Nuvyyo, the Canadian electronics manufacture that makes the popular Tablo over-the-air digital video recorders (DVRs), is forcing long-time users to install new firmware that includes a “security patch” and additional features found in newer devices.
In a notice sent to customers with legacy Tablo DVRs on Monday, Nuvyyo offered no specific details about the security patch, but said customers who didn’t update to the latest firmware would lose certain features, including “access to all subscription features,” even if they previously made a one-time payment for lifetime access to those functions.
The features that will be removed from Tablo devices without the firmware update include the extended 14-day television guide data, advanced recording features and the ability to watch live and recorded programming when roaming through the “Tablo Connect” function.
Tablo devices that don’t install the firmware update will also lose access to future updates and downloads, and may not be able to connect to legacy Tablo apps.
The firmware update also gives customers the option to complete Tablo’s “legacy transition,” which unlocks a number of additional features like free, ad-supported streaming TV channels on older-model Tablo DVRs. Reached by e-mail on Monday, a spokesperson clarified that the legacy transition is optional for customers who download the firmware update.
Tablo users who install the update can maintain their existing subscription and use legacy Tablo apps available in the Apple, Amazon, Roku and Android app stores to continue using features that aren’t available on newer Tablo DVRs or through the new Tablo app, including commercial-skip functions and out-of-home streaming.
On a support page, Nuvyyo said the firmware update was necessary because Tablo communicates with remote servers to pull TV programming information and for other functions. When connected to those servers, a Tablo device passes along security credentials that are encrypted. Those credentials have a short shelf life and must be renewed on a regular basis.
“Security credentials for devices and servers have set expiry dates, just like passports,” Nuvyyo said. “Setting expiry dates is one of the best practices Tablo uses to help reduce overall security risks.”
Nuvyyo said some older Tablo models that connect to TV sets via HDMI ports aren’t affected by the firmware update requirement because “they use more recent and up-to-date security credentials.” It wasn’t clear why Nuvyyo couldn’t update the firmware of older devices to use the same type of security credentials as newer hardware without also installing other features that customers may not use or want. The company said the security patch was not connected to any known threats involving a customer’s home network, Internet connection or specific Tablo DVR.
The firmware update is free. When accessed through the legacy Tablo app, the company prompts a user to download and install the update, which requires a device reset and rebuilding of the device’s recording database.
Tablo is owned by the E. W. Scripps Company.
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Editor’s note: This story was updated Monday afternoon to clarify that the firmware installation enabled the option to complete the “legacy transition” update on older-model DVRs. The previous version said the firmware update installed additional functionality, without specifying that those newer features were optional.
