required: Standard 110-120V AC household outlet

TV Tuner	Digital Tuner
TV Standards	US Digital Cable

Processor	2.0 GHz or faster dual core or quad core processor - either 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64)
Graphics Card	HDCP-compliant graphics card or on-board graphics
Memory	3 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended)
Operating Systems Supported	PC with Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8 with Media Center

Ceton InfiniTV 6 ETH – Six-Tuner CableCARD Ethernet Network Tuner for Win7 and Win8 PC 5504-DCT06EX-ETH

Learn more about the Ceton 5504-DCT06EX-ETH

Customer Reviews of the Ceton 5504-DCT06EX-ETH

Warranty & Returns

Warranty, Returns, And Additional Information

Warranty

Return Policies

Manufacturer Contact Info

Item#: N82E16815706004