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Hey everyone! I have been perusing ebay to try to find a KF for my sister for her birthday for around $70-80, the only things on ebay that seem to land in that price range are Demo models (I am assuming from target stores that no longer have a use for them). My question is whether anyone here knows if these demo models are the same hardware as the normal tabs with a modified OS where one could just pop it into fastboot and flash FFF and TWRP and then get a ROM on it or if there is something different about them. I am guessing that the people who have been buying them are probably a part of this community so I thought it would be easy to get an answer from someone which will be reliable because they will actually have first hand experience. Thanks in advance!
hi all,
currently live in uk and thinking of getting an aftv to replace my ageing shuttle htpc
the main use will be for xbmc but ive been reading through some posts and just want to confirm i can install this easily as rooting seems to be getting blocked.?
also, what are your thoughts about purchasing an aftv over another android box
thanks
ratski said:
hi all,
currently live in uk and thinking of getting an aftv to replace my ageing shuttle htpc
the main use will be for xbmc but ive been reading through some posts and just want to confirm i can install this easily as rooting seems to be getting blocked.?
also, what are your thoughts about purchasing an aftv over another android box
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no regrets whatsoever about purchasing my aftv, and my main use for it is xbmc/kodi as well. It plays everything I throw at it just fine. There are some limitations when playing certain rips, but the technicality of all that is beyond me and again I have yet to have any media that wouldn't play just fine.
I don't think anything is different in the UK as far as sideloading apps. Sideloading should be easily accomplished with one the community utilities here on XDA, or just by using ADB. I remember reading something a while ago about XBMC/Kodi not installing on aftv's outside the US, but I believe that has since been resolved....found it - http://www.aftvnews.com/xbmc-kodi-incompatible-with-fire-tv-software-version-51-1-40_user_514005520/.
My next htpc/android type box will most likely be a Chromebox mainly for the options to upgrade memory as well as dualboot options that are out there. I personally have no real desire for android apps on my tv, other than root specific apps. Right now aftv's are going on sale all the time, and the only reason I haven't gotten another is I picked up two Fire Sticks over the holiday and am holding out for a Chromebox build.
I am in the UK as well. XBMC works fine on it. However the UK Fire TV cannot be rooted. This means you cannot access media through the USB port. So it depends on where you store your files, the Fire TV is fine with network storage, but (without root) useless with an external drive.
It's a shame Amazon is clamping down on the fire tv's hackability. Otherwise it's a nice little box, very fast, bluetooth remote, wired network, optical audio out.
thanks for the replies.
my main use is xbmc, which definately looks like it can be sideloaded in uk without a problem so thats good news.
shame about usb media as have a few movies on my ext hard drive but i suppose nas storage is the way to go now days so maybe excuse to upgrade#
ill pick up an aftv in next few days then and look to find the latest guide for xbmc install, cheers
ratski said:
thanks for the replies.
my main use is xbmc, which definately looks like it can be sideloaded in uk without a problem so thats good news.
shame about usb media as have a few movies on my ext hard drive but i suppose nas storage is the way to go now days so maybe excuse to upgrade#
ill pick up an aftv in next few days then and look to find the latest guide for xbmc install, cheers
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Click to collapse
buy it from the US. you get rootable ones here. still
have one
picked up a stick for my old man and side loaded xmbc on it he enjoys it may pick up the game controller for some android and emulator games. none of these functions need root. as for usb storage it was never really meant for that anyways it was built as a hd video player to compete with roku and chromecast it just happens to do more. i many picked it up for wwe app as well due to his smart blueray player being to old for that app.
Some people will disagree but it would have to be rootable for me to buy another one. People complain about low memory issues but I've never experience that because I can store thumbnails on external. That's really my main reason for the hdd since I play my movies & tv from a nas device.
Maybe someone who owns one can say why not but if your going to get one without root--why not save some money & buy a fire tv stick?
navigates said:
buy it from the US. you get rootable ones here. still
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Click to collapse
Not if you buy it from Amazon you wont. I just bought a second one and it shipped with the latest version of firmware.
You can probably find one at a big box store tho.
Frankly for me, the AFTV was my best purchase in a long time.
Before I got the box, i was running a massive Athlon 955 PC, watercooled, in a huge Antec case. It was still noisy, bulky (and my toddler loved poking it every chance she could get). I was running it just for XBMC, and didn't really have a good setup for accessing other content. The machine was falling apart, and while shopping for a new media PC, i ran across this box, and that it could support XBMC, along with native apps for amazon, netflix, and hulu...
Where i am getting.. a $75 (85 if you include the Nyko game pad) frankly handles XBMC better than the PC, and i don't have to do ridiculous crap to try to get Hulu and Netflix to integrate. It has played all my media perfectly, and the addition of some basic gaming is a real bonus. Keep in mind, most of the benefits are available without rooting.. you can still sideload apps, , you just cant change your launcher, etc.... If you are interested, give it a shot.
So purchased today :good:
Before I plug in and setup should I try and follow a guide to root by blocking updates or am I already screwed as from the uk (got it from a retail currys store)
It's a shame it looks like I won't be able to stream via usb but my main use is xbmc so to be honest I think I may just plug in and figure out how to side load as I'm not as clued up as some in here
MadFlava said:
Not if you buy it from Amazon you wont. I just bought a second one and it shipped with the latest version of firmware.
You can probably find one at a big box store tho.
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Click to collapse
Well it depends from where are you picking up your stock from Amazon. I'm in LA and till date I have yet to see a non rootable version come through. I just did a friends who's firetv arrived on Thursday and it was purchased on prime on Tuesday. Infact it was the sweet first version which is an easy way up. I've also seen flavors where you have to put the rom in the sdcard instead of cache and or another flavor where the version is not the first where you have to downgrade to go up. The latest version needed a chmod 777 to be added as the file copy to folder was denied.
Essentially you still get rootable ones from amazon. I suggest if you have friends in LA and or the west coast, I suggest get it shipped there and then have them ship it out to you. Just trying to help.
navigates said:
Well it depends from where are you picking up your stock from Amazon. I'm in LA and till date I have yet to see a non rootable version come through. I just did a friends who's firetv arrived on Thursday and it was purchased on prime on Tuesday. Infact it was the sweet first version which is an easy way up. I've also seen flavors where you have to put the rom in the sdcard instead of cache and or another flavor where the version is not the first where you have to downgrade to go up. The latest version needed a chmod 777 to be added as the file copy to folder was denied.
Essentially you still get rootable ones from amazon. I suggest if you have friends in LA and or the west coast, I suggest get it shipped there and then have them ship it out to you. Just trying to help.
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Click to collapse
Glad there are still a few in the system. I think at this point Id be buying them from a big box store. I have one rooted and one that cant be rooted. Thankfully the non rootable is just the kid's unit so its not THAT big a deal.
MadFlava said:
Not if you buy it from Amazon you wont. I just bought a second one and it shipped with the latest version of firmware.
You can probably find one at a big box store tho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MadFlava said:
Glad there are still a few in the system. I think at this point Id be buying them from a big box store. I have one rooted and one that cant be rooted. Thankfully the non rootable is just the kid's unit so its not THAT big a deal.
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Click to collapse
Not sure which bigbox still carry's the firetv. In LA I couldn't find them at staples or bestbuy. bestbuy used to carry it when it was launched. but I agree the big box stores would most likely have the old stock. I too have one non rooted one for my parents. but I'm gonna switch them out too for the rooted one.
navigates said:
Not sure which bigbox still carry's the firetv. In LA I couldn't find them at staples or bestbuy. bestbuy used to carry it when it was launched. but I agree the big box stores would most likely have the old stock. I too have one non rooted one for my parents. but I'm gonna switch them out too for the rooted one.
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Click to collapse
Ive seen them at Best Buy and Staples but thats on the east coast.....
The BB in Culver city has loads of AFTV and the fire sticks. In NYC at the minute and 5th Ave and Astoria have AFTV but no sticks.
I picked up another one at Staples as a gift for my dad. It was rootable so Im keeping it and giving him the non rootable one. He doesnt need root and I think would prefer the simplicity of the Amazon launcher.
So I already have one FireTV that I bought pretty shortly after it came out. Because of that I was able to prevent it from updating and also was able to root it and unlock it. I've been very happy with this device but I'm looking to acquire a second device and that's my problem. With the state of the FireTV now it seems that it is unrootable and potentially brickable with the way Amazon is treating it. Also, I'm concerned that the future may hold a device that can't have apps sideloaded as well. My primary use for the device is Kodi/XBMC, Netflix, and Plex, though I do have prime and occasionally use prime instant video as well and I pretty much prioritize my use in that order. I suspect if I went with something such as an Amlogic M8 or some other android box that I'd have to give up the Amazon services.
So I guess my question is, how does the FireTV hardware compare to the others? Is it a lot better than something like the M8 box? I'm not really a dev, though I'm extremely comfortable with android flashing and such as well as linux, so I'm also wondering are the devs optimistic that they'll be able to hack around Amazon's attempts to block us? Or is it looking more like a lost cause? I noticed work being done on a CM12 port but if I buy a brand new fire tv that can't be rooted then it would seem I'll be limited in what I can do or flash with it.
I'm looking for opinions or feedback so all thoughts and suggestions are welcomed. Thank you!
Of all the android devices, I'd say the FireTV is still the best bang for the buck. The next step up would be a Chromebox running OpenElec, but I haven't attempted it myself.
I like my fire tv, but basically use Kodi to watch everything . so all of the features of the actual amazon rom go unused.. Save yourself the money and get a CS918 , box for ~$50 off ebay.. its easily rootable, works on any type TV, has wifi, bluetooth and ethernet.. also has 2 usb ports and an sd micro slot.
The advantage of Fire TV is the remote which is very nice in touch and has enough buttons for Kodi. I don't know how are the remotes on other similar devices but Nexus Player remote is very bad (hard plastic, very bad in touch and so few buttons).
psycon said:
I like my fire tv, but basically use Kodi to watch everything . so all of the features of the actual amazon rom go unused.. Save yourself the money and get a CS918 , box for ~$50 off ebay.. its easily rootable, works on any type TV, has wifi, bluetooth and ethernet.. also has 2 usb ports and an sd micro slot.
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Click to collapse
Would that box at least do Netflix? It looks like that box is about 2 years old or so now too.
Does anybody know if you can install the Amazon appstore and then instant video on these other boxes?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
dupsatou said:
Would that box at least do Netflix? It looks like that box is about 2 years old or so now too.
Does anybody know if you can install the Amazon appstore and then instant video on these other boxes?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
Im all for trying new boxes, but seems right now fire tv is the one to stick with. I say right now because there are new ones coming this year. Imo its not the time to buy.
This new update really improved aftv. I wouldnt worry about them taking away sideloading or kodi.
Yes. Im sure you can sideload prime on the Android tv box but not certain itll be great because those apps are made for tablets. If youre hooked on prime, i dont know of a better option than aftv right now.
Magnesus said:
The advantage of Fire TV is the remote which is very nice in touch and has enough buttons for Kodi. I don't know how are the remotes on other similar devices but Nexus Player remote is very bad (hard plastic, very bad in touch and so few buttons).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do like the fire TV remote, but there are better remotes you can buy for $15-20.. you can have a full remote on one side and full keyboard on the other, with air mouse capabilities.. its still cheaper to get a cs918 and a decent remote.. and still be able to root. have apps such as STB emulator work properly (without external players). play many games with the air mouse or by configuring buttons on the keyboard.
dupsatou said:
Would that box at least do Netflix? It looks like that box is about 2 years old or so now too.
Does anybody know if you can install the Amazon appstore and then instant video on these other boxes?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Netflix on those china boxes will be stuck at 480p resolution. You will never get HD with any of those china boxes.
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk
Side-loading is not going to be blocked. Amazon wants you to be able to do that so every FireTV is a potential dev/test box, and they have instructions on their site showing how to do it.
IMHO, FireTV is currently the best option for what the OP describes. If Amazon Instant Video (Amazon Prime support) makes it to GATV boxes, one of those may be better. The nvidia shield console looks really good, and even the Razer Forge TV looks like an improvement over the Nexus Player. Both of those are expected soon.
If Amazon Prime Streaming is important a original Amazon hardware is still better than a regular Android device with installed app from the store. The point is at least for the german market there are restrictions for movies with a high maturity rating. For e.g. in germany FSK18 movies (I think can be compared to a "NC-17 (Adults Only)" rating in the U.S.) won´t play with the Android app and are blocked since PIN handling is not supported. On Fire TV tablets it is also possible to download many movies for offline use for 48h and this is not possible with the regular Android app.
Concerning the remote the aTV does use a Bluetooth RC and not an Infrared RC so it is possible to hide the aTV for e.g. behind the TV and it is still usable. This is difficult with an IR remote if there is not an external IR eye with a connection cable extension.
Does anybody know if people are having good luck buying a unit off the shelf at like Best Buy or Staples and getting an older firmware? I was thinking I might get lucky buying one off a shelf that has (hopefully) been there a while and I could block updates to it and get it rooted.
Have a look on the serial. It may hint if a device can be rooted:
http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tv-serial-number-decoder/
psycon said:
I like my fire tv, but basically use Kodi to watch everything . so all of the features of the actual amazon rom go unused.. Save yourself the money and get a CS918 , box for ~$50 off ebay.. its easily rootable, works on any type TV, has wifi, bluetooth and ethernet.. also has 2 usb ports and an sd micro slot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aren't most android box's NOTORIOUSLY having over-heating issues.. the reason I went with "firetv" was that reputation.. is this one of e'm that's fine?
sure for people that overclock them... my CS918 feels as warm as my fire tv to the touch... I am sure, however that with a more inferior device, there is a higher chance to get a lemon, but you return it in that case..
My point is, if all your doing is buying a fire TV to sideload apps and do things it was never meant to do... why not just buy a device that is easily rootable, and easier to work with., for half the cost.
Most of those cheap Android boxes are based on Rockchip chipsets (similiar to those used in many low cost tablets) which are not really competitive. Of course they are less restricted than the aTV but it is still not good a replacement when you are using Prime streaming or apps which need more power or memory. For me the price was also not an argument since I bought my aTV for 49€. Those Rockchip boxes do cost more from around 59€ to 79€ with a hardware which is poor compared to the aTV. Most of them are sold for e.g. only as 1GB variant which is half of the memory of the aTV and are missing Bluetooth.
So it depends IMHO on the intended use of such a STB and also with the restricted FireOS environment the aTV is a really good Android STB.
I beg to differ, inexpensive doesnt mean not as good.
My CS918 works perfectly with Kodi. Its chipset has much more community support, STB emulator works perfectly with it without the need for an external player.. Addon devices such as air remotes work better as it uses default mapping, where the fire tv does not..
To each there own.. if your using amazon services heavily, of course the fire tv is better. but if they are secondary to Kodi, just buy the cheaper box, that has more support, and install the amazon plugin for kodi...
I have mine set to use Kodi as the launcher, added Genesis plugin (set on auto) and set up libraries correctly, added stalker plugin for live tv.. added icon to STB emulator as an alternative, and added an icon to bring up the app list... i never have a reason to leave kodi.. all the media i could ever need and still run any android app, much more smoothly than on a unrootable fire tv...
dupsatou said:
Does anybody know if people are having good luck buying a unit off the shelf at like Best Buy or Staples and getting an older firmware? I was thinking I might get lucky buying one off a shelf that has (hopefully) been there a while and I could block updates to it and get it rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its gonna be hard to find one that is rootable in bestbuy. but there are reports that people are still getting lucky finding those. Not in my area in Los Angeles. Well here is an ebay link and see my communication with the seller below. I've purchased one from them and upon arrival I can confirm if required.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Fire...-/331521533716?ssPageName=ADME:X:eRTM:US:1123
Response from the seller:
Hi,
Thank you for your interest in this item. The batch number is 305.
Sincerely,
Barbara
The NPS Store eBay Sales Dept.
Hi. I'm looking to buy your firetv. I want a certain serial set. Can you share what serial number set do you have in stock. I'm looking for Series 3. 700900303 or 305. I don't need the whole serial number just the set batch what is in the range of 303 to 305 and they should be sealed and unused.Much Appreciated.
Disclaimer: If something goes wrong and these are not rootable. I'm just trying to help. I have no connection or affiliation to the seller. I keep looking for extra rootable ones for friends. I need the rootable version for emulators that can be purchased on google play and QuickSupport so I can remote into their firetv.
navigates said:
Its gonna be hard to find one that is rootable in bestbuy. but there are reports that people are still getting lucky finding those. Not in my area in Los Angeles. Well here is an ebay link and see my communication with the seller below. I've purchased one from them and upon arrival I can confirm if required.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Fire...-/331521533716?ssPageName=ADME:X:eRTM:US:1123
Response from the seller:
Hi,
Thank you for your interest in this item. The batch number is 305.
Sincerely,
Barbara
The NPS Store eBay Sales Dept.
Hi. I'm looking to buy your firetv. I want a certain serial set. Can you share what serial number set do you have in stock. I'm looking for Series 3. 700900303 or 305. I don't need the whole serial number just the set batch what is in the range of 303 to 305 and they should be sealed and unused.Much Appreciated.
Disclaimer: If something goes wrong and these are not rootable. I'm just trying to help. I have no connection or affiliation to the seller. I keep looking for extra rootable ones for friends. I need the rootable version for emulators that can be purchased on google play and QuickSupport so I can remote into their firetv.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm.... "Packaging Condition Details: Open Manufacturer's Packaging."
Wonder what that means...
dupsatou said:
hmm.... "Packaging Condition Details: Open Manufacturer's Packaging."
Wonder what that means...
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Click to collapse
send them a question. I sure hope its new as mentioned. why would someone sell at retail after tampering. ? lets see what I get. Mine has not yet shipped out.
when you hear back. let us all know.
My $.02
I have a lot of different devices. FTV's, Rokus, Android minipc's, chromecast.. etc.. In my opinion - the FTV's are easily the best value. The hardware is very very snappy, and I think they did a pretty good job in design. I am even a little impressed with the capabilities of the scaled-down FTV Stick.
I have a plex server, and between the plex app on FTV, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, my bases are essentially covered by the stock platform. I do have kodi which I use a lot personally.. I dont make use of all the available streaming tv channels etc in kodi, but Its fun to "tinker". The beautiful thing is, you can do both.. The stock platform is perfect for others in my household who arent into all the gadgetry, but just want to get to their programs and have them play, and I can run Kodi and do my own thing.
There are a few things that I think could be improved. - The remote is small, and all black, which is sleek, but it makes it a little more difficult to locate and manipulate in the dark. The layout isnt as intuitive to the touch as say the Rokus. It also has no loop to attach a lanyard. I would attach a small strap to the remote if I could to help me keep track of it. That thing seems very easy to lose These are small nits.. but if your complaints about a device are on this tiny scale, you must be pretty happy with the device overall.
Anyone know what version the referbs are, or is it randomness? Also is the root/mod situation? Is it the same/similar as the fire tablets? I have few of the fire 5th gens 5.1.x that are right at the cutoff and "seni-rootable" and was hoping to find at least hope that I can use the stuff I buy like I actually own it..
https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Re...01ETRH0AM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
It is random. The FireStick2 has never been rooted. You can side-load apps though.
Thanks, Amazon is such a pain in the azz. The hardware is "ok" (aka it's cheap) but the hoops amazon makes you jump through to use YOUR purchase like YOU actually own is just ridiculous.
Here's an idea for ya amazon, how about you make your products good enough that people actually WANT to use it instead of having to FORCE people to use it..
scottfree1 said:
Thanks, Amazon is such a pain in the azz. The hardware is "ok" (aka it's cheap) but the hoops amazon makes you jump through to use YOUR purchase like YOU actually own is just ridiculous.
Here's an idea for ya amazon, how about you make your products good enough that people actually WANT to use it instead of having to FORCE people to use it..
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Click to collapse
Or......you can just go and buy a different product. :good:
kfernandes29 said:
Or......you can just go and buy a different product. :good:
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Click to collapse
Thats what I did, and excuse me for attempting to figure out whether amazons monopolistic anti-completive practices were as bad as they are on the fire tablet, turns out they are worse. And having to ask who has ultimate control over what you do with the products you purchase is not a question that you should have to ask..
I ordered the 4K stick with TV remote control as a backup device to my 2nd gen Sloan box (still scared to try and root it by opening the actual box up, hell to the no. If anyone could maybe simplify or point me to a guide other than the one posted by the root OP thread, cuz that still confused me on how to do this without bricking /breaking it I’d appreciate it), but anyway, I noticed after all those Amazon prime deal sales they went out of stock until February 17th. So although it’s purchased and ordered it won’t be here for a few more weeks which makes me worried about which firmware it’ll come in as I’m guessing these new 4K sticks are being freshly made as we speak from the factory and will come with the latest firmware, right? Otherwise how else will they bring more devices to re-stock, I doubt they have older made ones layout around somewhere that they’re shipping in? Lol
I’m so pissed I didn’t order when they had prime deal as these must’ve been sitting in the warehouse for awhile on a lower and probably root-able firmware.
Also if anyone is interested in getting one I believe only the 4K stick at $49.99 will auto apply a $20 discount making it $39.99, works as of 2/10/21
G S W said:
I ordered the 4K stick with TV remote control
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Nope, I doubt that the stick is vulnerable, amaz. fixed it months ago.
Best is if you return that stick and then go for a vulnerable used/second hand one...