classical1—November 13, 2023
My goal was to find a device that would allow me to use an indoor TV antenna in the best possible location, for the most reliable reception of OTA TV, without needing to have hard wire connections all over the place to my router or my TV. The tablo accomplishes this since the only hard wire connection it requires is the one between the antenna and and tablo device itself (the tablo needs a power supply of course, and a 5.5 mm extension cable can be very useful). The tablo device can be connected by ethernet to your router if you choose, but for me a wireless connection was much more convenient. The antenna and tablo are upstairs on a bookshelf near a window where the antenna can get good reception. The TV is downstairs and needs no hardwire either to the router or the tablo. The tablo is on my wifi network and I have Roku and my TV, with a tablo app. Picture quality is very good for my purposes. It's not 4K but then I don't have a 4K TV either. Tablo tells you that picture quality may be better if you hardwire, but I don't feel that is needed. I learned about the tablo gen 4 on youtube from reviews by antenna man, and Lon.tv. The tablo tuners seem to be more sensitive than the ones in my TV, and there is a switchable antenna amp in the tablo. Setup was easy and the first day's viewing was fine. Then on the next few days some of the channels disappeared, and the program grid was jumbled showing the wrong shows on most channels.l was thinking about sending it back, and did not use it for a few days, and when I came back to rescan channels the problems had apparently resolved themselves, and it's been working quite well ever since. I didn't buy it for the DVR section but I am finding it's very convenient to have so as to not miss a favorite show now and then. It's not next gen TV capable but I don't mind spending $100 on a device that will work well in the interim years till next gen is really widespread. I bought the version with the flat antenna included but haven't used it, so cannot say how well it works.You may want to spend the extra ten dollars if you don't have an antenna or if you want an extra one to experiment with. For $100 the tablo solved several problems for me and I will give it a 5. I am looking forward to what they offer in gen 5. Read more
Dan R.—December 2, 2023
12/14/23 Update: This new Tablo has technical issues and will not scan in channels that have duplicate virtual channels. The channel guide is not correct and ads TV schedules from incorrect channels and networks. I have spoken with tech support twice and they do not have a fix for any of this. I wrote them an email explaining exactly what the issues are and the tests I performed to identify the issues. I received an email saying they are too busy to respond to my email and technical issues. I have decided to return this new Tablo. I does not work correctly and the tech support is not helpful. 12/8/23 Update: I found a phone number to call Tablo tech support. After calling them and explaining that my Tablo does not scan all the channels my old Tablo scanned and the TV guide does not provide correct programs for the correct channels, they told me they had to do some on line tests of the unit and would get back to me. I waited four days with no return call or email. I called them again and was told they were too busy to look at it and would try to check it out later. Still waiting. Here is my original info: I am very happy with this new Tablo, however... it does not scan all channels. In our area, we have CBS and it's sub channels on 4.1. We also have an NBC station that is on a translator and it is also assigned to 4.1. CBS also has a translator signal on 4.1. This Tablo will not scan in all the 4.1 channels. It only scans in the NBC 4.1 but neither of the CBS signals scan in. So I don't have CBS on my Tablo. My old Tablo scanned in all the channels without issues. I tried to contact Tablo to see what can be done but I could not find a way to speak to anyone on their web site. They have an email tab, however I only received an automated reply that addressed other issues that I am not having. I would give this Tablo 5 stars if it scanned channels correctly. Kind of disappointing. Installation was very easy and loading the apps to iPhones, iPads and Roku was very easy and they worked right away. Just wish it would receive all the channels. By the way, my outdoor TV antenna receives 73 channels on all my TV's in the house but Tablo scans only 53 channels connected to the same antenna. My old Tablo scanned 73 channels connected exactly the same way. Also wish Tablo provided customer support. Read more
