Tablo TV 4th Generation Over the Air TV Tuner with DVR Review

Tablo TV 4th Generation whole home network subscription-free OTA TV Antenna Tuner with DVR Review. Stream Live OTA and Free Streaming Channels across your home wifi network.
Purchase links for the Tablo tuners:
(please note the following links are affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
Tablo 4th Gen 2-Tuner Over-The-Air (OTA) DVR link:
Tablo 4th Gen 4-Tuner Over-the-Air (OTA) DVR link:

A review of the newest Tablo network TV tuner. Stream over the air TV antenna channels and free streaming channels to devices across your home wifi network- no subscription needed. It has a built-in 128 GB hard drive capable of storing about 50 hours of HD video, with the option of adding up to 8 TB of external storage via USB connection. Available with 2 or 4 over the air tuners built in.

0:00 Intro
0:12 What is a Tablo?
1:00 ATSC 1.0 standard / home use only
1:37 DVR specs
2:00 unboxing and overview
2:10 connections
2:35 download the right app
2:50 setup (shown on phone)
4:36 Run a channel scan
4:50 App overview on phone
5:22 EPG Guide- Live Free TV and Streaming Channels
6:50 App overview on Roku (TV)
10:01 Settings Menu Features
10:12 DVR Storage Overiew and Options
11:03 General options
11:22 Antenna Amplifier setting
12:17 DVR Scheduling Options
12:36 EPG Guide Options
12:41 Channel Lineup List
13:35 EPG Guide Update
13:51 DVR Function and Tuners
16:04 DVR Recording Conflicts
17:07 No skipping commercials
17:58 Timeshift Features
18:09 Channel Selection
18:29 Install Tablo off a TV splitter
19:28 Conclusion

[synthwave]

Hi I live in Toronto and decided to buy the tablo 3rd generation from the tablo website directly. The 4th gen was specifically made for the American market. The tablo website tells canadians to purchase the 3rd gen and not the 4th. This is because the streaming channels available on the 4th gen are licensed only in the U.S. they will not work in canada. I bought the 3rd gen tablo and a 2tb external hard drive and I am very happy with it. The tablo works perfectly. I live in an apartment and use a antennas direct clearstream 4v outdoor antenna indoors with a televees amplifier and receive 46 channels. I used to use a GE indoor amplifier and found it was not bad for the price. I also used to use a clearstream 2 max with an amplifier and received the same 46 channels but sometimes some channels were unreliable that's why I decided to upgrade. Either way if I didn't use the amplifier I would lose alot of channels an amplifier is a must in my situation.

[robnation]

If you find your 2 or 4 tuner unit is getting painfully slow, add some outboard memory. Make sure your antenna is optimized as well. Signal gets better when the leaves fall from the trees. Don't forget that next spring/summer though.

[Mainuh]

Thanks for a nice overview. Have a 4th Gen, 4 tuner arriving today and looking forward to it. Cheers!

[traineruu]

Thanks for the overview. I just picked one up for $10 at an Amazon return store. The app on my android phone is slow to respond as there is a noticeable lag.

[paullee]

Excellent review, just ordered a refurb Tablo and I already have a Recast (no longer supported), so my plan is to use a splitter and essentially have 4 tuners total with which to record.

[johnjohnson]

So you did all the set up on a smart phone? And then it all appears on your TV? And you change channels and make recordings from your smart phone?

[robnation]

Get the newest TABLO 4-tuner DVR. Only $40 more but far better.

[MegaFranceschini]

Can I use this Tablo wireless or have to be connected to my router?

[sorryociffer]

The shows that you DVR to an external drive, in what format are they saved and are they encrypted? Would I be able to plug that external drive into any other computer and watch the shows that I’ve recorded?

[joeprete]

Question; if one uses a splitter, can an antenna cable be left hardwired to the television? If so, would you choose the input source on screen?

[vitocarriero]

Hey, I am located in Toronto and I have the Tablo up and running with 10 local channels. I don't get any of the free streaming channels. Do you know how I can get the free streaming channels with my OTA channels?

[paulblack]

I’m currently holding on to the Quad 4 3rd generation Tablo since it stills allows away from home video. Still waiting for Apple TV App for new 4th gen Tablo before I’ll consider buying it

[lostinmyspace]

If you have lousy tv antenna reception, Tablo does nothing to correct it.

[chipdouglas]

Question: If I have the Tablo connected to a Roku device in the living room, can I also watch Tablo recordings on a separate Roku device connected to a bedroom TV?

[Bob-gyud]

Unfortunately after being out for almost a year still no app for AppleTV

[loulopez]

I like mine but have to admit that periodically it loses its connection, and I'm located in a great spot. Not the end of the world but if you're watching an NFL game it may or may not work. My internet is good and I connected mine through an ethernet cable.

[joeprete]

Ever try adding a thumb drive, rather than a hard drive?

[mtmac]

I don't understand why no reviewer addresses the well documented problems with this device. It only averages a 3 star on AMZ. I bought one back in 2023. Operationally it was ghastly. You never knew from one day to the next if it would work. The software and operation is not there. Any stick/box/tuner will blow this thing away. The company keeps expanding it market and compatibility, but does nothing about the operational aspect of this device.

[Bonjour-World]

Well that answers one question: without 'Live Internet' access the Tablo is a paper weight.

[JohnDoe-hyho]

I'm in Florida. It's not very impressive. 74 channels. I attached it to the ethernet, and for some reason, it gets fewer channels if I turn on antenna amplified? I don't get CBS?