Neat little piece of kit. Good for van life I suppose.

Seems like a nice little device to have in a spare room . The menu/EPG info looks identical to the one from Mediasonic. That LED can benefit from a piece of black electrical tape at night.

Ordered off the affiliate link. Good content Lon. Thanks

I have a refurb television in my living room, but after unboxing and setting it up, I found out the antenna connector in the back was broken off the board on the inside of the TV. The 4 HDMI work perfectly fine. It's a great TV for the price, but since it's refurb I guess I got what I paid for. This little device in the review will be perfect for something I've been looking for. Plus it looks small and compact enough that I could swap it out and hook it up to my large PC monitor. I've got a smaller TV, also refurb, in my bedroom. Connectors on it work fine, but the indoor antenna I already have hooked up to it receives 42 channels. Thanks for the review!

Finally, This would be great to keep an eye on what my daughter is watching on TV. We always try to keep her off KZread and certain programs, but she always finds a way. That's what I would use it for. Thank you!

@Hitnrun69ify

4 ай бұрын

@@dleifteHsemaJ only when we're monitoring

Same as the converter boxes that have been around for a decade. Homeworx for example. Amazon-30.00.

@Mark-hb5zf

4 ай бұрын

Yep, I was going to say the same.

@MSDOGS1976

4 ай бұрын

Yep performs almost exactly like my Homeworx.

@greggory448

Ай бұрын

Homeworx boxes die in 1 - 2 years 😮

this is a great idea for a device! i can now use my old portable hdmi monitor and place this on my car.

Keep up the great work

As mentioned by another reviewer, similar to other generic converter boxes that have been around for a while. I had a Mediasonix one that gave out after about 9 months, I now have a Naxa unit, hoping it lasts longer as the power supply is external. I use mine for a tv that the remote receiver gave out on so I can't flip channels without using the buttons on the side of the tv, a real pain - I use the Naxa unit remote as basically the tuner. It is on a tv in my bedroom I tpically use to watch news & weather in the morning when I get up. This unit, if it proves to be reliable and last, could be an economical way to get extended life out of a tv where the tuner has given out.

I have an old 27" monitor with speakers that I use with a Fire TV dongle (On sale for just $15) and this would be good to pair with it to get local TV stations

Neat, Same remote as the aluratek. Can cross flash , almost all of the cheap pvrs have the same software, don't leave the update on the USB stick, if you have many of these boxes from different models. It disables your remote or tuner.

Had a similar item years ago, name was Ematic from Walmart. Same software exactly. It was alright. A big plus was you could play the shows back if you plugged the memory stick into the computer. Biggest drawback is it doesn't name the recorded shows, and the play/stop controls on the remote are too congested and very difficult to operate in a dark room.

you can turn the tuner versus a surface to shut the light but it's good to point that out for the manufacturer to maybe update that in the future. I never realised you could record on it, mind you I hardly watch digital tv these days (just occasional free sport).

You're a Connecticut treasure Lon!

The most disappointing thing about these devices has always been the recording naming convention. It would be nice if they showed the name of the show.

@_bob_8170

4 ай бұрын

I did see and confirm that you can renamed the show or whatever you record.

@jmr

4 ай бұрын

@@_bob_8170 Yes but if you have ever used one of these simple PVR you learn what a pain that is. Particularly if you recorded several shows at once. Then you have to open each file to see what they are or correlate the date, time, and channel to figure out what they were.

@ronk9830

4 ай бұрын

I agree. I had a device like this from Walmart several years ago. The software looked the same. I hated that the recordings only displayed the channel, date, and time. As mentioned above, you can rename them, but that's such a nuisance to do when it could've easily been done automatically. 😠

You have to admire the tenacity of the Chinese. Take iView, their tuners came out 10+ years ago. Based on feedback from US customers (mainly the AVS forum) they improved their SW with frequent updates then cost reduced the HW, went from two PCBs to one, removed the display, smaller remote etc. I have two old 3500STBII's (I like the big remote) that still work & a newer one that died after a couple of years. Some comments: the USB port power is insufficient for an unpowered HDD, flash drives should be at least USB3.1 otherwise occaisonal pixelation occurs, closed captions on older iViews worked live but NOT on recordings (so check this latest incarnation). With the change to ATSC3.0, check your channel lineup frequently, changes may cause mis-recordings. Just like my iViews cover the display with black electrician's tape. Good luck!

Looks like a pretty neat device. I have an ATSC 1.0 tuner/DVR and it records to usb drive and it does work but when you play back the .mts files in VLC media player on PC there is green distortion bars on top of the picture but not when playing back on the unit itself so maybe a bug with VLC. And no it doesn't play music, pictures or videos which is a bummer.

The software reminds me of my old MediaSonic tuner/vcr box.

-- For $20 would buy. Now it is $40, so I won't waste my money. Thanks for the review!

Can I pick up the Discovery channel? lol I'm kidding because that the question I always hear. I've had a HomeWork 150 and a JZ for a few years, they both work well and the 1080p upconversion is nice. I've been using them in ceiling mounted projector (set on top of the mount/bracket) but now just plug them in the back of the AVR, which also works nicely. I have had a history with media boxes at work and we found a typ Sandisk/Cruzer USB are the best, even a 8GB will get you a few hours. Great for late night football or a end of a movie. E.g. I recorded a 1993 movie last night on Bounce, checked it this morning the image is stunning. A bonus feature, record, turn off, remove the USB and plug it the back of the TV for even a better image! 🤯

Digital TV tuners like Hauppauge that needed computer processor power and software to run cost a LOT more than this . Seems like a pretty good deal just to be able to record over the air tv shows very simply. It would be great for a mobile tv device too with some kind of small display screen. I see it has Radio button on the remote so maybe it will receive radio too ?

@_bob_8170

4 ай бұрын

I’m thinking this is a Sylvania TV/SDR tuner inside this dongle device. To confirm this get some SDR software and plug this in and put in on RTLSDR. Sylvania TV with FM radio was a thing that company also made those combo tv set like cassette tapes and dvd heck even some built in game systems like N64. Anyways hey Lon check out to see this device has SDR functionality? Great content as always.

Good for a projector.

Thank you for demonstrating that this device will play back .mp4 files. Do you think it would also play back .mkv files?

It's got the same software as Ematics and my RCA tuners along with multiple other brands. I've got 2 RCA Tuners and have been using them for over 10 years.

Need this ATSC box in French territory of St. Pierre et Miquelon to pick up some Canadian DTV channels with PAL SECAM DVB-T2 EURO FRENCH LCD TVs.

Always the greatest tech.

Lon, have you checked the Dcolor for overheating? Previous DVRs were fitted with a processor heatsink. I added a small internal fan to my iViews powered from the USB port to prevent overheating on long (many hours) recordings. You may want to check overheating out?

I still use a ChannelMaster DVR+ that's long out of support. The cloud channel prigram guide updates have become a bit of a pain. Unsure how long it'll remain useful with proposed OTA encryption changes.

This is pretty much the same menu as the View TV DVR I've had for a few years. It's probably OK for recording OTA shows on a USB drive, but I still think I like the View TV better.

Hi Lon, can you test this claim in the Amazon description? "apply networks by inserting wifi dongle" If this can read/save to network drives, I'm in.

Thanks for great vedio's, Needs help with setting up my MDU, now I am using the ISP modem that plugged RJ11 to it , and it's using the IP 192.168.1.1 which is the UDM default IP, Now I want to setup to make my UDM to be everything with the default IP instead the ISP modem, and just setup the ISP as Internet paypass to UDM and change the ISP to any, also as I know will connect the ISP lan port to UDM wan port is that correct ? Thanks for help

You were recording this during THE PRICE IS RIGHT. You know how I know? I used to work for Consumer Cellular. They only air commercials during The Price is Right.

For $30 it is really cheap. I travel alot and sometimes a thing like that couold come in handy as I dont have to deal connecting to hotel wifi etc. The issue is lately hotels with the exception of some who have a side panel for you to plug in, are making it impossible to hook anything to the TV. I assume many people pull all the wires out or mess things up. For yrs it was easy for my to plug in a firestick. Many Hyatts have gone to a Chromecast airplay system from your phone and some built in apps to login.

any crashes since you got it please let me know also dose the programs you watch auto shift as watching like media sonic ?...

Would this work for Plex as a tuner for live tv?

Hey Lon, I think you should look into the Aluratek ADTB02F. It's a little OTA DVR, but this one runs android. Haven't seen anybody else review this particular model. The main advantage with it is the much nicer UI compared to the other generic DVRs out there

The white square button on the remote control should be the stop recording button. Being able to run off a standard usb A jack 5 volt cellphone power bank makes it portable.

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

That didn't work

@AAa-qd8hb

4 ай бұрын

@@LonSeidman You may have a bad remote control. I own about 4 (different companies) ATSC 1.0 tuner boxes with the same looking screen interface as this DCOLOR stick. I do not own the DCOLOR stick but I plan to get one. NO one in the reviews on Amazon complain about the DCOLOR sticks recordings not stopping. I plan to hold down the "stop white square" button for a second and then press the"OK" button if I have problems. You may be missing the (stop recording mode message) below: ("Do you want to stop record? (OK): = YES. (EXIT): = CANCEL") Try the OK button after pressing the stop white square button.

The UI looks similar to what Antenna Man has reviewed on another TV tuner product :)

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

They probably all come out of the same factory!

@danteblake9701

4 ай бұрын

Same interface they have been using for around 10 years on most convertor boxes I used to use one as a mediaplayer but the file type support was limited. A 4gb usb would fill up after 45 minutes They would be better if you could plug in a usb hd.@@LonSeidman

@michelleeditor

4 ай бұрын

Yes I have one (Homeworx) and it's exactly the same controls. It's very basic and has a number of bugs but it's good for a cheap DVR

Would this work with HDMI-CEC using the original TV remote? Could be fun to play with if that worked.

@ronk9830

4 ай бұрын

Doubt it. It's software from years ago, and still looks the same.

Can I connect to fire stick, so I can record Netflix’s, HBO and other streaming content? Enjoyed your video..

@LonSeidman

3 ай бұрын

No it won’t let you do that unfortunately.. but check out PlayOn it can record a number of streaming services

How do you get the ir receiver cable to display the correct channel number (23-1) instead of the how many channels. Mine displays .C010, for the 10th channel in the list instead of the name/number 6-3 or 23-1.

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

Hmm. Not sure, mine defaulted to what was shown.

No Internet required, but a large television antenna on top of your house is.. I wonder which is easier to come by? I'm so glad you left that part out.. what antenna did you hook it up to? What is the signal strength like in your area?

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/f5Wip9izZqSqpqQ.html&pp=gAQBiAQB - the size of the antenna will vary based on location. It's not that hard and it saves money.

This (DCOLOR ATSC 1.0 TV Stick) infrared (IR) remote control receiver is on a cable and it can be put inside of a paper tube or plastic pipe in different directions, maybe you could operate 2 of these DCOLOR ATSC 1.0 TV tuners in the same room at the same time without remote control interference between them depending on how you aim your IR TV remote control. Note: This has not been tested. Note: The Mediasonic Homeworx hw-150pvr-y22 uses a different remote control infrared code set then the ("ViewTV" ATSC 1.0 tuner) and other popular TV tuner boxes so you can use them with the Mediasonic at the same time without remote control interference between them.

Can I attach a cable TV connector to this, then my laptop to watch

Was that a mini USB power connector? And this is only 1.0, correct?

does it have to be a usb stick? can you hook up a power external hard drive for more storage?

@RobertMartin-ew1vy

4 ай бұрын

Yes an external hard drive is preferable. I believe up-to 4tb.

@trevorbartram5473

4 ай бұрын

Use a powered HDD rather than unpowered. A typical TV USB is not powerful enough for both. Make sure the powered HDD doesn't back feed power to the Dcolor otherwise it'll be 'on' all the time. Check that the HDD switches off when the Dcolor is off.

Screenshots are identical to my Mediasonic set top dvr/tuner.

I can't get closed captions to work with my recast on live channels anymore.I can't figure out why.The help # for this I called was not helpful and hard to understand them.

Hi,AT&T wants to get ride of landline phones in California, If they do this will there be any alternative or will there be only Cell Phones?

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

AT&T divested their local phones and sold them to another company here.

May have to look into. Literally just last night I tried to turn on my TV with the antenna that I have because internet was out. I guess my TV decided a while back to completely bypass that and just turn it all into free TV that's on there. Won't even work kind of tick me off

What's the name of this device and where to buy?

Does it have an audio output? It looks like it wouldn't actually be useful with just a computer monitor since those don't typically have audio.

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

No audio output but many monitors have a headphone out that can have speakers attached

@aramb

4 ай бұрын

@@LonSeidman alas, not the monitor I have 😞

Interesting, but sure wish the updates for straight forward

I will stick with my GT media USB 3.0 portable tuner I can record and watch TV on my phone and other devices when the power goes out .

Do you know how much it can store on the dvr ? Thank you

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

It depends on the size of the flash storage you install

I have KZread TV, and this might be useful if you save some content on the USB stick and play it back if the internet is out.

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

Most Smart TVs can play media from a USB stick - might want to try that first.

Price on Amazon Canada is $77.46 that's a pretty significant markup from the $20 USD quote, for only 6 channels available in my area OTA broadcast still isn't great

@jmr

4 ай бұрын

Wow, I just checked and it's only $30 here.

@jmr

4 ай бұрын

​@DM-ei6oo Robbie Strike doesn't seem to expect it any time soon last i heard. He's almost their equivalent of Antenna Man.

What kind of file format does it record in on the use drive

@numodular

4 ай бұрын

An MTS file is an AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) video file format that allows users to record and playback videos in high definition. It is a standard video format used by many AVCHD compatible camcorders such as Sony and Panasonic HD camcorders. The file format uses MPEG-4/H.264 video compression and supports 720p and 1080i HD video resolutions. The audio in an MTS file may be compressed using the Dolby AC-3 codec or saved as uncompressed linear PCM audio. Supported audio tracks include stereo (2-channel) and 5.1 (5-channel + subwoofer) surround sound. To open an MTS file, one can use a video converter or software like MiniTool.

can i use it in bangladesh?

the thing is why even buy stuff like this with them make limits on what you record and not much any more on tv normal wise love tv tuners keep the work you do bud

@baconsledge

4 ай бұрын

Hard time communicating?

So, if this thing has a coaxl port, then do I need an antenna for this to operate?

@mistermac56

4 ай бұрын

Yes.

@JoshuaTheYouTubeGuy2000

4 ай бұрын

Oh I see.

@angusmacfrankenstein7227

4 ай бұрын

If it’s like the “Homeworx” unit, I describe on the main thread, then yes. I use a twenty-plus-year old set of rabbit ears. Works fine.

@JoshuaTheYouTubeGuy2000

4 ай бұрын

Oh OK.

Does anyone know the difference in atsc and atsc-pa? I see the -pa model is 10$ more but not sure why

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

Pa comes with the usb power adapter, the other one doesn’t

@sbccave4015

4 ай бұрын

@@LonSeidman your the man!

How do you sign up for an Amazon vine?

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

There's no sign up, they pick you based on how helpful your reviews are.

Link to buy it?

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

In the video description

Small mediasonic box

❤️👍

how many channels at sametime can you record at sametime

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

Single tuner here

@jeffreykoerber6595

4 ай бұрын

Other tuners with the same interface will allow you to record and watch multiple channels on the same frequency. For example, if you’re recording 2.1, you could watch (and I think record) 2.2 as long as they are using the same frequency.

OTA is 1080i or 720p. there is no OTA from the major 4 that is 1080p due to bandwidth. Btw, this particular one has poor longevity. Software is over a decade old.

With the new changes coming to the HDTV standards how long will this thing still work?

@jeffreykoerber6595

4 ай бұрын

ATSC 1.0 should be around for the foreseeable future. ATSC 3.0 is a mess and may never fully replace ATSC 1.0

This is probably a lame question and the answer is out there somewhere, but I am too lazy to look, and prefer to rely on the wisdom of folks who follow this channel. Q: If you connect this to a monitor without speakers built in, how do you get sound??? TIA!

@aspinia

Күн бұрын

if it's an hdmi monitor it should have a 3 mm input for speakers, my old vga monitor for example needed an hdmi to vga adapter and the adapter itself had the 3mm input for speakers so I have audio from the adapter, I made a video about it long ago, but text is in spanish, my native language, I also dont like to talk to the camera

Wonder will this work...on my old tv..if I use an hdmi to rca converter

@mowcowbell

4 ай бұрын

Time to come to the 21st century and buy a TV with HDMI inputs. You can pick up decent sets for under $150.

@jamescarter3196

4 ай бұрын

@@mowcowbell Don't be stupid, everybody knows about modern Tv sets and has one if they want it, and some of us also still like to use our CRTs. You're ignorant about what other people are doing, not 'showing somebody into the modern era'.

@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY

4 ай бұрын

HDMI TO RF (PAL NTSC) with channel 3 output

i still use an old school VCR to record the news so this would be a perfect fit for my use if it didn't have that bug with recording.... chinese-designed electronics are usually not worth buying due to the multiple firmware bugs that come along with them... i have found and disposed of so many 'half-baked' chinese-designed junk electronics at thrift stores its not funny.. and this looks exactly like a thrift store find i would come across because someone else couldn't get the record function to work right... ...nice.. but with that bug... not worth it at all.. because i don't know what other bugs are in there that you haven't found yet, and there is no actual website to download firmware updates to fix it anyway...

@angeldetierra3855

3 ай бұрын

-- In today's world most of the News is propaganda. You don't need to record nothing. Check on KZread and you'll see hundreds of new casts....

Will this device work in Australia?

@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY

4 ай бұрын

No. Only South Korea, Guam and Saipan that have ATSC 1.0 Broadcaat

@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY

4 ай бұрын

Australia uses DVB-T

@groppo8

4 ай бұрын

@@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY Thanks. Do you know what the best gadget is for recording in Australia? I just have a Firestick but no other connections to record anything.

Seems to be $30 on Amazon I wonder if it is cheaper elsewhere? Not worth $30 I think...

@angeldetierra3855

3 ай бұрын

-- Now it's $40. Won't buy neither!

Great for hooking up to a computer monitor to watch TV.

@CommodoreFan64

4 ай бұрын

I was thinking this, but it would be nice to have a separate audio out as well on the little box, as not all PC monitors have good built in speakers if they have any whatsoever.

@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY

4 ай бұрын

Curved Samsung LCD monitors have AUX OUTPUT for Speakers.

@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY

4 ай бұрын

@@CommodoreFan64HDMI to HDMI + AUDIO 3.5mm out adapter

@CommodoreFan64

4 ай бұрын

@@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY I know I'm just saying they could spend 10 cents and add an onboard 3.5mm jack.

You seem to misunderstand what an IR Blaster is. Otherwise good review!

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

I said it's an IR receiver, not a blaster

@DouglasGross6022

4 ай бұрын

@@LonSeidman You called it a blaster. Listen again.

@TrueAudio

4 ай бұрын

@@DouglasGross6022 sheesh

Seems like old reruns of shows and a heck of a lot of commercials on “free” tv these days. I don’t even get 1 solid channel here 😂

I could use this to record Batman in perpetuity. Then I could sell that footage to Batman for $1 billion probably

go to your local window tint place and ask them for a tiny scrap of tint, instant dimmed display

I’m confused. There have been standalone ATSC 1.0 tuner boxes that record for at least a decade- many of them can be found for $20-$30. How is this different?

@LonSeidman

4 ай бұрын

USB powered, built in recording, and stick size. Sorry it didn't interest you but from the analytics it sure looks like it interests others.

@timbo303official9

4 ай бұрын

I think the small form factor is new though its the same interface.

all power USB connectors should all be USB type C, ONLY!!

12 Reasons why OTA DRM ATSC 3.0 TV will fail. Just say NO to (DRM). Tell your USA Government about the Hostile Takeover of (OTA DRM ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN-TV) issues listed below. DRM (Digital Rights Management) Encrypted TV Station's signals. Why? Some 3.0 tuners at this time require you stay on the internet to decode DRM 3.0 TV Stations. Why? 3.0 Currently no 4K and you only get the Simulcasted main channel and no sub channels. Channel Crawling = super slow channel changing (DRM 5 + seconds slow). No sound because of Dolby AC4 audio codec does not have a legal open source license to decode legally on many devices. Some 3.0 tuners have Out of sync audio to video problems. Private Home Networked OTA antenna tuner boxes like (Tablo TV box) can not get official certified approval for DRM ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN-TV. Why? You may need non OTA home pay internet for updates and to unlock DRM encrypted ATSC 3.0 tv channels. Possible DRM restrictions on DRM ATSC 3.0 recordings and no viewing anywhere on any device with no sound. Emergency alert messages can not be received if DRM is blocking them. OTA DRM ATSC 3.0 TV will fail because the FCC is not going to turn off ATSC 1.0 TV stations for many years if not enough people buy 3.0 TVs and 3.0 boxes. No one has solve the problem of no government money for free DRM 3.0 TV tuner boxes because 1.0 TV turners and recorders will not work after that TV Station switches to 3.0 TV broadcasts. (Range and signal error correction) OR (more sub channels and near 4k picture) trade off problem. FCC is not forcing any 1.0 TV Stations to move over to 3.0 TV. So some TV stations will be on 1.0 and others will be on DRM 3.0. The FCC is only allowing OTA Simulcasts of the ATSC 1.0 main channel at this time on DRM ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN-TV. DRM ATSC 3.0 is a not finished product and is a work in progress mix of unproven ideas that has never gotten full FCC approval at this time. Software updates for 3.0 tuner boxes may be needed for changes made to the unfinished and future added new official ATSC 3.0 standards modules. Patent License problems. LG no longer sells TVs with ATSC 3.0 tuners. Some 3.0 TV tuners companies may go out of business or stop updates leaving you with no DRM or software updates. OTA ATSC 3.0 is better but is not perfect and still can be affected by weak tv signals: (distance, weather, planes, trees, buildings, trucks, poor antenna, etc). FCC rules that 5 percent of old ATSC 1.0 coverage area does not need to be covered anymore = (SHORTER RANGE). Viewing zone outside of your 15 minute city or town could be blocked. Your TV viewing habits could be tracked by your serial number or IP address. ATSC 3.0 is updatable until it is not updatable without new hardware tuners (ATSC 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0......). Some of these 3.0 TV issues may be fixed over time. This is only some of the mess with DRM ATSC 3.0 TV. This is my opinion why DRM ATSC 3.0 TV will fail. IMO. Stay on OTA 1.0 TV until DRM is removed from OTA ATSC 3.0 by law. It is the people versus the hostile takeover by private DRM 3.0 TV stations for control over the USA public airwaves. IMO 2024. ..

@trevorbartram5473

4 ай бұрын

You forgot to mention the patent pool problem. It's the reason LG (& others) downgraded their tuners from 3.0 to 1.0. There is no guarantee patent holders will not come out of the woodwork at advantageous times in the future & litigate TV manufacturers, effectively a ransom! The 3.0 patent pool is a mess compared with 1.0.

@AAa-qd8hb

4 ай бұрын

@@trevorbartram5473 I agree.

Dang, yet another generic MStar based DVR. Was expecting a little more from this

What's a TV?

I thought ATSC was going to be encrypted soon, i.e., no free tv for anyone.

@AAa-qd8hb

4 ай бұрын

ATSC 1.0 is not being forced over to DRM encrypted ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN-TV. DRM NEXTGEN-TV will fail. Stay on ATSC 1.0 until DRM is removed by law.

its like chinese boxes , same software.

Ehh...theres a slew of STB boxes that works better than this. I wouldn't trust this small thing over a Homeworx box if you want a non-Internet converter box.

@jeffreykoerber6595

4 ай бұрын

It looks like the same interface as the Homeworkx and iView boxes.

@trevorbartram5473

4 ай бұрын

& Mediasonic