Not sure where to post as I am not a user yet but would love to have Tablo if it can solve my Zipcode issue. Sorry for the long explanation but it is a confusing problem. I have a physical address that is different from my mailing/billing address only by the Zipcode (same street name and number). I have tried using Fubo, DIRECTV, and YouTube TV and when I first sign up, they use my mailing address, but after a couple of months it automatically switches over to my physical address. I live on the edge of two counties and I want it to use my mailing address only as the local channels I want are not associated with my physical address. Not sure how it determines that I have the “wrong” Zipcode and switches me over (maybe some geo location provided by my ISP?). So basically my question is will Tablo allow me to set my Zipcode to whatever I want and not override it with my physical location? BTW, if I lived across the street, my physical and mailing Zipcodes would be the same. If you read through this whole thing, I really appreciate it and look forward to any feedback you can provide. Hopefully looking forward to being a Tablo user.
The zipcode associated to the unit represents the map used to supply guide data. It has nothing to do with your physical address. Guide providers know the standard channels located within a zipcode. The nation is broken up into Designated Market Area(DMA) that contain zipcodes.
Sometimes the guide doesn’t have all the correct channels and a user just tries a zipcode closer to the missing broadcast tower.
There is some BS where zipcodes and geolocation are supplied for tablet and phones logins but not roku and fire TV stick since they don’t login.. I have no idea what that is all about.
Thanks for the feedback. I went on the phone with both Fubo and DirecTV tech support and neither could explain to me how they updated my Zipcode automatically. All I have given them is my mailing zip. Tired of messing with it and hope Tablo is the solution.
In my experience, the ZIP code associated with your unit is user-selected. It is a common troubleshooting step when trying to resolve issues with the channel guide to manually switch to a different ZIP code. There is some limitation to this, I was experimenting and couldn’t switch to a ZIP code far from my home (like 100 miles away)… I don’t know how it knew. Perhaps it pulled it from my IP address. But, I was able to select from many ZIP codes in a very broad area around my home.
What you are describing, I don’t believe would be a concern.
I have the same issue as you. When I setup my 4th Gen Tablo I got to input my zip.
I tried both zip codes and chose the one that worked for me best.
You can go into settings in the app and change the zip (location) as often as you like.
Associated? If your TV antenna at your physical address cannot pick up the local broadcast stations you want then a Tablo will not help you.
What does rabbitears signal search map show for those two zip codes? RabbitEars.Info - Signal Search Map
Also check those zip codes at Gracenote. TV Listings- Find Local TV Listings and Watch Full Episodes
Associated?
Broadcasters are licensed with a contour map indicating signal coverage. It doesn’t mean every location or type of antenna will receive the signal. So guide data and the stations contained for a specific zipcode is based on that data. The user has to figure out whether their setup will receive any signals.
@Alan77 - to do this when setting up the Tablo, when asked for your Location, if I remember correctly you would hit Cancel, then you can manually enter your ZIP Code.
I just wanted to thank everyone for their feedback. Based on the input I will give Tablo a try. Will let you know the results.
Your happiness with Tablo will be dependent on the OTA antenna you are using and what stations you can get at your location. Tablo really is great bang for thr buck.
Regardless, if you order direct from Tablo you have return privilages.
I agree 100%. This cannot be stressed enough. Your Tablo is only as good as the signal your antenna receives. DO NOT SKIP. Best is almost always a good quality outdoor antenna mounted as high as you can reasonably get it, usually a roof top.
Also, make sure your home network is in good shape. If possible, connect your Tablo to the router via Ethernet, and make sure you have strong WiFi signal wherever you place a TV with a streaming device.
These two things account for about 90% of the users that have trouble with their Tablo.
Let us know how you make out.
Long time ago my legacy Tablo, using my correct zip code, suddenly had no channels in in the guide. Through help from this forum I changed it to the zip code for the south side of town and all the channels were back. Haven’t looked at it since. Today I checked it and it was back to my zip code again. It must have changed on its own because I never changed it. But it’s all working fine.
Many people here have used different Zip codes to get certain channels correct (Princeton NJ comes to mind) You can put in any zip code you want.