TabloTV vs SageTV

[tomanak]

While we patiently wait for Google to deliver a product based on SageTV other companies have created compelling products. Recently Nuvyyo released TabloTV, a DVR built specifically for broadcast TV. After monitoring the positive comments from customers on the TabloTV Twitter feed I decided to purchase the device.

I am running both products side by side so as to not disrupt family viewing (and I still love SageTV). I have written up a quick comparison of the two products that can be found here:

SageTV vs TabloTV

The Tablo product page is here

The Tablo is a great first release product that will need the polish SageTV has gotten over the years. It is likely Tablo will never be as extensible as SageTV, but it's support of modern clients such as tablets, AppleTV, and Chromecast make it worth taking a strong look.

Shawn

[Tiki]

Interesting product and nice write-up.
There are some things that I think should be added to your comparison though...

1. Number of tuners supported (looks like Tablo comes with 2 or 4 tuners, Sage supports unlimited tuners). Not sure if you can have more than one Tablo if you want more than 4 tuners.
2. Number of clients / extenders supported (looks like Tablo supports max of 6, Sage has no set limit but there may be practical limits based on memory, network capacity, and hard drive bandwidth).
3. Sources supported (Tablo only supports over the air / antenna, Sage can work with almost any source).
4. Ability to manage / play back other media (Video, pictures, music stored on the network). Doesn't look like the Tablo handles any of this, but since you can use almost anything as an extender (Roku, iDevice, etc.), those devices may support this. May require a separate app and may require transcoding if the extender can't handle the media file natively.
5. Ability to play back streaming content (YouTube, RSS feeds, etc.). Sage handles non-DRM sources reasonably well, but not premium services like NetFlix, Hulu+, Amazon Prime, etc. Doesn't look like Tablo handles any of this natively. But again, the extender that you use for Tablo probably can do this using separate apps.
6. Ability to keep track of shows you watched or recorded. This is possibly Sage's best feature - it means you can set a show as a favorite and it will record every upcoming episode, but it is smart enough not to record the same episode 50 times or keep recording episodes that you already watched. I don't see any mention of this on the Tablo product info page.
7. Other features: Intelligent Recordings, Weather, Search, Fan Art integration...

[pedz25]

Thanks for the write-up tomanak. I've been keeping an eye on Tablo for a few weeks now as a replacement for Sage, and your review and Tiki's points are a great resource.

I've been a SageTV user since 2004, and I still think the product is hard to beat, even with the up and comers like Tablo and Simple.TV. I gave up using Sage in late 2012, when I decided to sell all of my stuff and travel for a year. When I came back, I decided to try the cord cutting lifestyle for a while.

I am currently using a combination of Netflix, Hulu Plus, Aereo to cover my TV needs. All viewed through a Roku. It's all been working well for me. Aereo is easy enough to use, but it isn't perfect. I like the idea of not having to buy and maintain a separate server to handle recordings. I currently only use 1 tuner at $8 per month, but upgrading to 2 tuners for $12 doesn't seem worthwhile to me. I wish they offered 2 tuners for the $8.

I am struggling with the idea of going back to Sage. I have a server license and a HD200 that I can use, but the idea of buying a new PC and HDHR to get over the air doesn't seem worth it. But maybe I need to run the math on that. Another detractor is that I'm in a smaller apartment than I was before, so space is at a premium, and an entire PC for Sage may not work well. But if I did go this route, I know I'd have zero complaints about using Sage whatsoever.

What I like about Tablo is that you get the hardware and software in a nice tiny package (minus the hard drive, which isn't a dealbreaker for me). The cost of the hardware seems reasonable to me, and the fact that I can use my Roku for all my watching needs, is very appealing. I don't like the idea of paying extra for guide data, and as both you and Tiki pointed out, Tablo does need some catching up to do feature-wise.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Tablo shapes up. Hopefully, you'll have some follow up posts once you had an extended period using Tablo, and they've pushed out more features. Keep us updated!

Ed

[PiX64]

I have also taken the plunge into TabloTV. I started with Simple.tv which had a great base product, and it just went south very quickly with their Simple.tv 2 product built by Silicondust.

I will be adding some things to the comparison of TabloTV on the other thread as well. Happy to answer any questions, provide screens, videos, etc.

[PiX64]

Number of tuners supported (looks like Tablo comes with 2 or 4 tuners, Sage supports unlimited tuners). Not sure if you can have more than one Tablo if you want more than 4 tuners.

Current TabloTV Hardware is dual tuner. Quad tuner will be released next month for a price of 249.
Guide Service is
Monthly - 4.99
Yearly - 49.99
Lifetime - 149.99

Subscription follows the user not the device. So you can upgrade or add devices and not have to buy another subscription

Number of clients / extenders supported (looks like Tablo supports max of 6, Sage has no set limit but there may be practical limits based on memory, network capacity, and hard drive bandwidth).
From the FAQ - Tablo can stream up to 6 devices simultaneously
They also have on the roadmap DLNA support for as well as possible support for XBMC, Plex, etc.

Sources supported (Tablo only supports over the air / antenna, Sage can work with almost any source).
OTA only

Ability to manage / play back other media (Video, pictures, music stored on the network). Doesn't look like the Tablo handles any of this, but since you can use almost anything as an extender (Roku, iDevice, etc.), those devices may support this. May require a separate app and may require transcoding if the extender can't handle the media file natively.
This feature is on their product roadmap but they do not have an ETA on it

Ability to play back streaming content (YouTube, RSS feeds, etc.). Sage handles non-DRM sources reasonably well, but not premium services like NetFlix, Hulu+, Amazon Prime, etc. Doesn't look like Tablo handles any of this natively. But again, the extender that you use for Tablo probably can do this using separate apps.
Not currently on the roadmap... at least not that I am aware of

Ability to keep track of shows you watched or recorded. This is possibly Sage's best feature - it means you can set a show as a favorite and it will record every upcoming episode, but it is smart enough not to record the same episode 50 times or keep recording episodes that you already watched. I don't see any mention of this on the Tablo product info page.
Other features: Intelligent Recordings, Weather, Search, Fan Art integration...
Watched status is currently tracked, but not fully implemented. This is still first public release product and as such a few features are def missing. That being said its one of the best first release products I have jumped into.
Rec ALL - truly does record all even if that means it is recording the same show twice. This feature is also on their product roadmap and not far off from what I have heard

*** Ability to record to a NAS vs the 2 possible connected to the unit is also on their roadmap

[tomanak]

Great discussion! Thanks for providing your thoughts. SageTV is a fantastic product that I don't plan on giving up on anytime soon, but just like the folks in this SageTV thread are talking about, I know someday my: server, extender, EPG, etc. is going to quit working and I need some type of replacement. I am OTA-only so my requirements are certainly simpler than most. I skipped SimpleTV because of experiences like Pix64's and the ChannelMaster DVR+ is limited to one TV. So I have avoided those products.

Tablo is the first product to be released that seems viable. I just hope it can get traction and see some feature addition. I am an eternal optimistic so I do hold out hope that Google will someday release something similar to the Google Fiber TV box to the general public and not just Google Fiber folks.

[SHS]

Yes it a great discussion if only need ATSC Support
SimpleTV is petty much the same over product as the Tablo and are not limited to one TV but the ChannelMaster DVR+ on other hand is because you need add in a Slingbox 500 in order to get steaming support the other two just need add Roku box and you set go soon you install the app.
The only diff I see is in the yearly subscription $49.99 vs 59.99 and the cost of there hardware.

Q: Can have more than one Tablo or SimpleTV
Yes you can have more then one but if your hoping for more tuner as in a devices linking as in Master/Slave configurations I don't think it even support that.

Yup I agree it sad that Google FiberTV is use less to a lot of us that are on Satellite or Cable service.

[PiX64]

Q: Can have more than one Tablo or SimpleTV
Yes you can have more then one but if your hoping for more tuner as in a devices linking as in Master/Slave configurations I do think it even support that.

yes to both. I do not recommend Simple.tv at ALL. the first gen product STV1 was and is rock solid.. the dual tuner silicondust though is a complete mess. They had potential, but I was very dissppointed with their customer support, and market strategy. As mentioned before i returned my STV2 after 2.5 months of headaches
STV handled it as seperate dvrs on the same account that couldn't talk to each other for recordings, etc. truly 2 seperate devices accessible from the same client.. which was nice, but not what you are asking for

TabloTV - I am honestly not sure. I will try and find out though

[Tiki]

Q. How does the Tablo handle padding for favorites and manual recordings?

Q. If you are watching "Live" TV with Tablo, will it allow you to initiate a Manual recording in the middle of the show and if so, will it record from the point when you started watching, or from the point where you hit "record"? (I know I'm using Sage terminology, Tablo may handle things a little differently).

[tvmaster2]

My zipcode = zero available channels

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

My zipcode = zero available channels

Reach out to support.. They are actively adding guide data for new areas. support@tablotv.com

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by Tiki

Q. How does the Tablo handle padding for favorites and manual recordings?.

padding for favorites is am not 100% sure - but will try and find out

manual recordings - u can set a record to show once, record all, or record new. you cannot set a timed recording... yet.

Originally Posted by Tiki

Q. If you are watching "Live" TV with Tablo, will it allow you to initiate a Manual recording in the middle of the show and if so, will it record from the point when you started watching, or from the point where you hit "record"? (I know I'm using Sage terminology, Tablo may handle things a little differently).

I haven't tried to be honest. Ill try it out and get back to you.

[PiX64]

In case anyone is interested I made a few videos for some friends.

1) I am not a videographer
2) I say In my Opinion a lot :-)
3) well its free :-)

TabloTV iPad App (Android app is identical with added CAST button for Chromecast):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MKfyIanwKY

TabloTV Web UI:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EddBdzVcSMs

TabloTV Roku App:
Part 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghA79O5ONgQ

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVvM_...m-upload_owner

[PiX64]

Roku videos added.

[odledm]

Thanks for the write up and videos. I looked into them this winter when they had their kickstarter campaign going but ultimately decided to hold off. It definitely looks like it has some promise. I'm not sure the WAF on using a phone or tablet to control and throw it to a chromecast. Any word on what other platforms they are considering supporting? (maybe the new amazon fire tv?) What about the quality on a chromecast?

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by odledm

Thanks for the write up and videos. I looked into them this winter when they had their kickstarter campaign going but ultimately decided to hold off. It definitely looks like it has some promise. I'm not sure the WAF on using a phone or tablet to control and throw it to a chromecast. Any word on what other platforms they are considering supporting? (maybe the new amazon fire tv?) What about the quality on a chromecast?

I haven't used Chromecast much but the 2 times I did quality was great. Currently Chromecast only works from android app.

Currently they support
Web
Chromecast
Roku 2nd gen and above , roku stick is wonky WiFi
IPad via native app
Android tablet 7" or above via native app
Phones via web browser

There are talks of amazon fire, and others. The community so fad is pretty active. Much better than simple.TV

Community.TabloTV.com

[tomanak]

Originally Posted by Tiki

Q. How does the Tablo handle padding for favorites and manual recordings?

There is currently no way I know of to set padding for recordings. However, I did notice the other day it starts the recording early and records well past the showtime. Kind of a brute force approach which can still miss the recording if it goes past their default padding. Hopefully they will add this feature in the future.

[tomanak]

Originally Posted by odledm

Thanks for the write up and videos. I looked into them this winter when they had their kickstarter campaign going but ultimately decided to hold off. It definitely looks like it has some promise.

Odledm,

I have been watching with anticipation products like SimpleTV, TabloTV, and Channel Master DVR+ in case my Sage EPG goes away or my media extenders finally pass. After the positive buzz I was seeing on Tablo's Twitter feed I decided to jump in too. I still primarily use SageTV, because frankly I believe it is a superior product, but I see Nuvyyo (Tablo maker) as one of those companies that has the potential to build a similar rich feature set into their product.

I agree with PiX64 when he says, the community so far is pretty active. In fact, I believe the active community and Tablo's response to the community is a good sign for the Tablo device!

If you are still on the fence for buying the Tablo keep watching their community and Twitter feed, because I think that will be the telltale on the progress of Tablo.

[tomanak]

Originally Posted by PiX64

Roku videos added.

You're on fire!! Great videos PiX64, thanks for putting the effort into them. Have you cross posted to Tablo community and to their Twitter feed? I think others would be interested in seeing your in-depth review.

[PiX64]

Thanks. I posted to twitter feed and will post to Tablo community as well.