Last Updated: September 26, 2023 (Refresh Now)
Mediasonic ATSC Digital Converter Box w TV Recording USB Multimedia Player and TV Tuner Function HW 150PVR Black
Last Updated: September 26, 2023 (Refresh Now)
5.3
SCORE
/10
Total Reviews
1000
Old Reviews
884
Unverified
35
Spam Test
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Full HD 1080p
RESOLUTION
Yes
HDMI
Yes
VIDEO
9
NUMBER OF USB PORTS
Review Analysis - 81 recent, verified reviews
Detailed Mode
Connectivity
23drive, tv, hdmi, hard drive, usb device
+48%
-52%
" ... 2) accessing the USB recording features is not intuitive (nor is formatting the USB at the start) ... "
" ... So I can no longer record shows to the USB. ... "
" ... I bought this HW-150PVR as a backup after my Homework HW130STB converter started acting up. ... "
" ... The box couldn't find the USB thumb drive I put into it to use the DVR functions and the user interface was in broken English. ... "
" ... Resetting it works, but the next day it can be out of sync again. ... "
" ... Wouldn't work with my external drive. ... "
" ... On the back of the box it mentions that your USB drive has to be in MBR format (master boot record) - this is not mentioned anywhere in the manual itself. ... I have given up on this device. ... "
" ... I attempted to contact the tech support phone line, which does not work. ... "
Reliability
22months, year, years, stopped, died
+14%
-86%
" ... Less than 30 days later the 1st box died. ... Today it turned itself off randomly. ... "
" ... The first simply stopped being accessible about a week before DWTS started. ... "
" ... Have had this for just over a year. ... "
" ... It lasted 2 years 3 months and now it won't power on. ... "
" ... In my experience this unit may or may not go into record mode when scheduled: expect to see "an unknown error occurred" more often than hoped. ... "
" ... This worked great for about a year but suddenly stopped working. ... "
" ... This could be a great device to have, but it has a couple of serious problems. ... "
" ... However, after 2 weeks it stopped recording what was programmed. ... "
Usage
21button, remote, user interface, manual, setup
+62%
-38%
" ... Easy to program and watch recording. ... "
" ... Fairly easy to install. ... "
" ... Connected it, turned it on, automatically took you through the setup, which was easy. ... "
" ... Connections were a breeze. ... "
" ... I am considering getting others for my children and grandchildren's TVs. ... "
" ... I did read various youtube articles and the manual. ... "
" ... significantly faster than using fast forward button. ... "
" ... Programming to record is super easy if the channel provides all the correct info. ... Still pretty easy. ... "
Remote
19control, buttons, button, directly, user interface
+42%
-58%
" ... 1st 1 bad remote, 2nd loose rf In, try once more . ... "
" ... The remote control feels cheap and will not work unless you point it directly to the unit, otherwise you will not connect. ... Remote sometimes get's stuck and unresponsive. ... "
" ... First of all, the user Graphical User Interface and remote key functions are extremely difficult. ... The remote transmission performance is pretty sevier, so the remote is needed to be exposed transmitting the key signal to this tuner box face panel at straight angle. ... "
" ... Remote control response very sluggish even with brand new batteries ... "
" ... However, the DVR has a hard time picking up remote control signals. ... Often have to press remote buttons very hard and more than once to get it to react properly. ... Also, the remote is not laid out very well. ... "
" ... The remote resembles something designed in 2000 and didn't take into consideration fast forwarding and playing often. ... "
" ... The remote doesn't make sense (what is epg? ... "
" ... All right My First comment On this unit is that The Remote Control Sucks! ... The Buttons are so mushy and the only way to get the remote to work is to point it at the box! ... "
Marketplace
14unit, returning, replacement, amazon, unfortunately
+29%
-71%
" ... Unfortunately, since I bought it as a backup several months ago I cannot return it. ... "
" ... I'm returning this ... "
" ... I am downgrading it to two stars. ... "
" ... Will be returning and getting a refund. ... "
" ... I bought this product in March 2022. ... "
" ... The product is not working a few days after 30 days of receiving it and the return period has expired. ... And the return period has expired on 19 April 2023. ... "
" ... I ended up returning it. ... "
" ... Only customer support seems to be return unit and they will send you a replacement. ... Again the only response was send it back to them. ... "
Network
11channels, signal, strength, somehow, roof
+64%
-36%
" ... If like me, you are in the middle of several cities and have to change the antenna. ... "
" ... Install the antenna in a window, it makes a big difference on the number of channels you will get. ... "
" ... A good friend came over and installed an antenna on the roof. ... "
" ... With a roof antenna signal booster, getting 86 channels. ... "
" ... Network channels pick up just fine and are in sync. ... "
" ... Also, the location/position of the antenna is VERY important. ... Have it up high, and close to the direction that the signals are coming from. ... "
Marketplace / Returns
11unit, returning, replacement, unfortunately, send
+18%
-82%
" ... Will be returning and getting a refund. ... "
" ... I'm returning this ... "
" ... Only customer support seems to be return unit and they will send you a replacement. ... Again the only response was send it back to them. ... "
" ... UPDATE I am sending the unit back. ... "
" ... I ended up returning it. ... "
" ... Unfortunately, since I bought it as a backup several months ago I cannot return it. ... "
" ... The product is not working a few days after 30 days of receiving it and the return period has expired. ... And the return period has expired on 19 April 2023. ... "
" ... I am downgrading it to two stars. ... "
Resolution
10tv, ota channels, ota, tuner, receive
+70%
-30%
" ... Add a 2T hard drive and you got a real winner for basic OTA tv. ... "
" ... The tuner is very sensitive, and picks up more stations than my Panasonic flat screen TV does on its own. ... "
" ... But I'll deal with all of the above to save over $100 / month, especially since I never watched 99% of the 400+ channels that I had for years. ... "
" ... You can favorite channels in a variety of categories for ease of finding. ... "
" ... I can now watch my OTA channels and record as needed. ... "
Software
9interface, ota, expect, clunky, 3
+22%
-78%
" ... There are many software bugs, restarting and closed caption, EPG, etc. ... "
" ... 3) from day one the software was unstable, and now it's pretty much un-useable. ... "
" ... Will not play MP4 files as advertised ... "
" ... The interface is oddly bad. ... "
" ... You cannot watch a previously-recorded program while recording a new program. ... On the back of the box it mentions that your USB drive has to be in MBR format (master boot record) - this is not mentioned anywhere in the manual itself. ... Update March 18, 2022: ... "
" ... While every device to do the OTA conversion seems to use the same software this one is UP TO DATE!! ... They die, they don't find all the channels, have way outdated software, or are just clunky remotes and junk. ... "
Storage
7drive, memory, drives, hard drive, thumb
+43%
-57%
" ... I am on the verge of returning it if it eats up too much memory or I can't get it to work right. ... "
" ... Wouldn't work with my external drive. ... "
" ... (Why then does MediaSonic claim at the top of the Amazon page that flash drives are an option???) ... "
" ... * memory (or use of USB drive) to store EPG data instead of regenerating it each time you change channel ... "
Picture
7quality, tv, superb, screen, old
+86%
-14%
" ... good quality picture ... "
" ... Easy to set up, and the picture quality is superb. ... "
" ... Picture quality is excellent and full high-def - as good as my TV itself. ... "
" ... Liked picture quality and channel guide. ... "
" ... The Overall picture quality is outstanding which is one of the pros of these DTV boxes. ... "
" ... picture higher quality ... "
Performance
6forward, fast, unit, system, speed
+33%
-67%
" ... I just tried using it again, and now it crashes and reboots itself about every 2 minutes. ... "
" ... You are forced to turn the master switch off and then back on to reboot the system and then everything is fine until the system crashed again. ... "
" ... The biggest problem with recording is that it is unreliable. ... "
" ... I'll try to reprogram it or cycle to power to reboot it. ... "
Marketplace / Marketplace
5tech support, product, contacted, bought
+40%
-60%
" ... I bought this product in March 2022. ... "
" ... Because there is nothing else available for the money on Amazon. ... "
" ... I contacted Amazon tech support. ... "
Lagging
4unit, system, reset, hard
-100%
" ... I just tried using it again, and now it crashes and reboots itself about every 2 minutes. ... "
" ... You are forced to turn the master switch off and then back on to reboot the system and then everything is fine until the system crashed again. ... "
" ... The biggest problem with recording is that it is unreliable. ... "
" ... I'll try to reprogram it or cycle to power to reboot it. ... "
Features
4software
+50%
-50%
" ... This only puts the unit in stand-by mode. ... "
" ... no lights, no nothing - no warning either! ... "
Price
3understand, given, cost, value, get
+100%
" ... Best DVR for the price. ... However, for the price you pay, I cannot argue with the value proposition. ... "
" ... For these reasons, and considering the price point, I bumped the review from 3 to 4 stars. ... "
" ... Other than those points, it is a good device for the price. ... "
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Specifications
Connectivity
HDMI: Yes
Number of USB ports: 9
USB: Yes
Camera
Video: Yes
Memory
Memory: 2097152 GB
Display
Resolution: Full HD 1080p
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