Ota Dvr reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 335 Reddit reviews across 7 subreddits and 58 posts to rank the best Ota Dvr brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/cordcutters, r/ota, r/Cordcutting, r/Roku, r/slingtv. Top-rated brands include Tablo (4.1/5), HDHomeRun (4.3/5), TiVo (4.6/5).
Stats
Reviews335
Subreddits7
Posts58
Brands53
Products58
335 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Tablo
4.1
(96)
"I am 100% satisfied with my tablo 4 gen 4 tuner."
"Tablo is the way"
"Tablo is the goat."
"I got the 4th gen tablo 4 tuner and it’s so far been really great."
"I use a Tablo and I love it."
"This works well on the new-model Tablo, which for the money now appears to be the overall best OTA DVR option for most folks."
"I do this all the time with my 4th Generation Tablo. I bought the two tuner when it came out last year and use it daily."
"We love our 4th gen 2-tuner Tablo."
"I bought the Tablo and love it. Broadcasts to all the TVs in my house in pure HD."
"Thanks everybody for the advice. I tried both AirTv and Tablo and went with Tablo."
#2
HDHomeRun
4.3
(58)
"Hdhomerun with plex as the dvr server"
"Find the HDhomerun to be better quality, lots less bugs."
"HDHR Flex, Channels DVR on Asustor NAS. Love it. Use it with Apple TV, Google Chromecast and FireTV without any issues at all."
"I went with the HDHomeRun FLEX 4K for the OTA receiver, bought a Raspberry Pi 4 for a Media Server and attached a USB 500 GB portable HDD."
"Silicondust hdhhomerun by a mile"
"I use HDHomerun connected to a Plex Server. The Plex lifetime pass was under $100 and goes on sale pretty often."
"I've been using HDHomerun with Plex for about 4 years now. Works great."
"Channels with an HDHomerun is an excellent choice and my go to DVR."
"I've used HomeRun for 15+ years for OTA and now with Plex Server."
"I have the HDHomerun 4k, and it has been pretty perfect and hands free."
#3
TiVo
4.6
(51)
"Get a TiVo Romeo with lifetime subscription off of ebay. That was the best TiVo they ever made, easy to use."
"I have been using tivo roamio for close to 10 years, love it."
"People have been saying to worry about TiVo for the last 23-ish years that I've been buying TiVos and I'm SO glad that I haven't worried about it."
"I'd buy a used TiVo Roamio OTA DVR that has lifetime service."
"There is still no comparison to Tivo. Buy a used OTA Tivo with lifetime service."
"I'm still using a TiVo Roamio with lifetime service."
"Buy a TiVo with lofetime"
"Roamio owner here using OTA antenna and lifetime service. Great device, easy UI, tons of storage."
"An OTA Roamio is the way to go. Mine is running strong since 2015."
"Search eBay for a TiVo Roamio with lifetime subscription. Roamio was the best quality unit they made and easy to replace the hard drive if ever needed."
#4
AirTV
3.9
(16)
"The AirTv Anywhere. Very stable with Sling."
"I am using an AirTV Anywhere. It has 4 tuners and comes with a built in hard drive for DVR."
"I have been liking my AirTV. It is built seamlessly into their app."
"The only other OTA DVR that integrates with Sling is the AirTV Anywhere. I have been running it for a year with few issues."
"I added AirTV to reach a TV in our home where we could not run coax but had access to home ethernet. AirTV is not perfect, but it works."
"I use AirTv. It doesn't get a lot of love."
"AirTV is worth a look since it is inexpensive, has a free program guide, and can work as a DVR."
"I am satisfied with AirTV."
"I’ve been pleased with the performance of the Air TV."
"I went with an AirTV2."
#5
Channels DVR
4.5
(12)
"I have Channels DVR running on my WD MyCloud PR4100 NAS. It’s been working great for years now!"
"I use this with the yearly sub of $80. It does what you are asking for easy."
"I have been using Channels DVR with my HD Homerun and it has been absolutely fantastic."
"Channels DVR."
"ChannelsDVR"
"I'm currently very happy with Channels DVR."
"Recently set up channels myself and it's much better than Plex's DVR feature."
"Channels DVR with a HD Homerun."
"Channels DVR doesn't transcode so channel changing is very fast."
"I ended up going with Channels DVR and HD Homerun."
#6
Amazon
4.4
(8)
"My Recast still works fantastically. No other DVR can integrate all these services - only the Recast does."
"My Recast still works fantastically. No other DVR can integrate all these services - only the Recast does."
"The Fire Recast just added FrndlyTV today to its integrated Program Guide - the only DVR that has full integration capability."
"The Recast just added FrndlyTV to the Program Guide today - the only DVR that has that capability."
"I still use the Fire TV recast and you couldn't pry that thing from my cold dead hands."
"Fire TV recast. It's discontinued but there's no subscription/fees."
"This is probably the route I'll go once my Recast expires."
"I'd probably purchase the Amazon Fire TV Recast. It seems from the reviews that they do have ways to go on the user interface."
#7
TiVo Roamio
4.6
(7)
"Couldn't be happier."
"I bought a TIVO Roamio and was astounded at how many more channels it received."
"I keep watching for the Roamio to drop to like $199 for a refurb."
"TiVo roamio with lifetime is worth it - you will not be disappointed."
"There are single tv ota dvr like the Tivo and some of those 'converter boxes'."
"TiVo Roamio at $7 per month is pretty great with my OTA."
"I have an AppleTV and a TiVo Roamio DVR and I use them just fine together."
#8
Plex
4.4
(7)
"Plex was worth it for us because we wanted the ability to record OTA shows... seamless program guide and access to 600 online channels."
"Chiming in to vouch for plex with HD Homerun. Bought lifetime a few years ago and couldn’t be happier."
"It's the 'no brainer' choice if you already have a Plex Media Server and Plex Pass."
"I have Plex on a Debian 12 server with a Hauppage tuner and I’ve had no issues."
"I run it on a Mac mini it works great and I love the automatic commercial removal."
"I use the DVR in Plex with WinTV and HDHomerun tuners."
"Works great."
#9
TiVo Roamio OTA
4.8
(5)
"No tivo service fees."
"The TiVo Roamio OTA is a pretty awesome all-in-one solution."
"Get a TiVo Roamio OTA. The price includes the lifetime service."
"Tivo roamio OTA just got it couple weeks ago. Should have done it a long time ago!"
"I have three Tivo Roamio OTA with lifetime."
#10
Channel Master
4.0
(6)
"[This](https://www.amazon.com/Antenna-Satellite-Broadcast-Epicenter-Reception/dp/B0024R4B5C/) or [this](https://www.amazon.com/Channel-Master-STEALTHtenna-CM3)"
"Some medium performance examples: Channel Master CM5016"
"Some medium performance examples: Channel Master CM3016"
"Or a Channel Master Stream+ ($99 right now, but you have to add a powered external drive for the DVR functions)."
"I have Channel Master's DVR+ and I like it a lot."
"I do have one. I like it very well."
#11
Channels
4.0
(5)
"It’s definitely Channels, despite its meh interface."
"ChannelsDVR running on Synology NAS using HDHomeRun Flex 4K tuner and Apple TV 4K at my TV."
"I can have 4 tv's playing OTA or playing a recorded show."
"I use a Synology DS1019+ NAS combined with Channels TV Everywhere service/app. Works great!"
"I use a Synology DS1019+ NAS combined with Channels TV Everywhere service/app. Works great!"
#12
Tablo 4 Tuner
4.8
(4)
"Love my Tablo 4 Tuner."
"It is GREAT!!!"
"I have a 4 tuner tablo, bought it last year during black friday."
"Guide data is optional, but worth the cost."
#13
Recast
3.8
(4)
"I've had a Recast for about 3 years and it's pretty damn good."
"If you already have Fire TV devices, Recast is a great option for OTA DVR."
"Fire tv recast will be much more seamless than any other."
"I think the Recast is a good call. Relatively low commitment."
#14
Zapperbox
3.7
(3)
"If I had to replace my Tivo Bolt right now I would be looking at a Zapperbox. They already offer ATSC 3.0 support."
"I’m happy with both however the Zapperbox has more polish to its interface."
"Zapperbox gives you 24 hours guide data free."
#15
Mediasonic
3.7
(3)
"Check out the Mediasonic HW-150PVR HomeWorx."
"Http://www.amazon.com/Mediasonic-Homeworx-HW180STB-Converter-Recording/dp/B00IYETYX8"
"Bought a mediasonic DVR back when I first cut the cord."
#16
Homeworx
3.3
(3)
"I use a Homeworx pvr for OTA DVR."
"I use the Homeworx and I actually like it a lot."
"I had the Homeworx one and stopped using it after a few days."
#17
Amazon Fire TV Recast
4.0
(2)
"The Amazon Recast is such a smooth option."
"Seems like a pretty solid device."
#18
Iview
4.0
(2)
"Recommends the newest Iview - due to better product support."
"He might like the IView and Mediasonic Homeworx digital converter boxes."
#19
NextPVR
4.0
(2)
"Was using NextPVR till I switched to plex 2 years ago, don't miss it."
"If you want a free DVR service, NextPVR (Windows) or TVHeadend (linux)."
#20
IVIEW
4.0
(2)
"It's hard to beat the iView 3500STBII. They're under $35 at amazon."
"I have heard at least one person say good things about the IVIEW-3500STBII."
#21
Plex DVR
4.0
(2)
"Plex DVR is great. I only use my Plex lifetime sub for DVR tasks now which is not great but WAF is high."
"I use both Plex DVR (Hauppauge, both 2 and Quad tuner cards) and Tablo."
#22
Amazon Recast
4.0
(2)
"Amazon recast, 500gb suits my needs."
"Just go with 4K firesticks and Recast. Dirt cheap right now during BF sales."
#23
TabloTV
3.5
(2)
"I recently got the TablotV and love it."
"I bought the TabloTV 4-tuner as soon as it was announced... ended up sending it back."
#24
Core Innovations
2.0
(3)
"The cheapest option is to get the $40 core innovations ctcb105."
"It has lasted well beyond a year. Remove the plastic 'peel' off the top where the vents are cut in for airflow, and it doesn't die. That said, UI is clunky, recording configuration has some limits, and the file naming and navigation of recordings is really crude and awkward."
"All of the reviews say they die very quickly."
#25
Winegard
3.0
(2)
"Low performance (smaller) examples: Winegard YA-7000C"
"Low performance (smaller) examples: Winegard HD7000R (with the extensions)"
#26
Tablo Quatro
5.0
(1)
"I picked one up (refurbished with free shipping)."
#27
Mediaworks
5.0
(1)
"The customer service is great too."
#28
TiVo OTA
5.0
(1)
"A Tivo OTA will give you a more 'cable like' feel."
#29
Tablo Dual
5.0
(1)
"I bought the new Tablo Dual, haven't had a single issue so far."
#30
Silicondust
5.0
(1)
"Very happy with it."
#31
RCA
5.0
(1)
"I just started using it today and it’s fantastic. No fees."
#32
ChannelsDVR
5.0
(1)
"Channels was by far the best wife compatible and has lots of features."
#33
Onn
4.0
(1)
"I've got a group of the $20 Onn 4K's around my house and one at work. I've never had a remote drop out... and use my remote downstairs from across the living room and the other side of my kitchen."
#34
SageTV
4.0
(1)
"Try Sage TV. It's open source now. There's an Android app you can use on a Fire TV and probably a Google TV app in place of a box."
#35
TiVo Stream 4K
4.0
(1)
"Another good, affordable option."
#36
HDHomeRun Flex 4K
4.0
(1)
"I use the Live Channels app on the Nvidia Shield as a DVR."
#37
Tablo Quad
4.0
(1)
"I have a Tablo quad and it works great."
#38
TiVo Edge
4.0
(1)
"2 tuner Tivo edge with lifetime service."
#39
HDHomeRun Dual
4.0
(1)
"Just got the HDHomeRun Dual and use it with Plex."
#40
TiVo Plus Extender
4.0
(1)
"I think he will do better w TiVo interface."
#41
Channel Master DVR+
4.0
(1)
"If you haven't already, you should look at the ChannelMaster DVR+ as well."
#42
TVHeadend
4.0
(1)
"If you want a free DVR service, NextPVR (Windows) or TVHeadend (linux)."
#43
Fire TV
4.0
(1)
"Fire tv recast is now on sale for 129."
#44
ChannelMaster
4.0
(1)
"Have you looked on eBay for used ChannelMaster CM–7000PAL OTA DVR's?"
#45
Nvidia Shield
4.0
(1)
"Using my Nvidia Shield 2015 as a Plex server and using Plex."
#46
HDHomeRun ConnectDUO
4.0
(1)
"I just ordered a Synology NAS and HDHomeRun ConnectDUO."
#47
HDHomeRun 4K Flex
4.0
(1)
"What about using an HDHomerun 4k Flex. The Plex would record over the network."
#48
EyeTV
4.0
(1)
"EyeTV with ETVComskip does everything you need."
#49
DTV+
3.0
(1)
"I have a DTV+ that *used* to be made by Dish (!) which is basically an OTA DVR, 2 tuners, allows you to pause live TV, and record a second channel."
#50
ADTH
3.0
(1)
"I just bought the ADTH box that can record with an add on hard drive but haven't taken the time to fully set up recording yet."
#51
Jellyfin
3.0
(1)
"Jellyfin with an hdhr is a very cost effective option. Not as good as Channels, but maybe good enough?"
#52
Ematic AT102
3.0
(1)
"If you want no-frills budget, you can't get more budget than this $25 tuner."
#53
Channel Master Stream+
3.0
(1)
"The smallest device I have is the Channel Master Stream+."
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