Network-Connected Tablo DVRs &
How They Work
How Network-Connected DVRs Work
Unlike TV-connected Tablo DVRs, network-connected Tablo DVRs do not feature an HDMI connection.
Instead, these DVRs connect to your home's router and use WiFi or Ethernet to stream live and recorded Over-the-Air TV to Tablo apps on a wide variety of internet-connected devices inside or outside your home.
The next-generation approach of network-connected Tablo DVRs gives cord cutters maximum flexibility to watch their favorite show not only on Smart TVs and streaming devices, but on smartphones, tablets, and computers as well.
What You Need to Use Tablo
To set up your network-connected Tablo OTA DVR you need:
- An Over-the-Air HDTV antenna
- An internet connection
- A USB hard drive - Required for watching live TV and recording (on models that don't have onboard storage included)
- A Roku OR Apple TV OR a WiFi-enabled computer (Chrome/Safari/Edge browser) OR a mobile device (iPad/iPhone w/iOS12+ OR Android smartphone/tablet w/Android 4.4+)
To watch network-connected Tablo OTA DVR content on your big screen, you'll need:
- A Smart TV powered by: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Android TV; OR
- A Set-Top-Box/Streaming Media Device: Roku, or Amazon Fire TV, or AppleTV, or Nvidia SHIELD; OR
- A Streaming Stick: Roku Stick, or Amazon Fire TV Stick, or Chromecast with Google TV; OR
- An HDMI-enabled computer: Tablo Windows 10 app on PC, Safari browser on MAC
All Your Favorite Shows, One Remote
Network-connected Tablo OTA DVRs make it easy cord cutters to watch and record live, local HDTV broadcast programs on the device they already use to enjoy Netflix and other streaming TV apps.
By adding the Tablo app to your favorite streaming device, you can catch up on hometown news and sports and watch your favorite network shows as they air, without having to switch inputs on the TV or pick up a different remote.
Watch Live and Recorded Broadcast TV on Any Screen
Network-connected Tablo OTA DVRs hook up to your home's internet router instead of a single TV via HDMI, so one network-connected Tablo OTA DVR lets you watch live and recorded television on any device in your home.
Check out our full list of Tablo OTA DVR apps and compatible devices.
Enjoy Live or Recorded TV Anywhere
Designed to be whole-home devices, network-connected Tablo DVRs let you stream live and recorded OTA HDTV content to as many as 6 devices on your local network at the same time.
Or if you're on the go, you can stream your local TV shows anywhere in the world over WiFi or mobile data connections using Tablo Connect.
Beautiful HD Picture Quality
Cable operators compress their TV signals to conserve bandwidth in order to deliver multiple services (phone, TV, and internet) over a single connection. Over-the-Air (OTA) HDTV signals received through antennas are uncompressed, delivering an incredibly crisp HD picture, far superior to what you've been getting from your cable provider.
Best of all, because content is being delivered via your Over-the-Air antenna instead of an internet connection, you can watch as much TV as you you want at home without impacting your internet datacap.
Tablo FAQs
Tablo is a DVR for cord cutters who use an Over-the-Air antenna to watch free live, local TV.
Unlike TV-connected Tablo DVRs, network-connected Tablo DVRs do not feature an HDMI connection.
Instead, these DVRs connect to your home's router and use WiFi or Ethernet to stream live and recorded Over-the-Air TV to Tablo apps on a wide variety of internet-connected devices inside or outside your home.
Network-connected Tablo DVRs connect to your Over-The-Air (OTA) TV antenna to collect live, local broadcast TV. Tablo then connects to your home's internet router, either through WiFi or Ethernet, so you can then browse, record and stream that free broadcast TV content via apps on a variety of devices including smartphones, tablets, streaming set-top-boxes, Smart TVs, and computers.
Network-connected Tablo DVRs don’t connect to your television at all. Instead they connect to your home’s WiFi router to distribute live and recorded TV to multiple internet-connected devices like Smart TVs, streaming boxes and sticks, smartphones, tablets, and computers.
On the other hand, TV-connected DVRs are designed for cord cutters who primarily watch programming on a single television. They offer a more traditional DVR setup that connects directly to your television while at the same time providing the powerful and yet easy-to-use DVR interface that Tablo customers know and love.
No, network-connected Tablo OTA DVRs do not have an HDMI connection. Instead, these Tablo models stream live TV and recordings over your home network to internet-connected devices including Smart TVs, streaming boxes and sticks, smartphones, tablets, and computers. To find out if your device is supported, head to the Apps & Compatible Devices page.
When you buy network-connected Tablo OTA DVR we include the Tablo DVR, a power adapter, a 3-foot Ethernet cable and a Quick Start Guide.
Every Tablo OTA DVR comes with a free 30-day trial of Tablo's TV Guide Data Service so you can try out some of the cooler features Tablo has to offer.
Tablo apps are available as free downloads. You can find information and links to all Tablo apps on our Apps page.
To set up your network-connected Tablo OTA DVR you need:
- An Over-the-Air HDTV antenna
- An internet connection
- A USB hard drive - this is required both for watching live TV and recording (on models that don't have onboard storage included)
- A Roku OR Apple TV OR WiFi-enabled computer (Chrome/Safari browser) OR a mobile device (iPad/iPhone w/iOS12+ OR Android smartphone/tablet w/Android 4.4+)
To watch Tablo content on your big screen, you'll need:
- A Smart TV powered by: Roku, or Amazon Fire TV, or Android TV; OR
- A Set-Top-Box/Streaming Media Device: Roku, or Amazon Fire TV, or AppleTV, or Nvidia SHIELD; OR
- A Streaming Stick: Roku Stick, or Amazon Fire TV Stick, or Chromecast with Google TV; OR
- An HDMI-enabled computer: Tablo web app in Chrome/Safari/Edge
Network-connected Tablo OTA DVRs enable you to discover, record and stream live HDTV programming from antennas on a wide range of internet-connected devices including Smart TVs, streaming boxes and sticks, smartphones, tablets, and computers. For the latest list of compatible devices, visit our Apps & Compatible Devices page.
For a small monthly fee, our TV Guide Data Service subscription provides the beautiful cover art, episode and series synopses, and metadata that makes it easy for you to browse content and set recordings on your Tablo through our various apps. A subscription also enables some of Tablo's cooler features like Tablo Connect for out-of-home streaming. Learn more and get pricing on our Tablo TV Guide Data Service subscription page.
No. Tablo is designed to record and stream Over-The-Air (OTA) broadcast signals from ATSC TV antennas. We do not support recording from cable or satellite signals, cableCARDs, or clear/unencrypted cable (QAM).
No. Legal and technical reasons prevent Tablo from recording content from sources other than an ATSC digital TV antenna. You can read more about this on the Tablo blog.
In general, those in major urban centers in Canada and the United States can expect to receive many free HDTV channels Over-the-Air including most major networks. The quality of your OTA TV reception is based on your proximity to local broadcast towers, the type of antenna you're using, and its location (indoor, outdoor, height off the ground, direction). Consult our Antennas and OTA reception page for more information and to find out what channels are available in your area.
Tablo products are currently available to residents of the United States (including Alaska & Hawaii) and Canada. You can buy Tablo direct from www.tablotv.com or through our trusted Retail Partners.
