Unlock Your Free TV Experience
If you are like me, you are super tired of paying hefty cable bills for channels you don’t even watch?
What is Over-the-Air (OTA) TV?
Over-the-air (OTA) TV refers to high-definition television broadcasts transmitted from local television stations using radio waves. All you need to enjoy OTA TV is a digital antenna and a TV. This type of broadcasting is free and offers access to major networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, as well as local news, sports, and weather. OTA TV has become increasingly popular as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable and satellite services, providing uncompressed high-definition signals for superior viewing quality
Why Choose TabloTV?
A while back I chose TabloTV, and became part of the cord-cutters. TabloTV is a whole-home DVR that allows you to watch, pause, record, fast-forward, and rewind your favorite broadcast TV shows and movies, all without the need for a cable subscription.
- Cost-Effective: With TabloTV, you can enjoy free over-the-air (OTA) TV channels without the hefty price tag of traditional cable packages. It’s a budget-friendly way to stay entertained.
- Whole-Home DVR: TabloTV lets you stream your recorded shows to multiple devices in your home, ensuring everyone can watch their favorite programs on their own schedule. You can watch and record up to two channels simultaneously with the 2-tuner model, or up to four with the 4-tuner model.
- Easy Setup: Setting up TabloTV is a breeze. Simply connect it to your TV antenna, and you’re ready to go. Plus, you can use your existing TV antenna or the one included with the Tablo Total System.
- Customizable Channel Lineup: Customize your channel lineup by adding or removing channels as you see fit. Say goodbye to unwanted channels cluttering your screen.
- High-Quality Recording: TabloTV records in high definition, ensuring you get the best possible viewing experience. You can store up to 50 hours of HD recordings on the device, and expand this to 1,000 hours with an external USB drive.
- Free Streaming Channels: Enjoy over 70 additional free streaming channels, including Bloomberg TV, Docurama, and more, right alongside your OTA broadcasts.
How Does It Work?
TabloTV works by connecting to your TV antenna and recording OTA TV signals. The recorded shows are stored on the Tablo device and can be streamed to any compatible device in your home, such as smart TVs, streaming devices, and mobile phones. You can manage your recordings and schedule new ones through the Tablo app, making it easy to keep track of your favorite shows. In my hose I was able to get 65 OTA channels (very cool!) with an outside antenna.
Tips for Maximizing Your TabloTV Experience
- Optimize Your Antenna Placement: Ensure your TV antenna is placed in a location with minimal obstructions for the best signal reception. Consider using tools like the Tablo app to help find the best spot.
- Run Regular Channel Scans: Keep your channel lineup up-to-date by running channel scans periodically, especially when new channels become available.
- Explore Additional Features: Take advantage of features like the ability to watch live TV on multiple devices simultaneously and the option to share recordings with family members.
Other Alternatives
Here’s a a list of alternatives to TabloTV for OTA DVR solutions:
| Device/Service | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDHomeRun DVR | OTA DVR, subscription required for DVR features ($35/year), compatible with multiple platforms | Compatible with Plex and Kodi, multi-platform support | Requires subscription for DVR |
| AirTV 2 | Designed for Sling TV users, adds local channels, requires external hard drive for DVR | Affordable, no monthly fee for basic functionality | Limited DVR capabilities without external drive |
| Plex DVR | Integrates with Plex media servers, requires Plex Pass subscription ($120 lifetime or $4.99/month) | Comprehensive media management, supports various streaming services | Requires server to be always on |
| Channels DVR | Advanced features, supports FAST channels and M3U8 links, requires subscription ($80/year) and server | Highly customizable, supports wide range of streaming services | Requires server and subscription |
| ZapperBox M1 | Future-proofed for ATSC 3.0, focuses on in-home coaxial distribution | Ideal for traditional coaxial setup | Less emphasis on streaming capabilities |
| Hauppauge WinTV-dualHD | USB-based TV tuner, requires computer for DVR functionality | Portable, can be used with various software solutions | Requires computer for operation |
Bottom Line
TabloTV and systems like this, are a game-changer for anyone looking to cut the cord and enjoy free TV without sacrificing quality or convenience. With its user-friendly interface, cost-effective solution, and whole-home DVR capabilities, TabloTV was a great option for me and it has helped me say goodbye to cable bills and hello to a new way of watching TV.