Live TV / OTA Streaming – General Configuration Guide

Live TV / OTA Streaming – General Configuration Guide

Purpose: This guide covers configuring over-the-air (OTA) TV for live streaming and DVR functionality via Plex. By using an HDHomeRun tuner paired with a reliable OTA antenna, you can integrate live TV into your existing media environment alongside your Plex library and automation stack.

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Key Concepts

HDHomeRun – A network-attached TV tuner that receives OTA signals from your antenna and streams them to Plex or other compatible apps.
Antenna Recommendation – Winegard YA7000C, a high-gain outdoor antenna optimized for UHF and VHF channels, ensures consistent reception in most mid-range locations.
Plex DVR Integration – Plex can access the HDHomeRun tuner to stream live TV, schedule recordings, and store them in your media library.

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General Configuration Steps

1. Antenna Setup (Winegard YA7000C)

Install the antenna outdoors at the highest feasible point with minimal obstructions.
Aim it toward your local broadcast towers; tools like TVFool or AntennaWeb can help determine the optimal direction.
Use quality coaxial cable (RG6) to connect the antenna to the HDHomeRun tuner.
Ground the antenna and cabling if required by local electrical codes for safety.

2. HDHomeRun Deployment

Connect the HDHomeRun tuner to your local network via Ethernet.
Ensure it receives power via included adapter or PoE if supported.
Access the HDHomeRun web interface or app to scan for available channels.
Verify signal quality for each channel; relocate or re-aim antenna if reception is weak.

3. Plex Media Server Integration

On your Plex Media Server VM, navigate to Settings → Live TV & DVR.
Select Set Up Plex DVR and choose your HDHomeRun tuner.
Configure channel lineup and guide data. Plex can download electronic program guide (EPG) information for scheduling recordings.
Test live TV streaming from Plex clients to ensure reliable playback.

4. DVR Configuration and Storage

Choose a dedicated library location for recorded shows; SSD or fast spinning disk preferred.
Set retention and recording quality based on storage and playback devices.
Optionally, configure Plex to transcode recordings via Unmanic if you want to standardize resolution, codecs, or file sizes.

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Best Practices

Antenna Positioning – Small adjustments can significantly improve reception; test in multiple positions if needed.
Network Reliability – Ensure HDHomeRun has a wired connection to reduce buffering; Wi-Fi is not recommended.
Integration Testing – Test live TV and recording schedules with multiple Plex clients to ensure consistent behavior.
Resource Planning – Transcoding live TV or DVR content can be CPU/GPU intensive; plan server resources accordingly.

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How OTA Streaming Complements the Environment

Component	Role
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Winegard YA7000C	Captures OTA broadcast signals with high reliability.
HDHomeRun	Network tuner that streams OTA content to Plex.
Plex Media Server	Integrates live TV and DVR functionality into the existing library ecosystem.
Unmanic (Optional)	Transcodes recordings for consistent playback or optimized storage.

In short, this setup allows live OTA TV to integrate seamlessly with your Plex Media Server and automation environment, giving users access to both live and recorded content alongside your managed media library.

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This guide provides general configuration, deployment, and integration steps. Detailed channel troubleshooting, advanced tuner configurations, or multi-HDHomeRun setups should be referenced in HDHomeRun and Plex official documentation.

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