Previously, I had listed Hdhomerun as one of the best Slingbox alternatives. Since then, I’ve received dozens of queries requesting an in-depth HDHomeRun vs Tablo comparison.
So, in this post, I’ll explain the difference between these two Over-The-Air DVRs, pricing, storage capacity, and the technology shared between them.
And lastly, you would be able to decide which service suits you the best. Now, let’s get started –
What is HDHomerun?
HDHomerun is a network-attached TV tuner that allows you to watch and record free over-the-air (OTA) TV.
It’s a device that connects to your antenna and router and then streams the signal to your TV or computer.
You can stream content from devices like game consoles, DVRs, Blu-ray players, or media boxes onto your screen.
What is Tablo?
Tablo is a networked DVR that lets you watch, record, and stream free broadcast TV to any device in your home. Tablo’s sleek 4-tuner OTA DVR streams live and recorded HDTV with any Roku device, including the new Roku Streaming Stick+.
Tablo has four tuners, so you can watch up to four shows on different devices throughout the house — or record up to four shows simultaneously using Tablo’s “watch anywhere” feature. You can also pick up where you left off from any connected device!
HDhomerun vs Tablo: What’s the difference?
HDHomerun and Tablo are network tuners that receive over-the-air TV signals but have different features.
- The HDHomerun is a network tuner that receives over-the-air TV signals and streams them to your devices over your home network. It comes in several models, including the Connect Quatro, Extend Duo+, Extend Solo2, Extend Duo4K, Extend Solo4K and Extend 4K.
- The Tablo DUAL OTA DVR connects directly to any HDTV antenna (not included) to stream live or recorded broadcast television from networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC & more. You can stream on your iOS or Android-powered device via the free Tablo app available in the app store.
HDhomerun vs Tablo: Cost
HDHomerun and Tablo have pros and cons, but the main difference is their cost. If you’re on a budget, HDHomerun will probably be better for you—it only costs $49.99 for the device. However, you’ll need an antenna or similar hardware to get a live TV that works with your device (although there are some free options).
Tablo is more expensive upfront ($199+) but offers cheaper monthly costs if you subscribe to the lifetime service plan ($500). This means that over time, it becomes cheaper than buying another box every year or two when HDHomerun stops working properly due to hardware issues or obsolescence (we all know how quickly new technology becomes outdated!).
HDHomeRun vs Tablo: Additional Costs
HDHomeRun and Tablo have additional costs, but the Tablo DVR is a one-time purchase. If you don’t want to pay for an annual subscription, you can get a lifetime subscription for $299.
HDHomeRun does have some fees as well. For example, if you want to watch live TV on multiple devices at a time or record shows in high definition (HD), those features will cost extra.
HDHomeRun vs Tablo: Storage Capacity
The HDHomerun has a storage capacity of 4TB, while Tablo only has 2 TB. Both these DVRs can be expanded with an external USB 3.0 hard drive, but only Tablo allows you to add more storage during the initial setup process (up to two drives).
This means you don’t have to buy an extra hard drive when your recordings take up too much space and wait for them to arrive in the mail before you can start recording again.
HDHomeRun vs Tablo: Technology
Here, I’ll compare the two devices’ technology. HDHomerun uses over-the-air (OTA) technology to access your local TV stations. This means you must connect it to an antenna for it to work.
Conversely, Tablo uses a cable card from your cable provider to access programming via OTA signals and internet streaming channels like Netflix and Hulu.
Because of this, Tablo is compatible with almost any television (as long as it has at least one HDMI port). It also allows you to stream live and recorded shows from anywhere using its mobile app or website—you don’t need a set-top box as you do with HDHomeRun!
HDHomeRun vs Tablo: App Support
HDHomerun and Tablo make watching live TV easy and record your favorite shows on your devices, including Android, iOS, PC, and Mac. You can also download their apps for free.
Both of these apps are very good. They offer many of the same features (such as live TV and DVR) but also some differences.
HDHomeRun vs Tablo: Verdict
In an HDHomerun vs Tablo battle, both devices are perfect, but they have some distinct differences.
Tablo is more expensive than HDHomeRun. This could be a deal breaker for some people because they already have to pay for their cable or satellite service, and now they need another monthly payment for the device.
However, there are benefits to having your over-the-air and streaming content in one place. For example, if you want to watch something on Netflix but not Hulu or Amazon Prime Video, you can turn your antenna off until you’re done watching what’s on Netflix.
HDHomerun has a higher storage capacity than Tablo (1TB vs 500GB). This means that when using HDHomeRun with its Plex app installed, it will store up to 1000 hours of recorded shows, which is great if you like binge-watching TV shows and movies!
However, one thing worth noting about an HDHomeRun vs Tablo comparison is that although Tablo does have more apps available at launch (such as Pluto TV), the quality of those apps varies widely, with many still being under development so investing in either product right now might not be a significant deal breaker.
Conclusion
Both HDHomerun and Tablo are great devices for watching live TV.
But if you want to watch your favorite shows on a smartphone, tablet, or PC, Tablo has the edge over HDHomerun because it offers more features.
If you want an extensive library of DVDs or Blu-ray discs, Tablo is a better choice because it can rip these files so they can be watched on any device.
That’s all for now. If you’ve anything else to ask about HDHomeRun or Tablo, please reach us in the comments below.
