NOTE: It is not possible to:
- Transfer a hard drive from a Legacy Tablo to a 4th Generation Tablo.
(The file types are not compatible.) - Transfer recordings from one 4th generation Tablo to another.
(We hope to add this capability in the future.)
If you replace your Tablo DVR the process below will allow you to migrate your existing recordings stored on an external USB disk drive or SATA drive (devices using built-in storage like the 4th Generation Tablo and the Tablo DUAL 128GB are not supported) and schedule data to your new unit.
Note: For this process to work, your NEW Tablo must be taken directly out of the box. If you've already run a channel scan on your new Tablo, you will need to factory reset it for these instructions to work.
Note: Recordings cannot be moved from Network Connected Tablo models to TV-Connected Tablo models (and vice versa).
If you have connected to your new Tablo already, note its firmware version: you can find this at the bottom of the Tablo Settings screen. The new Tablo must be on the same firmware version as your original unit. Our support team can also check this for you, so don't hesitate to send us a ticket.
Step 1: Reboot your original Tablo with the hard drive attached using the blue reset button on the back of the Tablo. Wait for the Tablo’s blue LED to go solid. This can take up to ~2 minutes.
Step 2: Remove the USB drive from your original Tablo and set it aside. You can also unplug your original Tablo, as it will no longer be needed.
Note: If your Tablo is using a SATA drive, remove the power adaptor from the Tablo before removing the SATA drive.
Step 3: Attach the hard drive, Ethernet and power (in that order) to your new Tablo.
Step 4: After a few seconds your Tablo’s LED will begin pulsing.
At this point, it is transferring your original Tablo’s database to your new Tablo. This can take several minutes.
Once your new Tablo is finished downloading the database it will reboot. The process is complete once the Tablo’s LED is solid.
PLEASE NOTE: If you run into any issues with the transfer and can't get it to work, make sure the drive doesn't remain plugged in to the new Tablo overnight - when Tablo does its nightly maintenance, the drive may get formatted. Just remove the drive and give us a call during support hours for a hand.