Amazon Fire TV is a tiny box that connects your HDTV to a world of online entertainment. With a huge selection of TV episodes and movies, voice search that actually works, plus exclusive features like ASAP and Amazon FreeTime, it’s the easiest way to enjoy Netflix, Prime Instant Video, Hulu Plus, low-cost movie rentals, live and on demand sports, music, photos, games, and more.
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There's never been a better way to enjoy Prime Instant Video.
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Less searching, more watching. Speak into your remote to instantly find TV shows, movies, games, and more.
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Easy navigation, powerful recommendations, intuitive remote—everything about Fire TV is simple.
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Introducing the easiest, most affordable way to game on your HDTV.
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Coming Next Month—Amazon FreeTime lets kids watch safely, with simple controls for screen limits and personalized profiles just for kids.
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| Amazon Fire TV | Roku 3 | Apple TV | Google Chromecast | |
| List Price | $99 | $99 | $99 | $35 |
| Features | ||||
| Voice Search |
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| HDMI video out (up to 1080p) |
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| Certified Dolby Digital Plus surround sound |
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| Optical audio out |
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| Processor | Quad-core | Dual-core | Single-core | Single-core |
| Memory | 2 GB | 512 MB | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Ethernet (wired connectivity) |
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| Wi-Fi | Dual-band/Dual-antenna (MIMO) | Dual-band/Dual-antenna (MIMO) | Dual-band/Dual-antenna | Single-band |
| Remote with no line of sight required |
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| Popular Services | ||||
| Netflix |
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| Amazon Instant Video |
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| Hulu Plus |
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| Crackle |
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| YouTube |
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| HBO GO |
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| Showtime Anytime |
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| WatchESPN |
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| Bloomberg TV |
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| Vevo |
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| Pandora |
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| Games | ||||
| Number of Games |
100+ (thousands more coming soon) |
Less than 100 | None | None |
| Optional dedicated game controller (sold separately) |
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Customer Reviews
First is Apple TV which is easy to use (interface) but Apple limits the content you can get greatly (including no Prime Streaming built in) and it lacks a lot in features as well and is slow. The reason for selecting Apple TV is if you have other apple products that unlock features (like Amazon's content).
The second option you could consider was Roku--which really means a Roku 3 box since it is heads and tails better than past Roku boxes in terms of remote and speed. Now Roku stands out with the most content and the most features of any box with the Roku 3. It is for that reason you will see me address the Roku 3 so often in this review.
I have added quick summaries of other options to make sure everyone knows about the other options out there.
WDTV: Are great for streaming your own content but not very user friendly.
Chromecast: Is very cheap at $35 but requires other items to use (no remote included!), is limited to 16 channels according to their own site with other content broadcast via Chrome's browser not at the same quality level. This does allow you to browse the internet on your tv and is amazing for the cost but is more of a niche market than FireTV/Roku/Apple TV. But if you can live with the short comings, it is worth a look at 1/3 the price of these devices.
Smart TVs: Most of these are FINE for occasional use but not nearly as pleasant to use daily like separate boxes. Read more ›
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**Quick update about surround sound**
The Fire Box Seems to default to Stereo, you need to go into settings and turn on "Dolby Digital Plus." This can be found under the settings heading, under the far right setting box, then under Audio, you have to choose whether it will be Optical or HDMI. This should solve the no surround sound issues...
I am not a vine member (Those folks do excellent reviews, I'm just not that lucky to be Vine yet), nor am I speaking to something I don't own, By that I mean that I paid for it myself and here is my Experience so Far:
Is it the best thing ever? No...
Is it the worst thing ever? Nope, Not by a long shot...
In fact, it's up with the top streaming boxes when you take into account future app development...
It's a very good device, comparable to a Roku in most ways, some better some worse (Once apps start getting ported we'll see what happens) but there is plenty of room to make a "FireTV 2" much better in the future...
So here's my review:
Overall the packaging came in perfect order, it was easy to open, and nothing was missing.
Setup was simple, It took a few minutes thanks to a large initial update to download, but otherwise just as easy as setting up a kindle fire.
Pros:
Android Based (which means many apps coming and the potential to root and gain more features
Ability to use Apps (Not just having to rely on what's preloaded like to many older TV boxes and Bluray players)
Accurate voice search - This one surprised me, It actually worked, Way better than Xbox Voice Commands or Siri, and Better than S Voice... Read more ›
BROAD ASSESSMENT
The Fire TV needs to find its place in a pretty crowded marketplace. From what I've experienced so far, due to its tight integration with the Fire HDX tablets and Amazon's own Instant Video service it should be a great pick for anyone who owns the Amazon tablet and subscribes to Amazon's Prime. Its ability to play games and the ease of downloading them should also appeal to most non-hard-core gamers. For everybody else, it's depending on one's needs and expectations, the Fire TV may or may not be the 'right' streamer to buy.
Knowing how Amazon's great readers and tablets evolved over time, it's likely that Amazon will listen to 'us' and there will be a much more interesting, 'new and improved' gamer/streamer next year, much more capable and much better tuned to our needs and wants.
CONTENT
The Fire TV offers most but not all mainstream services and I suspect it covers what most of us will ever want to access but for anyone who wants more variety, Amazon's selection pales when compared to Roku's 1000+ channels. Most of the mainstream services now on Fire TV are also available on Roku, PS3/4, Xbox 360/One and many on Google's Chromecast.
Fire TV attempts to be a little different when it comes to accessing content, allowing for voice search. A similar feature is available on Roku platforms, only it requires some typing. Read more ›
For playing great looking and smooth running casual games, Amazon Fire TV is... Read more
Here are my Initial impressions:
The physical look and feel of the device and remote are very premium... Read more
