I assume you’re using the original app on your Fire TV… Try downloading the app marked Tablo PREVIEW. It doesn’t have to sync before you can use it.
The one think I noticed having both tablo and recast is recast pic quality was noticeable lower quality
What output resolution does Fire TV Recast support?
Fire TV Recast is capable of receiving all ATSC broadcast resolutions, including 1080i and 720p. When streaming to other devices, Fire TV Recast transcodes 1080i streams to a resolution up to 1440x720p using H.264. This is to ensure that all Fire TV streaming media players work with Fire TV Recast, and to deliver more reliable video streams over Wi-Fi.
While tablo is basically limited to the broadcast’s quality (I doubt it “up-scales”)
https://www.tablotv.com/blog/tablo-dvr-live-tv-recording-quality-settings/
I tried an Amazon fire TV made by Insignia. The one cool feature it had was it integrated antenna and Pluto channels in the guide. However the Insignia TV itself sucked so I returned it for a Roku TV. I find the Roku to be so much easier and not as cluttered as Amazon. The guide was a nice feature though but still glad I went with Roku.
I have a Tablo Dual 64 (previous had a 4 Tuner Tablo), also a 4 tuner Recast, and a couple of TiVo Bolts. The major differences between Tablo and the Recast:
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Recast works only with FireTV equipment- that is, FireTV streaming devices or FireTV Edition television sets. Tablo has apps for the FireTV environment, as well as Android, Roku, WebOS, Tizen, and others. If you want to use a Recast, you need Amazon streaming devices attached to your TV.
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Recast guide will integrate live channel app information from Pluto, PSVue, and HBO Now as an Amazon Prime Channel. Tablo operates independently. If you were to create and apply an astronomy analogy to the DVR universe:
a.) TiVo is a “solar system” arrangement, where TiVo intends to be the center of the universe where all viewing methods orbit (television viewing, time shift recording, streaming content).
b.) Tablo is a planet- independent of other apps or processes, but accessible from the parts of the system.
c.) The Recast is a lunar object; like a moon, it’s tightly associated with a planet in the system, but is interdependent with the planet, and thus works in the background.
No one method is best, each have strengths and weaknesses.
3.) IMHO the Recast does a superior job in transcoding of MPEG-2 source material from over the air, compared to Tablo. This is especially noticeable on SD source content (as is found on most sub-channel networks). Tablo is blessed with some de-interlacing issues on SD source material that create mouse-toothing on angular lines, moire patterns, and other artifacts and softening. On the Recast, you have to look very hard to detect any issues in comparison to a live MPEG tuner image.
4.) That said, when that transcode process occurs creates a fundamental usage difference. The Recast records in native format, and transcodes on the fly as the recorded/live signal is streamed. The Recast limits the number of simultaneous transcode streams to two- so even on a four tuner model, live and or recorded content can be accessed on only two channels, concurrently. Tablo transcodes as the source is recorded, but allows up to six concurrent viewing streams to be active.
Unless the TV that is being used does a bad job upscaling 720p/60 material, the resolution from the Recast is not a limiting factor.
For most folks, the choice will come down to the comfort of using the AFT system and all that entails, and the limitation of two concurrent screens.
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Recast also integrates the Philo streaming service channels into the guide.
I like your astronomy analogy. Although I haven’t tried others, researching, yes, there are vast differences, for different uses.
Unfortunately marketing tries to tell consumers which features are superior, weather or not it’s going to meet their needs - or exceed things to the point of complexity.
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Just curious, if Tablo streams to multiple devices, why would you need more than one on the same network?
Access.
It’s a consumer, home device - generally most households just have the one (I have no stats for this). So… why not?
Only 4 tuners, you want 8 tuners. Or his and hers Tablo units.
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I originally bought a 2 Tuner, then bought a 4 tuner, and now record the ‘my’ stuff on the 2 tuner, and record the rest of the household stuff on the 4 tuner
I was speaking with a friend last night who has a recast, he’s able to get the Tucson and Phoenix channels and the devices handles it without issue, no conflicts in guide data, etc. I’m wondering if I can do the same with the Tablo. Then again I could also just look at the Recast. It’s Amazon and they have more money then they know what to do with, so you know the feature set will come.
Edit: So the recast only does 720p? Having a 4k LG OLED 720p is insulting. The Tablo at least has 1080p on channels that have it. Then again ATSC 3.0 is going to change everything once it ever comes out.
That and the fact only Amazon Fire devices are supported for playback are why I haven’t really researched it further.
I really like Roku devices, they just work. My wife also really likes the Roku. This would be the #1 reason I wouldn’t switch to a Recast. However…if the Tablo proves to not live up reliability wise I would consider switching. I at least don’t have to worry about heat on my Quad.
I also like the non native encoding the Tablo uses, it looks good and you get more recording space.
I looked at the Amazon Recast before trying the Tablo. I really wanted to reduce my monthly cost to $0 so I could justify picking up Hulu, or Disney, and coming from a 2 TiVo household the subscription for that is getting ridiculous.
At any rate, my experience with the Recast was not favorable. Their software interface needs a lot of work. I’m talking a ridiculous amount to be feature complete.
I’m trying out the Tablo for a few weeks, so far it is acceptable. Way better than the Recast, but it could use some work compared to TiVo. But so far the Tablo is an acceptable alternative, where as the Recast went back after a few days, it was that bad.
This is good to know. Sadly I’m trying to pull my wife away from DirecTV which uses Tivo technology. So far so good, but she’s still fighting it.
You may have mentioned this in another post but do the immense cost savings long-term factor into the equation?
From my wife’s point of view…not really. She doesn’t do Jewelry or shoes…but just don’t mess with her TV too much. The commercial skip makes her happy, so hopefully it continues to work. My wife’s not some airhead, she just likes to watch her shows. I think many are in the same boat.
Fair enough. The critical info now is that Tablo commercial skip is still in beta so expecting it to work as well as a long-established similar function with an entirely different device may not be an apples to apples situation.
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