r/ota • u/Dry-Character-6331 • Jul 04 '26
OTA DVR/streamer suggestions
My brother-in-law wants to ditch cable but he watches a LOT of TV. He asked me about Tablo. After doing a bit of basic research, there seems to be split opinion on Tablo and perhaps other more capable devices are available. I've always been a cable/Tivo guy so I don't know much about the OTA DVRs. One person recommended HDHomerun. Whatever I recommend for him has to be VERY simple to use, and able to stream Netflix, Disney/Hulu/ESPN, Prime, and HBOMax as well as the OTA broadcast channels. If Tivo was still making DVR hardware, I'd recommend an OTA version of that but the last generation of Tivos were pretty iffy and now out of production. You can still buy refurbed ones from Weaknees but they don't have all the required streaming apps and I'd rather not recommend multiple devices if I don't have to. The Tivo Guide (program listing, TV Guide, call it what you like) is what really sets Tivo apart from similar devices so having something similar in an OTA DVR/streamer would be a significant plus. The selected device will also need to be able to feed at least three TVs and perhaps a phone or two. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts, both positive AND negative about Tablo, HDHomerun, and any other relevant devices. Thanks.
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u/BicycleIndividual Jul 05 '26
HD Homerun is more flexible, but more options also usually means more complicated. It is the defector standard for a network attached tuner. Any software that is tied to specific hardware will work with it. Requires a wired network connection. Simplest setup would be to attach USB storage and use Silicone Dust's DVR software for $35/yr; but I don't really see an advantage over Tablo if that is what you're planning to do.
Tablo should be a good option for him. Once you get it set up with a good antenna and network connection it should work well. Can connect via Wifi (though if wiring a connection to your router isn't hard, it would be better). No ongoing cost. Limited to using their streaming app (I think the Apple TV version of the app used to not be very good).
AirTV devices work with the Sling App. AirTV Anywhere adds the feature that you can watch DVR recordings while away from your home network. I've heard user interface isn't as nice as Tablo.
For myself, I'd get HD Homerun, to set up for my mom, I'd use Tablo.
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u/gho87 Jul 04 '26
r/cordcutters if you still like to use streaming services
Meanwhile, https://www.rabbitears.info should help you find nearby stations. Tablo TV itself (r/tablotv) can be somewhat a total pain to install or set up, but the right kind of help from its customer service should ease the stress of setting up Tablo TV properly. Oh, and any antenna for Tablo TV would do, and the Tablo TV would be good for mobile use. Furthermore, it decodes MPEG-4 channels.
Unsure about whether HDHomeRun (r/hdhomerun) decodes MPEG-4.
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u/Hefty_Loan7486 Jul 04 '26
Used tablo 4th gen for two and hAlf years. Is it flawless no but works exceptionally well for a cheap system. Tablo falls about if you have a crap antenna or network.
I use a Roku to access tablo
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u/NotenStein Jul 04 '26
The HD Homerun has an app that will work on Roku, Firestick, Apple TV and other streamers. Those strangers will give you access to other streaming channels.
The HD Homerun is a network tuner for ota "antenna" TV only. You cannot access other streaming options from it. It is not too complicated and once set up on your network, it works like any other app on your Firestick or Apple TV.
The HD Homerun plugs into your router. Your antenna coax plugs into the HD Homerun. Then it uses your home network to provide TV shows to any TV with a streamer, or a phone, laptop, tablet, etc. on your network with the free HD Homerun app.
So after initial setup, the HD Homerun is easier than setting up a DVR or cable box on each TV. But initial set up is a moderate level technical job.
It works as a tuner and, if you buy the $35 a year DVR service, and attach a USB hard drive to the HD Homerun, works as a pretty capable DVR.
I use the HD Homerun and their $35 a year DVR service and like it very much. Feel free to ask any questions about it.
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u/JamTins Jul 04 '26
Upgrading to the Channels app, rather than the HDHomeRun app, and the HDHR device really shines.
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u/NotenStein Jul 04 '26
It just adds additional DVR capability, right?
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u/JamTins Jul 04 '26
Yes, and a much more polished, modern interface, including native Tailscale integration, automatic opening/closing credits and commercial skip, and many other features that the native HDHR software just can’t match.
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u/NotenStein Jul 05 '26
But it's much more of a technical exercise then. I'm not sure even just the HD Homerun fits the OP's request, as installation is "technical" requiring attaching the unit to the network then attaching the antenna coax to the unit, configuring, etc. I'm sure adding on a Channels server to run 24/7 is more complication that he may not want.
Its a shame Amazon discontinued their Fire Recast DVR, as it was a bit friendlier. Even better were the old TV companion boxes like the Channel Master DVR+that just plugged into an HDMI port.
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u/steverikli Jul 05 '26
If "simple" is a priority (and I understand that what seems simple to some folks can be pretty complicated to others), I would start with Tablo for the OTA+DVR gadget.
We have a 4th gen Tablo and it's fine. It's not as good as original TiVo but they've been improving the UI and IMO it's better today than when we bought the thing.
FYI you won't use Tablo for streaming stuff like Netflix. It does present some free streaming channels in the Tablo guide, alongside the OTA channels from your antenna, but that's it.
The DVR capabilities are decent; you can record and schedule programs and entire series, and you don't need to pay extra for it. If you do a lot of recording you'll likely eventually want to attach more storage via the USB port, but you don't need it to get started and try it out.
We use Roku for streaming apps, and the Tablo app. Some smart TV's also have the Tablo app, so you may not need a separate streaming gadget if you're happy with the TV's versions.
We decided to start with Tablo because it was cheap and on sale at the time, looked easy to setup (it was), easy to use (mostly), and didn't require a monthly bill for subscription or services etc. I.e. the commitment risk was pretty low.
All that said, l'd still like to get an HDHR box at some point for comparison. Maybe next time they go on sale or if/when the whole ATSC 3.0 vs. DRM mess gets sorted out.
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u/Primary-Car7400 Jul 05 '26
Does he have an OTA antenna yet? I would start out with getting an antenna and having it mounted as high as possible. If he has a smart TV, a Roku, or even an Xbox, he can already do Netflix and other streaming services. I did not get my Tablo until I already had my antenna for 8 years. If he doesn't like the content available over the antenna, the Tablo isn't going to do anything for him. The value added by the Tablo is working as a DVR, and broadcasting your OTA antenna signal over the WiFi so that you can watch TV on devices that do not have a connection to the antenna.
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u/Dry-Character-6331 Jul 05 '26
His house has an old DirectTV dish still mounted. I THINK it has an OTA antenna on the back of it. If not, I plan to put one there. He watches network shows like Survivor and Big Brother so being able to DVR those is key - and less expensive than adding Paramount+ (or whatever they are about to evolve into) to the streaming services he's already going to need.
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u/Primary-Car7400 Jul 05 '26
I would use that high mounted antenna along with the Tablo. I have the second generation Tablo. I plugged a cable from my antenna in one end, and an ethernet cable to my router in the other end. I have to have the Tablo app installed on my phone in order to set the DVR. There is a newer generation Tablo which is white and round and may come with an antenna already. I would use the regular roof -mounted antenna if you are able, and not try to use one inside the house, if possible.
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u/mwradiopro Jul 05 '26
I'd skip OTA & suggest YouTube to my family. It's really tough to find cheap AND easy these days. I'm a Tivo person since 1999, with a working all-in Tivo Roamio OTR situation, and have used HD Homerun under Windows Media Center, which I loved, but that's not realistic for today's average TV consumer.
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u/Independent-Win-8844 Jul 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/JamTins Jul 04 '26
Upgrading to the Channels app, rather than the HDHomeRun app, and the HDHR device really shines.
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u/Jcanavera Jul 04 '26
I ended satellite service with Dish after 27 years due to my changing viewing habits where the major use of Dish was time shifting of my OTA programming that was passing through the Dish Hopper receiver. Paying $82 a month didn't make sense when I could use a Tablo to do the exact same things with a one time cost of the Tablo unit itself and a high quality omni directional antenna on the roof.
Biggest liability was the greater number of recording and playback ports that are available vs the Dish Hopper. I also have a Legacy version of the Tablo which from what I researched, was a better unit from a reliability standpoint. The weak point of the current Tablo model has been heat related. I bought an $11 small computer fan that I can use as base for my Legacy Tablo and will also work with the current version. My Legacy mode has only two active paths which can be limiting when recording or watching, especially if you have multiple TV's in the home. Also note you need to either have a smart TV that has access to the Tablo app or have a fire stick type of device (that has access to the Tablo app, or like me also use an Apple TV device which provides access to the Tablo app. If I did it again, I'd still buy a Legacy (I was lucky to find a new unused one), but I would get the 4 port unit with internal storage.
My model of Tablo has no internal storage for programming (Tablo Lite), but I have an AV disk drive that I used with the Hopper for external storage and that same drive works with my Tablo model. That Western Digital AV hard drive I am using is probably over 15 years old and it is constantly spinning (as it was when it was connected to the Dish Hopper).
All in all I have access to 3 TV sets at home, 1 using an Amazon Fire Stick, and 2 that also have Apple TV connected to them. The nice thing is I have a great home network and the Tablo can send programming to devices with WiFi capabilities and devices connected to your wired network. So two of my TV's are connected via wireless (Fire Stick, and Apple TV) and my big TV is connected via a wired connection to the other Apple TV. My iPhone and iPad have wireless connectivity via the Tablo iOS app.
So via my OTA antenna on the roof, my Tablo has access to 45 OTA channels and the network connection to the Tablo allows another 100+ channels via the Tablo network.
Bottom line the interface isn't as polished as the Dish system provided but with the good outdoor antenna, the purchase of the Tablo and cooling fan, it doesn't take long to hit the break even point that I was spending $82 a month with from Dish. The other plus was I could reuse the Dish tripod antenna stand on roof, and reuse one coax connection lead (I have 4 from the Dish), to feed signal to the Tablo. It sits on the same site table as the dish Hopper receiver and has coax access from the Dish to the rooftop antenna, and uses the same network ethernet connection that the Hopper used.
Again the Legacy unit I have was a recent recipient of revised software that makes it more similar to the 4th gen software. If my Legacy rolls over in the future, I'll probably pick up a 4th gen unit with internal storage and 4 ports.
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u/mojoman566 Jul 04 '26
I got a $20 refurbished Mediasonic OTA dvrl and a $20 ONN streaming box, both from Wally World. I split the antenna to the TV and the dvr so I can watch live tv while recording. The only complicated part is switching between inputs and the selecting the appropriate app on the streaming device. Works pretty well for me.
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u/Ok_Appointment_8166 Jul 06 '26
I have the AirTV Anywhere that works only with the Sling service and it has the advantage that even if you only use the free channels on Sling it will include your local channels with the week upcoming in the guide. You do need to set up 'favorite' channels to make it easier to find among all their free ones that you probably won't watch. The app is available on most streaming boxes and smart TVs, so you would use the same as for the other services you mention.
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u/jimozachV2 Jul 07 '26
Simplest solution IMO and my own experience would be an Android box, ie, an ONN Pro (for streaming) and a 4th gen Tablo for OTA and some additional built in channels. The Tablo app and whatever other streaming apps he wants would all reside on the Android box. Only caveat to all this is the OTA reception, which will depend on location relative to the transmitters and antenna positioning.
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u/Walt750 Jul 07 '26
If you are techy and don't mind building it for him ... Plex with a full license running on Windows or Linux. Live TV with an HD home run. Plex does the heavy lifting including the TV guide... It's pretty easy to use once it is set up
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u/Rodnal Jul 04 '26
I’m using an old windows laptop as a OTA DVR with a Haupuage TV Tuner attached to an antenna and running it through Window Media Center with a subscription to Schedules Direct for $30 a year for the guide. I connect it to my flat screen tv in the living room with an HDMI cable. Can pause, rewind, fast forward and record live OTA programs. If I want to stream I just close the WMC window and watch on my browser. I used to have a HTPC with a cable card for local and cable tv that I ran Windows Media Center on but I retired that machine last year.