Customer Ratings & Reviews

Great for pausing programs (with a thumb drive). Easy to set up, but when the channels scanned it saved the weaker signal channel number (which where I am at is the first in the series). I had to manually change the channel programming. I also would like a universal remote for at minimum to power on the tele. The remote buttons are also in a non-standard configuration as well, which for me is not too bad, but it's not great. See remote differences in photo.

I had ditched cable TV using an amplified antenna, but missed being able to record programs while I was away. This does the job for me. Remember to get a USB storage device for DVR. The user manual leaves a lot to be desired. The box says it is a dual tuner device. I haven't been able to figure out how to use that feature yet. A work-around is to use the RF out connector to connect to the tuner in your TV. Then you can switch your TV input to its tuner while the DVR is is recording.

For the money it does what we ask. It's pretty quirky. We use a SanDisk 32gb thumb drive for recording. It takes getting used to, but the main thing we missed from cable tv was being able to record the news and watch on demand. It will do that, but if you lose tuning it just fails to record. So you're going to lose some shows. But hey for less than $50, and saving $130 a month by cutting the cord, I'm ok with that.

Opinions on the Superbowl aside, I purchased this product to convert OTA signal to show the game on a projector. The setup process was truly plug and play and combined with the Mohu Leaf Antenna, it pulled in every channel available in my area. For the price, i would certainly recommend this product to those looking to view OTA channels without a TV. It does have the option of HDMI as well as component and the HDMI does carry the audio. I have not tested the capability to record to an external drive.

HUGE USAGE FYI - if you are using a powered antenna, you need to switch the powered antenna menu setting to “ON,” otherwise your picture will be unreliable! Since turning this setting on, my unit has been working great, and I am very happy with this item. I have it hooked up to a projector, speakers, receiver, and powered antenna, and now I can watch sports with a 10’ picture. Works just like I should. Recommended item but ***READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.*** :)

I wanted to add local stations to my VAVA 4K Short Throw Projector, but the projector did not have a port to attach the coax cable to. I purchased the Aluratek converter box and was able to use the hmdi slot to add my local stations. It very easy to set up and works great.

Easy connection and setup. Search for more channels than expected.

The setup was easy. The only drawback of this product is that you get no sound when you playback recordings through the HDMI cable. Also, this product makes a good alternative to Eyetv. Also, you do need an USB drive to record programs.

Even if this garbage worked perfectly fine it would still not be something I would recommend. The remote transmission range is atrocious, you can't change channels while recording, the interface is horrendous, and the thing won't turn on at all after only a handful of uses. Garbage. Do not buy. If you do decide to purchase this junk please do spend the money on the extended warranty. We could not return it after the short return policy by Best Buy.

The programming works on it pretty well the records OK but if the signal strength is slow it’ll stop recording completely

The unit had no certified UL list. It did not work.tried everything to connect to the tv.

This is my second one that had flat out died. It now seems to be an annual thing for my household to run to the store on either the superbowl or NYE so we can broadcast a live event. It works dor the event snd then dies. It wont recognize power anymore.

I am limited to recording in my area and this has worked wonderfully for our family

This is a terrible product. Don't buy it. It has barely worked since I purchased it. It attempts to reset itself but never does. The display screen has read "boot" for at least two weeks, in spite of multiple attempts to unplug this device and plug it back in. (There is no reset button.) Consequently I can't watch over-the-air broadcasts. I bought this device because I have a 1993 CRT television that still works perfectly well but does not have a digital tuner. This product replaced a Homeworx device I bought on Amazon that quit after two years (which is about the standard lifespan for these devices, I've learned). This one (Aluratek) didn't last two months. I have to give this a one-star rating in this review, but that's too generous.

It's easy to hook up , works fine, records easily

I can’t get the channels I want when the guide is displayed. I’m watching what the box wants me to watch.

This little unit delivers on all fronts! I get more than 100 channels. I am out NE of the Denver Metro area. With the SKU: 6452358 antenna I bought I get flawless reception.

It works great, much better value than other options out there

Very simplistic and a great purchase. Appreciated the service I received.

I bought this because my Pioneer DVD recorder is on its last legs and I was hoping that it would be better than my recently purchased ViewTV AT-300. Alas, the Aluratek's innards are the same as the ViewTV's which makes it the same as several others on the market resulting in the same on-screen user interface. The various makes differ in their external appearance, availability of component output (the Aluratek lacks this feature), type of connection to your home's electrical outlets (the Aluratek has a regular plug not a block/wall wart), inclusion of a HDMI cable (the Aluratek does not provide one) and layout of the remote. I bought these boxes to record and archive TV shows and movies. When you are watching and recording, there is no way to pause the recording during the commercials. I have resorted to stopping the recording when a segment fades to a commercial and then starting a new recording when the program resumes (the box is responsive and commences recording promptly). I end up with 6 or so files for a one hour show (.mts format). This isn't really a problem as they play seamlessly back to back on these boxes as well as on my PC using the open source VLC media player. I haven't yet done a programmed time recording so I can't comment on this function. Manipulating the recordings is not intuitive. They are listed by channel name, date and time. To rename a recording, press the TIMER button on the remote. To delete a recording, press the EPG button. To go back up a folder, use the RECALL button. To toggle between the preview screen and full screen, use the HOLD button. None of this is mentioned in the little User's Manual which gives basic operating instructions but is otherwise lacking. For example, there is a GOTO button on the remote - go to what? The manual is printed in a tiny font and the screenshot illustrations are likewise tiny rendering them useless in some instances. Another annoying feature is that these boxes do not show the channel that you are tuned to. When you do the channel scan, they begin at the lowest frequency and start picking up channels and their sub-channels and number them sequentially as they progress up the frequencies. It is this numbering that is displayed on the boxes' front panel. Despite these drawbacks I give the Aluratek 4 stars because it does what it purports to do: record over-the-air programming (as well as convert digital signals for analog TVs). I'm using a Sandisk Ultra Fit 64 gb USB 3.1 flash drive - I just plugged it in, didn't mess with any formatting. The electronic program guide is free but not great so I use tvlistings.zap2it.com. The Aluratek has a time shift function so you can pause a program while you are watching it and then come back and resume the show where you left it. It also has a multimedia player function so you can play music or view photos on your USB device. Just be realistic in your expectations - it's not going to come close to cable/satellite DVRs or the commercial DVD recorders which sadly are no longer made, but it is one-tenth the price I paid for my Pioneer in 2005 (which required $300 in repairs in 2013) and you get beautiful 1080p recordings for free.