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Anyone switch from Tivo to a Tablo OTA DVR?

Discussion in 'TiVo Coffee House - TiVo Discussion' started by zubinh, Jan 1, 2021.

  1. Jan 1, 2021 #1 of 11
    zubinh

    zubinh Active Member

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    Happy new year all, I'm thinking about cutting the cord. The main impetus for this is because really the only cable channels we watch are the discovery networks and now with their new streaming service debuting soon, I think the time has come.

    We love Tivo but not enough to continue to pay an extra $40/month for TV service from Verizon. I'm thinking about using a Tablo Quad OTA DVR along with an Apple TV. Has anyone made this switch? if so, would really appreciate you sharing your experience. Thanks!
     
  2. Jan 1, 2021 #2 of 11
    unclehonkey

    unclehonkey Well-Known Member

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    Why not use the Tivo for OTA (unless it is a model that doesnt support OTA)
     
  3. Jan 1, 2021 #3 of 11
    zubinh

    zubinh Active Member

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    Because the Tivo is a lousy streamer and I'd like to keep both OTA channels and streaming services on one device. The Apple TV puts my favorite shows like Star Trek Discovery in Dolby Vision glory. (Tivo doesnt even have the CBS app and who knows when or if they will get the new Discovery streaming service).
     
  4. Jan 1, 2021 #4 of 11
    Aaron Malloy

    Aaron Malloy Active Member

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    Assuming he doesn't have a lifetime unit, the Tivo service would still $180 a year for OTA.
     
  5. Jan 1, 2021 #5 of 11
    unclehonkey

    unclehonkey Well-Known Member

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    I'm confused. You mention getting a Tablo Quad OTA DVR
    that is why I asked why not use the Tivo for OTA (unless it is a model that doesnt support OTA) to which you replied

    You said you are going to use a Apple Tv for streaming
    Tablo doesnt do that either....its a OTA DVR only
     
  6. Jan 1, 2021 #6 of 11
    unclehonkey

    unclehonkey Well-Known Member

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    I guess I assume people have lifetime unless they specifically mention it
     
  7. Jan 1, 2021 #7 of 11
    zubinh

    zubinh Active Member

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    Sorry guys. Let me clarify. I have a Tivo Bolt Lifetime (Cable only not OTA) with minis. If I make this switch I would just sell my Bolt and Minis on ebay. Using the Tablo on Apple TV means I keep the Tablo device hidden in the basement near the router. The three TVs that I have would each have their own Apple TV device. If I want to watch live OTA , I just select the Tablo App on the Apple TV menu. When I want to stream something, I just switch apps on Apple TV, not devices.
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2021
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  8. Jan 1, 2021 #8 of 11
    unclehonkey

    unclehonkey Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for the clarification.

    I dont have a Tablo but if you do a search I'm sure someone has used it

    Otherwise over at avsforum they have a Tablo topic
    Official Tablo thread

    Looks like Tablo requires a external drive for DVR functions (up to 8TB)
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2021
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  9. Jan 1, 2021 #9 of 11
    zubinh

    zubinh Active Member

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    Thank you. The model I may get is the one with a built in 1TB hard drive (expandable by portable USB drive)
     
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  10. Jan 1, 2021 #10 of 11
    Aaron Malloy

    Aaron Malloy Active Member

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    And I think the Tablo guide is 20 bucks a year. You can't beat that.
     
  11. Jan 2, 2021 #11 of 11
    Pokemon_Dad

    Pokemon_Dad Ruler of Unown UI

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    Tablo and other options have been extensively discussed in the TiVo Alternatives thread over the past year or so. I use Channels DVR with an HD HomeRun OTA tuner.
     
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