The instructions in this article apply to our legacy network-connected Tablo DVRs. For 4th Generation Tablo setup, go here.
This same legacy setup can also be done via Android or iOS.
NOTE - Legacy Tablo apps are no longer available for download. Many of the underlying technologies used by legacy Tablo apps and services are becoming obsolete and are no longer maintainable. Support was discontinued for all legacy Tablo apps on September 1st, 2026.
Unlike other major app stores, Roku does not permit apps to be delisted while remaining active for existing users. As such, the Roku app will continue to be available for download but won't be maintained or updated.
The web app (my.tablotv.com) will also continue to be available but will also not be maintained or updated.
If you have a network-connected legacy Tablo model and have not completed the Legacy Transition steps, we urge you to do so and begin using the newer 4th Generation Tablo apps. These apps are built on modern technology, are easier to maintain and will receive ongoing updates.
This article covers configuring your legacy network-connected Tablo DVR via your Mac or PC. To do so, you'll need to access the web app, http://my.tablotv.com/, via Safari, Firefox or Edge. Chrome is not supported.
Table of Contents
Setup an Ethernet Connection
Connect an Ethernet cable from your router to the Ethernet port on the back of the Tablo. If the connection is successful, the orange LED on the Ethernet connector should be lit and the green LED will flash intermittently. For Tablo to be discovered by the app, the Tablo and your MAC/PC running the Tablo app needs to be on the same network.
The Tablo app will identify all the Tablo DVRs that are on your home network. Most users will only have one Tablo in this list. Select the CONNECT button. This will begin the initial setup process.
Setup Wi-Fi
If you have already connected to your Tablo with an Ethernet cable and wish to switch to a Wi-Fi connection, unplug the Ethernet cable and press and release the Reset button quickly (the blue button located in the back of the unit) before proceeding.
Open my.tablotv.com. You will be greeted by 1 of 2 screens:
OR
In both cases, select ADD VIA WI-FI. You will see the following page:
Open the Internet Access icon on your computer and look for Tablo_XXXX in the list of Wi-Fi access points. The XXXX refers to the last four digits of the MAC address of your Tablo. It should look like this:
Select TABLO_XXXX in your device’s Wi-Fi set up screen and connect to it. No password is required. Verify that your device has connected to the Tablo_XXXX network. If done correctly you will see a list of Wi-Fi networks populate on your screen:
If you do not see your home network on the list, you can select RESCAN to search again.
During rescan, Tablo will disconnect while it scans the network. Your device will also disconnect from Tablo. If it does not reconnect automatically you'll need to go back to your device’s Wi-Fi set-up screen to connect to Tablo_XXXX again.
When you have reconnected to Tablo_XXXX, go back to the Tablo app and return to the CHOOSE A NETWORK screen. Select your home network from the list. You will be prompted to enter your chosen networks' password.
Tablo will now connect to your home network and the status of the connection will be displayed:
From now on, your Tablo will automatically connect to your home network. If you change the password or router for your home network you will need to set-up Wi-Fi again.
During this process, your Tablo's blue LED will be blinking once per second. The blue LED on the Tablo will stop flashing once it is connected to your network. From here, you'll be able to connect to your Tablo normally.
If your Tablo is using firmware version 2.2.26 or above, its blue LED will pulse when it is ready to be added to your Wi-Fi network. The blue LED will grow fainter, stronger and repeat until the steps above have been completed and the unit has been added to your Wi-Fi network.
Once the Wi-Fi access has been established, the app will rescan your local network for Tablo and your Tablo will be displayed. Select the CONNECT TO TABLO button to run the rest of the set-up wizard.
Setup the Tablo
You will now begin the setup wizard that will take you through the steps to scan for broadcast channels, format your Hard Drive and set up the program guide.
Make sure the TV antenna is connected.
Make sure the hard drive is connected. A USB Hard Drive is required to watch live TV and to record programs. If you have not yet connected a USB Hard Drive, you will be reminded to do so now.
If you have a USB Hard Drive, connect it by plugging it into one of the available USB ports, or in the case of the Quad, install a SATA drive into the Quads' internal bay. You will then be prompted to format the drive.
USB Flash sticks are not supported. For more details, visit this blog.
You will then be prompted to format the drive.
All data on the drive will be erased, so make sure you have backup copies of any files you would like to keep. It may take a few minutes to find the drive once you have plugged it in.
Type FORMAT into the dialog box to confirm that you understand that the drive will be erased and reformatted. While the formatting process is in progress, the Tablo's blue LED will pulse.
The format operation will continue in the background and the setup wizard will proceed to the next step. The status of the format operation is displayed in the SETTINGS screen and at the top of the sidebar.
Next, enter your Postal Code or Zip Code or let the app discover where you are located.
Tablo will now scan for available broadcast TV stations in your area.
You may want to scan several times with different antenna positions or orientations to get the most number of channels. To scan for channels again, hit the RESCAN button.
Once you're satisfied that you are receiving the most available channels, you can enable or disable individual channels by selecting them individually. The app will identify major channels by placing a checkmark next to the channel. If a station does not have a checkmark beside it, it is most likely in standard definition (480i), has weak reception or is a duplicate station.
Only channels with a checkmark will be enabled to watch live and to record programs. At this time, if there are channels in which you’re not interested that have a checkmark, you may remove them by selecting said checkmark.
When you are satisfied with the channel list, select ADD TO GUIDE to start downloading the program guide.
The Program Guide data will then be downloaded from the internet to your Tablo. This process will take several minutes for each channel. Tablo will download the first day of programing for each channel before allowing full access to the full user interface.
The remaining 13 days of data will be downloaded in the background. This is a one-time operation. Moving forward, guide data will be downloaded nightly. Once the first time setup process is done, you should see a screen like this:
You are now ready to begin using your Tablo. Have any more questions? Check out our Tablo Knowledge Base.