Fire TV Stick

Streaming media HDMI stick with Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant Video, music, games, and more

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5,216 of 5,322 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have device, especially for Amazon Prime members November 20, 2014

By Quentin Moore TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Verified Purchase

Length: 4:19 Mins

I was fortunate to order one of these as soon as it was announced. As an Amazon Prime member, I was able to buy the Fire TV Stick for $19 during a two day sale. I figured, for that price, I might as well test it out!

Set up was easy and straight forward. I find that the interface is quick and easy to use. The interface and streaming on the Stick is much faster than the Amazon app built into my HDTV. This fact alone made this a great purchase. Here are some more thoughts I have on the Fire TV Stick so far:

✔ PROS:

- Quick, easy to use, polished interface
- Wireless streaming works really well
- Amazon Instant video loads, fast forwards, and rewinds really fast
- A dedicated Prime Menu allows Prime members to easily see what free content is available
- Unlike Chromecast, the Fire TV Stick includes a remote
- Can stream your own videos by first uploading them to your cloud disk
- Can play quite a few casual games
- Awesome, irresistible price for Amazon Prime users. I got it for $19 during the two day sale.
- Better specs than Chromecast and Roku Stick
- Ultraportable. I plan to use Fire TV Stick when I travel for work and to visit family
- Stream local videos and other content using the Plex app http://www.amazon.com/Plex-Inc/dp/B004Y1WCDE/ (Thanks BikeRider!)

✔ CONS:

- Included remote doesn't support voice search. That remote costs extra. Would be nice to have a second Fire TV Stick model that includes the voice search remote, rather can requiring us to buy a second remote.
- Probably won't be able to use universal remotes with this unless Logitech offers a compatible device.
- Not as fast as Fire TV, but since the Stick is so much cheaper, this is not really an issue.
- Limited compatibility with older Android devices.

✔ OTHER

- Arrived associated with my Amazon account. You can change this of course. Just keep this in mind if you are sending the Fire TV Stick as a gift.

- Unlike the Chromecast, the Fire TV Stick may complain if you connect its power port to a USB port on your TV instead of using the included AC power brick.

- Setup will take 15 to 20 minutes

- Would be nice if this thing was compatible with the Fire Keyboard: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1DFOMPMA8NG4V/

✔ AMAZON FIRE TV STICK vs CHROMECAST

Chromecast is cheaper these days. It's a very capable device. It currently has a few notable content sources that Fire TV Stick doesn't have, including HBO Go and Sling Player. It doesn't have a remote and I find the user interface to be a little clunky.

Amazon Fire TV Stick has a remote and a very quick and easy to use interface. Your non-technically inclined family members will find the Fire TV Stick easier to use than the Chromecast. If you have Amazon Prime, it's a no brainer. Chose the Stick over the Chromecast.

✔ AMAZON FIRE TV STICK vs FIRE TV

The Fire TV is faster, includes voice search, has more RAM, has more storage, has an Ethernet port, and can play more games. It's also more expensive (although there are discounts on them all the time).

The Fire TV Stick is more portable. It's also a lot cheaper, especially if you are an Amazon Prime member and got the initial $19 price.

If you can afford to the Fire TV, get that. Otherwise the Fire TV Stick is a great alternative. I plan to own both. :-)

✔ BOTTOM LINE

I really like the Amazon Fire TV Stick. At only $19 for Amazon Prime members (during the 2 day sale), I REALLY, REALLY LIKE Fire TV Stick.
Its interface is faster and easier to use than my HDTV's built-in Amazon app, plus it includes a lot more video sources. It's really the best way to view your Amazon content on a TV.

The interesting thing is, Fire TV Stick has convinced me to buy the more expensive Fire TV too. I want to have the voice search and the faster interface on my main HDTV. I plan to take the Fire Stick with me when I travel for work or travel to visit family.

For Amazon Prime members, and for anyone that has a few Amazon movie/TV purchases, the both the Fire TV and the Fire TV Stick are must have devices and great stocking stuffers for this Christmas.

✔ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Where can I find the Fire TV Stick in stock?
A: If Amazon doesn't have it in stock, try your local Staples or Best Buy. You may be able to check their websites to view local inventory.

Q: Do I have to pay extra for Netflix?
A: Yes. You must have an existing Netflix subscription in order to view Netflix content on your Fire TV Stick. In general, if you normally have to pay a subscription to access a streaming service, that subscription is required in order for you to stream content via the Fire TV Stick.

Q: Do I need Amazon Prime to use the Fire TV Stick?
A: No. Amazon Prime is not required to use Fire TV Stick. You can access Netflix, Hulu Plus, and even your Amazon Instant Video purchases, all without having an Amazon Prime subscription.

Q: What is the advantage of having an Amazon Prime subscription with the Fire TV Stick?
A: Amazon Prime give you unlimited access to over 40,000 movies and TV shows, including access to a large selection of HBO shows. You also get access to Prime Music, as well as unlimited cloud storage for your photos. You also get free two-day shipping, as well as the ability to earn credits for purchasing books, movies, and music.

Q: Can I watch live ESPN broadcasts for free using Fire TV Stick?
A: To access live ESPN broadcasts via your Fire TV Stick, you must already have access to ESPN through an existing cable TV subscription. The providers below offer access to WatchESPN live video:
- AT&T U-verse
- Bright House Networks
- Charter
- Comcast XFINITY
- Cox
- DISH
- Google Fiber
- Midcontinent Communications
- Optimum
- Time Warner Cable
- Verizon FiOS TV

Q: Is the Fire TV Stick compatible with HBO GO?
A: HBO GO will be available for Fire TV Stick in Spring 2015. HBO GO is currently available for the Fire TV box.

Q: Is a "Smart TV" required to use Fire TV Stick?
A: No. Any TV with an available HDMI port will work.

Q: Can the Fire TV Stick play games?
A: Yes. Please note however that the Fire TV Stick doesn't play all Android games. It doesn't even play all the games that can run on the Fire TV box. Also note that some games require an optional game controller.

Q: Can I use a universal remote control with the Fire TV Stick, such as a Logitech remote?
A: IR based remote controls do not work with the Fire TV Stick. However, Logitech's Harmony Hub and Harmony Home products are compatible with both Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. For more details, google "Harmony experience with Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick".

Q: Can I use my TV's USB port to power the Fire TV Stick?
A: The Fire TV Stick requires an amount of power usually not provided in standard USB ports. The included USB cable and AC adapter definitely works, of course. An AC powered USB hub may work. A USB port on your TV or other equipment probably will not work.

Q: Will the Fire TV Stick continue to work if I switch TVs?
A: Yes. You can use the Fire TV Stick on any HDMI equipped TV in your home. You can also use it when you are away from home.

Q: Can I use the Fire TV Stick in a hotel room, using hotel Wi-Fi?
A: The hotel room TV requires an accessible HDMI port, of course. If in order to access your hotel's Wi-Fi network you must first access a special web page to log in, this functionality is coming soon to the Fire TV Stick but not yet available (as of 12/18/2014).

Q: Can I access the Fire TV Stick from my audio/visual receiver (AVR)?
A: I haven't personally tested this but I believe it should work. Your AVR must have an available HDMI port of course.

Q: Can I stream content from my local computers to my Fire TV Stick?
A: Yes, using the Plex app.

Q: Can I view Ultraviolet (UV) movies on my Fire TV Stick?
A: At least one person (B. Brown of Oregon) reports that you can watch Ultraviolet movies using the Flixster app. I haven't personally tried it.

Q: How do I turn the Fire TV Stick off?
A: You don't have to turn the Fire TV Stick off. It goes to sleep after a period of inactivity. If you want to put it to sleep anyway, go to settings > system menu > click sleep. (Thx Selden Deemer)

Q: How do I open the remote to insert the batteries?
A: In the middle of the back of the remote, there is a small rectangle. Right next to it, there's the edge where the battery cover and the rest of the remote meets. Place your thumb on the rectangle and, with a little force, move the rectangle away from the edge. The cover should come off easily. Hope this helps!

Q: Can I block family members from making purchases using the Fire TV Stick?
A: Yes. You can enable a feature that requires a PIN number to be entered before purchases can be made.

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2,063 of 2,129 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best streamer for your dollar - thoughts from a roku & firetv box user November 20, 2014

By Darren Levine

Length: 2:47 Mins

Bottom line? This is the best streaming device for the dollar(In my humble opinion) Keep in mind... it's $39 & it handles netflix/prime/plex/games and a lot more. Thus far it's been a smooth operating device & doesn't seem that much slower than the full firetv box

The Good stuff...

-Same pricerange as the less capable/less powered Chromecast & Roku stick
-More ram/memory than the competition, keeps things running smooth
-More storage space than the competition, you can store more apps/games/etc..
-You can still do gaming with it, but the firetv box is better suited
-So small you can bring it pretty much anywhere with ease.
-Simple clean interface.
-Lots of games/apps to choose from
-The phone app is actually pretty useful

Not as good stuff...

-No connections other than usb for power, if you need ethernet/audio in/out, get the box!
-STILL no HBO go... what's going on amazon?
-Not nearly as much power as the firetv box, but it's also less than half the price, the power difference is not very apparent in general use.
-No voice search without the additional remote(or phone app), but i really never used it

Plex...
So far, seems to work without much delay on my fairly speedy home network. will update if i run into lag/issues.

***TIP!:
Some have mentioned that their stick's usb port gets obstructed, first and most obvious fix is to use the included dongle, if you don't like that for some reason, the other solution is to search amazon for "HDMI Angle"

I've been using the firetv box right from the start, and it's been overall very nice for my living room. I've also used the roku 2 for quite some time, and have few complaints overall. For my bedroom i wanted something that just plugs in, and i tried the roku stick but returned it because it was just too darn slow. When i saw the specs on this amazon stick, i ordered up pretty darn quick.

Wireless connectivity quality...
I use it in a room that's next to the wireless router room, and it gives a solid signal. At some point i'll try to do a distance test.

Should you get this, firetv box, roku, or chromecast?
Roku has been fine for me, but if we're talking about something cleaner/no wires/direct plugin/etc... then there's not much contest, the roku stick was too slow for me, and an android stick isn't as clean to use, so to speak. That leaves chromecast, which i've never used because i don't like having to rely on a computer/device for it to work, i want what i plug in to be able to handle the task. Needless to say, the stick in my view has not much competition.

Vs Firetv box
If i were to be shown the experience side by side with the firetv box, i'd have a hard time knowing any difference in most cases, so which should you get considering the more than 2x higher price for the box?

If you don't need extra connections like audio and ethernet, and don't plan on using voice search(the stick remote lacks it, but i never used it anyways, as it only searching prime) and don't plan on heavy gaming, then absolutely get the stick, it's been a solid experience thus far.

______________

Side note... it seems amazon is putting up other types of apps, like a digital fireplace/rain storm/sunset/etc... Not that it's amazing, but interesting additions to add to the checklist of this items abilities.

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1,860 of 1,954 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This thing is awesome! Here's why you need it. November 20, 2014

By Mike W. TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Verified Purchase

Since the Fire TV stick was announced, I've heard a lot of people wonder if it was something worth picking up, essentially asking "what does this thing do that my TV doesn't do already?" The answer is going to be different for different people, but here's an easy way to think about it; Amazon Fire TV Stick is an excellent purchase if:

-Your TV is not a "smart" TV. Meaning your TV or dvd player did not come pre-loaded with apps such as Netflix, Youtube, Pandora etc...

-Your TV is a "smart" TV, but apps do not perform well. Some smart TVs have painful performance when streaming video, apps can be difficult to update, wifi connection can be spotty etc...

-You want to access Youtube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Pandora, and other such apps on your TV

-You are an Amazon Prime Member and want to access your Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Photo accounts

-You want to participate in casual gaming on your television.

-You want to listen to music on your TV

-You want to have portability. In other words, Television access to the above services while you are travelling. (Amazon says the capability to use in hotels/dorms etc... with shared wifi that requires frequent password entry is coming soon)

So, the bottom line is that the Fire TV Stick allows you to access your movies, music and photos as well as games and more via your television. If your TV already does these things well, or you're already doing them via other devices such as a game console, then this may not be worth your while.

So, how easy is it to use? I'm telling you, you do not have to have an ounce of technological know how to have this thing up and running in a matter of minutes. There is a set of 5 very simple instructions for set-up that had me watching House of Cards less than 10 minutes after I unboxed it. It comes with a remote that includes just 7 buttons (your phone can also become a remote by adding an app, though this is not quite ready on the iPhone yet) and upon completion of connecting the stick, you are taken to a simple tutorial video that explains very well the use of the remote. There is also an optional voice control remote that can be separately purchased. It is in no way required to operate the Fire Stick. Sidenote: If you buy the Stick online, it comes preset to the account from which it is ordered. If this is not the account you plan to use (I needed to use my wife's because she has the prime account) it's very easy de-register and change accounts; took me less than a minute.

I have accessed Prime Video and the picture and speed is fantastic. I've accessed Prime Music and the sound quality and speed are excellent and include nice background photos of artists and albums. Apps are easy to browse and download as are games. I was also able to "fling" to Netflix etc... from my Kindle Fire quite easily.

I've been using a Chromecast since they came out, and I think the Fire TV Stick competes very well. I like the remote (which the Chromecast doesn't have), and I love the memory and speed. And if you are an Amazon Prime Member, this is hands down your best option. This would make a great gift, and is easy enough to use that you could give it with confidence to someone who has no technological savvy at all.

If you're looking to get the most out of your HDTV, The Fire Stick is a fantastic way to go about it. I highly recommend it, and based on how smoothly everything went on what was probably a very busy day for Amazon servers, I'm confident that you'll have the same or an even better experience. Enjoy! Read more ›