Update 29.09 .:
I had also commented that Spotify is only available as Spotify Connect. This is annoying but a plus point there is: even if the FireTV in standby, it is found from Spotify apps and can be selected as a player (!). Since I have the FireTV of the reasons, among others on the AV receiver, that is even quite convenient for me.
-------- Original Review: 26.09. ----------------
I wait actually the reviews a few days or weeks and in this case do not rush actually fortiori, since each of the now ordered indeed a few months time has to cancel if necessary. However, I've had a pretty good idea of what I get there and some experience with Amazon devices (Kindle and Kindle Fire HD), Prime Instant Video on the Kindle Fire HD and even longer on the Xbox360 and Sony Bluray Player (brand new on Android smartphone) and other media streaming services (watch ever, spotify, Zattoo, and more recently, Netflix for sample) and games on various Android devices (tablets and TV boxes with XBMC / Kodi) and the Chromecast etc. One could my, I spend my time with coma staring but I've never actually time, it's more fun to the gadgets and testing the possibilities of devices and services. So maybe's an interesting tip or information to make decisions for someone here and then I'll continue to update here.
I have right at 3.9. slammed (for 49, - as a prime-customer) and also equal to the controller ordered more out of curiosity. Whether this is worth it? As I go further down a plan.
Unboxing:
The device comes in a compact cardboard box typical Amazon, which is very functional. Kudos to Amazon for the design of the device. Really a good-looking, high-quality, very discreet and small (but relatively heavy) in box (thick) CD cases-size. A small LED indicates the status. The remote control is connected via Bluetooth, but still has a small "glass" front (for what?). One can Fire TV so any "hide" although - as I said - looks good. The power supply is a slightly clunky 5,95V power supply with a round 5.5mm plug - something exotic.
Connections and Setup:
- WLAN: Excellent 2.4 + 5.0 GHz dual-band MIMO (but no AC pity). The WiFi performance is obviously great, because the device is not only stable connected in both bands, it listed me an endless list of APs both bands, which even from distant neighbor who never showed up, but
- Ethernet:
... I have this device (and any others that allow the) connected to the LAN, since I live in a radiation-contaminated apartment building, where even get through the 5GHz band already starts. So in the sense of good neighborliness and the streaming stability of 100Mbit Ethernet port of Fire depends TV via a switch on the router that goes to the Internet via 100Mbit cable. Well, since the setup software was however overwhelmed before and was unlike all our other devices actually the Network / DHCP server (a normal FritzBox 7490) not! I had to manually configure and this type not only the basic IP information, but also DNS1 / 2, etc. Defaults were without accepting ... very annoying! Actually, a minus point but after that it was at least stable. The facility is run through quickly and you get a Einweisungsfilmchen with a drawing trick figurines (someone wrote something of HB-male). Well. My device has an update found, but not offered directly to the installation. This is done supposedly automatically when the device is in sleep mode - I did not wait for it can also be launched from the System Settings. Is also done very quickly.
- Parental Controls: Offered directly to the device and - who like me - Kids has done should also ... just not right. For each adjustment menu action, any app installation, ... etc. must then be confirmed by PIN - also very annoying at the beginning. So possibly activate later. A major drawback is the Parental Control but still: It is indeed advertised the great flip feature an unfinished film from the Tablet to the FireTV. Goes well with the Kindle Fire HD but if you "Freaks" the film has on the FireTV again the Child Lock PIN number to be entered directly, and that goes back only via remote control. So you can not easily control the FireTV completely via Kindle Fire tablet, but must always resort to FB :(
- Power: AC adapter, see above. Legal subtly lights up when fast boats the LED on FireTV orange and then white are in operation. But it stays that way (!) There is no other physical on-off switch. OK, fair enough ... but there is also no way to use to put the device at least in a sleep mode (!). Only after an eternity (and endless natural images of Screensavers) the Stratos is not in use in the sleep mode. That may not bother most, but is annoying for me because the FireTV (initially) told one of the few HDMI inputs on the TV using an automatic HDMI switch with a Chromecast. Since the FireTV but the HDMI port forever does not release the Chromecast comes not to the course. Now the FireTV depends on the AV receiver - at least the 5.1 sound is always right on. Overall, however, also annoying.
- HDMI (CEC): The unit has a CEC-identification, but unfortunately does not respond to remote commands our Samsung TVs (as opposed to the other devices in mind). If that nothing says that it will not miss ... would have been nice just to control all with one remote control (for example, works awarded the TV and the Android-Box or the RaspberryPi). Otherwise, audio and video are of course with 1080p at 60fps and Dolby Digital top.
Apps & Media
One should not be fooled! The advertised on the advertising side apps are not a choice, but actually reflect almost everything again, what can be currently installed on the FireTV. Youtube there is anyway only indirectly through third-party apps. Vevo launched not with me. A browser is not present. The usual weather apps are largely absent.
Slightly disappointed I was, because also Watch Ever missing - one can understand from Amazon-commerce perspective, but in the Kindle Fire HD is running, too. Netflix I was able to also bring my sideloading to run - here I do not know if that were possible, it can indeed install either File Manager still connect mass media and so I'm still waiting for that before I make my ADB off (can be activated in the settings).
Also disappointing I found the Spotify app. The is to use exclusively for Spotify * Connect *. So just by Phone / Tablet "playable". Zattoo, however, has very positively surprised with a successful control and good HD - Too bad, I do not really need it on my TV because there are yes cable TV there. Good is also the libraries of public. The Arte app is also successful than on other devices. Also Vimeo going well. Overall, some mixed feelings because the FireTV is still severely limited in the variety and even with respect to the already restricted Amazon App Store.
We come to the unqualified; Prime Instant Video is super integrated, fast, the voice search is excellent and even understood my Genuschel and English-German-language mix. Navigation through the Steiten is intuitive and minimalistic enough to be quickly effective. HD runs smoothly. I'm not elaborate - that's the main purpose of the device and can be read anywhere. Also app installations and their execution is extremely fast.
Game technique:
The machine is definitely with its 1.7GHz quad-core, the 2GB RAM and Adreno 320 GPU adequately equipped for typical Android Games. Somewhat more problematic is the non-expandable 8GB flash memory (memory: the USB port is available even for storage). It must indeed next to Apps and data streaming also be buffered, etc. There are a total of 5.5 GB. Several great games make the memory quickly close after a few hours I have now already used 2.9 GB. But actually should be the strength of this unit but the, with controllers, etc. sometimes to daddeln what more important games. It is of course on the other hand so that the FireTV is always online, so the "exchange" of apps from the cloud is fast feasible.
The purchased this FireTV controller is also connected via Bluetooth and the reception range is also true about. As you can read on the net, the USB port is likewise suitable to use controller (!) I do not know which are compatible, but I have connected a 08/15 cost-USB cable controller (Thrustmaster analog3) and running immediately! So if you have something laying around, can also first try it, whether he wants daddeln well on the device at all.
Games:
Proper Gaming and / or shooter are with me definitely the Xbox reserved but once a little casual gaming round's possibly quite nice; So I have already with some promo coins a few games (CLARC, Badland, Rayman, Back to Bed) purchased in the cloud into and installed directly. The graphics and responsiveness really convinced. Riptide GP etc. fun on the machine. If the controller (switch off after a time from itself) is not on and you start an appropriate game, comes the warning that one should still join a controller. The assignment is standard but B and X are not always "logical" occupied. I can not really imagine playing games with the remote control me. But that may be for some fine too.
So I'm less euphoric than before after 1 day of testing, but have to say that the raison d'être - the media streaming Amazon content (but almost only of those) - is met excellent. Occasional Games are OK but there is not much choice. The other app selection is manageable in the bad sense and several imperfections in the firmware or in handling, there is. I'll give you 4 * (in the hope that yet added content), and the device can Amazon Prime video users also thoroughly recommend especially as the Android app for that indeed is now available, but only on smartphones running (on Android HDMI Sticks or TV-boxes I have not got it to work completely). The 99 Euro I find then in the current offer something hochgegriffen but who wants to have a technically really good all-round carefree package for Amazon content, will be satisfied.
