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**UPDATE 1: Quick update about surround sound**
The Fire Box Seems to default to Stereo, you need to go into settings and turn on "Dolby Digital Plus." This can be found under the settings heading, under the far right setting box, then under Audio, you have to choose whether it will be Optical or HDMI. This should solve the no surround sound issues...
**UPDATE 2: (5/21/14)**
Ok, I've been using the box for a while now, I really like it but I have to admit App development is a ton slower than I'd hoped, the library is growing but not by much yet. A few new games come over and a few streaming apps, but no DLNA apps to speak of yet. This is one of the things I consider to be the weakest point of the Fire TV so far almost 2 months in and no other local media options than plex yet......
I am not a vine member (Those folks do excellent reviews, I'm just not that lucky to be Vine yet), nor am I speaking to something I don't own, By that I mean that I paid for it myself and here is my Experience so Far:
Is it the best thing ever? No...
Is it the worst thing ever? Nope, Not by a long shot...
In fact, it's up with the top streaming boxes when you take into account future app development...
It's a very good device, comparable to a Roku in most ways, some better some worse (Once apps start getting ported we'll see what happens) but there is plenty of room to make a "FireTV 2" much better in the future...
So here's my review:
Overall the packaging came in perfect order, it was easy to open, and nothing was missing.
Setup was simple, It took a few minutes thanks to a large initial update to download, but otherwise just as easy as setting up a kindle fire.
Pros:
Android Based (which means many apps coming and the potential to root and gain more features
Ability to use Apps (Not just having to rely on what's preloaded like to many older TV boxes and Bluray players)
Accurate voice search - This one surprised me, It actually worked, Way better than Xbox Voice Commands or Siri, and Better than S Voice...
Bluetooth remote (for some this is a con, but I don't want another Wifi device jamming my crowded signal Read on to see why I think this)
It's not flashy - Matte Colors and no crazy lights
Quick to load - Just 28 seconds from Plug in to ready to stream (My Roku 3 takes 78 Seconds to do the same)
Feels heavy - for the size it really has good heft (Doesn't feel cheap)
Only 1 white light on front, It is a bit bright but not a deal breaker
Does Dolby Digital sound Out (DTS, 5.1 Etc) Via Optical or HDMI
Netflix In HD (Some android based players couldn't do this)
Cons:
Need to purchase separate gaming remote
No Headphone jack in remote
Low on apps to start with
No Native DLNA Support (Hopefully Apps will fix that soon)
No AC wireless band it has 5Ghz N but not AC
Case can pick up fingerprints, but they remove easily
Immediate update after first plug in is big, Almost 900MB so it may take a while
The power brick is bigger than I was hoping for, if you have a crowded power strip it might be an issue
Plex is the only local media app available so far.
Voice Search for media only works on Amazon Prime Videos, It will give you options to watch on netflix or Hulu if you go in, but if you want your personal network media you have to go into your app (Plex is the only one currently available) and search manually (Voice search kicks you back out to Amazon Video if you try it.
Full Disclosure here I run 2 full HTPC's and a Roku XD and Roku 3 in my house, so my expectations of how this will end up working are very high.
To beat out my other devices it has to Play local media (From my HTPC Server), have better functioning Apps than my Roku and be easier to navigate than my HTPC setups are. It also needs to stream flawlessly and with as little buffering as possible (Netflix, Amazon Video, hulu, Etc.)
So does it do this? So Close! But not quite...
It is faster to stream than my Roku and HTPC when coming from internet sources, and it's faster to play local media (Using the Plex App) But, right now Apps are not yet ported over, for me one of the most important ones is Mediabrowser 3, which powers my main HTPC setups and feeds local media to my Rokus, but Plex works fine, just without parental controls which I want...
As far as lack of apps I'm not concerned with this as being android based it is simple for a dev to port them over and given that this will sell excellent regardless of the reviews here there will be thousands of apps coming in the next few weeks/months...
My neighborhood is crowded with Wifi signals which makes interference a huge issue for me, the Roku 3 uses "Direct Wifi" to connect it's remote, which means that there is another device that puts out a signal to interfere with your other ones, plus it uses the same channel as your router so you can't even move channels to avoid the extra interference. It may not be much in most cases but in an uber crowded locale like mine it is a definite negative, the FireTV's Bluetooth doesn't seem to cause any wifi interference...
Voice Search, I was pleasantly surprised on this, it does in fact work, that being said in the middle of an action scene in 7.1 surround you will be hard pressed to make it hear you, but when navigating the main screens using voice search go me to every move or TV show I tried (Except, Ironically, since they use it as an example, Downton Abbey, It couldn't find "Downtown Alley" LOL!)
Roku VS FireTV:
Roku has the edge currently with more/better apps, but this may not be the case in the near future when newer/better apps come out, But for pure speed the FireTV blows the Roku away, I'm streaming a movie from Netflix or local media before the Roku (XD or 3) has finished booting... (When both are unplugged and plugged in at the same time)
HTPC VS FireTV:
HTPC has the Edge, but that's only because we are comparing a Core i7 PC with an Android based device, So honestly there is little competition, BUT The FireTV has Amazon instant Video as an App, On Windows 7 there is no Amazon "App" you can use plus a Hulu App which is no longer supported on PC, so the FireTV wins int hat aspect, but in overall functionality the FireTV isn't a PC and therefore could never really compete, but who wants to has a full PC hooked to every TV in the house?
Final thoughts:
If you have a Roku XD or 3, you will not get much immediate bump other than speed by upgrading to the FireTV. If you have an older Roku or a WDTV or similar box you will see a noticeable benefit in upgrading to this device.
APP Reviews:
Plex - The only option for local network content as of this review, Costs 99 Cents, But works well, assuming you can put it on your PC or NAS...
Youtube - Works well, easy to link to your personal account
Hulu - Easy, Simple, Just like the Kindle app
Netflix - Does HD and Surround sound also supports Profiles!
Pandora - Works as it should, Easy to navigate
Amazon Instant Video - Not exactly an app in the traditional sense, It provides content when you go under the various categories on the home screen...
All Apps load Audio and/or Video very quickly...
My Rating is 4 Stars:
5 Stars for build Quality and OS design overall
-.5 Stars for Lack of Apps at Launch
-.25 Stars for lack of headset jack in remote
-.25 stars for Lack of High Speed AC band Wireless
So 4 Stars Overall, Very good but room for improvement
*My star rating may change with Usage over time, it may go up or down depending on how well the device performs*
If you haven't yet Check out my Video unboxing and quick overview of the FireTV!
Just My Thoughts,
AK
