Question 1

Can you use this to convert coax cable tv to HDMI?  I live at an apartment where I get included basic cable an want a way to connect to HDMI without buying a cable box from a provider.

Accepted Answer

IF your "basic cable"  is "clear QAM" then a similar product, iview 3500stb, also available at newegg, will probably work for you.  That means that the "basic cable" is not encrypted, which is harder and harder to find these days.  Google: avsforum iview 3500stb, and you will find a thread about devices similar to these with all you could ever wonder about answered.
I only have OTA hdtv (NOT cable), and the hw-180stb (new version), purchased here at newegg, works extremely well for me.

Question 2

Does it also work as an OTA signal booster? I use an inline signal booster between my antenna and tv, seems like this ought to include that feature....

Accepted Answer

Any booster you use must be inserted on the antenna side of the HW180 converter. The TV is best connected on an HDMI cable out from the converter. I had firmware problems with the HW180 making it undependable.

Question 3

can I use it with my basic cable off the wall connection(no cable box)?
Thank you

Accepted Answer

IF your "basic cable" is "clear QAM" then this or a similar product, iview 3500stb or homeworx hw150pvr, also available at newegg, will probably work for you. That means that the "basic cable" is not encrypted, which is harder and harder to find these days. If you don't know, you can ask your cable provider that question.  Google: avsforum iview 3500stb etc, and you will find threads about devices similar to these with all you could ever wonder about answered. I only have OTA hdtv (NOT cable), and the hw-180stb (new version, v8), purchased here at newegg, works extremely well for me.  However, be warned that the newest version (v9) that is currently shipping is not suitable for scheduled recordings due to several bugs in firmware that the manufacturer has not yet fixed.

Question 4

Has anyone used this product as a tuner for a Tuner Free Visio TV?  I can't get the TV to recognize a signal.

Accepted Answer

Do not i repeat do not buy this item

Question 5

Does "HW180STB" (New Version) have TV programs recording capability? I know that "HW150VR ATSC HD" does. Reviews say "Yes", Mediasonic says "Does Not"?

Accepted Answer

It supports recording, but has no media.  You must use either an external hard drive or a thumb drive connected by USB to store the recordings.   I have a hard drive connected and it works OK.  The "new version" part bothers me a bit.  I bought mine in mid 2015.  I don't remember it saying "new version."  Newegg solicited me because it said I bought the one you are asking about.

Question 6

my sound it off from my picture fraction of a second  how can i fix this problem ?

Accepted Answer

My Mediasonic HW180STB does this also but I assumed it was an issue with the signal amplifier that is attached. For a while my solution was to do a new channel scan. That usually fixed the issue for a while. I have recently found that changing the channel will correct the lag on the audio. If neither of these fixes work for you, you can email the company to find out if there is a firmware update for your tuner.

Question 7

Is there a digital converter box that unscrambles cable?

Accepted Answer

The answer to that is no except cable companies that still provide unscrambled Clear QAM channels.  If your cable company does not scramble QAM channels there are digital tuner boxes that can display those channels. If your cable company is like Comcast that scrambles all of their channels, the Clear QAM channels and can only be viewed with the cable box they provide. The number of QAM channels available to you will most likely be limited to your local channels. If your cable company still provides QAM channels unscrambled, you can do a search for "digital converter boxes with QAM tuner" to find one that will work for you. There are several brands available that I can't list for you. .

Question 8

Why does the future record schedule of programs get completely erased after several days?
I have the media sonic homeworx hw180stb.

Accepted Answer

The record schedule should stay in memory. I've programmed several weeks in advance and never lost the schedule. The only time I lost scheduled recordings was when I did a re-scan to find new channels in my viewing area. A re-scan apparently wipes out memory. Your problem sounds like a defect with the unit.

Question 9

Will a newer universal remote control (or, if not, a Logitech Harmony remote) work with this device?  If so, please post brand and model of compatible universal remote you are using.  Thanks.

Accepted Answer

Harmony works.

Questions & Answers