Recently, I detailed the absolute nightmare scenario of having multiple DVRs fail in quick succession. My trusty AirTV Anywhere died after just three years. When that happened, I tried to revive my legacy Tablo, which I had replaced previously due to intermittent network issues, but I found it was no longer working at all. Suddenly, I was left with zero working ways to record broadcast TV.
Navigating the current market to find a replacement was confusing because the landscape has shifted dramatically. There is no longer one perfect device for everyone. Instead, the market has split into two distinct paths: the simple, affordable path for the homebody, and the complex, robust path for the enthusiast.
I want to break down these two paths to help you decide which one fits your needs, and explain why I ultimately chose the more complicated route.
The Missing Competitors: Why Not AirTV or TiVo?
Before comparing the top contenders, we have to address the elephants in the room.
- AirTV: The AirTV Anywhere was my previous DVR, and it was a solid product -- until it failed. The problem today isn't the hardware itself, but its availability. You can no longer purchase the AirTV Anywhere as a standalone device. It is only available if you prepay for a Sling subscription. We cannot recommend a DVR that cannot be reliably purchased, as this signals the product is likely End-of-Life and the remaining inventory is being liquidated as a promotion.
- TiVo: TiVo is an iconic brand, but they have effectively exited the consumer hardware market. They stopped manufacturing new DVRs in October 2025 to focus on software for smart TVs and cars. Buying a TiVo Edge today means investing in a dead ecosystem with high service fees and no future hardware support.
With those two out of the running, we were left with two real contenders.
Part 1: The "Typical User" Comparison (Keep It Simple)
If you are like 90% of cord-cutters, you just want to watch and record local news, sports, and primetime shows on the TVs inside your house. You don't want to be an IT manager; you just want it to work.
The comparison here is between the simple, self-contained Tablo 4th Gen and the enthusiast tuner HDHomeRun Flex Duo.
The Financial Breakdown
The Tablo is a true one-time purchase that includes everything you need.
- Tablo: You pay roughly $100 upfront. That price includes the built-in 128GB of storage for recording and the guide data. Your ongoing cost is $0.
- HDHomeRun: You pay roughly $110 for the device, but it does not include storage. You have to buy a USB hard drive (roughly $50). On top of that, if you want to record, you must pay $35/year for their DVR service. Your first-year cost is nearly $200, with a recurring annual bill.
The Deciding Factors
The Tablo is the safer choice because it avoids the twin hurdles that plague the HDHomeRun for the beginner: the higher price and the Roku incompatibility.
The HDHomeRun's native app struggles with audio decoding on many popular streaming devices, especially Roku Streambar models. When the HDHomeRun app fails on Roku, the device fails for the user. Tablo's app is generally more stable and reliable across the platform.
The Verdict
For the vast majority of users, the Tablo 4th Gen is the winner. It costs half as much in the first year, has no recurring fees, and is reliably stable on the most popular streaming platforms. HDHomeRun is a high-quality tuner, but its price and compatibility hurdles are the deciding factors against it for mass market appeal.
Part 2: The "Power User" Build (Starting From Scratch)
This is where things get complicated. If you are a "Road Warrior" who travels frequently and wants to watch your local sports and news from a hotel room or mobile device, the Tablo will not work for this. You must run a media server.
If starting from scratch, both Plex and Channels require the same foundational investment. This is because Plex's server feature is not supported on simple streaming sticks, and Channels DVR is no longer supported on the NVIDIA Shield.
- The Tuner: HDHomeRun Flex 4K (~$200)
- The Server: Mini PC (~$160)
- The Storage: 4TB USB Hard Drive (~$100)
- Total Hardware Cost: ~$460
The Software Battle (Plex vs. Channels DVR)
Since the hardware cost is identical, the choice comes down to the software.
- Channels DVR: This software offers a fantastic, premium interface that feels like a high-end cable box, but it costs $80 per year. It also has two major flaws for the general user: it has no "lifetime" payment option (you pay rent forever), and it has no official Roku support. If your house runs on Roku, Channels DVR is a non-starter.
- Plex Pass: Plex is slightly cheaper annually at $70 per year. It is the clear winner on compatibility, supporting the entire Big Four ecosystem (including Roku). Crucially, it offers a Lifetime Pass option ($250), giving you a way to eventually stop paying monthly fees.
The Verdict
Plex is the clear winner for the long-term planner and the mixed-device household. It is cheaper annually, it supports every device you likely own (including Roku), and offers an exit strategy from monthly bills.
Part 3: My Chosen Upgrade (and Why)
I'm in the Power User category, and want to watch TV content away from the residence. I already had a server that works with Plex (NVIDIA Shield), I had storage (I already run Plex as a local video server). Plus, I already had Plex Pass, which I bought years ago. So, I was over halfway there, only needing the HDHomeRun (either way needed that) and the time to configure things. For me, Plex/HDHomeRun was the obvious choice over Channels DVR/HDHomeRun setup.
I got the HDHomeRun Flex 4K for $200 recently and paired it with my existing NVIDIA Shield and Lifetime Plex Pass. I have begun watching with this setup, and the initial channel changing is fast, which is a great upgrade from the older Tablo models. More importantly, the Plex app immediately solved the native HDHomeRun app's audio issues on my Roku Streambar SE, proving the robustness of the Plex server ecosystem.
I paid a small premium over the Tablo to utilize my existing gear and get the exact experience I prefer. So far, so good. Time will tell if the long-term reliability holds up.
The ultimate choice comes down to what you value most. For the vast majority of households that just want reliable DVR service at home, the clear winner is the Tablo 4th Gen due to its low, one-time price and excellent stability on Roku devices. However, if your needs extend beyond the living room -- or if you are a power user who requires a unified, customizable experience free of monthly fees and limitations -- the HDHomeRun and Plex ecosystem is the only way to go. My Streaming Life utilizes remote access to my local channels, which made the HDHomeRun investment the only logical choice for my specific preferences.
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