I firmly believe that anyone with a stable living situation, like owning a home or renting a long-term apartment, should consider an over-the-air antenna. It’s an excellent backup for streaming live TV and a one-time investment. While connecting a single antenna to a single television tuner is sufficient, 2024 brings a better option: networked tuners. Imagine plugging your antenna (and potentially an amplifier) into a device that allows you to watch free broadcast channels on multiple devices and record shows. I’ve been using this setup for years, and my favorite choice remains the fourth-generation Tablo DVR. Currently on sale during Prime Day, Tablo offers many advantages. The built-in DVR eliminates the need for an external hard drive, although you can expand the 12GB of onboard storage if needed. Additionally, there are no subscription fees, and the user interface is exceptional. While the Tablo DVR doesn’t support ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV), which offers higher resolution and better audio, it’s not a deal-breaker. ATSC 3.0 requires an internet connection and sends data back to companies, which may be a concern for some. Another minor drawback is the Tablo app for Apple TV 4K being in beta testing. However, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV users can enjoy full compatibility. When making your purchase, consider the number of tuners. The fourth-generation Tablo DVR is available with either two tuners or four. I recommend the four-tuner version, as it allows for more simultaneous viewing and recording on multiple devices. The four-tuner Tablo is currently on sale for $120 (down from $140), while the two-tuner version is discounted to $80 (from $100). Packages with antennas are also available.
Tablo DVR: The Ultimate Guide to Free Over-the-Air TV
