I plan to use one Tablo unit with one TV.. No other devices will use it via wifi. I understand it has to update the channel guide from time to time. If I record programs from the broadcast channels and watch them am I using internet data? I have an 8 year old Tivo volt OTA and it is starting to need to be replaced. I do not want to buy a Tablo if it is using data when all I am doing is recording broadcast shows and watching them. The channels it says I will get based on my zip code will come through my existing antenna? thanks brian
If you are receiving the channel (“data”) OTA then it isn’t coming in over the internet and you aren’t using your data allowance to get it.
The Tablo Gen4 requires an active internet connection to work properly. However, it uses very little data UNLESS you use the included streaming channels a lot. It updates the guide data about once a day. That takes just a few minutes each time.
It also send usage data back to Tablo. Yes, they gather data about your usage, and what you are watching. I believe that this data has value to them, and that is at least part of the reason why (unlike every competing product) Tablo has no monthly fees.
Your ZIP code tells the Tablo which channels you are likely to get over your antenna so it knows what to show you in the program guide. You need a good quality antenna that is appropriate for your situation in order to get the over-the-air programming.
If you try to run it by only connecting it to internet occasionally, you could likely get it to work using “off line mode” but it would not be convenient.
One last thing, just to be clear, the Tablo DOES NOT connect directly to your TV. It connects to your home network and then sends programming to your TV via a streaming device, like a Roku or Smart TV, that is also connected to your home network. These connections could be via WiFi or Ethernet.
I hope this is helpful.
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It does. So i understand, there is no hdmi signal output that can input into my receiver, instead it is a wifi connection between tablo and roku and tablo is like an app on roku? Thanks brian
Correct. There are Tablo apps for a lot of streaming devices (i.e. Roku, Fire TV, Android TV/Google TV, Apple TV, etc.) so you use those apps to access your Tablo on your network. The Tablo and streaming device connection can be WiFi, Ethernet, or any combination of both.
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From what I gathered… the Tablo to your streaming device is about 20 MBPS across your internal network. The Fast Channels use about 3-5mbps. When you access the splash/home page, it takes a few mbps for a less than 1 minute.
If I use an ethernet cable and only watch broadcast it should be no data other then updating program guide and data on my habits, correct? thanks brian
Thanks for helping an old man understand! no grand kids to ask.
I believe that is correct. And, that is true for either Ethernet or WiFi.
If you don’t mind my asking, do you have some sort of limited data internet plan? Something like satellite or 5g? I’m just curious why you are so concerned about keeping your data usage low.