- Ethernet Connection: I also use Ethernet not only because it is a more stable network connection compared to Wireless, but because my Wireless network has so many IoT devices on it.
Update: And because of all the Wireless saturation where I live since I can see over 30 different access point names from neighbors and commercial wireless signals in my local area. - …
- Audio Settings: I too ‘Enable Passthru Surround Sound’ instead of Automatic, but I have to keep checking this setting because after every firmware or device specific application update (I have both Fire TV and Google TV), the Surround Sound setting reverts back to ‘Disabled’.
Ideas for Using a 4th Gen Tablo in ‘Rural Areas’
According to AntennaPoint, I’m ~75 miles away from the broadcast station(s) transmission antennas.
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Antenna: HDB8X 8-Bay VHF/UHF HDTV Bowtie Antenna. It is an eight-bowtie style outside antenna.
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Antenna Amplifier: Winegard HDP269 Signal Amplifier from 2012. (Smile, it’s been working for over 12 years now!)
I have the built-in Tablo v4 amplifier feature disabled since I use an external amplifier to boost the signal at the outside antenna.
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Antenna Mounting: I purchased an antenna tripod mount from Amazon. I went to my local home hardware store and purchased a 10 foot 1 1/4 inch conduit metal pipe instead of the 2 inch antenna mask (conduit pipe was lighter and even cheaper). I also purchased three (3) ~30lb/ea Concrete Blocks with a wood block pre-mounted on top, and nine (9) 2 inch construction screws. I mounted the tripod legs to the wood top of the concrete blocks using the screws. The three (3) concrete blocks made for a ~90 pound base. I mounted the antenna to the conduit pipe. I placed the conduit pipe with the antenna on top into the tripod and fastened it down. I also used Thompsons WaterSeal on the wood tops of the cement blocks where the tripod legs are mounted.
Using the Antennas Direct app on my smartphone, I aimed each side of the 8-bowie antenna for the best signal reception(s). I receive a total of 112 channels over the air with this amplifier and the antenna mounted ~12 foot in the air, and receive all of the primary broadcast stations, ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBC, and PBS, in HD.