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The Quick Details On Amazon's New Fire TV Set Top Box

Amazon today officially announced Fire TV, their well-leaked attempt to enter the streaming set top hardware market. Contrary to some rumors this isn't a dongle but a Roku-3-esque box, featuring a quad-core processor, 2 GB of memory, and all the assorted streaming content options you've grown used to in the field (with an obvious heavy emphasis on Amazon's own streaming video service).

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Amazon claims the device is three-times faster than comparable devices from Roku or Apple and will embrace a more "open ecosystem" that competing products. Amazon today also stated that the Fire TV will feature voice command functionality "that actually works."

Amazon also hopes to win the hearts of more casual gamers. Users can order an add on $40 game controller, and the company says there will be over 1,000 games available with an average selling price of $1.85.

The device is now available for $99 on the Amazon website, so users will be able to test all those claims for themselves. You can find the full technical specs here.

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newview
Ex .. Ex .. Exactly
Premium Member
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD

newview

Premium Member

Looking forward to it

Bought it ... it'll be here Friday.

I've been watching Netflix & Amazon offerings through my homemade Media Center computer, which works great, except it's really hard to see the browser window links and read the video descriptions from across the room with these tired old eyes. I'm really looking forward to the voice activation also.

If all goes well, I'll be cancelling my DirecTV account shortly. I've been testing this last couple of months and the only time I actually used my DirecTV account was when the Olympics was on. I even put my account on "hold" for a month, and didn't miss it at all.

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
Asus RT-AC3100
(Software) Asuswrt-Merlin

Packeteers

Premium Member

Re: Looking forward to it

very compelling specs - if i didn't already have a roku3, i'd buy this even though i'm not a prime member.
amazon is putting out some disinformation about roku3 - you CAN get pandora and bloomberg tv on Roku3.
the voice recognition on the amazon alone is worth it especially because roku3 has no keyboard options.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: Looking forward to it

Yeah I recently nabbed a refurbished Roku 3 for cheap and am very happy with it. Don't see anything here that sells me on Amazon's particular implementation.

TkJunk
@google.com

TkJunk

Anon

Re: Looking forward to it

said by Karl Bode:

Yeah I recently nabbed a refurbished Roku 3 for cheap and am very happy with it. Don't see anything here that sells me on Amazon's particular implementation.

The Netflix app on Roku has had issues with Dolby Digital Plus causing surround sound problems with some shows. But other than that I see no need to replace the Roku with Amazon's box.

mabus
i make the fort glow
join:2002-11-12
Fort Wayne, IN

mabus to Packeteers

Member

to Packeteers
roku app for iOS and android allows you to type with a keyboard on your phone or tablet to control the roku device. the app is actually more useful than the actual roku remote.

kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL

kapil

Member

Re: Looking forward to it

I have not been able to do this. Are you sure it works....and does it work for the roku interface as well as the apps?

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY

Packeteers

Premium Member

Re: Looking forward to it

i could never get it to work on my android phone - it just types the letter "E" over and over again - useless.
i don't see the logic of a closed bluetooth solution - roku should open it's bluetooth up to anything relevant.
JoeSchmoe007
Premium Member
join:2003-01-19
Brooklyn, NY

JoeSchmoe007 to kapil

Premium Member

to kapil
I have successfully paired Youtube app with my Roku 3 and I can search on my phone and play on Roku. I don't have a solution for the other channels. Haven't tried Roku app.

tc1uscg
join:2005-03-09
Gulfport, MS

tc1uscg to Packeteers

Member

to Packeteers
I have 4 Roku's in my house. Top of the line Roku(2) and 1 middle of the road and one LT version (guest room). I called BS on Amazon as soon as I seen the compare chart. I've yet to realize I'm not watching HD content with sound that rocks your right off the couch so not sure what those guys in the amazon lab are talking about. I feel Roku's offer more content and didn't leave people who want to stream but don't have high end video/audio gear to do it. Amazon should have a high end and low end if they even want to try and compete. JMO..

Trimline
Premium Member
join:2004-10-24
Windermere, FL

Trimline to newview

Premium Member

to newview
After testing, why don't you write a review about your experience with the product. Many of us would be interested.
cfonger
join:2008-05-12
Moline, IL

cfonger

Member

But can it play ISO's from a network share?

They didnt compare it to a WD tv box so i am guessing it can't stream ISO's from a share or nas box

battleop
join:2005-09-28
00000

battleop

Member

Re: But can it play ISO's from a network share?

The WD tv box will do this? If I rip my DVD/Bluerays to an ISO do you get the menus and features?
cfonger
join:2008-05-12
Moline, IL

cfonger

Member

Re: But can it play ISO's from a network share?

My wd boxes, i have a live plus and a wd tv live (newer box) and both can stream isos, they will show dvd menus but will just play a bluray, no menus.

ghj109
@129.253.54.x

ghj109

Anon

Re: But can it play ISO's from a network share?

said by cfonger:

My wd boxes, i have a live plus and a wd tv live (newer box) and both can stream isos, they will show dvd menus but will just play a bluray, no menus.

I don't know about ISOs, but I create AVCHDs (blu-ray on hard disk) and it does menus fine on my WDTV Live. Now, don't get me started on embedded PGS subtitles.
viperlmw
Premium Member
join:2005-01-25

viperlmw to cfonger

Premium Member

to cfonger
I bought a WD TV Play (from Amazon, imagine that!) about 6 months ago for around $50. I agree, the local streaming capabilities are very usefull, as well as the ability to use video servers such as Twonky to stream internet video. Plus, I found a web browser (probably a bug, but it works!), so I can actually view web sites from my WD box! Also, what is the USB port for?
sharksfan3
Premium Member
join:2004-02-16
North Hollywood, CA

sharksfan3

Premium Member

Windows Media Center

Would like to see an official plugin for windows media center. We would begin to consume their streaming services.

ropeguru
Premium Member
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA

ropeguru

Premium Member

Nice but...

1. Is the remote wireless and not infrared?
2. Is it small enough to mount on the back of your TV?
3. And will it allow you to play angry birds from the standard remote?

Lol...
viperlmw
Premium Member
join:2005-01-25

viperlmw

Premium Member

Re: Nice but...

I think the remote is Bluetooth

Eagles1221
join:2009-04-29
Vincentown, NJ

Eagles1221

Member

Roku3

IIRC the Roku 3 has 512MB RAM, but I don't really have buffering issues or bogging down on the device unless the channel is crap (USTVnow, History App).

Not sure how much value quad core is seems like the ASIC in the Roku is fine to decode divx and MP4 using the USB channel.

Now that my Samsung tv is updated I run a lot right through there - less remotes.

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
Asus RT-AC3100
(Software) Asuswrt-Merlin

Packeteers

Premium Member

Re: Roku3

roku3 has a microsd slot, and none of these media players benefits from much more ram. a roku engineer posted on their forum that anything over 8gb is still addressable but will never get used in real life. around xmas i saw a class 6 microsd 8gb for like $5 so i added that to my roku3 so i'd never have to wonder if more ram would help.

Eagles1221
join:2009-04-29
Vincentown, NJ

Eagles1221

Member

Re: Roku3

And the only use the MicroSD is for caching channels. Useless feature. I have to hang a 128GB USB stick off it instead of having a nice SD card in it
ISurfTooMuch
join:2007-04-23
Tuscaloosa, AL

ISurfTooMuch

Member

Only way it could be better than Roku 3 is if...

...it handles 5.1 audio from Netflix differently. Netflix streams Dolby Digital Plus, which many surround sound receivers can't decode, so, if you have the Roku set to 5.1, you get no sound on Netflix unless you switch to stereo audio. You can do it from inside the app, but it won't retain the setting after you exit. The only way to make it stick is to change it in the Roku's preferences, which then changes it for all channels, many of which handle 5.1 just fine.

So, the only way this can be better is if the box either re-encodes to Dolby Digital, or it allows you to change audio settings just for Netflix and have them stick.

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
Asus RT-AC3100
(Software) Asuswrt-Merlin

Packeteers

Premium Member

Re: Only way it could be better than Roku 3 is if...

actually, there's a lot of room for improvement. i hate how stupid the software is in figuring out what you like to watch. every day i watch on hulu+ john stewert, richard colbert, jimmy fallon, but the stupid roku keeps starting jimmy kimmel on me instead which i never watch. while on netflix, i keep getting the same suggested viewing - come on netflix, you got a hundred thousand titles, if i didn't click on your suggestions the first time, why keep making them. i think if amazon turns out to be smarter at tracking and suggesting programming to it's owners, that could wind up being a major selling point once more reviews come in.

buzz_4_20
join:2003-09-20
Dover, NH
(Software) Sophos UTM Home Edition
Ruckus R310

buzz_4_20

Member

Seems Nice

I hope that someone finds a way to put XBMC/OpenELEC on it.

Also, I don't see anything about being able to play movies that are on the LAN?
I see Plex support but that all too often means the plex server will have to transcode, making the power of this device irrelevant and dropping the quality of the video.

RRedline
Rated R
Premium Member
join:2002-05-15
USA

RRedline

Premium Member

Re: Seems Nice

said by buzz_4_20:

I see Plex support but that all too often means the plex server will have to transcode, making the power of this device irrelevant and dropping the quality of the video.

What a strange thing to say! Whether the Plex server needs to transcode or not depends entirely on the capabilities of the device it is being played on. It's not the fault of the Plex server or the Plex app if transcoding is necessary.

If Plex weren't able to transcode, then that means the device you are watching from wouldn't being able to play the file at all! At least Plex steps in and transcodes it for you. The alternative would be for it not to play at all.

I haven't looked into the specifics yet of what this new device can play natively, but if it's at least as robust as the Roku 3, I will consider purchasing one. The Roku 3 works great with Plex, but it struggles on some high bit rate HD videos, and transcoding is necessary to deal with it. The Fire will likely not have that issue since its hardware is vastly superior to the Roku 3's. The interface for Plex looks much nicer on the Fire as well.

buzz_4_20
join:2003-09-20
Dover, NH
(Software) Sophos UTM Home Edition
Ruckus R310

buzz_4_20

Member

Re: Seems Nice

Yes... that's all well and good... However some people's media server just can't transcode 1080p content making Plex irrelevant.
Yes it does work good, and it's great when you're streaming to a phone or tablet. But transcoding 1080p content to a 1080p display is just unacceptable for myself.

RRedline
Rated R
Premium Member
join:2002-05-15
USA

RRedline

Premium Member

Re: Seems Nice

said by buzz_4_20:

Yes... that's all well and good... However some people's media server just can't transcode 1080p content making Plex irrelevant.
Yes it does work good, and it's great when you're streaming to a phone or tablet. But transcoding 1080p content to a 1080p display is just unacceptable for myself.

I understand, but at least the Plex server will transcode to the Plex client if the client's hardware can't play the file directly. Adding Plex to the mix doesn't get in the way of what will and what won't play on the client device without the need for a server to transcode. You seemed to imply that it did?

stet
Volitar Prime
join:2002-03-08
Utica, MI

stet

Member

Web Browser?

Does it have a web browser installed and/or allow me to install Dolphin? What about Flash? I want a device like that that will allow me to not only stream video from “apps” but also video that is only available imbedded in some web pages, some of which require Flash. Will this work for me?

Also, can you use a wireless mouse/keyboard with this?
eco
Premium Member
join:2001-11-28
Wilmington, DE

eco

Premium Member

Re: Web Browser?

Adobe stopped developing Flash for mobile devices a few years ago. This thing is basically a smartphone board inside a box.

»www.digitaltrends.com/mo ··· -mobile/

stet
Volitar Prime
join:2002-03-08
Utica, MI

stet

Member

Re: Web Browser?

Just because they stopped developing the mobile version doesn't mean much. It is still out there and it still works. And many web sites still use it and will continue using it for the foreseeable future.

FlashDead
@google.com

FlashDead to stet

Anon

to stet
said by stet:

Does it have a web browser installed and/or allow me to install Dolphin? What about Flash? I want a device like that that will allow me to not only stream video from “apps” but also video that is only available imbedded in some web pages, some of which require Flash. Will this work for me?

Also, can you use a wireless mouse/keyboard with this?

Flash is DEAD. Web sites still using Flash will have to switch to HTML5 or become irrelevant.

tc1uscg
join:2005-03-09
Gulfport, MS

tc1uscg

Member

Re: Web Browser?

I really wish that was true. Please inform the thousands of website that still us it and remind Adobe to stop sending out updates. Thank you...

stet
Volitar Prime
join:2002-03-08
Utica, MI

stet to FlashDead

Member

to FlashDead
Considering that Adobe just released Flash 12 I don't think it's quite dead yet.

battleop
join:2005-09-28
00000

battleop

Member

Faster?

"Amazon claims the device is three-times faster than comparable devices from Roku or Apple"

Does that really matter on these devices?
ISurfTooMuch
join:2007-04-23
Tuscaloosa, AL

ISurfTooMuch

Member

Re: Faster?

Theoretically, it could, since, at least with Roku, each channel is actually a small app that runs when you select it. More memory and processing power could allow for more feature-rich apps. If you have a Roku, load up the WeatherNation channel to see what's possible.

Another thing that could be affected is the box's UI. More resources could allow the manufacturer to load a more complex UI down the road.
boredsysadm
join:2012-01-11

boredsysadm

Member

"inspired" on controller design

and a lawsuit from Apple over controller design in 3,2,1

smunro622
Premium Member
join:2006-02-15
united state

smunro622

Premium Member

Re: "inspired" on controller design

apple would only sue if it was samsung
Skippy25
join:2000-09-13
Hazelwood, MO

1 edit

Skippy25

Member

Looks interesting but as with all of these it lacks..

I am looking at converting but all of these streaming devices and that don't provide full feature hardware.

What I mean by that is I want a simple device like this that will play DVD/BluRay, Stream media files, do all these streaming apps AND work as a OTA DVR or accept a cable card and work as a DVR cable box.

I am looking at the Tivo Roamio but again, it doesn't have a BluRay player OR the ability to play movies over the network from a media server (that I have found).

It seems you need a full blown media center computer for all of this and that is not what I am looking for.

•••••••••

cord cutter
@wideopenwest.com

cord cutter

Anon

fire tv

It looks like no vudu app, so for me its a no go

shimonmor
Premium Member
join:2000-12-30
Sedro Woolley, WA

shimonmor

Premium Member

Re: fire tv

And no MLB.TV app either. Roku has that.
malletto
join:2009-01-03
Purcellville, VA

malletto

Member

I'll get mine tomorrow

Ordered this afternoon, I'll post back with my thoughts probably late tomorrow night or Friday morning.

jmn1207
Premium Member
join:2000-07-19
Sterling, VA

jmn1207

Premium Member

Is Amazon Big Enough for Comcast to Care?

There are plenty of cool apps on my Roku 3 that require a participating pay TV provider to gain additional features or to increase the amount of available streaming content.

Comcast apparently has it out for Roku, as they would prefer everyone to have to fork over money for their set top boxes. HBO Go is a no go. FOX Now is never. History Channel is lost. I'm sure there are other services that are gimped by Comcast's size and influence and total disregard for customer service.

If Amazon can partner with the devil and get Comcast to relax their death-grip on innovation, I might be interested in this new media streamer. Otherwise, my Roku and any similar device is just a shadow of what it was when I had Verizon FiOS.

tc1uscg
join:2005-03-09
Gulfport, MS

tc1uscg

Member

Re: Is Amazon Big Enough for Comcast to Care?

Hope Comcast reads this.. I too avoid Comcast because of their US OR NOTHING attitude. The nickel dime crap has to stop too. They have good prices on HSI and video services but by the time you pay for the equipment just to watch or use said services, you have not only painted yourself into a higher bill, you get the caps and extra charges that go with it. I'll stick with WOW and live with 50 down/5 up service. At least I don't need a 2 or 3 dollar (price sure to go up) do-dad to watch WOW in the rooms I don't have a box.
tabernak4
join:2013-08-10

tabernak4

Member

Good competition!

The 3 standout features I see for this are hardware, standardized controller add on and (supposedly) more open app ecosystem.

If this proves true and they provide good yearly updates as they have with Kindle, then it has the potential to compete as a low cost console and HTPC replacement. If they provide yearly hardware updates it'll slowly catch up to consoles (probably already close to last gen) and if the USB accessibility and apps aren't restricted, HTPC replacement should be within grasp.
jjeffeory
jjeffeory
join:2002-12-04
Bloomington, IN

1 edit

jjeffeory

Member

Needs a couple more apps.

This app really needs to add support for MaxGo and EPIX, but it's great that Showtime Anytime is included. Also support for the Starz and Encore apps would be swell too. I wonder why it is taking so long to get these apps out to all of the devices out there, as I can run them on my Android devices without problems.

Curiosity2
@comcast.net

Curiosity2

Anon

Lots of questions

I use Comcast Cable and have Netflix and other apps on my TV so here are some questions about using a streaming box like the Amazon Fire. The quality of my Comcast HD is pretty good and my internet speed is about 30 Mb/s.

1) The Fire remote uses AAA batteries for bluetooth control. How long (approx) do the batteries last?
2) How does someone watch the Science Ch, AMC, History Ch, CNN, MSNBC, NBC,CBS, etc. if you replace cable with this box?
3) Will the latest episodes be available (not counting Netflix) on demand (to eliminate the DVR)? For example Vikings on history ch.
4) What subscription services have the channels that will replace Cable?

I appreciate the answers since only a streaming service that replaces cable is worth my consideration.

•••
AmericanMan
Premium Member
join:2013-12-28
united state

AmericanMan

Premium Member

Bandwith Limit Function for Amazon Prime Yet?

I'd be more interested in this if Amazon finally added the ability to limit bandwidth to a certain throughput, just like Netflix does (»help.netflix.com/en/node/87). Thankfully we have unlimited 3G, but we'd rather not use up all the bandwidth streaming a video, Netflix lets us control how much we use by locking in to the lowest setting.

And on our backup limited 4G connection, I have a feeling Amazon would try to burn through as much bandwidth as it could using its 'best quality' algorithm instead of giving us control.

TuxRaiderPen2
Make America Great Again
join:2009-09-19

1 recommendation

TuxRaiderPen2

Member

OK.... but does it interface with my miniDLNA server(s), NAS?

Could be a nice box IF

It interfaces to play media on miniDLNA servers, or NAS devices in MKV, etc..

Couldn't care less about all those stupid services... but as $99 interface to miniDLNA servers/NAS shares... could be interesting...

Dual band, good. 5.8GHz is my primary band

But as the intended use of getting me to pay for services...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA

Not a chance!

If it doesn't play my media, then as I posted... YAWWWWWWWWWWNnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

Not interested...... in more DRM, more lock in, more fees, more ads...

Nope...
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

Kearnstd

Premium Member

Re: OK.... but does it interface with my miniDLNA server(s), NAS?

in your case you would be better served by simply retasking spare computer parts that we know any Linux user has laying around and building a small HTPC. There are even Linux distros for use as a media center.

captylor
@bellsouth.net

captylor to TuxRaiderPen2

Anon

to TuxRaiderPen2
a Raspberry Pi with RaspBMC running on it works well to talk to NAS devices and play media types like MKV. Also works well with CEC.

Specs on Fire TV limit. From Manual for FireTv.
"Video: Decode: H.263, H.264,MPEG4c-SP, VC1; Output: HDMI 1.4b, up to 1080p/60,supporting common video formats, 50/60 Hz Audio: Decode:AAC, AC-3,E-AC-3,HE-A, PCM, MP3; Output: 2 channel stereo PCM,up to 7.1 channel Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+ (DD+ on HDMI only)"

cork1958
Cork
Premium Member
join:2000-02-26

cork1958

Premium Member

Just got a Roku

This is the third site I've been on that I've seen an article about this already this morning.

If it's anything like a Roku, they do work great, but unfortunately there's just as much junk crap on there as there is on regular expanded basic tv.

Had my Roku for a week now and haven't found a single thing worth watching! Taking Roku back today even!

Was hoping the Roku could find a way to entertain the wife so as to be able to cut the cord with Charter tv. It's not happening! If it wasn't for the wife, I wouldn't even own a tv.

TV. What a boring way to spend my time!!

Curiosity2
@comcast.net

Curiosity2

Anon

Re: Just got a Roku

This is my concern and why I would hesitate to cut the cable cord. However i do find a number of very fun and interesting shows on cable. If you haven't tried them I would suggest Big Bang Theory (comedy), Vikings, Turn (starts on 4/6/2014), Cosmos and many others. A DVR is is great tool. thanks for your post on using Roku.
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