Antennas Direct - ClearStream TV Digital Tuner - Black
Model:CLEARTV
SKU:5947695
This item is no longer available in new condition.
See similar items below.
No content
Description
Catch your favorite network broadcast shows with this Antennas Direct ClearStream TV over-the-air digital tuner. It connects to an HDTV antenna of your choice, and lets you pause and rewind live programs via the free ClearStream TV companion app. Connect this Antennas Direct ClearStream TV over-the-air digital tuner to your home Wi-Fi network to stream live TV.
Features
Compatible with a variety of devices
Stream to your Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, iOS, and Android Phones and Tablets.
Over-the-air digital tuner
Connects through a wireless network to combine live, local broadcast TV with your favorite streaming or mobile device, anywhere in your home*.
ClearStream TV application
Pause, rewind, and watch all your favorite network shows using this free app and an HDTV antenna with no subscription or monthly fees**.
Program guide included
Preview all upcoming live and network TV shows.
*A wireless router and HDTV antenna are required. Can be used on any home Wi-Fi network compatible with 802.11n over 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz and compatible mobile devices.
**Minimum OS requirements are Android 4.2 or above, iOS 8.4 or above, tvOS 10.2 or above, Roku v7.50 b4099 or above, and Amazon Fire devices 2013 or newer
Customers are positive about the ClearStream TV Digital Tuner's ease of use and WiFi capabilities, with many praising the straightforward setup and reliable wireless connection. They also appreciate the number of channels it can receive. However, customers are negative about the picture quality, citing issues such as occasional sound and picture discrepancies and instances of freezing. The streaming quality to apps was also a point of concern for some users.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-8 of 30 reviews
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
errrrrrr!!!!
|
|
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Pros:
- App is pretty simply and bare bones, if you like simple then this is good.
- Once you get it setup, it's pretty snappy
- Has grid guide although isn't not all that useable (see below)
Cons:
- Setup is a pain...FWIW, I'm a long time TV tuner user and originally started with a Ceton card. Then I moved onto the HDHomeRun and Tablo boxes. Conceptually this should have been the easiest to setup but had connection issues, channel scan talk forever and picked up nothing, and I had to reset multiple times (and I'm not even sure if it really reseted or not). After multiple attempts and rescans it finally worked.
- It seems you need to run setup on each device...I had initially set it up on my iPad...then tried it on my iPad which it asked for another channel scan. I haven't bothered to test with Apple TV or Nvidia Shield since they are in different rooms and the app doesn't find the tuner.
- I'm not sure but I think there's a typo in the reset instructions. Steps 1 and 3 both say to plug in the ClearStream, I believe 1 should say unplug?
- Haven't tried on Roku yet, but I do not see a Roku Channel yet on the Channel store.
- Guide data is very basic...a number of channels are missing guide data and it doesn't seem to go past the first 24 hrs. No guide images or channel logos. I'm guessing they're pulling the guide from the stream itself.
- Slightly annoyed this does not support PC streaming...in the living room I mainly use a projector connected to an HTPC/server.
- It gets pretty hot but I guess that expected since it has a transcoder
- Doesn't seem to be a way to change how the device transcodes or even turn it off.
- Price - after shipping and tax you're looking at over $140 for a single tuner stick. Pricier and less features than competitors
Looks to be a re-badged Geniatech tuner...which explains the price since Elgato tuners were pretty pricey. If it was dual tuner with PC streaming and DVR capabilities for under $99 it would be more compelling. In fairness and to the ClearStream's defense, I knew this was a single tuner and didn't support DVR so I can't hold it against it.
Once you get it to connect the app is pretty snappy and works as it should. If you're simply looking to get OTA TV to your mobile devices within the home then this is for you. If you're a power user and plan to DVR you're probably better off with an HDHomeRun or Tablo.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Wifi
Cons mentioned:
Picture quality
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
Good in Theory - Short on Practice
|
|
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is a brilliant idea, taking digital antenna output and transmitting it onto your WiFi where you have a streaming application to view the channels on your smart tv or mobile device. Only problems is this product is still early into development. I didn't find it ready for prime time.
Scanning for channels initially can take a long time (40+ minutes), and the process can lock up and need to be restarted. Clearstream wants you to have this device within 20 ft of your router, but even then you get inconsistent results. I found that sound and picture sometimes deviated, and you seemed to have to scan for channels on each streaming device you used. While you can only have 1 concurrent stream, you can choose to utilize this from multiple devices.
Would be wise to hold up on purchase, wait another year, and try the product once it has evolved to at least a 2.0 version. Maybe by then you can do additional concurrent streams and wired LAN connectivity will be available. That's what I decided to do.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Antennas Direct Expert
Posted .
Thank you, we love the idea as well, that is why we brought it to market. We continue to update the software to be more user friendly. With the latest update to our app, we have now made it possible to record live TV. You can even take your recorded shows with you anywhere, using your smartphone or tablet, no internet required to watch recorded shows. Scanning for channels should only take 7 to 10 minutes, so we feel there was a Wi-Fi issue during setup. We hope you will try scanning channels again, keeping the ClearStream TV and the streaming device you are using within 20 ft. of your router during the initial channel scan. And great news, we are in working on storing the channels right on the ClearStream TV in the initial channel scan process, so you won’t have to scan for channels on every streaming device. Also, there is a way to watch live TV on multiple devices using a signal splitter ($3.00 online) with your current antenna setup directly to your TV. This means you can watch one channel using the free ClearStream TV app on your smartphone, tablet or streaming media device while watching another channel on your TV, just as you would normally. Every installation is different, so we suggest you call our Connection Crew (toll-free in the U.S.A.) or chat with us online to provide advice on your installation.
Pros mentioned:
Channel count
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Decent
|
|
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Setup failed first attempt, but worked on second attempt. Product may lag or just not work at all if wifi signal strength isn't strong. Took a while to find optimum spot but now I have everything working properly. I get 51 channels with an outdoor antenna. Downside is this only works with one device at a time. Upside is it works.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best Antenna on the market
|
|
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Really does pick up signals 70 miles away. Love the free HD
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Why?
|
|
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Unless you frequently move your living room around, I cannot see a good reason for this product. It can only stream to one tv at a time, and it takes forever to load and buffer. Also, make sure it is well ventilated. This stick gets hot. I mean uncomfortably hot. Overall, do not buy at this price because you can get similar and multi-television supported devices for much less money.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Nice unit, after setup
|
|
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The unit is pretty cool once you get it setup. I didn't catch in the installation that I needed to be within twenty feet of my wifi router. Once I did this the installation went great and the unit worked great with my iPad. It works just like a TV and has a program guide. I wish there was a way to split screen my iPad for when I need to use another app. I can see a lot of potential with this. I am thinking new features will roll out with this app.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
connect your antenna to the wifi
|
|
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
It works as expected. Wished it had an Ethernet connection, as I think it would work better without buffering.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Useful Device
|
|
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The tuner is the best way to cut the cord and watch network TV from your antenna on your portable devices. It also works well to watch on your TV using a Roku as the interface. I strongly recommend connecting to your home network using 802.11n 5.0 gHz to get the needed bandwidth.
The device is new so I found it a little quirky to hook up but the staff at Antennas Direct were extremely helpful in getting me set up. We worked together to overcome some challenges and they should be able to make it easier and quicker for users to connect to FiOS routers and access points.
Overall, a very useful tool to cord cutters.
A:The unit can only tune channels that it picks up with the antenna, the wifi connection and app integrations are just how you watch it. If you don't have local channels on other devices, this will be no different. Whatever you do have you could watch on your mobile devices, but it's not going to change your reception or your broadcast area, no.