Someone on reddit with a UK Fire TV was asking about enabling FreeTime (the parental control feature). I did some investigating and found out that the feature is only available for the US.
That got me thinking about whether the FIre TV software for different countries is actually the same, like we've been assuming. See, the FreeTime feature for UK and German Fire TVs is actually missing from the Home menu and Settings menu, and not just present but non-functional.
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At first I thought the Fire TV just hides FreeTime based on the Amazon account used or the language setting. I factory reset a 51.1.3.0 Fire TV and set it up using an Amazon.de account and selected German as the language option. Once I got through the initial setup, I found that FreeTime was present on both the Home menu and Settings menu. Trying to access either menu resulted in a pop-up message saying that FreeTime was only for US Amazon accounts.
My question is, if the Fire TV software is truly all the same like we've been thinking, how does it know to hide the FreeTime menus? Can someone with either a UK or German Fire TV that does not have FreeTime in their menus see if you can get it to show up by logging in with a US Amazon.com account. Alternately, you can go into your Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.de account settings and try changing your country setting to the US and see if that makes it appear.
AFTVnews.com said:
Someone on reddit with a UK Fire TV was asking about enabling FreeTime (the parental control feature). I did some investigating and found out that the feature is only available for the US.
That got me thinking about whether the FIre TV software for different countries is actually the same, like we've been assuming. See, the FreeTime feature for UK and German Fire TVs is actually missing from the Home menu and Settings menu, and not just present but non-functional.
At first I thought the Fire TV just hides FreeTime based on the Amazon account used or the language setting. I factory reset a 51.1.3.0 Fire TV and set it up using an Amazon.de account and selected German as the language option. Once I got through the initial setup, I found that FreeTime was present on both the Home menu and Settings menu. Trying to access either menu resulted in a pop-up message saying that FreeTime was only for US Amazon accounts.
My question is, if the Fire TV software is truly all the same like we've been thinking, how does it know to hide the FreeTime menus? Can someone with either a UK or German Fire TV that does not have FreeTime in their menus see if you can get it to show up by logging in with a US Amazon.com account. Alternately, you can go into your Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.de account settings and try changing your country setting to the US and see if that makes it appear.
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I think you answer/proofed this question here = http://www.aftvnews.com/freetime-parental-controls-excluded-from-non-us-fire-tv/ Seems all FW is equal in UK/GER/USA but some features are dependent on the Amazon account associated with your AFTV at setup (Although this settings can be changed.)
This screen capture proofs it. Amazon is not telling you to change FW to get FreeTime access. It's not telling you can't have FreeTime access. It's telling you to change Country in your Amazon account to get FreeTime access regardless of country at time of setup.... I call that corroboration AFTVNews. :highfive:. (You will probably need to reboot Select+Play to activate the missing FreeTime settings)
Now can someone on a UK/GER purchased AFTV with FW version 51.1.4.0_user_514006420 (since FW version 51.1.40_user_514005520 seems to have major bugs. Just ask Kodi) please put it to the test.
Related
Is there any way to disable HDCP on the FireTV ? I'd like to use it with SPMC/Kodi and my Slingbox (which does not support HDCP over HDMI).
solidunit said:
Is there any way to disable HDCP on the FireTV ? I'd like to use it with SPMC/Kodi and my Slingbox (which does not support HDCP over HDMI).
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I don't think so. It is DRM copy protection and hardware based. All devices in the chain must be HDCP "compliant" or no-go.
schneid said:
I don't think so. It is DRM copy protection and hardware based. All devices in the chain must be HDCP "compliant" or no-go.
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its traditionally an option exposed in the AOSP developer menu (in the screenshot above its below the 'select runtime' option). Also, all TV's should be capable of viewing non-HDCP protected streams. However if your content is HDCP protected, then you wont be able to view it.
solidunit said:
its traditionally an option exposed in the AOSP developer menu (in the screenshot above its below the 'select runtime' option). Also, all TV's should be capable of viewing non-HDCP protected streams. However if your content is HDCP protected, then you wont be able to view it.
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Thought I said that. If its HDCP, it can't viewed if the device is not compliant. My DirecTV will shutdown HD and push as SD if connected to a non-complainant device but then it carries both SD and HD versions of programming. it requires a reboot to re-implement HD.
schneid said:
Thought I said that. If its HDCP, it can't viewed if the device is not compliant. My DirecTV will shutdown HD and push as SD if connected to a non-complainant device but then it carries both SD and HD versions of programming. it requires a reboot to re-implement HD.
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If I play an mkv in Kodi on my FireTV with HDCP disabled (theoretically) i should be able to view it on my TV. That's all i'm looking to do. Don't really care about the amazon/netflix content
I got an HDMI splitter from Amazon, to split the HDMI output to two screens at the same time. My directv would not play hd content on one of the screens since it is an old computer monitor I have setup in the kitchen to watch tv when cooking.
I ended up getting a second splitter and split the signal from the stereo receiver hdmi out, to one out to my 47" tv, and the other to my original splitter which is split to a 32" tv and the computer monitor. all 3 screen works now with hd content.
I read on the splitter reviews that the one I just got actually removes the hdcp and allows me to watch the hdcp protected content on the monitor. FYI the monitor connects via a dvi to hdmi converter cable and it is an old probably 12 year old 19" dell monitor.
So that is potentially an option for you, to look for an HDMI splitter on amazon that allows it to remove hdcp. I would post a link but I am not sure if I am allowed to. the one I got was called this: CKITZE BG-520 HDMI 1x2 3D splitter v1.3 HDCP
All the comments on amazon said it removes the hdcp so the content goes through. many people have said they can use it with a playstation/xbox/ etc to play into a video capture device the hdcp content.
I think everything coming out of the Fire TV is protected, Amazon content or local content from XBMC. This worked for me however http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004F9LVXC/
KarlP said:
I think everything coming out of the Fire TV is protected, Amazon content or local content from XBMC. This worked for me however http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004F9LVXC/
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YEs that is very similar to the one I got.... Mine works the same way everything I output can go to a standard dvi monitor without preventing hdcp content from displaying. I get all signals out.
HDMI splitter with Fire TV
ashmanmb said:
YEs that is very similar to the one I got.... Mine works the same way everything I output can go to a standard dvi monitor without preventing hdcp content from displaying. I get all signals out.
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Has anyone used an HDMI splitter with the Fire TV to record to a PC or an external hard drive? Thanks!
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2nd-Gen Voice Remote for 2nd-Gen Fire TV
Codename: Gelato
Released: Oct. 5th, 2015
Connectivity: Wifi
Available: Bundle w/ 2nd-gen Fire TV ($99.99)
Features: Microphone for Voice Search and Alexa
Works with: 2nd-gen Fire TV, 1st-gen Fire TV w/ Fire OS 5, Fire TV Stick w/ Fire OS 5
Note: The voice remotes that ship with the 2nd-gen Fire TV and the new Fire TV Stick bundle are different. They are functionally identical, but the Stick voice remote is constructed from slightly inferior materials.
I have used Amazon's remote app for Android which uses wifi and there is a significant delay before the remote connects with the AFTV. Does dropping bluetooth for the remote seem like a bad idea?
Amazon's remote app is pretty bad in my opinion. Remote mouse for FireTV works great, smooth operation and quick, reliable discovery.
I think the physical wifi remote will be much more reliable. I am thinking it is a good idea.
Wifi has lower latency, larger range and higher bandwidth than bluetooth. I can't speak the the build quality or the remote overall, but wifi is an upgrade over bluetooth.
skeptic_always said:
but wifi is an upgrade over bluetooth.
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I don't know whether this means, that Bluetooth is completely gone, but if so, then we can't use BT-keyboards anymore.
I don't use it often, since no browser is really capable on the FTV, but once there is a browser that works well without touch, it would be nice to have a keyboard.
zmix said:
I don't know whether this means, that Bluetooth is completely gone, but if so, then we can't use BT-keyboards anymore.
I don't use it often, since no browser is really capable on the FTV, but once there is a browser that works well without touch, it would be nice to have a keyboard.
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As was referred to me earlier, check this chart. It still has BT, and it's upgraded to 4.1 TE
https://developer.amazon.com/public...re-tv/docs/device-and-platform-specifications
Pretty much. My experience with wifi direct has been poor.
I haven't been able to find much info on this, but a YouTube review I saw said that the Fire TV app for YouTube doesn't support 4k content. Is this true? Are you able to get this menu when watching YouTube videos on the FireTV?
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4K videos on Youtube play in 1080p when I tried it ... AFAIK the AFTV2 does not have a VP9 codec.
Also, where are you getting this menu option from?
vulcan195 said:
4K videos on Youtube play in 1080p when I tried it ... AFAIK the AFTV2 does not have a VP9 codec.
Also, where are you getting this menu option from?
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A friend of mine took that picture of his TV. It's the YouTube app on the Nvidia Shield, which has the option to choose 4K.
I think since Amazon/Google are at odds right now, the Fire TV doesn't have the full YouTube app with all the features. I wonder if it's possible to install the real YouTube app on the Fire TV though
I was looking for information on this as well. I emailed amazon support and this is what they sent me:
Firstly I would like to inform you that Fire TV supports the Vp9 codec.
Further I would like to inform you that, since Netflix and Amazon streaming work for 4K on your Fire TV it must be a problem with YouTube.
As a basic troubleshooting I suggest you to unintsall and reinstall the Youtube app.
To uninstall game and apps from your Amazon Fire TV device:
1. From the Home screen, select Settings > Manage All Applications.
2. To see the apps stored on your device, select Fire TV.
Note: If you have a compatible external storage device connected, you also have the option to select that device to view and manage apps stored there (USB Storage or SD Card Apps Only) .
3. Scroll up or down to find the app you want to uninstall, and select it.
4. Select Uninstall, and then follow the onscreen instructions.
You can find and reinstall your apps and games by opening Your Games Library or Your Apps Library from the Games or Apps categories on the main menu.
However if the issue still persists, I suggest you to kindly contact YouTube support, because the issue is not with the Fire TV.
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I've attempted to contact YouTube but I cannot figure out how. So it looks like the fire tv does support the VP9 codec that is needed for youtube but the youtube app needs to be updated.
Wukong TV Remote is the most easiest& free way to install Kodi,without using your PC or laptop anymore!
Wukong TV Remote is a well functioned TV remote compatible with lots of TV, boxes and sticks especially Fire TV,install Wukong TV Remote on your Phone, you can install Kodi in a second,use Wukong TV Remote to install Kodi, you don't have to use your PC any more,no more complex and troublesome steps for installing Kodi and just one clik on the icon of Kodi in App Center of Wukong TV Remote on your phone.
☆Before you install Wukong TV Remote,Make sure your ADB (debugging) option and Apps from Unkonwn Sources is enabled on TV
We also an iOS version on Apple App Store:
Available on Google Play: Wukong TV Remote
Available on Amazon App Store: Wukong TV Remote
No Computer? Install Kodi with Wukong TV Remote just using your phone both on iOS& Android Phone!
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Share Fantastic Content With Friends
Screenshot & Screencast are added for sharing content to your friends and family
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Mouse Mode can be achieved in follow TV Apps:
ES File,YouTube,TED,MX Player, Netflix,showbox, xfinity, Pandora,etc
☆Before you install Wukong TV Remote,Make sure your ADB (debugging) option and Apps from Unkonwn Sources is enabled on TV
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I've been searching the web all week and I cant seem to figure a solution for this TV.
So My TV is called Dexon UH55D24SM 55" (4K) It seems like just another rebranded Mstar TV thats based on S68AT02 Board, very similar to many TCL old TV's in terms of UI and firmware, I cant seem to be able to find an exact match for it though, this brand seem to be specifically made to be sold in the Middle East. Its a very horrible Android knockoff TV that cant access google play store since its outdated, but as a standalone panel it looks fine.
My main issue with it is that I bought a Xiaomi Mi Box S and connected it via HDMI, and I cant put the resolution to 4k60Hz unless I go into the "Dexon TV settings and set HDMI to 2.0 instead of the default 1.4"
and then it would work as 4k60Hz no problem.
But whenever I shutdown the TV or even put it in standby mode it would automatically revert HDMI type to 1.4 which then means I have to manually set it to 2.0 and re-change the resolution on the Mi Box everytime I wanna use the TV.
I tried to follow some guides on the russian forum and here that are based off the TCL TV (that seems to have the same board) to try and fix the google play store but It failed and I didn't processed fearing I might brick the TV and since the TV has literally no information about it online that'll be tough to fix.
The Device Firmware: V8-S68AT02-LF1V131
if you google the firmware, you wont find anyone with the LF1V131, most people have other numbers at the end that are used for TCL TV's.
I honestly dont care about its smart functionality anymore I've got the Mi Box S, I just wanna fix the darn HDMI Type, and wondering if its possible to do if theres a way to modify the firmware or whatever.
(Sorry I cant link anything due to not having enough posts on this account)
I found its remote being sold on amazon that works with 10 billion other TV's (TCL/ Raylan / ACONATIC) the remote is called "RC311FMI4 06-531W53-TY02X"
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