Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review – The Gadgeteer
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 1 Tablo Dual HDMI 1](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-1.jpg)
REVIEW – Over the past few years, it has been quite evident that many households have been trying to “cut the cord” from cable TV. While I have not quite made that decision as yet, I like to have alternate solutions when my cable TV experiences a service interruption or when I want to record a show on one of the basic channels that I watch. I refuse to pay the cable company more money for a DVR. Based on my experience with the first Tablo device that I owned several years ago, I am quite sure that this Tablo DUAL HDMI will meet my needs. Let’s see!!
What is it?
The Tablo Dual HDMI is an Over-The-Air [OTA] Digital Video Recorder [DVR] that features WiFi, a remote, and Automatic Commercial Skip.
What’s in the box
1 x Tablo DUAL HDMI
1 x Tablo Remote Control
2 x AAA Batteries
1 x AC Adapter
1 x Ethernet Cable
1 x HDMI Cable
1 x User Manual
Design and features
Features
- Tablo DUAL HDMI is our first OTA DVR model that connects directly to your TV via HDMI and comes with its own remote: Watch, pause, and record up to two live, local, antenna TV channels at once.
- This TV-Connected Tablo OTA DVR uses two ATSC tuners to record and play broadcast TV channels in their native MPEG-2 format.
- Cancel cable, keep the DVR: Tablo is the DVR for antennas. Pause and rewind live TV. Browse upcoming shows, schedule, and manage recordings. Skip commercials, fast-forward and rewind recordings.
- Watch and record your favorite broadcast network TV shows from ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, the CW, and PBS without the cost or commitment of cable or satellite contracts.
- All basic live TV recording and playback functions are supported without a subscription.
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 3 Tablo Dual HDMI 11](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-11.jpg)
Specifications:
Storage: No onboard storage – Support for 1TB to 8TB USB hard drive
Ports: Power, Ethernet 1000/100/10, USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, Coax
Processing: Quad-Core, 2GB RAM, 16GB Flash
Networking: Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac dual-band WiFi with MIMO
Dimensions (Device): Height – 37 mm (1.45″),Width – 135 mm (5.3″), Depth – 131 mm (5.15″)
Weight (Device): 228 g (8 oz)
Video Format: MPEG2
Audio Format: Stereo (PCM) audio or AC3 Passthrough (5.1)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 4 Tablo Dual HDMI 9](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-9.jpg)
The table is a compact device made primarily of plastic. On the top, there is the branding and the LED indicator. On one of the sides, there are all of the ports: power, ethernet, HDMI, USB, and coaxial/antenna.
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 5 Tablo Dual HDMI 3](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-3.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 6 Tablo Dual HDMI 4](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-4.jpg)
A Remote Control is included.
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 7 Tablo Dual HDMI 5](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-5.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 8 Tablo Dual HDMI 6](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-6.jpg)
Performance
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 9 Tablo Dual HDMI 10](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-10.jpg)
The first step is to connect the cables to the Tablo.
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 6 Tablo Dual HDMI 4](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-4.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 11 Tablo Dual HDMI 7](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-7.jpg)
I tried 2 different antennas. When I owned my first Tablo, I was living in an apartment building on the 5h floor. I got a great signal and used to receive almost 60 channels. In my new home, I am only receiving 13 channels n the 2nd antenna shown below. The first antenna was only receiving 5 channels. This is NOT a Tablo issue. I am very sure I will receive many more channels once I am able to mount the antenna on the roof of my house.
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 12 Tablo Dual HDMI 8](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-8.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 13 IMG 3065](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG-3065-600x800.jpg)
The following are some sample screens from the setup process.
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 14 Tablo Dual HDMI 16](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-16.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 15 Tablo Dual HDMI 13](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-13.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 16 Tablo Dual HDMI 21](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-21.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 17 Tablo Dual HDMI 19](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-19.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 18 Tablo Dual HDMI 18](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-18.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 19 Tablo Dual HDMI 17](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-17.jpg)
Here is what Tablo offers:
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 20 Tablo Dual HDMI 23](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-23.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 21 Tablo Dual HDMI 24](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-24.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 22 Tablo Dual HDMI 25](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-25.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 23 Tablo Dual HDMI 26](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-26.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 24 Tablo Dual HDMI 27](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-27.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 25 Tablo Dual HDMI 28](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-28.jpg)
![Tablo DUAL HDMI 2-tuner OTA DVR review 26 Tablo Dual HDMI 29](https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tablo-Dual-HDMI-29.jpg)
The following video shows the Tablo DVR in action:
I am a really big fan of the Tablo. It performs flawlessly for the channels that I receive and I cannot wait to get my antenna on the roof.
Click here for more information.
What I like
- The simple and compact design
- The two ATSC tuners
- The DVR functionality
- The ease of use
- The ability to add a large hard drive for great recording capacity
What I’d change
- I do not like that I need almost exact line of sight for the remote to work
Final thoughts
Since I previously owned a Tablo device, I was quite sure that this Tablo 2-tuner OTA DVR would not only meet my needs but that I would be as enthused with it as I was the first one. I am very happy to say that it has met all of my expectations and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to get rid of cable TV especially if you are not dependent on premium cable channels. I give this Tablo a well done and two thumbs up!!
Price: $149.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tablo.
Support The Gadgeteer: We may earn a small affiliate commission from purchases made from buying through links on our site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
REVIEW – Over the past few years, it has been quite evident that many households have been trying to “cut the cord” from cable TV. While I have not quite made that decision as yet, I like to have alternate solutions when my cable TV experiences a service interruption or when I want to record a show on one of the basic channels that I watch. I refuse to pay the cable company more money for a DVR. Based on my experience with the first Tablo device that I owned several years ago, I am quite sure that this Tablo DUAL HDMI will meet my needs. Let’s see!!
What is it?
The Tablo Dual HDMI is an Over-The-Air [OTA] Digital Video Recorder [DVR] that features WiFi, a remote, and Automatic Commercial Skip.
What’s in the box
1 x Tablo DUAL HDMI
1 x Tablo Remote Control
2 x AAA Batteries
1 x AC Adapter
1 x Ethernet Cable
1 x HDMI Cable
1 x User Manual
Design and features
Features
- Tablo DUAL HDMI is our first OTA DVR model that connects directly to your TV via HDMI and comes with its own remote: Watch, pause, and record up to two live, local, antenna TV channels at once.
- This TV-Connected Tablo OTA DVR uses two ATSC tuners to record and play broadcast TV channels in their native MPEG-2 format.
- Cancel cable, keep the DVR: Tablo is the DVR for antennas. Pause and rewind live TV. Browse upcoming shows, schedule, and manage recordings. Skip commercials, fast-forward and rewind recordings.
- Watch and record your favorite broadcast network TV shows from ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, the CW, and PBS without the cost or commitment of cable or satellite contracts.
- All basic live TV recording and playback functions are supported without a subscription.
Specifications:
Storage: No onboard storage – Support for 1TB to 8TB USB hard drive
Ports: Power, Ethernet 1000/100/10, USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, Coax
Processing: Quad-Core, 2GB RAM, 16GB Flash
Networking: Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac dual-band WiFi with MIMO
Dimensions (Device): Height – 37 mm (1.45″),Width – 135 mm (5.3″), Depth – 131 mm (5.15″)
Weight (Device): 228 g (8 oz)
Video Format: MPEG2
Audio Format: Stereo (PCM) audio or AC3 Passthrough (5.1)
The table is a compact device made primarily of plastic. On the top, there is the branding and the LED indicator. On one of the sides, there are all of the ports: power, ethernet, HDMI, USB, and coaxial/antenna.
A Remote Control is included.
Performance
The first step is to connect the cables to the Tablo.
I tried 2 different antennas. When I owned my first Tablo, I was living in an apartment building on the 5h floor. I got a great signal and used to receive almost 60 channels. In my new home, I am only receiving 13 channels n the 2nd antenna shown below. The first antenna was only receiving 5 channels. This is NOT a Tablo issue. I am very sure I will receive many more channels once I am able to mount the antenna on the roof of my house.
The following are some sample screens from the setup process.
Here is what Tablo offers:
The following video shows the Tablo DVR in action:
I am a really big fan of the Tablo. It performs flawlessly for the channels that I receive and I cannot wait to get my antenna on the roof.
Click here for more information.
What I like
- The simple and compact design
- The two ATSC tuners
- The DVR functionality
- The ease of use
- The ability to add a large hard drive for great recording capacity
What I’d change
- I do not like that I need almost exact line of sight for the remote to work
Final thoughts
Since I previously owned a Tablo device, I was quite sure that this Tablo 2-tuner OTA DVR would not only meet my needs but that I would be as enthused with it as I was the first one. I am very happy to say that it has met all of my expectations and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to get rid of cable TV especially if you are not dependent on premium cable channels. I give this Tablo a well done and two thumbs up!!
Price: $149.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tablo.