This article will help you set up your Tablo on your smart TV or streaming device after you have completed setup with a mobile device or tablet.
There are no cords or direct connections required between Tablo and your television because Tablo sends live and recorded TV over your home Wi-Fi network to all internet-connected and compatible devices in your home.
Once you’ve used your smartphone or tablet to set up and connect your Tablo to the internet using the Tablo App, it’s easy to add Tablo to your big-screen TV.
Here's a quick overview of the required steps. Additional instructions based on your specific setup are available below.
As the Tablo App does not come pre-installed on smart TVs or streaming devices, you’ll need to download the correct one for your Tablo DVR model. (Dark blue for the white 4th generation Tablo, light blue and orange for the black legacy Tablo.)
If you have multiple televisions in your home, just follow the steps for downloading the Tablo App on each TV set or streaming device and you’ll be able to enjoy your Tablo in any room.
Table of Contents
How to Watch Tablo on a Compatible Smart TV or Streaming Device
How to Watch Tablo When Your Device Is Not Compatible
How to Watch Tablo When You Don’t Have a Smart TV or Streaming Device
I Can’t Find the Tablo App Even Though I Thought My Device Was Compatible
I’ve Downloaded the Tablo App, But It Can’t Locate My Tablo
How to Watch Tablo on a Compatible Smart TV or Streaming Device
If you have a Tablo-compatible smart TV, streaming box, or streaming stick, simply download the Tablo App.
- STEP 1 - On your streaming device or smart TV’s home screen, navigate to the search or app store section.
- STEP 2 – Search for 'Tablo'.
- STEP 3 – Select the correct Tablo app for your DVR model. (Dark blue for the white 4th Generation Tablo, light blue and orange for the black Legacy Tablo.)
- STEP 4 – Download the Tablo app.
- STEP 5 – Open the Tablo app.
The Tablo app will automatically find your Tablo and connect to it right away so you can start enjoying free TV.
How to Watch Tablo When Your Device Is Not Compatible
If your smart TV or streaming device is older or not compatible with Tablo, you’ll need to purchase and install a compatible streaming device on your television.
Streaming boxes and sticks are super affordable and will connect directly to the HDMI port on the back or side of any television manufactured after 2005.
- STEP 1 – Purchase a Tablo-compatible streaming device.
- STEP 2 – Connect the streaming device to the HDMI port of your television.
- STEP 3 – Follow the manufacturer’s setup instructions for your streaming device.
- STEP 4 – On your streaming device’s home screen, navigate to the search or app store section.
- STEP 5 – Search for 'Tablo'.
- STEP 6 – Select the correct Tablo App for your DVR model. (Dark blue for the white 4th Generation Tablo, light blue and orange for the black Legacy Tablo.)
- STEP 7 – Download the Tablo App.
- STEP 8 – Open the Tablo App.
The Tablo App will automatically find your Tablo DVR and connect to it right away so you can start enjoying free TV.
How to Watch Tablo When You Don’t Have a Smart TV or Streaming Device
If you have a ‘dumb’ TV, meaning one that doesn’t connect to the internet and doesn’t have apps, you don’t need to purchase a brand-new smart TV to use Tablo.
You will, however, need to purchase and install a compatible streaming device on your television.
Streaming boxes and sticks are super affordable and will connect directly to the HDMI port on the back or side of any television manufactured after 2005.
- STEP 1 – Purchase a Tablo-compatible streaming device.
- STEP 2 – Connect the streaming device to the HDMI port of your television.
- STEP 3 – Follow the manufacturer’s setup instructions for your streaming device.
- STEP 4 - On your streaming device’s home screen, navigate to the search or app store section.
- STEP 5 – Search for 'Tablo'.
- STEP 6 – Select the correct Tablo App for your DVR model. (Dark blue for the white 4th Generation Tablo, light blue and orange for the black Legacy Tablo.)
- STEP 7 – Download the Tablo App.
- STEP 8 – Open the Tablo App.
The Tablo App will automatically find your Tablo and connect to it right away so you can start enjoying free TV.
I Can’t Find the Tablo App Even Though I Thought My Device Was Compatible
If you can’t locate the Tablo app when you search the app store of your smart TV or streaming device, it may not be compatible with Tablo.
For example, some older Amazon Fire TV sticks are no longer supported as they don’t have enough power or memory to run the Tablo app. Also, Vizio smart TVs are not compatible at this time.
In that case, you will need to purchase and install a newer compatible streaming device.
I’ve Downloaded the Tablo App But It Can’t Locate My Tablo
If you’ve already completed setup of your Tablo on your smartphone or tablet but the app on your smart TV or streaming device cannot locate your Tablo on your network, you'll see a screen that looks like this:
In this case, there is no need to set your Tablo up again.
Check the following:
- Verify that you’re using the correct Tablo app for your DVR model. (Dark blue for the white Tablo, light blue and orange for the black Tablo.)
- Verify that your smart TV or streaming device is connected to the same home network as your Tablo.
- Verify that your smart TV or streaming device is NOT connected to a guest network. This prevents communication between devices across your network.
- Verify that your smart TV or streaming device does not have a VPN enabled.
If you’ve checked all of these things and your Tablo still can’t be located on the network, try these connectivity troubleshooting steps.