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Tablo Subscription-Free OTA Antenna DVR w/ 2 Tuners (4th Generation) Expired

$75
$99.95
+ Free Shipping
+26 Deal Score
42,103 Views
Channel Master has Tablo Subscription-Free OTA Antenna DVR w/ 2 Tuners (4th Generation) on sale for $75. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member istaylor for finding this deal.

Note: Antenna not included. Tablo does not have an HDMI output and requires an internet connection and either an Apple or Android smartphone for setup. Select the free shipping option at checkout.

Product Details:
  • Compatible with all TV antennas.
  • Watch, pause, record & replay live TV (on up to two channels)
  • No contracts, subscriptions or monthly fees
  • Simply connect your indoor or outdoor antenna to the Tablo, and link it to your Wi-Fi or wired internet connection.
  • Download the Tablo App on your compatible devices, including Roku, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and smartphones/tablets running iOS and Android, to start watching TV.

Editor's Notes & Price Research

Written by
  • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.
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Original Post

Written by
Edited March 6, 2024 at 09:03 PM by
Tablo 2-tuner subscription-free OTA antenna DVR 4th Generation


https://www.channelmaster.com/pro...generation
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$75
$99.95

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Featured Comments

Just remember that this unit requires an active internet connection to work. Don't expect to watch OTA TV or your recordings with this tuner when your internet is down. Don't expect to watch OTA TV or your recordings when the Tablo servers are down (happened last year on a Sunday during NFL football season).

Unlike the Legacy versions, this unit can only be watched on your local network, not remotely while out of your house.

Yes, the guide data is free, but you are agreeing to send all of your actions on the device to the mothership. Remember in this case you are the product whose data is being collected and sold.

If you want a Tablo, look at the Legacy devices which don't have any of the tracking and you can watch them outside your local network. (You'll need to pay for guide data on this device).
https://us-store.tablotv.com/prod...he-air-dvr
Homerun HD is one option.

Watch out for what the broadcast overloards are doing with the new protocols.

ATSC3 DRM update (highlights some OTA device manufacturers)
https://youtu.be/iEjBrItgXuU?feature=shared

NextGen DVR Rules
https://youtu.be/6PwUpniOxQU?feature=shared

What you need to know about ATSC 3.0
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-VeM...0-faq.html

ATSC 3.0: Everything you need to know about broadcast TV's next big thing
https://www.digitaltrends.com/hom...lby-atmos/
Thanks for the info.

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Joined Mar 2018
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sivartk
03-07-2024 at 06:35 AM.

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank sivartk

03-07-2024 at 06:35 AM.
Just remember that this unit requires an active internet connection to work. Don't expect to watch OTA TV or your recordings with this tuner when your internet is down. Don't expect to watch OTA TV or your recordings when the Tablo servers are down (happened last year on a Sunday during NFL football season).

Unlike the Legacy versions, this unit can only be watched on your local network, not remotely while out of your house.

Yes, the guide data is free, but you are agreeing to send all of your actions on the device to the mothership. Remember in this case you are the product whose data is being collected and sold.

If you want a Tablo, look at the Legacy devices which don't have any of the tracking and you can watch them outside your local network. (You'll need to pay for guide data on this device).
https://us-store.tablotv.com/prod...he-air-dvr
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Last edited by sivartk March 7, 2024 at 06:38 AM.
Joined Jun 2007
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> bubble2 101 Posts
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SteveHebe
03-07-2024 at 11:37 AM.
03-07-2024 at 11:37 AM.
Here is a list of Legacy devices.

What are Tablo legacy models?
Tablo legacy models are older hardware devices including the Tablo DUAL LITE, Tablo DUAL 128GB, Tablo QUAD, Tablo QUAD 1TB, Tablo DUAL HDMI, Tablo QUAD HDMI, as well as the original 2-Tuner and 4-Tuner Tablo DVRs.
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> bubble2 2,631 Posts
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wbs3333
03-07-2024 at 09:21 PM.
03-07-2024 at 09:21 PM.
Quote from sivartk :
Just remember that this unit requires an active internet connection to work. Don't expect to watch OTA TV or your recordings with this tuner when your internet is down. Don't expect to watch OTA TV or your recordings when the Tablo servers are down (happened last year on a Sunday during NFL football season).

Unlike the Legacy versions, this unit can only be watched on your local network, not remotely while out of your house.

Yes, the guide data is free, but you are agreeing to send all of your actions on the device to the mothership. Remember in this case you are the product whose data is being collected and sold.

If you want a Tablo, look at the Legacy devices which don't have any of the tracking and you can watch them outside your local network. (You'll need to pay for guide data on this device).
https://us-store.tablotv.com/prod...he-air-dvr

Thanks for the info.
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Joined Sep 2008
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> bubble2 2,417 Posts
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ChiefAlchemist
03-08-2024 at 03:03 AM.
03-08-2024 at 03:03 AM.
Quote from sivartk :
Just remember that this unit requires an active internet connection to work. Don't expect to watch OTA TV or your recordings with this tuner when your internet is down. Don't expect to watch OTA TV or your recordings when the Tablo servers are down (happened last year on a Sunday during NFL football season).

Unlike the Legacy versions, this unit can only be watched on your local network, not remotely while out of your house.

Yes, the guide data is free, but you are agreeing to send all of your actions on the device to the mothership. Remember in this case you are the product whose data is being collected and sold.

If you want a Tablo, look at the Legacy devices which don't have any of the tracking and you can watch them outside your local network. (You'll need to pay for guide data on this device).
https://us-store.tablotv.com/prod...he-air-dvr
What are the alternatives to this brand / product? No sense indirectly supporting Surveillance Capitalism.
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AquaMarmot594
03-08-2024 at 05:47 AM.

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank AquaMarmot594

03-08-2024 at 05:47 AM.
Homerun HD is one option.

Watch out for what the broadcast overloards are doing with the new protocols.

ATSC3 DRM update (highlights some OTA device manufacturers)
https://youtu.be/iEjBrItgXuU?feature=shared

NextGen DVR Rules
https://youtu.be/6PwUpniOxQU?feature=shared

What you need to know about ATSC 3.0
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-VeM...0-faq.html

ATSC 3.0: Everything you need to know about broadcast TV's next big thing
https://www.digitaltrends.com/hom...lby-atmos/
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Last edited by AquaMarmot594 March 8, 2024 at 05:49 AM.
Joined Sep 2014
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jaredalanmitchell
03-08-2024 at 05:52 AM.
03-08-2024 at 05:52 AM.
Quote from AquaMarmot594 :
Homerun HD is one option.

Watch out for what the broadcast overloards are doing with the new protocols.

ATSC3 DRM update (highlights some OTA device manufacturers)
https://youtu.be/iEjBrItgXuU?feature=shared

NextGen DVR Rules
https://youtu.be/6PwUpniOxQU?feature=shared

What you need to know about ATSC 3.0
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-VeM...0-faq.html

ATSC 3.0: Everything you need to know about broadcast TV's next big thing
https://www.digitaltrends.com/hom...lby-atmos/
It seems like a lot is still up in the air about ATSC and Network DVR devices. I'm currently on a FireTV recast which is working fine for ATSC 2.0 and my current needs.

Is there any point in upgrading now or just wait for ATSC 3.0 to mature a little? It looks like we have ATSC 3.0 broadcasts in the Charlotte area, but I don't want to give up my network DVR functionality, and for the most part the FireTV recast has been solid.
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QFT
03-08-2024 at 08:04 AM.
03-08-2024 at 08:04 AM.
Quote from ChiefAlchemist :
What are the alternatives to this brand / product? No sense indirectly supporting Surveillance Capitalism.
HDHomerun is a popular choice, though typically more expensive. It's pretty good. Reliable, can stream TV to all kinds of devices with a simple app that connects over the local network, and also integrates cleanly with Plex. It has options for multi-tuner units and you can add your own external storage.

My main complaints is that it doesn't have wifi (so you have to run network to it) and the interface is pretty archaic, but they claim they're updating it soon.
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Joined Feb 2014
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elefante72
03-08-2024 at 01:26 PM.

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank elefante72

03-08-2024 at 01:26 PM.
Quote from jaredalanmitchell :
It seems like a lot is still up in the air about ATSC and Network DVR devices. I'm currently on a FireTV recast which is working fine for ATSC 2.0 and my current needs.

Is there any point in upgrading now or just wait for ATSC 3.0 to mature a little? It looks like we have ATSC 3.0 broadcasts in the Charlotte area, but I don't want to give up my network DVR functionality, and for the most part the FireTV recast has been solid.
I have a HDHR (ATSC1) -> Plex and all my channels simulcast in ATSC3 here but three of them are encrypted. To me I will keep my legacy HDHR until I have to switch and if they keep messing it up w/ DRM and encryption I may never switch I will just go back to live streaming of the high seas kind.

I am not buying a device that they will deactivate when they see fit or come up with arbitrary rules of where and how I can view my recordings and have constant bugs because of the stupid encryption schemes and incompatibilities.

Supposedly ATSC3 uses better encoding but I have zero issues since I setup my antenna properly and live in the metro so I see ZERO reason to move anytime soon so I would say just keep what you have (recode) and be happy.

One of the monopolies driving this DRM nonsense is Scripps who now owns Tablo so I am certainly not giving them my money to then just take it away and spy on me 24/7.
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Last edited by elefante72 March 8, 2024 at 01:36 PM.
Joined Feb 2014
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elefante72
03-08-2024 at 01:34 PM.
03-08-2024 at 01:34 PM.
Quote from QFT :
HDHomerun is a popular choice, though typically more expensive. It's pretty good. Reliable, can stream TV to all kinds of devices with a simple app that connects over the local network, and also integrates cleanly with Plex. It has options for multi-tuner units and you can add your own external storage.

My main complaints is that it doesn't have wifi (so you have to run network to it) and the interface is pretty archaic, but they claim they're updating it soon.
I believe (opinion) it doesn't have wifi is because it is a small company and if you stream wifi to a server then stream wifi out of the server there are probably more than a few people who will mess that up and/or have interference. A tablo has the antenna/server in one so only stream to client. I had a tablo for years and threw it out because it was just not reliable. It never went into production.

So be thankful you need to plug copper in here, even if you have a great setup there are many who do not. I have had two HDHR tuners for almost 10 years and I have never had a device outage (stations have been out). It is literally in the top 3 of most stable tech devices I have ever owned.
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SCscoutguy
03-08-2024 at 08:30 PM.
03-08-2024 at 08:30 PM.
Quote from sivartk :
Just remember that this unit requires an active internet connection to work. Don't expect to watch OTA TV or your recordings with this tuner when your internet is down. Don't expect to watch OTA TV or your recordings when the Tablo servers are down (happened last year on a Sunday during NFL football season).

Unlike the Legacy versions, this unit can only be watched on your local network, not remotely while out of your house.

Yes, the guide data is free, but you are agreeing to send all of your actions on the device to the mothership. Remember in this case you are the product whose data is being collected and sold.

If you want a Tablo, look at the Legacy devices which don't have any of the tracking and you can watch them outside your local network. (You'll need to pay for guide data on this device).
https://us-store.tablotv.com/prod...he-air-dvr
When Scripps bought Tablo they made the guide data on the legacy devices free. I use HDHomeruns but I do have a Tablo 4 tuner that I have will use on occasion and its guide data has been free since the new devices came out.
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tomservo
03-08-2024 at 08:40 PM.
03-08-2024 at 08:40 PM.
Tablo is decent for an OTA recorder. It's well priced for something without subscription fees. I also use an older generation HDHomerun in combination with MythTV. Setup and getting guide data can be a bit annoying but I do appreciate having local control. The newer software and HDHomerun hardware looks to have some improvements but it still seems hard to get guide data without some subscription.

I set up a Tablo for my parents and for the most part it seems user friendly for them. It also has the ability to record shows off several FAST channels which is unique. The UI seemed a bit buggy but improving. While it may not be technically a supported feature, I've done some remote use over a WireGuard tunnel.
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stevo
03-08-2024 at 10:13 PM.
03-08-2024 at 10:13 PM.
Quote from AquaMarmot594 :
Homerun HD is one option.

Watch out for what the broadcast overloards are doing with the new protocols.

ATSC3 DRM update (highlights some OTA device manufacturers)
https://youtu.be/iEjBrItgXuU?feature=shared

NextGen DVR Rules
https://youtu.be/6PwUpniOxQU?feature=shared

What you need to know about ATSC 3.0
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-VeM...0-faq.html

ATSC 3.0: Everything you need to know about broadcast TV's next big thing
https://www.digitaltrends.com/hom...lby-atmos/
HDHomeRun running on plex = win
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gullzway
03-08-2024 at 11:01 PM.
03-08-2024 at 11:01 PM.
Quote from sivartk :
Yes, the guide data is free, but you are agreeing to send all of your actions on the device to the mothership. Remember in this case you are the product whose data is being collected and sold.

Curious if running Adguard Home on your home router would block this?
Though I'm not sure I care if they track what OTA channels I'm watching.

My Flint 2 router running Adguard Home is constantly blocking DNS requests from google/amazon devices.

Also wondering if you use Wireguard, as I do sometimes with Wireguard server on my Flint 2, since you're connecting to your Home network remotely, if you could watch the content remotely.
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Last edited by gullzway March 8, 2024 at 11:53 PM.
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