Tablo New 4th Gen Over the Air TV Tuner & DVR Review

VIDEO INDEX:
00:00 - Intro
01:01 - Price
01:27 - Hardware Overview
03:09 - No ATSC 3 Support
03:54 - Tuners & Storage
04:55 - Setup Process & Mobile Restrictions
06:25 - Phone App & Settings
08:31 - Tuning quality
08:57 - Channel Lineup
10:20 - TV App Interface
11:55 - Setting Up a Recording & Conflict Management
14:16 - Watching Recorded Shows
16:07 - Free Streaming Channels
17:40 - Viewer Limit
18:02 - Conclusion

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[LonSeidman]

I've been seeing the same question now many times from people who are confused about how this works. While this is covered in the video I think it might help to write it out here: the Tablo receives the TV signal and puts it out on your home network. In order to watch TV you need to do so through an app that runs on an Android or Google TV device, Roku or Fire TV. If you don't already have a smart TV powered by one of those operating systems you'll need to purchase a Roku, Fire TV or Google/Android TV device in order to watch.

[michaelarcy]

I bought this and it was very easy to set up and it currently works great....this is my first day using it...but great so far.

[jeremyjedynak]

Thanks for the info that Scripps acquired Tablo. The previous iterations of the Tablo seem to have more functionality, which is surprising.

[SuperFredAZ]

I have an older (rectangular) Tablo box, I really like it. I have a 1 TB external USB, plenty of storage, works really well.

[rustybarrel]

Picked up one for $60 on a prime day deal and hooked it up today. So far so good!

[cazarilolsen]

You always have great devices that others do not cover, thanks!

[DaveSchmrdr]

This is timely. Less than a week ago I called Spectrum and told them they could stick their tv service in the rectum. (Sorry, but I couldn't resist the rhyming)
I've had an antenna up for at least 6 years. Picture flakes out when the storms come in.

[Adamantus]

Thanks Lon. I replaced my TIVO with this to go to zero ongoing costs and added a 4 TB hard drive, double the capacity of my TIVO. Surprisingly I had a rare TIVO that sold for more than the cost of the Tablo and the hard drive. I like this a lot. No skip but the fast forward has the thumbnails as you noted so you can forward very quickly and stop exactly where you want to. Watching on PC and additional tuners are on my wish list.

[RufusLekin]

I just set one of these up last night. We had looked at one of these years ago but wasn't looking to sub for the guide features.
The setup was straightforward with an existing Ext HD and antenna. I connected it via ethernet. We used it today to watch football on local channels. I don't care about having access to the local channels while away from the house so that's not an issue. Apps for Roku, Fire stick, and Android all seems to work pretty good so far.

[MrJoeSmart]

Great video! Thanks for the detailed review. It would be really helpful to see a side by side comparison with the Tablo Dual and discuss the pros and cons of this new device versus the previous generation. I have the Dual and love it. I pay for all the extra stuff like commercial-skip. Based on what I learned from this video, I don't think this new device is worth the trade offs. I don't get any ATSC 3.0 channels in my area currently, so I'll ride it with my Dual on ATSC 1.0 until 2027. By then hopefully Tablo has an ATSC 3.0 version.

[JDWatkins]

Thank you... You just saved me $150. I was on their we sight, had it in my cart. Then I thought I had better look for a review first. Boy, am I glad I did. For the amount of restrictions that box has, immediately stopped me from buying it. Given that, each of them should be half that price.

[kevinintheusa]

I have the Tablo Dual Tuner with a lifetime subscription and I will keep that going and once they go to a new standard then I will look for something else. Until then, I am doing fine with their older version which is still doing great after almost 6 years of use.

[PaulsToolReview]

On the Roku remote controling the tablo, they are not using the up down buttons while watching live TV. They should use these buttons to change the channel up or down without having to go to the guide each time! I have the new 4 channel 4th Gen version and we like it so far. I was able to pick up 110 channels including the streaming built in in my area!

[rogerpeterson]

Thank you! (It's also refreshing to see MY local channels on your review)!

[markvesely]

I appreciate your concise and complete overview of this device. I also like that you are very organized and prepared to make an instructional video. Your clear speech and excellent video quality make your video a true pleasure to watch . I went ahead and ordered one. I am actually quite excited to get it. Will any external hard drive work and how big of one would your recommend?

Thank you so much.

[christinemurphy]

I ordered one and it came a couple of days ago. I already have a Dual with a lifetime guide subscription, and they sent me a 20% off coupon code for this one. The new features looked cool so I wanted to try it. I put a splitter on my antenna and have both Tablos attached, so I can use both; now I have four tuners, and the best of the old and new Tablos.

I quite like this new model. I think the interface is more attractive and easier to use than that of the legacy models. Some of the FAST channels that come with it are pretty decent, and I love that they can be recorded. I think this is a great option for the cord cutter who is not looking to spend a lot of money.

[davidgilpin]

I've had a "legacy" Tablo Quad (with subscribed user guide) for 2.5 years. I took the new TabloTV's email offer to existing subscribers on a $20 discount code to try a 4th generation 2 tuner. The primary purpose of this device is to watch and record LOCAL LIVE TV. The folks in my home who watch "local" channels are seniors, so I need an easy-peasy pretty interface that's easy to read, and I believe the 4th gen Tablo delivers on this. Lon did not mention the picture quality - there are no settings for bitrate in the 4th gen Tablo, but the picture quality (to me) is markedly better compared to my legacy Tablo. There are some software strange behaviors and missing features (the lack of PC and Mac support) but I chalk that up to TabloScripps hitting a deadline. I bet we see a steady cadence of fixes and updates, especially before CES 2024 in January. I'll probably sell my Legacy Quad so I can drop the $50/year subscription fee. 4th Gen Tablo + Philo does a good job covering the content watched in my domicile.

[shanafan]

Love my Tablo DVR! It is a high game changer for OTA TV.

I did connect a network cable to mine because some channels came over as a black screen. Once I plugged the cable in, it was like magic. All the channels works flawlessly.

[thomasbrunn]

love the picture of the shuttle in background that ship made everything today possible

[rosesmith]

I loved your review on the TABLO. I just purchased one in HSN. Will receive it in December sometime. 👍