Strange that nobody has answered here yet. I have been testing and using the Zapperbox M1. To me it is a far superior tuner than the Silicon dust HDHR5-4K Flex.

They both do ATSC 3.0. But that's where it ends. The worst example is the HDHR5-4K cannot decrypt DRM.

The HDHR5-4K does not have a pull-up signal meter. You have to have another app on a computer (.gui) to get any type of signal information. Worse yet it only gives it to you and percentages. If you actually want signal info in dB it's another $100 ! Ask me how I know.

Zapper box has a far superior signal meter to the upgraded off screen HDHR5-4K .gui signal meter. Just an example of a 3.0 signal on Zapperbox:

Here's a 1.0 signal

Moving on to channel scans. It's All or Nothing with the HDHR5-4K. In other words if you rescan you may lose a Channel or two that was weaker on that particular day. Never to be recovered until that channel is strong again.

Zapperbox gives you three types of scans. You can have the full channel scan which erases your old scan. You can do an additive channel scan which allows you to add channels without deleting old channels or you can do a single frequency channel scan.

FULL SCAN:

SINGLE FREQUENCY SCAN:

ADDITIVE SCAN:

You can see the Additive scan picked up RF6 which is also ATSC 3.0, (to left of "6" is the "color wave" symbol indicating NextGen).

EDIT: You can integrate more than 2 markets... I now have RF 15 from Green Bay also in my guide....

Another excellent feature is the two-week channel guide which can incorporate two different markets. From my understanding they use Titan TV. If you've ever used Titan TV you cannot use it for two markets at the same time. You have to log out of one market and log into the other. Zapperbox conveniently combines both markets. In these examples you can see Chicago and Milwaukee markets homogenized onto one screen:

There's a third box out there that can decrypt DRM but it is not nearly the same level as Zapperbox. ADTH is an under $100 box but it is definitely going through some growing pains right now. There are guys sending it back left and right. It freezes up and does other silly things. It's really at a pre-release level but they are selling it as a beta type unit. It's only good point right now is its price. But what good is a box that doesn't work at any price?

More info here:

The Antenna Groomer, by Bob Haines - ZapperBox

Televes Avant X, Televes "Scorpion" 148383s, and ZapperBox Bob Haines, the author, lives in Beach Park, Illinois. He likes to research and review the latest in OTA TV technology. I have constructed an elaborate OTA TV reception and analysis setup and have been experimenting with practices to...

zapperbox.com

 

Thanks for the thorough report!

 

Yes, thank you Chiwaukee, great info. The zapper box might be the one but the price is a little steep. Curious if these external units can receive updates via an internet connection; like the recent NG TVs. Onknight mentioned this happened with his 2022 SONY Bravia, now he is getting all NGs out of Buffalo.

https://www.digitalhome.ca/threads/atsc-3-0-from-buffalo.293333/post-3162083

 

Curious if these external units can receive updates via an internet connection; like the recent NG TVs.

Yes. Zapperbox FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions About Products - ZapperBox

5. Why does an ATSC 3.0 receiver need Ethernet and Wi-Fi? Will the box work if it is not connected to the Internet?

The main reason for connecting the ZapperBox M1 to the Internet is to allow for software updates. It can also be used to get 14-day guide data and watch YouTube content.

If the box is not connected to the Internet, it will still work but will not be able to download software updates. ATSC 3.0 specifications will continue to evolve for several years and it is highly recommended to keep the box connected to the Internet.

 

The Zapper box looks promising. However it is limited to 1 device and is pricey. Also here in Canada, it will cost at least 30 percent more due to our weak dollar compared to the $US.
Why are TV stations using DRM? Its not like there is a fee to watch encrypted channels.

 

Once ATSC encryption is fully tested and widely available, I suspect restrictions will be implemented. Reception may be limited to local US markets which could stop reception in Canada and out of market areas in the US. Broadcasters and studios both want this as it reduces revenue from advertising.

 

For anyone interested here's what the latest update contains:

Release Notes - ZapperBox

Updated on Sep 14, 2025 at 12:45pm CT. The current app and OS versions for the various models are as follows: App version for all models is v3.3.5 (update to v3.3+ for faster channel changes) OS version for dual tuner is 241224 OS version for single tuner and Zapper Mini is 250122 If you are...

zapperbox.com

 

Thanks for the updates! Its still too expensive in Canada!

 

too expensive for the States too...

 

ADTH has a nextgen Tuner that might work for you as it has ATSC3 and drm solved. They are currently out of stock.

 

ADTH has a nextgen Tuner that might work for you as it has ATSC3 and drm solved. They are currently out of stock.

ADTH has a nextgen Tuner that might work for you as it has ATSC3 and drm solved. They are currently out of stock.

It is a poor performing device as most of it's development is done offshore. You get what you pay for. But don't take my word for it read the posts in this thread :

https://www.avsforum.com/threads/adth-atsc-3-0-tuner-thread.3283967/#replies

 

As well the ADTH is limited to 1 HDTV via HDMI.

 

I've seen a few comments about how Zapperbox is too expensive. I've heard the same thing about Televes antennas, SmartKom and Avant-X.

I get it there are two schools of thought. There are the ones who realize that they're cable bills are well over $1,200 a year and investment for about half of that will get them some really great reception. They realize that this is an investment in the future and not to be thought of as a Band-Aid.

Then there are those who want cheap Chinese antennas and $35 converter boxes and try to do it all as cheaply as possible. I get both of those schools of thought. I'm more of a hobbyist I guess. But I don't get the people who live in my markets or any other market for that matter who tried to buy a $29 Walmart flat panel and complain that OTA isn't for them and go back to paying the $140 a month internet and cable bill.

I get it that OTA doesn't have the variety that cable TV does but there's now streaming channels where you can go ala cart and even free streaming channels that have good variety all you need is an internet connection and don't have to pay extra attend for local programming.

We just had a incredible Great Lakes tropo event here. And right in the middle of it Chicago was converting to a NextGen lighthouse. What a crazy couple of days. But in the end I ended up with more stations that I've ever seen all at one time (which has faded now now I'm back to the normal 161 Channels)

 

I am also looking for an ATSC 3.0 tuner, to connect to a Windows computer.
Any advice?

It looks like the USB sticks from GT and Xytec only work with Android, not Windows.
The ATSC 3.0 boxes from HDHR or Zapperbox could work, but I don't want to spend that much until they get the DRM/encryption nonsense worked out.
I can't find the ADTH devices available in Canada.

There are no 3.0 stations in my area yet (Kingston Ontario / Watertown NY) but I want to be future-proof for when that happens.
I already have a HDHR Connect (ATSC 1.0) but I would like another tuner for more reception options.

Maybe I will get a cheap-ish 1.0 USB stick for now, or bite the bullet and get a HDHR ATSC 3.0 and hope that they can update software to handle the DRM
And hope that they don't geo-block us in Canada :-( :-( :-(

 

I am also looking for an ATSC 3.0 tuner, to connect to a Windows computer.
Any advice?

It looks like the USB sticks from GT and Xytec only work with Android, not Windows.
The ATSC 3.0 boxes from HDHR or Zapperbox could work, but I don't want to spend that much until they get the DRM/encryption nonsense worked out.
I can't find the ADTH devices available in Canada.

There are no 3.0 stations in my area yet (Kingston Ontario / Watertown NY) but I want to be future-proof for when that happens.
I already have a HDHR Connect (ATSC 1.0) but I would like another tuner for more reception options.

Maybe I will get a cheap-ish 1.0 USB stick for now, or bite the bullet and get a HDHR ATSC 3.0 and hope that they can update software to handle the DRM
And hope that they don't geo-block us in Canada :-( :-( :-(

Well, here is a year later. What did you decide to do?

Personally I'm very happy with the Zapperbox. They have DRM worked out now. The problem with Silicon Dust HDHR5-4K, they still don't have the DRM worked out.