Good streaming player, but unfortunately a lot of wasted potential

Good streaming player, but unfortunately a lot of wasted potential

Amazon Fire TV (Electronics)

Customer Review

* UPDATE * 05/02/2015
The new Fire TV software version 1.5 is now for several days outside. This update resolves some deficiencies of Fire TVs are compensated or mitigated.

The most important for me to Fire News TV:

+ USB memory device is detected
+ More Bluetooth devices are supported

- New "banners" on the home page

Also on board are a few other new features such as the ability to connect with Hotel WLANs when you should because more pull with his Fire TV across the country. Also quite interesting for Amazon content appears to be X-Ray. This function while looking IMDB information can be displayed. There are certainly a few other small details, like the new PIN entry that seems a little awkward at first glance, but prevents other viewers can read the new single number entries on the screen.

USB:

The possibility of the USB port at last be able to use for more than just for Input Devices, eradicates the greatest weakness of the Fire TVs namely the weak storage facilities from partially. Apps can now be pushed to a connected drive, which also works pretty well. I can save two installed games (Game of Thrones S01 and Snow Board PartyLite) on the USB stick. In either case, by far the largest amounts of data have been stored on the stick. For example GoT now occupies just about 2 MB on the internal memory, 0.94 GB are on the stick.
As already with other Android devices, it is not at every app possible to always push also the bulk of the data to the external memory. For example, it makes little sense at Kodi. Here are just a few MB are stored on the stick, but most data remains on the device.

Generally, I'm pleasantly surprised that Amazon has reworked here as well and is provided to the device officially up to 128 GB more memory available. Unofficially should even run even more sticks, but I did the absence of such equipment can not test.
I can not quite understand the recommendation that one should buy a USB 3.0 flash drive. The Fire TV has only a UBS 2.0 input. Sure, if you always buys a new stick, USB 2.0 makes hardly any sense, since larger amounts of memory are now one way or another often sold with the new interface. And in general should also be equipped with faster memory, a USB 3.0 flash drive, which brings more power to hire, even under USB 2.0. But it's not absolutely necessary precisely.

The developer option "USB debugging" must be disabled by the way, so that the memory (or other USB devices) are correctly identified.

Meanwhile, I run a small USB 2.0 Hub on Fire TV. So I can use an Xbox 360 wireless gamepad and a USB stick to the same time. You should pay attention only that it does not draw too much power with such a HUB, because for the connection of Fire TV is not designed course. Or you worried located just a hub with its own power supply.

Bluetooth:

The official newsletter of the new Amazon Bluetooth compatibility is especially applied for Bluetooth headphones. But far more Bluetooth devices are still detected. No detours, it is now also possible to Bluetooth mouse and keyboard on the Fire TV settings (menu item Game Controller and Bluetooth devices) to be coupled with the Fire TV. Especially nice I find here the support of my imaginary actually for Tablet's (no-name) Mini keyboard. The keyboard is recognized directly to the right (German) layout. On the Samsung tablet, the keyboard for which I have worried as a bundle with an envelope to me, the German layout was only indirectly available (via the app External Keyboard Helper).

Installed by sideload browser can be personalized with your mouse and keyboard is now almost as comfortable to use as a PC, if it were not the on-screen keyboard of the Fire would TV that pops up on every entry. Nevertheless, the keyboard is already in many Apps a relief, for example, the login process or finding.

Conclusion about the update:

Amazon has done with the new update some steps forward. USB and Bluetooth compatibility improve the handling of the device already. In particular, the possibility of memory expansion.

But all negative points can not resolve these update. It still lacks many desirable Apps in the Fire TV's app selection. The wonderfully with the Fire TV functioning Kodi still missing as well as a browser for added now has come good keyboard support.
Luckily the sideloading still works without problems. Are the programs in the Amazon App Store available, you can still "integrate" them on the home page (s. Below Note to SPMC).

I would respect. The keyboard support also wish that the onscreen keyboard automatically simply disables device at entry via Bluetooth. Or that there is an option to disable.

Unfortunately, the clarity of Fire TV menu has not increased. It still lacks a way to quickly to open all installed apps. The new banner on the home page for prime-content seems to me personally to be superfluous, since the home and actually all other pages of the launcher to point me already many more times on the same content.

Granted, this is bleating at a high level. I have already spent a lot of time with the Fire TV and do not want to miss it. Just now because it is an Amazon unit is not only, but with some training and many other entertainment options are open (without root!).
The update has the device in any case improves, so do I increase my score of 3 to 4 points.

* UPDATE * 19/11/2014
It is indeed a method to get the SPMC in the Start menu, without root or Llama trick.

1. SPMC by sideload install (APK there on the developer's side [...]
2. SPMC in the category Search for apps & games and for 0 "buy"
3. Fire on TV Settings -> Synchronize Amazon content -> My Account

Lo and behold, the media center is now completely without tricks on the "Home" - to find> "Current".
While it is still a great pity that the app is recognized as incompatible with the device and not be found from the outset in the Fire TV's app selection, but at least you can go to this institution easily access it (software version 51.1. 4.0_user_514006420).
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* Orignial post 11.17.2014 *

As Prime-priced offer for 49, and I got myself the Fire TV. Since the quota was known to be depleted very quickly, I had to wait a few months until I my
Got copies. After two weeks more than originally predicted Amazon.
Most of it was indeed already said, but I want my impressions, make known the advantages and downside of the small box. Who does not like to read my ramblings, jumps to conclusions.

Positive

The hardware is quite potent and lasts for a Full HD media player from perfect. Complete the Look with a really very small and inconspicuous device that probably next to or even well behind any TV screen. The unit responds immediately to the simple but wertig-feeling remote. Thanks to Bluetooth you need here no longer, as with conventional remote controls on the unit objectives (Attachment behind the TV is therefore quite feasible).
The Amazon video service works smoothly (some wishes still remain open, s. Below). Even Netflix runs flawlessly in the current version. The best feature compared to the previous PC use of these services is the Dolby Digital output, for me, this was also one of the crucial point of buying. Otherwise you get normally only with a console in this pleasure, as far as I know.

Also works well to integrate the libraries of public service. So you have easy access to the chance to catch up the missed scene or the evening news, without having to first boot up the PC.
Games have a surprisingly good graphics, you would not have expected such a small device some time ago (eg Riptide GP2), some games it does exaggerate a bit, which is then confirmed with partial bucking (eg asphalt 8). Certainly one should not all the standards setting it too high a PS4 or Xbox One has a small TV Fire naturally to oppose anything, especially any current PC. Somewhere between Wii and PS3 but with pleasant resolution, I would classify the graphics.
I was pleasantly surprised that a Xbox 360 controller is detected by the device and is supported by many games (eg above). The only drawback here, the wirless controller does not turn itself off as the PC. So if you just want a taste of times the games air of Fire TVs, so the not quite favorable matching Fire TV Controller does not have to necessarily buy yet. The advantage of the original controller lies in the fact that it can be used without the USB connection.

It is (in a roundabout way, s. Below) also possible the XBMC (or SPMC) to install, therefore, it is also content from the local network very comfortable, pleasant service on TV. Again, works for something means all work with Dolby Digital or DTS do (depending on the source). Clueless newbies should but read through this tutorial.

Voice Search is a nice gimmick and just in finding Instant Videos of great help (see Fig. Below). That the function is not available to all apps, is indeed a pity, but something's own apps must indeed stand out from the competition on your own device.

Negative

The surface of the player is of course strongly oriented to Amazon. What's also ok for an Amazon device and it will endeavor to integrate some of the competitors. What I did not find so great is the confusion. Instant Video is divided into many categories, while inviting to browse, but by (voice) search you just go often but your goal faster. Unfortunately, there are unlike Netflix still no way to change the sound track.

Too bad, I also think that the distinction between Prime offers and the fee-based instant videos that are not included in Prime is very small. The videos are displayed on an equal footing and can be seen at first glance only to the small prime symbol in the top left.
Those who have children at home, or technically not too savvy visitors who are not familiar and just click anything should necessarily (!) Activate Parental Control, lest unwittingly a movie for about 2-17 dollars is purchased.

There unfortunately the same the next not so beautiful point. There is no way to limit the Parental Control only on its own payment services. If it is activated, the code must be entered virtually at any point in the setup menu first. In the System settings and Parental Control options that's right. But why in the picture and sound settings and when displaying external apps? The annoying part quite formidable.

This means that the overflow to the next and in my opinion the biggest flaw is given: APPs.

First, it should be noted briefly that it is borderline bad for a part-time game console already that this comes with non-expandable 8 GB, of which a good part is already occupied by the system itself. More memory or an SD card slot or USB memory for that matter, would do well here. It should be noted that long can not talk of small mobile games, but some games already have a UK court claim (eg asphalt 8).

The in-house Amazon Appstore, the there are devices for Kindle devices and also for all other Android is not available in their entirety on the Fire TV.
Under the heading Apps cavort only a very few, in addition to games and media centers, for the most part rather useless apps. In addition, this is confusing aufgteilt in partially strange-looking categories. But not all the wonderful things that make the Fire TV more than a just Amazon streaming players are to be found here.
For example it is absolutely incomprehensible to me that the wonderful functioning SPMC is ready not just to install, although the Amazon App Store, the app knows (Fire TV is supposed to but incompatible)! Even the ES File Explorer, which provides easy access to Windows shares or VLC Player can not be installed via the integrated App Store.
These are all apps which combine well with the players, but unfortunately you are forced to install these laboriously via sideload. For this you have only once come close to the appropriate APK files and, of course, one must also work through this tutorial again.
But that's not all, the Fire TV's Launcher (Desktop) does not allow direct linking of the install in this manner Apps. You must every time laboriously through the Settings item - (enter only now again PIN)> applications - be> Manage all installed apps selected and started.

In my view, the pure harassment and a serious limitation of the potential that has the player actually.
Almost a plus would then support for USB devices such as mouse and keyboard. However, the mouse is virtually useless because the interface operation is designed for the remote control (Ok, is supposed to be a PC replacement). But by default you can always opt for a USB device, ie mouse out, purely keyboard (I have a Logitech K400 anyway with touchpad). Seems even first time to work, but with English layout! Setting options, there is no here. In addition, always pops up the remote on-screen keyboard, which is very cumbersome in the case of a real keyboard.

That one about the einspielbare per sideload Settings.apk (Original Android settings menu), then you can connect other devices via Bluetooth, z. B. a Bluetooth mouse, my mood then was unable to improve as well.
Without German keyboard layout majority of users likely already have hardly much joy to use z. B. a browser. Oh wait, the browser, there is not even in the Fire TV app selection. Chrome and Firefox, however I can open easily via sideload, up to said input problems.

Conclusion

The list goes on continue, but I do not want to just complain, because on the whole the device gives me currently quite joy. And for 49 the small device with the appropriate adaptations is definitely a more than worthy successor to my portly AC Ryan.

However, Amazon would rise sharply at me out of favor when the next software update to bring the following:

1. Integration of all installed apps on the Home
a. Alternatively, a real launcher where you can create any shortcuts itself (z. B. something like Nova Launcher)
2. Have A full App Store, as it certainly other Amazon devices
3. An option to hide or clear delimitation of non-prime content
4. Better integration of mouse and keyboard (layout, deactivatable On-Screen Keyboard)
5. A browser
6. The ability to expand the memory

I fear though that my requests are not answered in full. But with each of these features would be the Fire TV my HTPC, which is currently still connected, can actually detach little by little. That means I would have more time in the Fire TV and thus the Amazon world spending). Currently I unfortunately only 3 stars, but still quite with enhancement potential!

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