Amazon Fire TV Streaming Devices
01-30-15, 08:56 AM
#277
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Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
I've done two factory resets and I'm about ready to just throw this piece of crap away. The stick is literally 3 feet away from the router and I can't watch videos on Hulu+, Netflix or even Amazon Prime without the video glitching/stuttering two or three times a show. I'm glad I didn't spend more than $20 on it. We've pretty much gone back to using the PS3 for our streaming.
01-30-15, 09:52 AM
#278
Senior Member
Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
Despite a couple hiccups with the WiFi, mine has been great. I think the distance between my Fire TV stick and router is the cause of it. The main TV I use it on is farther away and I occasionally experience stuttering, but when I use it on a TV closer to the router, I don't have any issues.
01-30-15, 10:08 AM
#279
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
It also seems to be picky on what routers it supports, but if you have a well compatible one, running at 5ghz, you're probably going to be alright.
01-30-15, 11:40 AM
#280
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
I get a few pauses when starting a show on the WWE Network on the stick. The non-stick Fire TV has been near flawless, though, and we use it everyday. Netflix, XBMC and HBOtoGo.
01-30-15, 01:17 PM
#282
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
I've had no issues at all. Granted, my router is located behind my TV, so it would be impossible for it to be any closer. And I've not done much streaming using other methods, so I have nothing to compare it to. But I've been pleased.
01-30-15, 01:19 PM
#283
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
The Hulu app seems to be particularly bad and sensitive to "network issues". In-house Plex works reliably and well, PlexPass is unreliable. Netflix mostly works alright and Amazon Instant works pretty decently on it (I'll get numerous "Network Connection Lost" errors for no reason from time to time but otherwise is okay). This would originally sit with the Software Developer, but Amazon is actually pretty far behind on a few apps, either for their own testing or because they require Fees for updates (not sure if they do).
The Wireless has been patched a bit but still has bugs, mine will occasionally lose all Networking for no reason and need a reboot (easiest way is to hold Select + Play until it reboots) and then it starts working again.
System updates and App updates still seem to erase credentials which is frustrating when gifting them out as well (parents/relatives that are older)
I have none of these issues on my Roku 3, but that also cost me $40 - $45 more.
The Wireless has been patched a bit but still has bugs, mine will occasionally lose all Networking for no reason and need a reboot (easiest way is to hold Select + Play until it reboots) and then it starts working again.
System updates and App updates still seem to erase credentials which is frustrating when gifting them out as well (parents/relatives that are older)
I have none of these issues on my Roku 3, but that also cost me $40 - $45 more.
Last edited by RichC2; 01-30-15 at 01:26 PM.
01-30-15, 03:29 PM
#285
DVD Talk Limited Edition
02-03-15, 08:39 AM
#289
Moderator
Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
The wifi has improved since I got it. Initially, it was terrible (both Netflix and Amazon streaming). However, hasn't buffered once in the last few weeks. Haven't checked to see whether an update was ever deployed.
02-03-15, 08:42 AM
#290
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Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
I think I'm going to reach out to Amazon and see if I can get a replacement, then. I love the concept and am perfectly fine with the idea that the stick may be bad as opposed to the other possibility that it's just a piece of crap. A couple days ago, it decided that it just needed to do a reboot 20 seconds into a Netflix show.
ETA: Aside from having to supply my wife's info (The Prime is under her name), it was really easy to work with Amazon support. I'll have the replacement by Thursday and hopefully that'll work better than this one. Figured it's worth saying that their CS is pretty darned solid after taking a dumb on my unit.
ETA: Aside from having to supply my wife's info (The Prime is under her name), it was really easy to work with Amazon support. I'll have the replacement by Thursday and hopefully that'll work better than this one. Figured it's worth saying that their CS is pretty darned solid after taking a dumb on my unit.
Last edited by Dexter Douglas; 02-03-15 at 12:06 PM.
02-09-15, 09:25 AM
#292
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Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
After using the new one for a few days now, it looks like the old one was just bad. I'm really glad that's the case because it's a great piece of hardware to have other than the iffy performance. I'm going to sideload Sling TV tonight and see how that works.
02-09-15, 10:53 AM
#293
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
I have a Roku 3, and am quite happy with it. I've been considering adding a Fire Stick, and was wondering if it's worth it, seeing as I am happy with my Roku.
02-09-15, 11:28 AM
#294
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Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
I played with my folks' Roku 3 over the weekend, and honestly I wouldn't switch to a Fire Stick. If you're adding a device, then it's not a bad option at all, especially for the money. I personally just like the ridiculous number of channels you can add to the Roku 3 and I really dig the interface. If this replacement Stick didn't work out, I was going to spring for a Roku 3 and call it a day.
03-20-15, 03:35 PM
#295
Senior Member
Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
HBO GO comes to the Amazon Fire TV Stick
http://www.androidcentral.com/hbo-go...-fire-tv-stick
For those of you rocking one of Amazon's Fire TV Sticks, today may be your lucky day. HBO GO has finally made its way to the streaming dongle.
There hasn't yet been a formal announcement, but HBO GO is indeed available for the Fire TV Stick through the dongle's app store.
HBO GO originally hit the Fire TV back in December, but users of its smaller sibling, the Fire TV Stick, were left out of the party with a promise that the service would hit the streaming dongle sometime in the spring.
If you'd like to try the app out on your Fire TV Stick, you should be able to snag it from the device's app store now. However, do keep in mind that HBO GO does require an active cable subscription from a participating provider to use.
http://www.androidcentral.com/hbo-go...-fire-tv-stick
For those of you rocking one of Amazon's Fire TV Sticks, today may be your lucky day. HBO GO has finally made its way to the streaming dongle.
There hasn't yet been a formal announcement, but HBO GO is indeed available for the Fire TV Stick through the dongle's app store.
HBO GO originally hit the Fire TV back in December, but users of its smaller sibling, the Fire TV Stick, were left out of the party with a promise that the service would hit the streaming dongle sometime in the spring.
If you'd like to try the app out on your Fire TV Stick, you should be able to snag it from the device's app store now. However, do keep in mind that HBO GO does require an active cable subscription from a participating provider to use.
03-20-15, 03:39 PM
#296
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
I played with my folks' Roku 3 over the weekend, and honestly I wouldn't switch to a Fire Stick. If you're adding a device, then it's not a bad option at all, especially for the money. I personally just like the ridiculous number of channels you can add to the Roku 3 and I really dig the interface. If this replacement Stick didn't work out, I was going to spring for a Roku 3 and call it a day.
04-15-15, 05:56 PM
#298
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
The new firmware allows users to connect to hotel WiFi.
Amazon Fire TV OS 1.5 brings X-Ray, UI changes, lets you connect to hotel Wi-Fi
Amazon today announced the release of Fire TV OS 1.5, which bundles numerous improvements and new features to enhance the viewing experience.
Both the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick are affected by the software update, which should be automatically rolling out as we speak. Fire TV OS 1.5 introduces captive portal support, enabling owners of the devices to connect to public Wi-Fi (like hotels and dorms) that require web authentication to enjoy on-demand content.
While viewing your favorite shows and movies on-screen, X-Ray will display information about actors and songs in the current scene, offer trivia quizzes and more. We've already covered this part of the update in some detail. Should you be a Prime member, you'll now be able to access curated Prime Music playlists from Fire TV.
The company also made some handy changes to the user interface, including hidden PIN entry for those times when you want to make sure the kids can't see the entered digits, as well as new shortcuts that help you quickly put the Fire TV to sleep or even enable display mirroring by simply pressing and holding the home button.
Other notable improvements included in the 1.5 release (for the Fire TV only) bring expandable USB storage support and private listening through connected Bluetooth headphones.
http://www.androidcentral.com/amazon...oftware-update
Amazon today announced the release of Fire TV OS 1.5, which bundles numerous improvements and new features to enhance the viewing experience.
Both the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick are affected by the software update, which should be automatically rolling out as we speak. Fire TV OS 1.5 introduces captive portal support, enabling owners of the devices to connect to public Wi-Fi (like hotels and dorms) that require web authentication to enjoy on-demand content.
While viewing your favorite shows and movies on-screen, X-Ray will display information about actors and songs in the current scene, offer trivia quizzes and more. We've already covered this part of the update in some detail. Should you be a Prime member, you'll now be able to access curated Prime Music playlists from Fire TV.
The company also made some handy changes to the user interface, including hidden PIN entry for those times when you want to make sure the kids can't see the entered digits, as well as new shortcuts that help you quickly put the Fire TV to sleep or even enable display mirroring by simply pressing and holding the home button.
Other notable improvements included in the 1.5 release (for the Fire TV only) bring expandable USB storage support and private listening through connected Bluetooth headphones.
http://www.androidcentral.com/amazon...oftware-update
04-18-15, 10:30 PM
#299
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
04-18-15, 11:45 PM
#300
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Amazon Fire TV Stick
Probably, I love the Chromecast but it could use an actual menu. BD Players make terrible non-BD media devices in general.