HDHomeRun FLEX 4K problems, recomendations?

[ElwoodBlues 1]

Hi there..

Hope someone out there can help me out with this..

Been a registered Emby user for 2-3 years now and generally have been pretty happy with it.  One small annoyance is Recorded TV. I use the HDHomeRun FLEX 4K as my tuner. The problem is when skipping over commercials the audio and video get out of sync. By the end of an average program the video can be as much as a second out of sync with the video.  

It's annoying...

What brought this issue to a head is that I am building a Emby system for my elderly father.  So he has all his favorite shows available to watch any time he wants to watch them.  I want to set up a TV tuner as well so he can have his news & other programs available on his schedule. The problem is that knowing my dad as I do.. I know he won't stand for having the video getting further & further out of sync by the end of a program.. 

So, here is my question..  Is there any way the HDHomeRun FLEX 4K can be fixed so this does not happen? ( firmware is current ).  Or, can you suggest a 4(ish) channel TV tuner that is not susceptible to this problem? 

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

[Luke 42077]

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

[ElwoodBlues 1]

On 11/11/2025 at 11:37 AM, Luke said:

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

I never would have imagined in a million years that log files would be required for advice or to ask the community if they had ever encountered a similar problem and what the solution was. 

 

Oh.. and BTW.. why was this moved?  The HD Homerun appears to record programs correctly.. The audio gets out of sync when pausing, rewinding, etc on the Emby platform.  Doesn't seem like a HD Homerun problem..  

Edited November 16, 2025 by ElwoodBlues

[Tigga5 39]

I've seen issues with the audio/video going out of sync on recordings, but it's usually resolved by using the "skip back" button to rewind 10 seconds for me. If you're setting up a new system that's going to heavily rely on live TV though you may want to look into other options. If you take a few minutes to skim through this thread that was started almost 3 years now, you can see the Emby devs seem to have very little interest in live TV anymore and it's been several years now since there were any significant changes to that part of the system.

If you want something that really prioritizes live TV and DVR, Channels DVR is awesome and designed around HDHomeRun hardware. It’s actively developed, super stable, and their devs are very engaged with users when issues come up.

 

 

[sa2000 674]

14 hours ago, ElwoodBlues said:

It never would have imagined in a million years that log files would be required for advice or to ask the community if they had ever encountered a similar problem and what the solution was. 

If  a problem needs to be investigated, logs would be the starting point with default logging initially and may require debug logging to dig further. 

If you are only after users telling you if they encountered the problem or not, then of course, logs would not be needed and i and the emby team can step aside.

14 hours ago, ElwoodBlues said:

The HD Homerun appears to record programs correctly.. The audio gets out of sync when pausing, rewinding, etc on the Emby platform.  Doesn't seem like a HD Homerun problem..  

Is the issue with the recordings?  or is it with Live TV streaming

Again, as I said, logs would help put it all in context and give the details to start an investigation. 

Is this specific to some emby client apps ? or all ? Is playback being transcoded ? Again - the logs would give the detail.

Lets get an example and have details and the associated logs

If it is easily reproducible for you, please enable debug logging on the emby server and reproduce after a fresh restart of the emby server to get fresh logs

please give details of what time the issue arose and what was being streamed at the time and download the emby server logs and attach here. There would be embyserver and ffmpeg log files.

 

 

Edited November 17, 2025 by sa2000

[ElwoodBlues 1]

12 hours ago, sa2000 said:

If  a problem needs to be investigated, logs would be the starting point with default logging initially and may require debug logging to dig further. 

If you are only after users telling you if they encountered the problem or not, then of course, logs would not be needed and i and the emby team can step aside.

I'm making the assumption that if I am having a problem with my HD Homerun that someone else in the world has probably had the same problem and can quickly tell me how it was resolved.  

I also asked for tuner recommendations that are not susceptible to this problem. 

I really don't like that you go right for the log files after barely skimming and not taking the time to comprehend what I wrote.  It's none of anyone else's business what TV shows I watch and which ones I record.  

12 hours ago, sa2000 said:

Is the issue with the recordings?  or is it with Live TV streaming

Again, as I said, logs would help put it all in context and give the details to start an investigation. 

Is this specific to some emby client apps ? or all ? Is playback being transcoded ? Again - the logs would give the detail.

Lets get an example and have details and the associated logs

If it is easily reproducible for you, please enable debug logging on the emby server and reproduce after a fresh restart of the emby server to get fresh logs

please give details of what time the issue arose and what was being streamed at the time and download the emby server logs and attach here. There would be embyserver and ffmpeg log files.

 

 

It's with recordings..  Unless you guys have figured out how to skip over commercials that haven't been aired yet? ( See o.p. ) If so, please let me know!

I use the NVIDIA box as my client. 

I can't imagine why it would be trans-coded.  It's low bandwidth TV... 

 

ffmpeg-transcode-a0165a95-1feb-4194-801b-287865d98151_1.txt embyserver-63898995895.txt hardware_detection-63898973762.txt

[sa2000 674]

Thank you for the logs. It puts it all into context.

So it is Nvidia Shield running Emby for Android TV app version 2.1.23 streaming a recorded .ts file from Emby Server version 4.9.1.90. 

The playback stream is being transcoded by the emby server 

So I understand that playback is ok unless you do some seeking and then the audio / video start to drift and gets worse as you do more seeking.

The .ts file that was being played back shows about 58 minutes of a news recording. Assuming that the problem arises with this .ts file (news recorded 7am), i will send you a private link to upload the media file so i can do tests with it.

- Does the issue arise if you play this .ts file with, for example, vlc and do seeking

- Does the selection of subtitle stream have a bearing on the problem

- What options are set on the Nvidia Shield Emby for Android TV app in App Settings > Playback Settings

- If you install the universal Emby for Android app on the shield, does that have the problem in same way to the Emby for Android TV app ? See the links here for the latest stable release and beta release for the Universal Emby for Android app https://emby.media/community/index.php?/topic/21348-emby-latest-versions/#comment-208311

 

[Luke 42077]

20 hours ago, ElwoodBlues said:

I'm making the assumption that if I am having a problem with my HD Homerun that someone else in the world has probably had the same problem and can quickly tell me how it was resolved.  

I also asked for tuner recommendations that are not susceptible to this problem. 

I really don't like that you go right for the log files after barely skimming and not taking the time to comprehend what I wrote.  It's none of anyone else's business what TV shows I watch and which ones I record.  

It's with recordings..  Unless you guys have figured out how to skip over commercials that haven't been aired yet? ( See o.p. ) If so, please let me know!

I use the NVIDIA box as my client. 

I can't imagine why it would be trans-coded.  It's low bandwidth TV... 

 

ffmpeg-transcode-a0165a95-1feb-4194-801b-287865d98151_1.txt 599.75 kB · 2 downloads embyserver-63898995895.txt 2.36 MB · 1 download hardware_detection-63898973762.txt 45.61 kB · 1 download

Hi.  Can you try searching for our standard android app (Just "Emby" on Amazon and "Emby for Android on Google) on the same device's app store and see how that compares?

Thanks.

 

[Tigga5 39]

12 hours ago, Luke said:

Hi.  Can you try searching for our standard android app (Just "Emby" on Amazon and "Emby for Android on Google) on the same device's app store and see how that compares?

Thanks.

 

Fair warning @ElwoodBlues, note that the universal app Luke mentioned still has unresolved time-shifting issues like this one. If you rely heavily on commercial skipping or time-shifting, your experience will likely get worse with that app.

[sa2000 674]

46 minutes ago, Tigga5 said:

Fair warning @ElwoodBlues, note that the universal app Luke mentioned still has unresolved time-shifting issues like this one. If you rely heavily on commercial skipping or time-shifting, your experience will likely get worse with that app.

Give it a chance to be checked out and investigated

[ElwoodBlues 1]

On 11/17/2025 at 7:23 PM, sa2000 said:

Thank you for the logs. It puts it all into context.

So it is Nvidia Shield running Emby for Android TV app version 2.1.23 streaming a recorded .ts file from Emby Server version 4.9.1.90. 

The playback stream is being transcoded by the emby server 

So I understand that playback is ok unless you do some seeking and then the audio / video start to drift and gets worse as you do more seeking.

The .ts file that was being played back shows about 58 minutes of a news recording. Assuming that the problem arises with this .ts file (news recorded 7am), i will send you a private link to upload the media file so i can do tests with it.

- Does the issue arise if you play this .ts file with, for example, vlc and do seeking

- Does the selection of subtitle stream have a bearing on the problem

- What options are set on the Nvidia Shield Emby for Android TV app in App Settings > Playback Settings

- If you install the universal Emby for Android app on the shield, does that have the problem in same way to the Emby for Android TV app ? See the links here for the latest stable release and beta release for the Universal Emby for Android app https://emby.media/community/index.php?/topic/21348-emby-latest-versions/#comment-208311

 

>>So I understand that playback is ok unless you do some seeking and then the audio / video start to drift and gets worse as you do more seeking.

Yes..  or having to go back & forth a bit having overrun where the commercials end. 

 

>>The .ts file that was being played back shows about 58 minutes of a news recording. Assuming that the problem arises with this .ts file (news recorded 7am), i will send you a private >>link to upload the media file so i can do tests with it.

Unknown.  Newroom Tokyo is a PBS program and doesn't have the same commercial interruptions as network TV does. 

 

>>- Does the issue arise if you play this .ts file with, for example, vlc and do seeking

Unknown..  the smaller laptop screen makes it harder to see faces, mouths..  to see if audio & video are in sync. 

 

>>- Does the selection of subtitle stream have a bearing on the problem

That is another problem I have been having with OTA recorded media.  Most times I have no subtitles.. just a brief message " unable to load subtitles " when starting the program.  I had given up on the problem so didn't pay much attention to it anymore until you mentioned it.  

 

>>- What options are set on the Nvidia Shield Emby for Android TV app in App Settings > Playback Settings

Max stream bitrate=Auto ( wired connection )

Still watching prompt = hell NO

Screensaver during pause = no

Resume rewind = no

Audio Output = Auto

Allow TrueHD Pass-Thru = Yes

Allow DTS Pass-thru = Yes

Allow DTS-HD Pass-thru = Yes

Allow Direct Play of TS files = Yes

Skip forward =30

Skip Back = 10

Enable refresh rate switching = Yes

Prefer exact refresh rate = no

Match video resolution = no

De-interlace HD content = no

 Allow Untrusted ssl playback = yes

Pass direct path = Selection greyed out

>>- If you install the universal Emby for Android app on the shield, does that have the problem in same way to the Emby for Android TV app ? See the links here for the latest stable release >> and beta release for the Universal Emby for Android app https://emby.media/community/index.php?/topic/21348-emby-latest-versions/#comment-208311

You guys really need to do something about this.  If you search 'Emby' in the playstore app on the Nvidia box you only get the one for Google TV.  you have to search for " emb " for it to show both versions.   And when you are able to download the android version..  add it to the favorite apps toolbar.. you can't tell them apart.  they are both Emby. both with the exact sam,e blue, green & white icon..  

One interesting difference..  is on the Emby for google tv.  I get the 'unable to load subtitles' message.. and on the generic emby android app the subtitles play....

I am having trouble determining if there is a time shift issue on the Emby for android.  Do you know of any TV programs that often make use of a clapper?

[sa2000 674]

3 hours ago, ElwoodBlues said:

If you search 'Emby' in the playstore app on the Nvidia box you only get the one for Google TV.  you have to search for " emb " for it to show both versions. 

Thanks for highlighting this. I will follow it up

3 hours ago, ElwoodBlues said:

And when you are able to download the android version..  add it to the favorite apps toolbar.. you can't tell them apart.  they are both Emby. both with the exact sam,e blue, green & white icon..  

There is a difference. One has the text "Android TV"

3 hours ago, ElwoodBlues said:

I am having trouble determining if there is a time shift issue on the Emby for android

I suggest you continue using the Emby for Android app and if the problem arises, save the .ts file that is highlighting this and let me know and I will send you a new upload link to see if i can reproduce the issue

Thanks

 

[ElwoodBlues 1]

Ok, let's see if we can get this post closed out with this last reply.. 

Still didn't get any recommendations regarding a different network addressed tuner.  Is the HDHomeRun FLEX 4K the best of the bunch.. or was this question lost in the shuffle?

>>I suggest you continue using the Emby for Android app and if the problem arises, save the .ts file that is highlighting this and let me know and I will send you a new upload link to see if i >>can reproduce the issue

I don't think that will work for me. After playing a single 4k movie fine, if I start another 4k movie it will stutter, stammer until I reboot my Nividia.. Then it will play the movie correctly.. until the next movie where the same behavior is repeated.  Seems to do fine with HD content tho...

On the other hand..  the Generic Android version of the app does play embedded subtitles from .ts files.  How do I get the Android TV version to play embedded subtitles on recorded TV as well? 

And if I may make 2 personal comments.  I really wish you would make both Android & Android TV versions ( as well as any other clients ) have the same menus & options as compared to each other. It would be nice to be able to build 'muscle memory' to go to your favorite show on any device you happen to use to access your Emby library, or to just know where that particular setting you need will be in the menu tree. Detroit figured this out 75 years ago. Your gearshift goes PRND in any car you get in regardless of the make or model right?. Can't you guys figure that out?

Secondly.  As I said in the OP.  I set up a Emby server for my father to have his favorite shows available to him to enjoy at any time.  He had a Roku player at hand so I used that as the Emby client.   When starting the client it defaults to showing 'recommendations'... WTF? WHY!???   He hasn't played a single program and you are recommending programs for him??? Based on what????   Don't make your customers spend an hour + digging though your forums to find how to change this default behavior.  I swear...  you guys make it hard to give you money..  

 

 

 

[ElwoodBlues 1]

Bump......

 

Ok, let's see if we can get this post closed out with this last reply.. 

Still didn't get any recommendations regarding a different network addressed tuner.  Is the HDHomeRun FLEX 4K the best of the bunch.. or was this question lost in the shuffle?

>>I suggest you continue using the Emby for Android app and if the problem arises, save the .ts file that is highlighting this and let me know and I will send you a new upload link to see if i >>can reproduce the issue

I don't think that will work for me. After playing a single 4k movie fine, if I start another 4k movie it will stutter, stammer until I reboot my Nividia.. Then it will play the movie correctly.. until the next movie where the same behavior is repeated.  Seems to do fine with HD content tho...

On the other hand..  the Generic Android version of the app does play embedded subtitles from .ts files.  How do I get the Android TV version to play embedded subtitles on recorded TV as well? 

[sa2000 674]

1 hour ago, ElwoodBlues said:

Is the HDHomeRun FLEX 4K the best of the bunch.. or was this question lost in the shuffle?

Yes probably buried because of the issues that you mentioned and being looked into. Probably best to raise this as a question about best DVRs for Emby and without mention of issues that end up being investigated in the forum topic

 

1 hour ago, ElwoodBlues said:

I don't think that will work for me. After playing a single 4k movie fine, if I start another 4k movie it will stutter, stammer until I reboot my Nividia.. Then it will play the movie correctly.

Ok - it is a progressive degradation of playback performance - and the 4k recording file that had issues before would playback ok after an nvidia reboot

For this arising with the Emby for Android app, I would still like to have some media files to try and reproduce it. If it can be reproduced with two recording files after multiple playbacks then that would be an option - to have 2 sample files.

If it can be reproduced with one ts file after playback / stopping playback / restarting playback and repeating this sequence several times - then 1 sample would be sufficient

2 hours ago, ElwoodBlues said:

On the other hand..  the Generic Android version of the app does play embedded subtitles from .ts files.  How do I get the Android TV version to play embedded subtitles on recorded TV as well?

The long term plan is that the Emby for Android app will be the app to use - so I would rather we concentrate on using that app instead of the Emby Android TV app - unless you have an issue that arises with the Emby for Android app but not the Emby for Android TV app. If you do, please let me know what it is and we can have it investigated

I just tried a ts recording file with a subtitle DVB stream and on playback using the Emby for Android TV app on the Shield, the CC button does show it and selecting it results in the subtitles being displayed

 

[ElwoodBlues 1]

4 hours ago, sa2000 said:

Ok - it is a progressive degradation of playback performance - and the 4k recording file that had issues before would playback ok after an nvidia reboot

For this arising with the Emby for Android app, I would still like to have some media files to try and reproduce it. If it can be reproduced with two recording files after multiple playbacks then that would be an option - to have 2 sample files.

If it can be reproduced with one ts file after playback / stopping playback / restarting playback and repeating this sequence several times - then 1 sample would be sufficient

No, it is not a recorded TV problem ( or TS file ), it is a 4k movie problem as I said above...

So, I should upload 65GB X(2) over my cell connection..  Yeah.. I'll get right on that....

Where was I supposed to even send those files?  This sites limit is 195.31MB for total uploads. Even if the problem was with a TS file like the one I discuss below it is still 1GB in size. 

 

4 hours ago, sa2000 said:

The long term plan is that the Emby for Android app will be the app to use - so I would rather we concentrate on using that app instead of the Emby Android TV app - unless you have an issue that arises with the Emby for Android app but not the Emby for Android TV app. If you do, please let me know what it is and we can have it investigated

I just tried a ts recording file with a subtitle DVB stream and on playback using the Emby for Android TV app on the Shield, the CC button does show it and selecting it results in the subtitles being displayed

 

Subtitles on self-recorded TV shows ( TS files ) will play fine on the Emby for Android app, but I get a 'unable to play subtitles' error with the same file playing on the Emby for Android TV app. 

I'm playing an example of this right now. 'Newsroom Tokyo' was recorded OTA from the local PBS station.  The subtitle is listed as (Default_EIA_608)   It plays fine on the Emby for Android but does not play with the Android TV app via the Nividia box.

[sa2000 674]

I will look into splitting ts files to get a smaller size samples 

[sa2000 674]

32 minutes ago, ElwoodBlues said:

Even if the problem was with a TS file like the one I discuss below it is still 1GB in size. 

If problem is reproducible with a 1Gb - 3Gb set of files then please use the upload link i sent you in a PM

You can use old tool like TsSplitter to create a 1Gb file from the files you can make available - what i am after the smallest file we can reproduce the problem with. So you could rename the 1Gb split file and add to a video test library and try out to see if it brings the problem on

Download for TSSplitter 1.2 is here https://www.videohelp.com/software/TSSplitter

Very easy to use - just specify split as 1Gb files - have not found a way to stop it after the 1st 1 Gb is created. you can just delete the other 60+ split files afterwards

 

[sa2000 674]

After a discussion with @ElwoodBluesI would like to summarize where we are with this thread so that it is clear what the remaining issues are

The topic was raised for:

- getting feedback from other users about the HD Homerun Flex 4K device and its suitability

- An issue with Audio / Video sync on recorded programs with the drift getting worse after multiple seeks

The Emby App being used for playback was the Emby for Android TV app running on NVIDIA SHIELD

For the first there was no input from users. For the second, advice was given to try out the "Emby for Android" app and see how that compares with the Emby for Android TV which was having the Audio/Video sync problem. This remains as the advice for this issue and if the Emby for Android app does have sync issues then it was suggested that a sample recording file that can reproduce the problem is provided.

Following this, on 27th November @ElwoodBlues reported that when using the Emby for Android app playback of a single 4K movie is fine but as othr 4K movies get played, stuttering starts and the issues remain until rebooting the NVIDIA SHIELD.

Before splitting this into a separate forum topic as it is not related to DVR recordings audio/video sync issue which was what this topic/forum thread was about, I would like to know if this issue with the 4K movies playback arose also for the Emby for Android TV app or is only arising now after switching to the Emby for Android app to see if the recordings video/audio sync issue is resolved?