How to Set Recordings on the 4th Generation Tablo DVR

Tablo Support - Kyle
Tablo Support - Kyle
  • Updated

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To see how to set recordings for legacy Tablo DVRs, go here.

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The 4th Generation Tablo relies on TV guide data, updated each night, to schedule DVR recordings.

Two types of recordings can be set on 4th Generation Tablo DVRs: one-time and series recordings. 

Both types have advanced recording options to fine-tune your scheduling. 

 

Table of Contents

 

One-Time Recordings

One-Time recordings are ideal for programs that aren't part of a series, like specials, movies or specific sporting events. Setting this type of schedule will record a single episode of the program. 

If you'd like to set a recurring recording schedule, see the directions for series recording below. 

From the Tablo app, navigate to the LIVE TV screen or a GUIDE screen (i.e. SHOWS, MOVIES, NEWS or SPORTS).

Guide screens are currently not available via mobile apps, but will be added in a future update.

 

Select the program you'd like to record.

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Selecting a program from LIVE TV.

 

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Selecting a program from the GUIDE.

 

Select RECORD EPISODE.

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Series Recordings

Series recordings are ideal for programs that air on a regular, recurring schedule, like game shows, dramas, comedies and news. 

When you set a series recording, your Tablo will automatically record episodes of that program as long as it remains on the air. Because Tablo uses a unique identifier to schedule each TV series instead of a date and time, the schedule will even update automatically if the program moves to a different day, timeslot or network. 

However, Tablo cannot automatically adjust the recording schedule for programs with unplanned time shifts, for example, a show airing later than expected due to a sporting event going into overtime. 

Select any airing from the LIVE TV or GUIDE screens.

Select SCHEDULE SERIES RECORDING.

Schedule Series Recording.png

 

Select RECORD ALL or RECORD NEW. Selecting RECORD NEW will use TV guide data to avoid scheduling reruns and only schedule airings the broadcaster designates as new. 

Schedule Series Recording_Selected.png

 

Series recordings are not available on one-time airings such as special events.

 

Whether you've set a one-time or recurring recording, it will be noted with an orange underline in the Live TV Grid and throughout the rest of the Tablo app via orange REC badges.

Scheduled airings will also appear in your LIBRARY screen under COMING SOON and RECORDINGS as 'upcoming'. 

 

Unscheduling Recordings

If you no longer wish to record a one-time recording, first select the program as shown here.

Select DON'T RECORD EPISODE.

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If you no longer wish to record a series, go to LIBRARY > ALL RECORDINGS and select the series you want to unschedule. 

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 Select the schedule item at the top of the screen.

 

And then select CANCEL SERIES RECORDING

Schedule Series - Cancel Recording.png

 

Advanced Recording Options

For detailed information on advanced recording options, go here.

Advanced Recording Options allow you to customize how an episode or a series is recorded.

  • Record all or new Episodes.
  • Start and end the recording early or late.
  • Keep a specified number of episodes before automatically deleting the oldest first.
  • In cases where an airing is present on multiple channels, specify which channel you wish to record from.

 

You can access episode recording options by selecting a program that's yet to go live and selecting EPISODE RECORDING OPTIONS.

Episode Recording Options.png
Episode Recording Options Selected.png

 

If the program is currently live, EPISODE RECORDING OPTIONS will be greyed out.

When looking at Movies, this selection will read MOVIE INFORMATION rather than EPISODE INFORMATION.

 

You can access series recording options by selecting SERIES INFORMATION.

This can be found by selecting a program.

Series Information Selected.png

 

Or going to the Guide ( SHOWS, MOVIES, NEWS or SPORTS) or one of its Genres.

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Then selecting a program that is not live.

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Series Information Series Window.png

 

 

Once SERIES INFORMATION is selected, you'll see the RECORDING OPTIONS button.

Recording Options Selected.png

 

You can adjust the various options from here.

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If you wish to remove all advanced recording options from an episode or series, you can select USE DEFAULTS.

 

Scheduling Settings Options

Scheduling Options in the SETTINGS screen of your Tablo app set basic default behaviors for all recordings. You can access them under SETTINGS > SCHEDULING

Scheduling Options.png

 

  • Don't Record Duplicates
    Setting this to ON will prevent the Tablo from recording duplicate episodes of the same program. This is handy for popular shows that are broadcast across multiple channels. 
     
  • Extend Live Recordings
    When set to ON, this will extend the recording for all shows designated as live (sports, specials, etc.) by 30 minutes. This is handy when there's a chance the program may run longer than expected. If you'd like to extend a scheduled recording by more than 30 minutes, you can do so via advanced recording options