I just got back into the OTA scene. Tablo looked like would be ideal for me. My issue is the Picture quality is pretty awful compared to using my TV for the tuner. I have it set up next to my router, using ethernet, then using the app on my TV. Would I get better picture quality using the HDMI to the TV? I would have to go wireless then to my other 2 tv’s. I would be ok with the poorer picture on the other 2 tv’s as I barely watch them. Looking for suggestions, thanks.
Welcome to the Community, @suzook. How is the picture quality on the mobile device that you used to set up the Tablo? How is your TV connected to the network and how old and what brand is it? Can you test with a newer streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or ONN?
What do you mean when you ask about using HDMI to the TV? You shouldn’t need HDMI in this configuration unless you have a streaming device connected to your TV.
For some reason I thought the tablo had an HDMI out also. Apparently it doesn’t. Same feed directly to my tv tuner, picture is outstanding. Feed from tablo??? Washed out and grainy. This thing is a POS.
No it is not a POS. It might not meet your needs and you will have to go for something like Homerun HD-Flex unit which doesn’t have HDMI either but has 4k. Zapperbox m1 has HDMI but each TV needs its own slave unit and both of the above units you have to pay for OTA TV guide. I keep saying you pick your poison and live with it. I just got a Hisense 4K
43" TV that upscales and the picture quality through the Tablo app is not as good as the TV tuner but not al total wash-out. I also have a Digital Tuner ATSC 1.0 box and it is the same
(a slight picture quality downgrade from the new TV ). Considering I’m a frugal person I have learned to live with the Tablo LOL. Hope you get your issues sorted out or find a unit that fits your needs.
Now if you would like to provide more details on you set-up, TV’s, Antenna etc… there are folks here that could offer you some suggestions.
Peace
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Definitely not a POS. I do not have a 4K TV, but the video looks just as good as it does when the antenna is connected directly to my TV (1080 FHD). Maybe the app on your TV, or the wireless connection to the app on your TV is the problem? If you could try the Tablo app on a different device (like a Fire Stick for example) that could help you find the problem.
I use my Tablo through a variety of Roku devices. I am always stunned by the picture quality, especially from the major broadcasters. Much better than I got with DirecTV.
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It doesn’t need an HDMI-out because it’s network-connected. I agree with the others’ comments. It could be your setup isn’t optimized.
It may not be a POS, but it’s certainly not a very good product. If you don’t believe me, look through these forums for a few hours. I’ve had it since it first came out, and I’ve had so many problems that I could no longer count them. The last issue? About an hour ago with yet another glitchy recording from my library. I will admit it’s the most affordable decent option so I could still recommend it with reservations. Not a POS, perhaps, but let’s be honest with ourselves and others. Please.
TVs often “process” data for presentation (usually a lot by default, but sometimes you can disable features, sometimes a lot of those features). My guess is the “app” or whatever isn’t getting the modifications your TV is doing to the picture.
That is, OTA looks like OTA. If you have “something” that makes it look “better”, it’s post processing.
Same exact settings for the OTA on TV as the app. I tried using the Tablo app on the TV with its built in android OS, and used my Apple TV 4k connected to the TV. Anything running through the tablo doesn’t look great. Its not an issue with my antenna, I got 80% signal or above, Its not my internet, as I have ZERO issues streaming wirelessly. Its just the output of the Tablo just looks mediocre at best. Sure the guide looks beautiful and crisp, but however the tablo is transcoding and outputting the signal is the issue. Yes, calling it a POS maybe is over the top, but I am not sure how there are not more complaints about its video output of OTA. I might have to spend more $ and get a HD HR.
Ok. It sounds like you’ve decided. Good luck.
The 4th gen Tablo (white circle), doesn’t transcode. It transmits the native MPEG2 stream, so the quality has been great for me.
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No issues with PQ with my Tablo. In fact it is great!
Live playback should be the same as using an TV directly. Recordings to the built-in drive are converted to MPEG4 after a certain amount of time, and that may result in lower quality. External drivers are kept as native MPEG2. It should be noted that some stations use MPEG4 on some of their subchannels.
I’m going to have to agree with most of the people here… I’m pretty amazed how good the picture is out of the Tablo.. I certainly notice when a program I record is in 480i (think older TV series we all used to watch) and that’s not great, but most channels are delivered in 720p or 1080i, and the pictures (sports, movies, weekly series) from those channels are great, and don’t loose a thing replaying from my Tablos…
So something seems amiss for you, but that’s not the usual Tablo output the rest of us are getting.. Sorry it’s not working out better for you…
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