📡 Cut the cord, not the content—TV freedom everywhere!
The Tablo 4th Gen OTA DVR is a subscription-free, dual-tuner device that lets you watch, pause, and record live local TV and free streaming channels. With 128GB onboard storage expandable up to 8TB, it streams content wirelessly across multiple devices in your home, compatible with all major smart TVs and streaming players. Easy to set up and control, it offers a flexible, cost-effective way to enjoy live and recorded TV without monthly fees.
| Brand Name | Tablo TV |
| Item Weight | 1.04 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 5 x 5 x 1.38 inches |
| Item model number | TF1282B-01-CN |
| Color Name | White |
| Special Features | USB Recording (DVR) |
M**N
Love my Tablo! WHAT TO DO if phone setup app won't connect to Tablo
I love my new Gen4 Tablo. Besides its general usefulness, for me there is finally an easy way to record Court TV. (Especially the show Closing Arguments with the one and only Vinnie Politan -- it is worth $99 not to have to be at home in front of the tv at exactly 5-7pm each weekday!)Tip 1. the user guide refers to a blue reset button on the side or bottom. Actually it is a white button, really tiny, on the bottom of the Tablo. (Feel for it if you do not see it.)Tip 2. When setting up for the first time, consider using the Ethernet method. That way you only have one wifi connection, not two. Connect the ethernet cable to your router and to the Tablo. After a minute the Tablo's blinking blue light should become a steady blue light. This will indicate the Ethernet connection is working. If not, reset the Tablo (Tip 1) after which you'll see a steady blue light after a minute or two.Tip 3. After you install the Tablo app on your android phone, you may see temporary issues (bugs): Icons on your phone's home screen may have moved out of place. And/or you may be prompted to confirm which launcher your phone uses (Nova, Pixel Launcher, etc.). After you are finished getting Tablo set up you can uninstall the Tablo app on the phone, after which your home screen and launcher will return to normal.The rest of this review is specifically for people whose phone will not connect to the Tablo during the setup procedure:I could not get my android phone (pixel 7a) to connect to the Tablo in order to run the setup app. I called Support, who asked if I had another phone or an android tablet or ipad, as he suspected my phone might be the problem. I didn't. But later I thought of Bluestacks which is an android simulator. Here is how to run setup on the Tablo if your phone won't connect and you don't have another device:1. See Tips 1 and 2 above.2. Connect Tablo to your router using the ethernet cable.3. On a Windows PC download and install software Bluestacks 5 from Majorgeeks.com.4. Open Bluestacks and download the most recent Tablo app from the google play store.5. Open the Tablo app.6. Register or sign in to Tablo TV. Then follow the easy directions. At the point where the "phone" (Bluestacks) needs to connect to the Tablo, it will connect immediately and finish the setup within a minute or two!7. Prepare to run Tablo using your Firestick remote device or Chromecast remote device. Fyi you do not need a Prime subscription to use Fire TV, just buy the Firestick. I recommend highly the "4K Max" firestick.8. Within Fire TV (or Chromecast) download the Tablo app. Make sure you have the right app: the icon should be black with the word Tablo in white and the word TV in white on a turquoise background. If you completed step 6 successfully, you have already installed the physical Tablo device. Now when you open the Tablo app, it will automatically connect to your Tablo device.(Note there are other methods besides the Firestick and the Chromecast devices, but these two methods are recommended by the majority of Amazon reviewers.)In my case I went into Fire TV, downloaded the most recent Tablo app (made for Fire TV), and opened it. It connected to my Tablo immediately, and within minutes I was using the Firestick to browse the program guide and start watching and recording. Picture is great, and the app is very easy to use. And just like cable tv, if you are recording a program which is halfway through, you can conveniently watch it from the beginning while it continues to record.PS- Don't forget to uninstall the Tablo app on your android phone. From this point on you will not be using your phone or Bluestacks. The Tablo device is connecting directly to your Firestick (or Chromecast).
M**N
great idea - horrible execution
The idea of a modern equivalent to the tivo is great. And if this product did what it advertises, it would be amazing. It does not, and it just kinda sucks.Before I get into specifics, let me note I live in an area with very strong OTA TV signal, and have an excellent antenna that has worked flawlessly with my prior TV. My new TV does not feature OTA live TV pause, hence buying the Tablo. I also have fiber intent with MESH WiFi.Installation should be pretty straightforward...but it is not. I spent nearly two hours staring at constant error messages. The setup is through your phone, and when it cannot find the Tablo, or it stops responding, you start over. This was incredibly frustrating. Again note I have an excellent internet and WiFi.Once installed, the problems did not stop. To use on your TV you must use an app, there is no direct plug to the TV etc. I think if there were it would get rid of 90% of the problems. The app for Fire TV is incredibly slow. It often will not load at all. It takes more than 60 seconds to load, then at least that much time more to get info. App loading speeds have nothing to do with connection, it is just a really large clunky app. Once loaded I often get error messages. These just randomly pop up and the app has to reload.App usage is extremely poor. It is extremely slow to respond. Often fails and the system just reboots. While watching life tV it will briefly display an error message before rebooting. It has also failed during recording multiple times.My primary desire was to pause life TV. When you hit pause it takes 5-10 seconds to pause. that brief period is not recorded and is lost. you can rewind, though it will only rewind in preset increments, again needing 5-10 seconds to rewind an equal amount time. The net result is that to go back and watch the previous play in your game takes roughly a minute, and you will lose what happens in that minute on live tv. You are stuck with a display bar of where you are until you get back to live tv, which will take another 5-10 seconds to load or simply cause the device to reboot.Unfortunatley this device fails at every possible level. It does not do anything it promises well, or sometimes at all.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
3 weeks ago
