Caveat: I'm actually not a fan of "closed" systems. For this reason, I like, for example, no Apple TV, which confines me so in terms of possibilities. But when fireTV box and the current fireTV stick has to be said very clearly that he his money's worth for the intended use really. He's just directed mainly to the existing Amazon offering, providing also happen to be the opportunities to other Apps & Games. So a good choice if you just looking for something.
When Media Center, for example, during operation via sideload App "KODI" but recommended no way! Against a Raspberry Pi of fireTV lame so that a Media Center so that makes no fun. More about that later more, first I would like to focus clearly depend on the intended use: Amazon Prime.
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Requirements for fireTV Stick:
Especially older TV devices, which still no smart-TV options and the ability to offer are various apps so well served, as it will enhance any conventional television so. The fireTV Stick at last creates the opportunity to bring the entire Amazon offer on any TV no matter how old, as long as at least one HDMI connection is available. Of course, you should also have an appropriate Internet performance (recommended minimum 6,000 KB / s), because otherwise difficulties will benefit from judder HD content. Although this should be obvious from the outset, I would like to point out once again this however. ;) So if you have a TV or monitor with HDMI connection and a good internet connection, the first conditions has ever met.
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For whom is the fireTV stick is, what it can do, what's inside:
The fireTV stick should be of particular interest to those who are primarily seeking clearly looking for a way to transmit the whole Amazon range of movies, series and music on your own TV set. But beyond the fireTV Stick but also offers many other advantages, such as the whole game, for which there are even developed in-house for game controllers. To times briefly to the games, so there are also here a wide mass of games, from simple classic Tetris on racing and adventure games. Again, should always find something for entertainment, therefore. Furthermore, many other apps available, are there any other VOD providers like Netflix or Spotify, online media libraries of ARD, ZDF & Co. or just Youtube. Also this section is not to be underestimated, as they like in smartphones a lot of different apps offer similar, the offer is constantly growing. And finally offers the fireTV Stick course also the possibility for music and photos, making libraries of music and photos managed - and can be played or viewed via TV at the end. So overall a successful all-round package.
Not to mention, what gives us the fireTV Stick to software überhauptet, we draw attention to the hardware times. Here are a small stick is on offer compared to the "big" fireTV Box, which roughly as large as a standard 0815 Lighter. (See attached photos) He is simply connected via HDMI and stream, therefore sits hidden behind the TV. What is needed on cables is all there in the delivery, which I personally felt the power cord fallen somewhat short. In fireTV stick itself a fairly strong CPU is, namely an ARM Cortex A9 chip (dual-core up to 1.2 GHz) with Video Core 4 GPU (integrated in CPU) with OpenGL ES 2.0 and 1 GB of memory (RAM). So to enough power to the justice to what he gives us, among other things, the 1080p encode / decode playback is no problem. Although he has integrated Wi-Fi (up to 300 Mbit), but has no LAN connection. Moreover, he has "only" Bluetooth 3.0 and not have its own audio output.
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How does the whole thing was in use at me:
After I was now the fireTV Stick now already extensively test and bring to its limits, I can say one thing: Everything ran smoothly for me and without jerking. And I speak now not only direct playback of media, but also the entire operation of the surface, ie menu. Jediglich the boot sequence is in contrast to fireTV box a little slower, with which one can live. The only thing I felt was a negative that some graphics-intensive games are not supported at all. As long as one's no great value on exactly those apps and games sets (eg sideload apps), is very well served by the fireTV Stick With regard to the liquid operation. One must also bear in mind that this is no full-fledged computer or game console flat. In my opinion, enough what the fireTV stick has to offer, so perfect for standard use of.
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Direct Comparison of the big brother: fireTV Box vs. fireTV Stick:
This time the main differences between the two devices ...
fireTV Stick (left) vs. || || FireTV Box (right)
CPU: Dual Core ARM A9 2x1 Ghz || vs. || Quad core ARMv7-A compatible 4x1,7 Ghz
GPU: VideoCore4 GPU (integrated) || vs. || Qualcomm Adreno 320 (dedicated)
OpenGL: OpenGL ES 2.0 vs. || || OpenGL ES 3.0
RAM: 1 GB || vs. || 2 GB
LAN: NO || vs. || Yes, 10/100 Mbit
Bluetooth 3.0 vs. || || 4.0
Audio output: NO || vs. || Yes, optical (Toslink)
USB Interface: No || vs. || Yes
So here you can clearly see that the "big brother" is clearly superior.
The only times to compare to just keep the time in mind.
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So, now to the essential. Also I have of course my fireTV Stick get time and could even much testing.
I have it so far not managed to get him to the limits, therefore can not (yet?) Nothing negative.
DELIVERY:
The package included everything you need for direct use: fireTV Stick, power cable, HDMI extender cable (only required if the drive should not be as fit as early as the desired HDMI connection), the remote control with 2 AAA batteries and a small manual. Everything was packed in a stylish box and somehow I had the feeling that I would unwrap an Apple product! ;-) Photos, see appendix.
Installation, setup:
The installation on the TV is really easy, the stick is simply plugged into any HDMI port and the Mains lead comes from, where else, of course, into the socket. That's about it. Switch on TV, select HDMI input and you can start setting up. The whole setup process is accompanied by an assistant, everything is most exactly explained. (You can either fireTV Stick remote control or use the TV's remote control. If supported by the TV CEC, the included Remote control can save really. For me at least it worked that way.) After the first setup is complete, are there is a small introduction, what I felt implemented for good. Then we end up on the home screen.
If it does not appear automatically, you should perform a software update is now first times. For this we überpürfen under Settings - System - Information at the bottom to select "Check Available No system updates" and see if the latest version is already installed. We close any mistakes from which we get angry at the end, even though they are known and corrected by newer versions already. Otherwise, you can now make more personal settings, the menu and the points are self-explanatory.
HOW TO USE:
The home is quite clear, especially built very user-friendly. Links menu, which is "scroll" from the top down through leaves. Law always appears then the corresponding content with other points / overviews. In principle, everything is self-explanatory, so I will spare it everything in detail to explain to me now. As I said, we can all be operated with the included remote control, or if supported by the TV set also supports remote control its use, just try it. The more modern TV's support usually really all.
And briefly the advantages and disadvantages:
The fireTV stick is in my opinion for the following people who ...
... Want to transform your old TV into a Smart TV
... Want to improve their lame Smart TV performance
... Looking for a small clean solution for the Amazon offer
... Want to fit several devices in the home to the Amazon offer
... Do not put so much emphasis on high-performance Apps or Games
... Want to connect any external devices, the fireTV Stick
... Are interested in online media libraries of ARD, ZDF & Co.
... Want to enjoy among other Netflix on the TV
... Finally want to easily watch YouTube videos on the TV
... Want to bring Spotify and other providers on the TV
... Are looking for a simple, easy and above all affordable solution
... Able to dispense with all bells and whistles, such as USB, LAN
The fireTV is no way for the following people who ...
... Want to improve the fireTV Box from the power her "new" by the fire TV Stick
... Want to necessarily connect a USB disk or optically using Audio
... Undingt rely on a LAN connection
... Would like to take more than just the "low" offer
... Have no powerful Internet line with at least 3,000 KB / s
... No free HDMI or no HDMI port have more
... An extensive Media Center solution with more options Search (Raspberry Pi for example)
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Furthermore, even following tip from me: If your TV hanging on the wall like me, you absolutely still ordered a longer USB cable for the purpose of power supply! For me it was too short, it was not enough to the bottom of the socket. Not that it comes to you as to me, which I think is already fallen quite short.
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ATTENTION! -> KODI ON THE AMAZON FIRE TV STICK:
KODI there as so-called sideload app for Amazon fireTV Stick. Means that you can install the system as "App" and operate with it in principle, a Media Center. Feasible it is, but I can by no means recommend this after I was able to test several days now the whole thing. KODI running very slow, depends no less than and the media play is not nearly as liquid from such as a Raspbery PI. Problem is that KODI runs here as an additional app, along with the software of their own fireTV sticks. Said, here goes quite a bit lost at times power, which is clearly noticeable.
So if ago to abuse the Amazon fireTV as Media Center with KODI, should leave it alone. Invested the money rather then, prepares which significantly more joy in a Raspberry Pi. It offers more features and options. I think the fireTV is just good for the intended use: AMAZON PRIME offer.
More about you can find in my blog, the link can be found in my profile.
I deal a lot with the theme Media Center in relation to the Raspberry Pi.
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From me there anyway 5 stars because of fireTV was really implemented great.
Questions or corrections via comments like, I will reply immediately.
Thank you and have fun with the Amazon fireTV Stick!
