Homeworx 250STB PVR won't play programs recorded by HW150

[Kong]

Hey folks...

I used to have the Homeworx HW150 PVR device. Through it, I recorded hundreds of .mts files onto an external, 2TB drive.

I recently ordered (and today, installed) the Homeworx 250STB. It does not see the folder system on that same external hard drive, never mind the .MTS files inside them. And, it records in a .ts.dvr format. It is supposed to be able to play those .mts files.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[october262]

Hey folks...

I used to have the Homeworx HW150 PVR device. Through it, I recorded hundreds of .mts files onto an external, 2TB drive.

I recently ordered (and today, installed) the Homeworx 250STB. It does not see the folder system on that same external hard drive, never mind the .MTS files inside them. And, it records in a .ts.dvr format. It is supposed to be able to play those .mts files.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

try this - The Homeworx HW-150PVR may fail to play .mts files recorded on one unit when played on another due to firmware version incompatibilities. Recordings are stored in the HBPVR folder with the .mts extension, but playback issues often arise between units with different software revisions.

To resolve this, you can use the following workarounds:

Rename File Extension: Connect the USB drive to a PC and rename the .mts extension to .m2ts. The HW-150PVR will then display the file under the Movie menu instead of PVR, allowing it to play as a standard video file.
Alternative Renaming: Some users report success renaming .mts to .ts, which may allow playback on certain smart TVs (like Samsung) or other devices without needing the PVR unit.
PC Playback: If the files do not play on any TV unit, they can typically be played directly on a PC using media players like Windows Media Player or VLC.
Note that while the HW-150PVR records the broadcast stream unchanged in .mts format, it cannot always decode files from different firmware versions. Using a USB hard drive (formatted in NTFS) is recommended over flash drives for reliable recording and playback.

[Kong]

Hey folks...

I used to have the Homeworx HW150 PVR device. Through it, I recorded hundreds of .mts files onto an external, 2TB drive.

I recently ordered (and today, installed) the Homeworx 250STB. It does not see the folder system on that same external hard drive, never mind the .MTS files inside them. And, it records in a .ts.dvr format. It is supposed to be able to play those .mts files.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

try this - The Homeworx HW-150PVR may fail to play .mts files recorded on one unit when played on another due to firmware version incompatibilities. Recordings are stored in the HBPVR folder with the .mts extension, but playback issues often arise between units with different software revisions.

To resolve this, you can use the following workarounds:

Rename File Extension: Connect the USB drive to a PC and rename the .mts extension to .m2ts. The HW-150PVR will then display the file under the Movie menu instead of PVR, allowing it to play as a standard video file.
Alternative Renaming: Some users report success renaming .mts to .ts, which may allow playback on certain smart TVs (like Samsung) or other devices without needing the PVR unit.
PC Playback: If the files do not play on any TV unit, they can typically be played directly on a PC using media players like Windows Media Player or VLC.
Note that while the HW-150PVR records the broadcast stream unchanged in .mts format, it cannot always decode files from different firmware versions. Using a USB hard drive (formatted in NTFS) is recommended over flash drives for reliable recording and playback.

Hello October, and thank you for the suggestions. I think I need to clarify a bit?

The 150 plays the files. The 250 does not even see the HBPVR folder on the drive — in PVR mode. In Movies mode, it does see the various folders / directories, but it does not see the .mts files in them (I realize this is because neither device will play its native format in Movies mode, allowing other video file formats to be played instead).

So, the 150 can see the directories and subdirectories I made on the drive via my Mac, as well as play all of the .mts files organized in those folders. But, the 250 can only see the folders in Movies mode, but it does not pick up the .mts files within. In PVR mode it sees nothing on the drive at all.

Yes, I can try renaming the files, but I have, probably, over 1,000 files. I have considered the following as possible solutions (if this post is not too long already ) Tell me what you think? (And I’m waiting on Mediasonic tech support to get back to me as well, which they’ve generally been good at.)

A. Just keep the 250STB, record what I want for that day to a thumb drive, and then copy it to what is now my DVR drive. When I want to watch recorded shows, I can hook up my laptop to my television and amplifier, connect my DVR HD to it, and play whatever I want through VLC — assuming VLC will play all of these crazy formats.

B. Use an unused 150 I have, chuck the old buggy one I was replacing anyway, and get my money back for the 250STB. (But, I was hoping to take advantage of the 250’s 4TB HD support, since my 2TB drive is filling up.)

C. Wait and see what Mediasonic suggests.

[The_Doman]

I used to have the Homeworx HW150 PVR device. Through it, I recorded hundreds of .mts files onto an external, 2TB drive.

I recently ordered (and today, installed) the Homeworx 250STB. It does not see the folder system on that same external hard drive, never mind the .MTS files inside them. And, it records in a .ts.dvr format. It is supposed to be able to play those .mts files.

An annoying problem indeed.
I see similar behavior with my European Humax cable PVR boxes here, the newer and older model recordings are not exchangeable.

I assume your new HW250 can record normally to the 2TB drive?

I don't know much about US digital reception, but I do not see much difference between these two models.
The HW250 has no newer codec/format (H265/HEVC?) support what i can read?

B. Use an unused 150 I have, chuck the old buggy one I was replacing anyway, and get my money back for the 250STB. (But, I was hoping to take advantage of the 250’s 4TB HD support, since my 2TB drive is filling up.)

If you are planning to use HDDs larger than 2 TB, you need to use the NTFS or exFAT formatting.
Additionally, the disk needs to use GPT partitioning, which many older media players and devices do not recognize.
See also:
Management of > 4TB HDDs (exFAT,NTFS and GPT)

What i read from the manuals the HW150 and HW250 only support NTFS and FAT16/32?
As you are on a MAC the support for NTFS is limited to read only without extra software tools.
Google: MAC NTFS support

Also on the specs page it reads support up to 2TB only?
Mediasonic HomeWorx (HW250STB)

2026 Latest from Mediasonic Store. New Chipset. The new improvements included LARGE Remote Control, 5 ft HDMI Cable, Front Display Panel, Support hard drive up to 2TB, reception sensitivity, and 12 hr. AM / PM feature.

[Kong]

An annoying problem indeed.
I see similar behavior with my European Humax cable PVR boxes here, the newer and older model recordings are not exchangeable.

I assume your new HW250 can record normally to the 2TB drive?

I don't know much about US digital reception, but I do not see much difference between these two models.
The HW250 has no newer codec/format (H265/HEVC?) support what i can read?

Good question and I do not know. I was told I needed to update the device’s firmware, which I did. But, there was no change.

If you are planning to use HDDs larger than 2 TB, you need to use the NTFS or exFAT formatting.
Additionally, the disk needs to use GPT partitioning, which many older media players and devices do not recognize.
See also:
Management of > 4TB HDDs (exFAT,NTFS and GPT)

What i read from the manuals the HW150 and HW250 only support NTFS and FAT16/32?
As you are on a MAC the support for NTFS is limited to read only without extra software tools.
Google: MAC NTFS support

Also on the specs page it reads support up to 2TB only?
Mediasonic HomeWorx (HW250STB)
2026 Latest from Mediasonic Store. New Chipset. The new improvements included LARGE Remote Control, 5 ft HDMI Cable, Front Display Panel, Support hard drive up to 2TB, reception sensitivity, and 12 hr. AM / PM feature.

The info on its HDD support is confusing. But, according to the sales guy I e-mailed with, it can support a 4TB drive (NTFS / MBR), but 2TB is “optimal”, since it will take less time for the device to read the disc.

I do have an NTFS tool for reading HDs formatted thusly (thusly? LOL).


Last night, I connected the HDD to my Mac laptop, and from the Mac an audio cable to my amp, and a TB3 to HDMI to my TV. I used VLC to play the two files I watched. (Unfortunately, the audio went out twice during one of my shows, and it appeared to be VLC that was doing that. Scrubbing through the timeline and then back to point it started, seemed to clear that up. But, that was annoying. I’m going to see if I need to update my copy of VLC.)

Thanks for the input Doman!

[Kong]

Rename File Extension: Connect the USB drive to a PC and rename the .mts extension to .m2ts. The HW-150PVR will then display the file under the Movie menu instead of PVR, allowing it to play as a standard video file.
Alternative Renaming: Some users report success renaming .mts to .ts, which may allow playback on certain smart TVs (like Samsung) or other devices without needing the PVR unit.

To this point and, rather reluctantly, your solution to change .mts to .ts works.

PVR mode still doesn’t see or play anything but its own natively-recorded files, but Movie mode seems to see almost everything, including files with manually edited extensions, not to mention .mov and .mp4 files. I also do not need the metadata file associated with these files to play in Movie mode.

The caveat? Renaming ~1,000 files.

I’ll see if Jeffrey Wen at Mediasonic responds with a simpler solution. So far, he has not. I’ve had a few issues with him in the past. He’s fine for a while, then loses patience and makes that apparent. Good customer support! But, we’ll see.

[The_Doman]

The info on its HDD support is confusing. But, according to the sales guy I e-mailed with, it can support a 4TB drive (NTFS / MBR), but 2TB is “optimal”, since it will take less time for the device to read the disc.

I do have an NTFS tool for reading HDs formatted thusly (thusly? LOL).

Aha, the ""sales guy"
Disks bigger then 2TB need GPT, maximum MBR disk size is 2 TB:
Google: MBR Maximum Disk Size

If you want to use disks bigger then 2TB you need to use GPT partitioning.
FAT32 has maximum partition size of 2TB unless you change the default cluster size.
So normally you then use NTFS or exFAT.
ExFAT is not mentioned anywhere in the documentation of the Homeworx boxes.
Best would be to test it with another spare drive if available?
Also I don't know what you mean exactly but without extra software/tools MAC only can access NTFS disks in read-only mode.
I think it would be best and safest to stick with 2TB disks?

Last night, I connected the HDD to my Mac laptop, and from the Mac an audio cable to my amp, and a TB3 to HDMI to my TV. I used VLC to play the two files I watched. (Unfortunately, the audio went out twice during one of my shows, and it appeared to be VLC that was doing that. Scrubbing through the timeline and then back to point it started, seemed to clear that up. But, that was annoying. I’m going to see if I need to update my copy of VLC.)

Direct TS recordings from air/sat/cable often can contain (minor) reception glitches, possible VLC and probably other software players are more susceptible for this then the Homeworx devices?
Dedicated PVR boxes have better hardware error correction/recovery for playing back the recorded TS streams.

The caveat? Renaming ~1,000 files.

There are of course solutions to easily batch rename 1,000+ file/extensions.
I’m not a Mac guy at all, but ever since Windows 3, I've been using Total Commander for file management, copying, renaming, and so much more
There is a similar tool called Double Commander which is also available for the MAC.
Double Commander: a free cross platform open source file manager with two panels side by side. It is inspired by Total Commander.

And for more options/ideas:
Reddit MacOS: Need a Rename Utility

[Kong]

The info on its HDD support is confusing. But, according to the sales guy I e-mailed with, it can support a 4TB drive (NTFS / MBR), but 2TB is “optimal”, since it will take less time for the device to read the disc.

I do have an NTFS tool for reading HDs formatted thusly (thusly? LOL).

Aha, the ""sales guy"
Disks bigger then 2TB need GPT, maximum MBR disk size is 2 TB:
Google: MBR Maximum Disk Size

If you want to use disks bigger then 2TB you need to use GPT partitioning.
FAT32 has maximum partition size of 2TB unless you change the default cluster size.
So normally you then use NTFS or exFAT.
ExFAT is not mentioned anywhere in the documentation of the Homeworx boxes.
Best would be to test it with another spare drive if available?
Also I don't know what you mean exactly but without extra software/tools MAC only can access NTFS disks in read-only mode.
I think it would be best and safest to stick with 2TB disks?

Last night, I connected the HDD to my Mac laptop, and from the Mac an audio cable to my amp, and a TB3 to HDMI to my TV. I used VLC to play the two files I watched. (Unfortunately, the audio went out twice during one of my shows, and it appeared to be VLC that was doing that. Scrubbing through the timeline and then back to point it started, seemed to clear that up. But, that was annoying. I’m going to see if I need to update my copy of VLC.)

Direct TS recordings from air/sat/cable often can contain (minor) reception glitches, possible VLC and probably other software players are more susceptible for this then the Homeworx devices?
Dedicated PVR boxes have better hardware error correction/recovery for playing back the recorded TS streams.

The caveat? Renaming ~1,000 files.

There are of course solutions to easily batch rename 1,000+ file/extensions.
I’m not a Mac guy at all, but ever since Windows 3, I've been using Total Commander for file management, copying, renaming, and so much more
There is a similar tool called Double Commander which is also available for the MAC.
Double Commander: a free cross platform open source file manager with two panels side by side. It is inspired by Total Commander.

And for more options/ideas:
Reddit MacOS: Need a Rename Utility

Man, you are the information guy! Thank you

My Mac can read and write to NTFS-formatted discs with the help of a program aptly named, ˜NTFS for Mac”.

I was unaware of the caveats in trying to implement a 4TB drive. It can be done, and I may yet do it. But, I need to see how my other PVR problems are resolved before I decide on a course of action. Right now (and I started another thread here), my 250STB refuses to play ANY program in anything other than 4:3 mode. (I have tried using the Menu option for setting screen aspect ratio, and the Aspect button on the remote, and these only work for live broadcasts. Regardless of the file, and whether or not it’s played in PVR mode or Movie mode, ALL recorded files, even captured video cassette files, never mind the ones natively-recorded, all play in a horizontally crunched 4:3 aspect ratio. The fun never stops!)

Still waiting on Mediasonic to get back to me on this stuff. If they do not, I will need to hunt them down for a refund, and break out an unused HW150PVR that I have. I would go with VLC, but if it’s going to be susceptible to errors in the recorded file (something it never used to be), I will have little choice -- other than converting all of my files to .mp4s or .movs or something. And, with 1,400 or so files, THAT would be fun-fun!

Anyway dude (dude? dudette?), thanks for your time!

[cholla]

Unless you are using a HDD to boot an older OS there is no reason to partition MBR.
So without even thinking GPT should be used.

I use this renaming software.
I do not know if it works on a MAC.
https://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/

[Kong]

Unless you are using a HDD to boot an older OS there is no reason to partition MBR.
So without even thinking GPT should be used.

I use this renaming software.
I do not know if it works on a MAC.
https://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/

Thank you Cholla. Good to know!

My problem now, however, is deciding if I’m going to even keep this PVR. It plays every recorded file in a 4:3 ratio. Every one. Natively-recorded, stuff I threw onto the HDD, and recordings from the older 150PVR. All are horizontally compressed. There are no options for changing this.

The only aspect ratio I can change is that of live broadcasts. Then, both a menu item, as well as a button on the remote, can make changes to the shape and size of the picture. But, none of this applies to recorded programs. I lost sleep last night trying to make that work.

With the sales and support staff silent, I may just need to get a refund, and set up an older (but unused) 150 I have... unless there are computer-based software solutions that act as PVRs. I should research that.

Anyway, thanks Cholla.

[Kong]

Direct TS recordings from air/sat/cable often can contain (minor) reception glitches, possible VLC and probably other software players are more susceptible for this then the Homeworx devices?
Dedicated PVR boxes have better hardware error correction/recovery for playing back the recorded TS streams.

Are there no Mac-based alternatives that will play these files problem-free??

ChatGPT recommended IINA and MPV.

[cholla]

Take a look at this box it seems it will do what you want.
GTMEDIA Converter X1 TV Player

I looked at the manual online for the Mediasonic HomeWorx HW250STB.
It was not much help.
My opinion is this device nor any manufactured by this company or the rebadged ones are going to do what you want.
I wish I had a good recommendation for one but I do not.
I bought some converter boxes when the signal was first changed but those were not DVR/PVR boxes just tuners for the most part.
One of them did have timed programing but using that was a PITA because I also had to match it with my DVD recorder. Meaning the timed recording had to be set in both devices.Then that was just to a DVD disc.
I have an old Android box mothballed somewhere but it has been so long since I used it I do not remember all of what it could do.
I do remember it could use VLC for Android as a media player.The brand was Keedox but they no longer are in business.
I'm certain the codecs it could play would be outdated also.

This is some information I found but a lot of it is from AI.

The Mediasonic HomeWorx HW250STB records live TV streams in their native broadcast resolution and aspect ratio (such as 16:9 HD or 4:3 SD) directly onto an external USB drive. However, the hardware and firmware lack a dedicated, independent playback aspect ratio setting for recorded PVR files, often defaulting playback display scaling based on live system settings.

On the Mediasonic HomeWorx HW250STB, you cannot manually change or override the aspect ratio for recorded PVR/DVR playback files. The dedicated aspect ratio button and system display settings on the remote control only format live TV broadcasts and do not apply to recorded video playback.

This is from a post in a different forum:
You can test this to see if it works.

The aspect ratio needs to be set when in live-TV mode, and its setting will then also affect file display. The correct setting for most files, for most people who want correct aspect ratio, is "16:9 pillarbox" on 16:9 displays.

[The_Doman]

Unless you are using a HDD to boot an older OS there is no reason to partition MBR.
So without even thinking GPT should be used.

As is so often the case, we can say 'it depends'...
For use with older media devices MBR is needed for compatibility.
Google: MBR GPT Media Players
I experienced that situation, for example, with older Panasonic and LG Blu-ray players when attaching a USB drive.

The perfect example:
MonroeWorld: The Indestructible Classroom CD Player That Defies Physics - Solving the USB Brick Wall (MBR vs GPT Trap)

Good one about the MBR vs GPT "trap".
Indeed many people will stumble on this same problem when using their somewhat older media-players with newly formatted USB media and thinking their device is faulty

[Kong]

The aspect ratio needs to be set when in live-TV mode, and its setting will then also affect file display. The correct setting for most files, for most people who want correct aspect ratio, is "16:9 pillarbox" on 16:9 displays.

I have it set to “auto”, and the broadcasts all look correct. It doesn’t seem to matter if it’s recorded on the 250 or the 150 or a videocassette that I digitized. It horizontally compresses everything, in both PVR and Movie mode.

Jeffrey Wen got back to me about the .mts / .ts file extension issue. He told me that he had just found this out, but the chipset has been changed, and so it no longer supports .mts files. Oddly, in Movie mode, it seems to support multiple formats, just not .mts. This is a pain, but can be worked around. The 4:3 nonsense though, cannot. I will wait to see what he says about that.

In the meantime, I have been using IINA. I was using VLC, but it does not always correct for issues in the original broadcast. The box does, and IINA is supposed to as well. (The other night, watching an X-Files ep, the audio went out twice. I rectified this by scrubbing the timeline, but that was a pain in the rump. IINA’s supposed to be less sensitive to those data issues — this, according to ChatGPT, anyway. But, so far, so good.)

I am also investigating software DVRing, but I would need a dedicated computer for that purpose.

Thanks Cholla! Have a great day

[Kong]

Unless you are using a HDD to boot an older OS there is no reason to partition MBR.
So without even thinking GPT should be used.

As is so often the case, we can say 'it depends'...
For use with older media devices MBR is needed for compatibility.
Google: MBR GPT Media Players
I experienced that situation, for example, with older Panasonic and LG Blu-ray players when attaching a USB drive.

The perfect example:
MonroeWorld: The Indestructible Classroom CD Player That Defies Physics - Solving the USB Brick Wall (MBR vs GPT Trap)

Good one about the MBR vs GPT "trap".
Indeed many people will stumble on this same problem when using their somewhat older media-players with newly formatted USB media and thinking their device is faulty

Ugh... probably better to stick with ≤2TB HDD, as you guys have been recommending. I can use a 4TB drive, but just for “permanent” storage and playback though my laptop > TV + amplifier.

[cholla]

I checked & Mac started using GPT in 2006.
If Kong posted the manufacture year of the Mac Tower he plans to use I missed it.

I did some "homework" & found that the Homeworx media boxes work better with MBR.
That they may not read a GPT partitioned hard drive or SSD. Or may partially read some files.
Also they need the NTFS or FAT32 formatting.
They do Not support exFAT formatting.

[Kong]

You guys here are too much, and I mean that in a good way. You took time to look this stuff up. Geez... thanks.

But, in this case, I believe this is what the Mediasonic docs say — as memory serves, which is why reading all the stuff about formatting using GPT was new to me. But, thanks for clearing that up!

It may not matter, depending on the outcome of this whole thing, however. Jeff at tech support said that a firmware issue is causing the box to play back in a 4:3 aspect ratio. He added that he’d try to get his engineers to write a fix. But, how long will that take? I asked him and am awaiting his response. If it’s going to take longer than my tolerances can handle, I will seek out a refund.

The MacPro tower’s on my radar for digitizing VHS cassettes. It’s a 2010 model, can run Windows 10 and semi-recent MacOSes (but I plan to install a period-relevant version, Snow Leopard, or OS X 10.6.3). Mine has 96GB of RAM and some (by today’s standards) smallish drives. I’ll eventually upgrade those, but for the VHS archiving, that won’t be necessary (all those files will be stored and redundantly backed up on much larger HDDs, as well as the DVR HDD).

My Mac for using VLC or IINA is a 2020 MacBook Pro. Still running very well, though the battery’s getting a bit long in the tooth. Might want to replace it before it starts growing lol (I’d love to get one of the more recent M-series Macs, but I am in retirement mode now, and need to pace myself when it comes to discretionary spending).

This machine runs a very recent version of the MacOS (15.7.4). This is the machine through which I play these recorded programs (at least until I can get the PVR mess worked out). For formatting an external drive, since the Homeworx PVR uses Windows standards, I would use my Win11 guy to handle that.

Not sure if this answers any questions for you??

[cholla]

@ Kong,
I have never even operated a Mac so it is a little like a blind man leading you on this.
I do search & can usually find information I'm looking for.
From their year of manufacture the Macs you have should have all been partitioned GPT.
They should be formatted with the Apple File System (APFS).
They should be able to read NTFS but not write to it.
You need to use software for this. I'm not sure what software.
Mac is supposed to be able to partition an external HDD as MBR.
But a Mac can not format an external HDD as NTFS.(Except with the correct software).

I doubt if Homeworx will get the firmware you need written as soon as you want it.
It will be interesting to see if this happens. Post if they do.

Take a look at the GTMEDIA Converter X1 TV Player
I know it is $119.00 verses the Homeworx 250STB @ $39.99. (3 times more).
It still needs VLC but it can have VLC for Android internally. So no need for connecting to a computer to use VLC as the media player.
This is just the best I found for the price.
I have never used the GTMEDIA Converter X1 TV Player.
So check it out carefully to see if it will do what you want.

[Kong]

@ Kong,
I have never even operated a Mac so it is a little like a blind man leading you on this.
I do search & can usually find information I'm looking for.
From their year of manufacture the Macs you have should have all been partitioned GPT.
They should be formatted with the Apple File System (APFS).
They should be able to read NTFS but not write to it.
You need to use software for this. I'm not sure what software.
Mac is supposed to be able to partition an external HDD as MBR.
But a Mac can not format an external HDD as NTFS.(Except with the correct software).

I doubt if Homeworx will get the firmware you need written as soon as you want it.
It will be interesting to see if this happens. Post if they do.

Take a look at the GTMEDIA Converter X1 TV Player
I know it is $119.00 verses the Homeworx 250STB @ $39.99. (3 times more).
It still needs VLC but it can have VLC for Android internally. So no need for connecting to a computer to use VLC as the media player.
This is just the best I found for the price.
I have never used the GTMEDIA Converter X1 TV Player.
So check it out carefully to see if it will do what you want.

Yes, as I mentioned earlier, there’s a program called “NTFS for Mac”, which I do have installed. I have no problem reading and writing to such-formatted HHDs.

I too doubt Homeworx will get me that firmware update as soon as I would like, but my late wife taught me to not jump the gun. I will endeavor to remain patient and give them a chance. And sure, I will post about this as the saga develops.

GTMEDIA Converter X1 TV Player, huh? Well, thanks again Cholla! I will look it up and see if it could / should replace these Homeworx things I have sitting in here now.

Later that day...

I sent a message to GTMedia. They apparently are not real good at responding to customer inquiries. I will see. For all of Mediasonic’s faults, they do (eventually) respond.

’Preciate it brutha.