As skinny bundles from YouTube and Hulu advance cloud-based DVR capabilities, another burgeoning field is catering to cord cutters who use HD antennas but want DVR functionality.
The latest device is from Nuvyyo, maker of the Tablo DVR, which today launched Tablo Dual, its next-generation two-tuner OTA DVR. It will be available June 4, either through the company site or Best Buy, with a suggested retail price of $250.
The company, which competes with other players like Muvo and Dish subsidiary AirTV, calls the new box the first networked OTA DVR to include onboard recording storage. Nuvyyo says in an announcement that it “makes it even easier for cord cutters to discover, record and stream live broadcast programs from their HDTV antenna.”
The redesigned box is 20% smaller than the previous generation and adds 64 gigabytes (or about 40 hours) of onboard HD recording storage to the live TV streaming and recording features of the original device.
Cord cutters who want even more room to store their favorite broadcast TV shows and movies can also connect a USB hard drive to boost the recording capacity up to 8 terabytes.
“We are making it easier than ever for unhappy cable and satellite customers to make the switch from expensive cable to free antenna TV,” Grant Hall, CEO of Nuvyyo, said in the release. “By incorporating Wi-Fi network connectivity and onboard storage, the Tablo Dual is the best and most flexible choice for cord cutters seeking a whole-home DVR solution to record and stream today’s most-watched TV programs.”
Tablo Dual can stream or record up to two OTA TV channels at once. It uses Ethernet or dual-band Wi-Fi to connect antennas to a home network, which the company says helps increase flexibility with antenna placement and device connections.
In addition to sales from devices, Canada-based Nuvyyo is aiming for subscription revenue. Dual includes a free 30-day trial of Tablo’s optional TV guide data subscription. After the free trial, the subscription options are $4.99 a month, $49.99 a year or $149.99 for life.