Tablo Device for OTA TV

[BrianL]

Does anybody use one of these? I am strongly considering cutting my DirecTV Stream service and just going with over-the air channels. The Tablo device looks like a pretty good option to have a DVR for the broadcast networks and local digital channels. It's not expensive (and on sale right now), so I was thinking about it. Does anyone have any experience with them - pros, cons? Some video reviews seem pretty solid, but customer reviews seem to vary. Thanks.

 

[dizneegirl]

Love my Tablo.

Tried the Sling AirTV... didn't have luck with 2 different versions. Bought Tablo, and haven't looked back.

I hooked a small USB portable hard drive to it, and have plenty of room to record/keep whatever. We have an indoor Leaf antenna attached to it, and where we are can pick up 2 markets for network TV. Plus, Tablo has a bunch of free channels, and has added more since we started using it. We use it with Roku, and can watch it from any TV or device in the house. I think they just added offline capabilities, so you can watch recorded programs even if you don't have internet access. Haven't had the chance to try that out, though.

Love that there's no ongoing cost, no subscription. As long as you're somewhere an antenna can pick up the networks clearly, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[BrianL]

Love my Tablo.

Tried the Sling AirTV... didn't have luck with 2 different versions. Bought Tablo, and haven't looked back.

I hooked a small USB portable hard drive to it, and have plenty of room to record/keep whatever. We have an indoor Leaf antenna attached to it, and where we are can pick up 2 markets for network TV. Plus, Tablo has a bunch of free channels, and has added more since we started using it. We use it with Roku, and can watch it from any TV or device in the house. I think they just added offline capabilities, so you can watch recorded programs even if you don't have internet access. Haven't had the chance to try that out, though.

Love that there's no ongoing cost, no subscription. As long as you're somewhere an antenna can pick up the networks clearly, you shouldn't have a problem.

Yeah, I'd be using it with a Roku. I was thinking of buying one with the included indoor antenna. I actually have an old aerial antenna on top of my house, but it's only there for the retro look now. I could run the coaxial cable I guess, but that seems like more trouble than it's worth.

I am still afraid I will miss having the classic cable lineup, but I don't watch very much on it. Most of it can be replaced by getting Hulu, which is much cheaper. I do still want the national networks though. A DVR with no subscription cost sounds very appealing!

 

[dizneegirl]

I think when they first started, there was an ongoing fee for getting the channel guides, but it's all included now.

 

[BrianL]

I think when they first started, there was an ongoing fee for getting the channel guides, but it's all included now.

Yes, I am looking at the Tablo 4 unit and I know it's a bit different than the previous models.

 

[kdonnel]

Enjoy it while you can.

The latest push is toward encrypted ATSC 3 channels.

ATSC 1.0 is scheduled to be turned off in a phased approach starting in February 2028 and ending in February 2030.

ATSC 3.0 does not require encryption, but the networks are embracing it in the largest TV markets. That means no more FREE OTA.

 

[BrianL]

Enjoy it while you can.

The latest push is toward encrypted ATSC 3 channels.

ATSC 1.0 is scheduled to be turned off in a phased approach starting in February 2028 and ending in February 2030.

ATSC 3.0 does not require encryption, but the networks are embracing it in the largest TV markets. That means no more FREE OTA.

Wait, there would be no free OTA at all? I was under hte impression that there may be issues using a DVR to record things, but there would still be broadcast available.

 

[kdonnel]

Wait, there would be no free OTA at all? I was under hte impression that there may be issues using a DVR to record things, but there would still be broadcast available.

Time will only tell.

The networks are seeing this as an option to turn OTA into a paid streaming like service.

 

[sam_gordon]

Enjoy it while you can.

The latest push is toward encrypted ATSC 3 channels.

ATSC 1.0 is scheduled to be turned off in a phased approach starting in February 2028 and ending in February 2030.

ATSC 3.0 does not require encryption, but the networks are embracing it in the largest TV markets. That means no more FREE OTA.

ATSC 3 is in ~70 markets (out of 210). Since it requires a special receiver, that most viewers won't have, I don't see ATSC 1 getting cut off in three years.

I also don't see all Free OTA going away. Will some channels be encrypted? That wouldn't surprise me.

 

[BrianL]

Time will only tell.

The networks are seeing this as an option to turn OTA into a paid streaming like service.

Hmm...I'd rather just stream next day on Hulu, Paramount+, and Peacock. I could subscribe to all of these for less than DirecTV is costing me.

Still, for 70 bucks (plus 20 for an antenna) I can get a 2 tuner Tablo 4 right now, and that is pretty tempting even if I need something else in a few years. I mean, that's like one month of DirecTV!

 

[kdonnel]

ATSC 3 is in ~70 markets (out of 210). Since it requires a special receiver, that most viewers won't have, I don't see ATSC 1 getting cut off in three years.

I also don't see all Free OTA going away. Will some channels be encrypted? That wouldn't surprise me.

The NAB is the one asking for the accelerated demise of ATSC 1.0.

Broadcasters really want the transition to ATSC 3.0 to happen.

 

[sam_gordon]

And look at how long the transition from NTSC (analog for those who don't know) to ATSC (digital). And there was still a big to do regarding getting viewers access to digital.

I think 2028-2030, while the goal, is unrealistic.

 

[BrianL]

Well, it looks like I missed the sale window - I thought these things usually lasted through the end of the week? Anyway, the device is back up to $99.99, which is still not bad, but it was really tempting at 70 bucks! I should have got it! Oh well, there is a Prime Day coming up, so maybe....

 

[cellomom]

We’ve got one, and it’s been a great addition! Since I’m the one who would set it up, I kept things easy and purchased the bundle with the antenna. We’ve got our antenna hanging on the wall, and we’re getting all the major network channels we wanted. Plus, DH is thrilled he can skip through commercials while watching the evening news . Keep an eye out for another sale.

 

[eticketplease]

Hmm...I'd rather just stream next day on Hulu, Paramount+, and Peacock. I could subscribe to all of these for less than DirecTV is costing me.

We have YouTube TV that has a built-in DVR but we find ourselves using Hulu and Paramont+ to watch them without ads and without having to try and fast forward correctly (Miss Tivo for that). Peacock we don't have the ad free one so we will still use Ytv's DVR for those. I suppose we could do the same with HBO for the food network but we like to usually just have that on in the background

 

[sam_gordon]

@BrianL, do you know you can receive OTA signals? Or what it would take to do so successfully?

 

[BrianL]

@BrianL, do you know you can receive OTA signals? Or what it would take to do so successfully?

Yeah, I just need an antenna (or use my old roof one). A friend of mine has one of those flat ones hung on the wall and he gets a lot of channels and good picture quality. He does not use a DVR device though - it's just straight live TV.

 

[kdonnel]

And look at how long the transition from NTSC (analog for those who don't know) to ATSC (digital). And there was still a big to do regarding getting viewers access to digital.

I think 2028-2030, while the goal, is unrealistic.

Streaming was not the powerhouse it is now when ATSC 1.0 launched. If broadcasters can monetize their OTA signal like it is a streaming service, they will make it happen.


ATSC 1.0 launched in 1996 and NTSC was turned off in 2009.
13 years.

ATSC 3.0 launched in 2017 and has already made it to 75% of the US market by population.
2030 is 13 years.

I know we are both just guessing but it seems to me like 2028-2030 might be possible.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yeah, I just need an antenna (or use my old roof one). A friend of mine has one of those flat ones hung on the wall and he gets a lot of channels and good picture quality. He does not use a DVR device though - it's just straight live TV.

Just wanted to check. One of the great things about digital is if you get enough of the data, it's a perfect picture. If you don't though...

 

[robinb]

I'm interested in a Tablio too. I have an old OTA TiVo Bolt that has been on its last legs for a while and finally just gave up the ghost.

I have a flat ChannelMaster antenna that works very well:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074TWSQFM

FWIW, I do pay for DirectTV streaming too. I have the "MyEntertainment" package for $35 per month. It gets me some cable channels that I like to watch.