Live TV on the iPad 2: Recording and Streaming via HDHomeRun

20 Oct 2011 | iPad 2 | Ali Gorelova on Google+

Do you like to download HD movies on your iPad 2 and watch them while traveling? It seems that now you can also watch live TV wirelessly and record it right on your tablet computer.

I am talking about a new CableCARD TV tuner released for iOS device. It is called HDHomeRun Prime. You can plug this tuner into the home network router and install application HDHomeRun on the iPad 2.

The app is not free. It costs almost $18. For this price it lets you watch TV, pause and replay videos and record what you see on the iPad 2. This application is pretty expensive, it is rather buggy, still it works, and this is what matters.

The tuner itself is also pricey. It is available for $250. And, unfortunately, your application will not work without an HDHomeRun Prime.

How-to Instruction

If you decide to get this application, here is what you should do in order to make everything work.

Run the setup of your tuner on the computer. Install the application on the iPad or iPad 2. HDHomeRun app should detect your tuner, and let you watch live TV in no time.

There are 3 tuners in the Prime. This means that you can watch one program while another show continues to play on your computer.

Cool Features and Features that Lack

HDHomeRun application has such DVR functions as rewind, skip and pause. In order to record a show or movie you are watching, you need to stay on that channel. This app doesn’t allow you recording one show while watching another one.

The good thing is this app allows you turning the iPad off or switching to other applications. It will continue recording while you are doing this.

Sadly, you are not able to schedule your recording. Besides, you can’t get any program information. You can access only a basic channel guide.

Another thing this iPad application lacks is HD. You can stream only the “copy freely” channels. This limits you in the choices of live TV.

Thing Before You Buy

Would you still like to turn the iPad or iPad 2 into a TV? Are you ok with bugs and other little issues? Or would you just continue to get HD movies on your tablet computer and watch them on-the-go? It’s up to you. As for me, I would give my choice to HD films.