Question 1

1) I've read that best not to buy Seagate external hard drive - Why ??
2) "Cut the cord" 5 days ago and now want a DVR to record local / national  programs 
How would I be able to watch recorded programs on 2nd TV (bedroom) 
3) Would I have to buy a 2nd Tablo for 2nd TV playback - Currently have 2 Roku 3's for each TV

Accepted Answer

1) Seagate hard drives have a mediocre reputation for reliability in general; I recommend using one of the drives that have been tested and are "known good" for the Tablo. I use Western Digital.
2) As long as you have a Roku for each TV AND as long as the Roku boxes have a strong connection to the same network as the Tablo, you should be able to use the Tablo app to watch live or Tablo recorded shows on both TVs. 
3) The Tablo is a good box, but if it has a weakness, it is multitasking. It works best on multiple TVs if you have an excellent antenna signal + excellent/high speed in-home network. If the network speed is questionable OR if you want to regularly watch recorded shows on multiple TV or simultaneously watch and record shows... a second Table might be useful.

Question 2

Can this DVR record NETFLIX streaming?

Accepted Answer

Sorry, no. Tablo only interfaces with your off-air antenna and consequently it can only record those channels that you receive over the air.

Question 3

Is Tablo able to recieve input from a cable box.  I have cable but don't want to pay for the monthly DVR box, just the regular cable box(much cheaper).  And will tablo (the 4 tuner) perform all the same funtions with the non DVR cable box that  it does with the HD antenna input?

Accepted Answer

No. It has a coaxial input that receives input from an antenna. The only way it would work is if the cable box transmitted the channels all at once in the clear. Then the tablo could tune them in. You would do better with a Tivo.

Question 4

Is this Seagate 1.5 TB hard drive a good choice for Tablo?

Accepted Answer

I used a 2TB WD at about $65, without difficulty. I returned my Tablo and went with Hauppauge #2255 tuners in two HTPCs running Windows 7 Media Center. At the time Tablos software wasn't fully developed, and it was difficult for my wife. Tablo was my first choice, and I do hear that the software is in a much higher state of development. I was one of the first to try Tablo, and I liked the concept very much, hope you enjoy it.

Question 5

Is it subscription based, or are there subscription fees like TEVO had?

Accepted Answer

You can manually schedule recordings by date time and channel or use a subscription to guide data.  Monthly yearly or life time prices.  Much cheaper the tevo.  Visit the tablotv web site for current price.   The user forums also has many questions answered.

Question 6

The tablo comes with how much memory? and Why do I need to add memory

Accepted Answer

The Tablo comes with no recording memory--you will need to add either an external hard drive (recommended) or an SD card to the unit in order to record Television shows. The size of the external drive can vary, depending on how many shows you want to record, in what quality, and if you keep those shows for awhile. If you're one who watches and deletes shows relatively soon after recording, a smaller drive would suffice. I use a USB-connected (non-powered) 500GB hard drive because there are 5 TV watchers in my home, and we all watch/delete on different schedules. Normally, we only use 150-200G at any given time, but we have the extra room for those times we're too busy to get to our shows expediently. For most people, I think a 320G hard drive would be sufficient, especially if you record in mid-quality mode.

Question 7

I have 3 Vizio TVs, I love the idea of recording the OTA I have been using rather than cable, but it doesn't sound like I can use it since I don't have the 3 output mediums it uses. Is there anyway to watch this on my Vizios TVs? is there a way to directly connect it?

Accepted Answer

The Tablo streams video.   I have multiple Roku boxes connected to my TVs that receive the streamed Tablo data.  Multiple TVs can receive the data from the Tablo box simultaneously.

Tablo sends the video through an Ethernet connection (Hardwired or WiFi).  There are no HDMI or RF ports.

If your TVs do not have Ethernet capability, you will need something like a Roku, AppleTV, or Chromecast to receive the Ethernet data and convert it to a form your TV can decode.

Question 8

Does Tablo work with the new over-the-net SlingTv service?

Accepted Answer

So Tablo is a separate device focused on providing DVR services over the air channels you can receive via an antenna.

You can get by with a tablet + the Tablo if that's the viewing experience you want.  However, it you want it on your TV it works with Roku, Fire TV etc.

The SlingTV is a service is totally separate, but available on the same devices.  So if you get a Roku for Tablo, you can then buy the SlingTV service on your Roku separately.

The sling tv site lists all the devices the service works on.

Question 9

What are the subscription fees for the Tablo?

Accepted Answer

Tablo DVR includes the first month’s subscription to program guide data for free. You may choose to continue your subscription for $4.99 US/month, $49.99 US/year, or purchase a lifetime subscription for the one-time cost of $149.99 US.

Question 10

Will this interface with an HTPC running KODI (XBMC)  also will it record to a NAS ?

Accepted Answer

It is it's own networking device. Everything connects to it via your home network (Ethernet and wireless). You have to buy a separate USB external drive for recording shows, and make sure to visit their latest hard drive compatibility list on their website. I don't know if Kodi has a Tablo app yet, so you'll have to visit Kodi or Tablo's website to get the latest. I use Roku with the Tablo app. You can also watch through Chrome, and others.

Questions & Answers