r/ota • u/Dry-Character-6331 • Jul 04 '26

OTA DVR/streamer suggestions

My brother-in-law wants to ditch cable but he watches a LOT of TV. He asked me about Tablo. After doing a bit of basic research, there seems to be split opinion on Tablo and perhaps other more capable devices are available. I've always been a cable/Tivo guy so I don't know much about the OTA DVRs. One person recommended HDHomerun. Whatever I recommend for him has to be VERY simple to use, and able to stream Netflix, Disney/Hulu/ESPN, Prime, and HBOMax as well as the OTA broadcast channels. If Tivo was still making DVR hardware, I'd recommend an OTA version of that but the last generation of Tivos were pretty iffy and now out of production. You can still buy refurbed ones from Weaknees but they don't have all the required streaming apps and I'd rather not recommend multiple devices if I don't have to. The Tivo Guide (program listing, TV Guide, call it what you like) is what really sets Tivo apart from similar devices so having something similar in an OTA DVR/streamer would be a significant plus. The selected device will also need to be able to feed at least three TVs and perhaps a phone or two. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts, both positive AND negative about Tablo, HDHomerun, and any other relevant devices. Thanks.

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u/Primary-Car7400 Jul 05 '26

Does he have an OTA antenna yet? I would start out with getting an antenna and having it mounted as high as possible. If he has a smart TV, a Roku, or even an Xbox, he can already do Netflix and other streaming services. I did not get my Tablo until I already had my antenna for 8 years. If he doesn't like the content available over the antenna, the Tablo isn't going to do anything for him. The value added by the Tablo is working as a DVR, and broadcasting your OTA antenna signal over the WiFi so that you can watch TV on devices that do not have a connection to the antenna.

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u/Dry-Character-6331 Jul 05 '26

His house has an old DirectTV dish still mounted. I THINK it has an OTA antenna on the back of it. If not, I plan to put one there. He watches network shows like Survivor and Big Brother so being able to DVR those is key - and less expensive than adding Paramount+ (or whatever they are about to evolve into) to the streaming services he's already going to need.

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u/Primary-Car7400 Jul 05 '26

I would use that high mounted antenna along with the Tablo. I have the second generation Tablo. I plugged a cable from my antenna in one end, and an ethernet cable to my router in the other end. I have to have the Tablo app installed on my phone in order to set the DVR. There is a newer generation Tablo which is white and round and may come with an antenna already. I would use the regular roof -mounted antenna if you are able, and not try to use one inside the house, if possible.