Review: Tablo (4th Generation) Over-the-Air [OTA] DVR

[bobsmith]

Tablo recently got rid of one of their most popular features - automatic commercial skip. There is one reason and one reason only that Tablo has dropped automatic commercial skip. Several months ago, Tablo was purchased by one of the largest OTA and basic cable channel broadcast TV companies in the world. A company [two technically] who derive their revenue and profits from TV commercials. IMO that should have been mentioned.

[dkhnova]

I got one a few days ago. Like it very much. One small thing: as you're watching a channel live, you can see info (title, channel) for it as you're watching. Would be nice if it also displayed what's coming next on the same channel (so you wouldn't have to leave what you're watching and go to the guide).

[acardnal]

One thing I also enjoy about your reviews and daily news are the technical and human glitches that occur. You could edit them out but you don't. You leave them in the broadcast! Love it!

[michaelarcy]

This works great. I just set it up. So far love it.

[johnturner]

I like what Tablo is doing with this unit. My brother-in-law has the previous model and he really likes it. It also seems to pick up channels his TvV's built in tuner won't! I will definately consider the Tablo as a replacement for mt old uotdate Channel Master DVR+. Thank you for your review.

[biz]

WOW.I WAS LOOKING FOR SOME REVIEW ABOUT THIS.NOW.I MIGHT GETS THIS.

[Tugennov]

Thanks for the video. Now that two weeks of scheduling is included, I'll consider getting one. Too bad it's not future-proofed for ATSC 3.0.

[daveduncan]

I have just got mine and I love it it’s great this technology is very good thanks to the inventors of this thank you thank you

[paullee]

Love your reviews and content, keep up the good work.

[qqqqqqqqqq]

I think as they add more streaming services we are going to see pay channels. also I have the old school tablo with a lifetime subscription and never used the commercial skip. I just use the remote to fast fwd and I think you can do the same with the 4th gen. I am on a Roku and uploaded the app already and ordered mine today. I love the tablo.

[roberthansen]

I bought the tableau back in 2020 and I love it. This looks pretty neat. I like this new look.

[joeweatlu]

I've had my Tablo for a couple of months now and now can get all the local stations plus their sub-channels. I also have YouTube TV, but YTTV doesn't offer the sub-channels.
Now I'm looking for a streaming service that has everything that YTTV has, but without locals, because I don't need to pay for locals anymore.

[ilblues]

The 4th generation Tablo works well enough and does not require an annual fee for guide service like the legacy Tablos. The Roku and android apps work, but I don’t find them as intuitive as apps for legacy devices. As a Tablo user for many years, the new one disappoints me in several ways. There is no Windows app, no remote access, no commercial skip, and no support for the user community to create 3rd party apps like Tablo Ripper. The new Tablo requires a separate Roku and android app from the old Tablo, which means my Roku now has 2 apps for Tablo. Setup failed several times because it refused to register under my existing Tablo account. Not until I created a 2nd account with another email address would the new Tablo register. The new Tablo is feature poor compared to the old Tablo. I had hoped in buying a new Tablo I’d feel good about retiring my old one. Instead, I’ll be keeping it until the annual subscription runs out in November. I hope by then they at least come up with a Windows app – I have no intention of giving up the ability to watch my Tablo in a small window while working on a spreadsheet, etc.

[stevenflorence]

I now own a Tablo DVR and I have a an Antop big boy antenna and I get 52 channels on my tv and I get 118 Channels on my DVR

[WaveDudeTX]

Can you use 2 or more in the same home to get more than 2 tuners?

[PaulsToolReview]

It looks great, but I think I'll wait for the 4 tuner model tablo rather than this one which is a 2 tuner model, but I think 2 tuner may be enough for most people. Also, I believe this is only supports ATSC 1.0 which means when ATSC 3.0 roles out in a few years, this will be obsolete unless they can update the firmware to support ATSC 3.0. The choice for me comes down to just get this model knowing it will only good for a few years, or hope the hardware can support ATSC 3.0 in the future with a firmware update and wait for the 4 tuner model at a higher cost.

[josemedeiros]

Great review on the TABLO OTA DVR. Do you know of a way to schedule recordings of streaming content on a Amazon Fire TV stick?

[robnation]

Some movies are listed in the wrong genres so look for more action movies in the comedy section etc. This device is amazing and easy to use otherwise!... Put most of your effort into a really good antenna installation ...even if you use a $30 outdoor antenna take some time to get it secure/solid with a good mount. Old satellite dish mounts/brackets/hardware are nice and sturdy for gable mounting etc. Ground your outdoor antenna btw.

[MikeCee]

Very nice review. But I don’t have Internet connection in my home. I just have an antenna. Can I still get this device? or do I need to have Internet connection at home as well? Because I thought the purpose of using an antenna TV, is to “Cut the Cord”, but having Internet in your home is pretty much having a cord come to your home.

[mikerisner]

Thanks for a great review of the Tablo TV interface on Roku. Currently, Tablo TV is only offering a two-tuner model. I think I need a four-tuner model which Tablo says is in the works. In the meantime, I am using YouTube TV for local channels and sports channels. My plan is to use Tablo TV for OTA channels and DVR, use Sling during the fall for (American) football, and alternate among streaming services base on my interest in their current content.