Today’s question comes from Samantha who asks, “Do I have to use the TV antenna that comes with the Tablo, or can I use the one I already have?”
No. You don’t have to use the over-the-air TV antenna that comes bundled in the Tablo Total System. In fact, a Tablo whole-home DVR is a great way to enhance ANY over-the-air TV antenna.
Not only does Tablo let you watch, pause, record, fast-forward and rewind all the great broadcast TV you can enjoy for free with an antenna, but it also streams those programs wirelessly to any compatible device in your home.
Since Samantha already has a TV antenna that works well for her, when she sets up her Tablo she’d just need to disconnect the antenna’s coaxial cable from the back of her television and connect it instead to the antenna port on the back of her Tablo.
If you don’t already have a TV antenna, the Tablo Total System includes a 35-mile flat panel TV antenna with the DVR. It should work well for most folks living near their local broadcast towers. But it’s not the right TV antenna for everyone.
Those who live further afield, in areas with obstructions like trees or hills, or where local channels are trickier to receive, should purchase a larger, more powerful or specialized over-the-air antenna for use with Tablo.
If you find that the antenna bundled with the Tablo isn’t picking up some channels you expect to receive in the channel scan or the reception isn’t consistent, adjusting its positioning can help.
But, if you continue to experience problems receiving channels, with pixelated video, breakups in audio or failed recordings, swap it out for a TV antenna better suited to your needs.
Not sure how to choose the right TV antenna? We have some guidance on our website. If you’re willing to invest in some expert advice, contact your local antenna installer or check out The Antenna Man. For a small fee, he’ll suggest a quality antenna model based on your specific location and needs.
Have a question about watching TV that you’d like answered? Send us a note and you may see your question on the Tablo blog and in an upcoming issue of our newsletter, Stay Tuned!
