What kinds of antenna DVR are there?
- A DVR box at the TV. The antenna plugs into the box, the box plugs into the TV, and recordings play on that TV. It works like a cable DVR.
- A network tuner with DVR. The antenna plugs into a small box on your home network. Live and recorded shows play through an app on TVs, streaming players, phones and computers. HDHomeRun, for example, stores recordings on a USB drive attached to the device, a PC or Mac, or a network storage drive, and you can watch them on any supported device on your local network (SiliconDust).
Can you watch on a phone or tablet?
Yes, with a network tuner. Because the tuner sits on your home network instead of behind one TV, the maker's app can play its channels on other screens. SiliconDust says its HDHomeRun "shares live TV throughout your home," and that you "watch with the free HDHomeRun app on the TVs, streaming devices, phones, tablets and computers you already use" (SiliconDust). Tablo says its Android app works "on any of the Android mobile devices in your home" (Tablo), and that the app will "automatically find and connect to your Tablo device over your home network" (Tablo quick start).
At home vs away from home
Watching on your home Wi-Fi and watching from somewhere else are different features, and not every device offers the second one:
- Tablo, 4th generation: Tablo says you "cannot watch live or recorded TV while accessing your 4th generation Tablo remotely" (Tablo).
- Earlier Tablo models: when Tablo launched its Tablo Connect feature in 2014, a phone or tablet first "must be 'paired' with your Tablo on your Tablo's home network" before it could watch away from home (Tablo).
- Encrypted channels: SiliconDust notes that "DRM encryption is used by select broadcasters to block out-of-home viewing," so some channels may play at home but not away (SiliconDust).
Features change with new models and app updates, so check the maker's current support pages for out-of-home viewing before you buy. If you mostly want local channels while traveling, our guide to local channels without cable covers how streaming services handle that.
How many tuners do you need?
Each tuner records or plays one live channel at a time. Tablo puts it simply: "the more tuners… the more… you can watch and record at the same time" (Tablo). Count the most shows your household records or watches live at the same moment. Watching a finished recording doesn't use a tuner.
How much can it record?
It depends on drive size and the quality setting. Tablo says about 128 GB holds roughly 80 hours of HD, and that 1 to 2 TB drives hold 300 to 1,200 hours depending on quality (Tablo). Some DVRs include storage; others need a drive you add.
Where does the program guide come from?
Stations send basic guide information in their broadcast signal. Fuller guide data comes from data companies over the internet (Tablo). Some DVRs include that guide, and others charge for it. HDHomeRun has a free basic tier and needs its full-guide subscription for series recording (SiliconDust). Check what the guide costs before you buy.
Can a DVR record NextGen TV?
Not always. Some NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) channels are encrypted, and only devices certified to decrypt them can play or record them. TV Technology reported that decryption keys have to be installed when a device is made, so a device without them can't add them later (TV Technology). PCWorld reported in January 2026 that HDHomeRun "remains unable to access encrypted ATSC 3.0 channels," and that gateway devices which can play them "still require an internet connection for DRM" (PCWorld).
For now, stations that broadcast NextGen still air their main channel in today's format, which every antenna DVR can record. Our NextGen TV guide explains where that stands.
Does a DVR need a good signal?
Yes. A DVR records what its tuner receives, so a channel that breaks up live breaks up in the recording too. Get the antenna working well first. Our signal guide covers that, and your city page shows the stations and directions where you live.