Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Just get both lol. That's what I did
Fire stick is closer to a tablet than anything
depakjan said:
Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I see it, AFSTV is a tablet used for streaming. Chromecast needs more apps and a native browser; maybe chromecast II will be able to compete in the same league (if it ever shows up).
depakjan said:
Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4. Most US FTV's from Amazon, Staples, BestBuy, Radio Shack can still be rooted.
depakjan said:
Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 2 of each, but hands down the Fire Stick is a better device with may more uses.
FS has MUCH MUCH(get the idea) better wifi.
The one thing I've found that the CC is better at is taking on a trip since you don't need the remote to get it connected on a new wifi. FS you MUST have remote so far as I can figure out.
gottahavit said:
I have 2 of each, but hands down the Fire Stick is a better device with may more uses.
FS has MUCH MUCH(get the idea) better wifi.
The one thing I've found that the CC is better at is taking on a trip since you don't need the remote to get it connected on a new wifi. FS you MUST have remote so far as I can figure out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as taking it on a trip, if you stay in a hotel that requires you to accept the terms of service through a browser good luck connecting the chromecast.
I have both, and I never use my Chromecast. The only reason I could think of why I would use it is for my 2 movies in Google Play... The Fire Stick is just better in every way.
adfurgerson said:
As far as taking it on a trip, if you stay in a hotel that requires you to accept the terms of service through a browser good luck connecting the chromecast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes neither works perfectly traveling, but having to bring remote just to get it to connect to phone sucks. The only thing chromecast did right was the private wifi setup with devices.
Both are good I'm leaning more to aftv just has more features.. But I also have chromecast connected as well it's good to have back up to send media to the tv with my phone
adfurgerson said:
As far as taking it on a trip, if you stay in a hotel that requires you to accept the terms of service through a browser good luck connecting the chromecast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Although having just experienced this, you'll need to sideload a browser and some mouse mode (controller, mouse, phone mouse,etc) to actually navigate and accept terms.
What I do is tether to my phone and cast predownloaded movies using All cast.
Chromecast is great for basic stuff and used with a tablet. When using my phone, everything gets paused and occasionally locks up when getting calls and messages on my phone.
Fire TV stick is also a pretty good emulator player for retro gaming on the go.
Unless you need to stick with the small form factor or the budget doesn't allow, the correct answer if you can't decide between the two is to get a Nexus Player. If you are not in a hurry, wait until spring when I'm sure the market will be flooded with cheap Chinese Android TV boxes (Android TV version of Android, not just Android on a stick). Essentially the same as FireTV, but with Chromecast functionality built in.
If I had to choose between a Chomecast or AFTV stick I'd take AFTV stick every time.
Comes Down to Apps
You should research the App you know you want to use. I really just want a Chrome cast with a physical remote. I was excited when I grabbed a FireTV stick for $25. I was not excited that the Showtime Anytime app doesn't support on Dish on FireStickTV but does on Chrome cast?
I would tell you make a list of the apps you really want and see what platform has them.
thats what i did too
No brainer.. AFTV.
Maybe its just me, but i really dont have the urge to "cast" everything from various devices. A nice standalone box that can connect to networked drives on its own while having native streaming capability nicely beats a simple "casting" box...
If you have a miracast compatible computer, you can use that with the firetv.
Youtube on chromecast is good in "social" settings. Friends can queue up videos (eg. songs) to be played.
ziddey said:
If you have a miracast compatible computer, you can use that with the firetv.
Youtube on chromecast is good in "social" settings. Friends can queue up videos (eg. songs) to be played.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't seen 1 person post that Miracast works from a PC to the Fire TV.
See this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/miracast-t2954237/
After using both for a few weeks apiece, the fire stick with xbmc and a remote >>>>>>>>>>>> the chromecast.
It gets tiresome having to keep turning my phone etc and having some files need transcoding with the chromecast. The stick, since they updated the firmware and fixed the video quality problems, is almost perfect and I love that remote
The only thing chromecast has over the fire tv is the ease of use with the phone with the little cast button but I can live without that
As soon as the fire sticks go on sale again, I'm picking up another 3!
The AFS seems to be a more flexible platform. It's essentially a Android Stick computer. Will be even better when someone figures out how to root it. For the most part you can sideload the same working apps that work on other Android devices. That's pretty useful.
The Chromecast seems to be more of a one trick pony. The casting feature is interesting but why would you not want to just run apps directly to control it?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
I have both.
I bought the Chromecast last year. The biggest use I got out of it was binge watching to catch up on Game of Thrones via HBO Go app. Video was definitely grainy, lower quality than the On-Demand HD from Comcast. Since then, I've rarely used it. Having to start everything via the phone or pad, then "casting" feels clunky. Casting videos/movies from my PC browser was choppy at best.
The Fire TV Stick is pretty smooth. I like having the physical remote and looking at the TV when I do things (i.e. not having to use/look at the phone). YouTube works (although I'm not able to play Purchases). Plex works well, as does SPMC (XBMC fork). NBC Live Extra app seems to work ok, but I'll get a better feel for that tonight watching football. HBO Go isn't officially available for the FireTV STICK yet. On my Fire TV (box) I am disappointed that HBO Go and Showtime Go (I would be there are some other apps too) do not have the ability to sign in for Comcast/Xfinity customers like the apps on iOs and Android do. I do realize that is a COMCAST limit, but it still stinks.
As @alton987 said earlier, it important to know the apps you want to use, and what is available on a particular device.
I bought a Fire TV Stick the day before Thanksgiving at Best Buy for $24.99. I bought it primarily for Amazon Prime.
So far, it's been working perfectly. Along with Prime movies and tv, I'm also using Prime music, Netflix, Crackle and AllCast. All work perfectly except for Netflix. On Netflix, video freezes about 10-15 minutes before the end of the movie, audio continues. I have to back out and then resume. Only takes a few seconds but it's annoying. It's the only app that's giving me a problem.
I also sideloaded BS Player and ES File Explorer. I wanted to use them for playing movies stored on my PC. Both are working just fine. I have mine connected to my A/V receiver (Yamaha). Picture quality is excellent, as is audio through my system.
I'm VERY pleased with the stick, and will buy another one for a second tv.
I have no experience with the Chromecast so I can't comment on it.
But the Fire tv stick is, for me, a no brainer if you subscribe to Amazon Prime. Terrific add-on to my system.
Related
I've had a Chromecast since the device was launched and mirroring was really the one thing I wished that device did. I find that streaming from my phone or tablet to be slow on that, overall, so I was intrigued with the Amazon Fire TV launched and Koush was able to get mirroring to work with very little latency. He praised the Fire TV for being having better streaming quality and capabilities than Chromecast, Roku, or Apple TV, when streaming media from Android devices.
I then saw the YouTube video him using the mirroring features from the app AllCast on his Amazon TV and it looked flawless. He advertised that mirroring was available via the app, but I haven't actually run across anyone that has been able to get this to work using his apps. On top of that, I've had problems with my phone (HTC One) or tablet (Nexus 7 1st Gen) recognizing my Fire TV when connected through my Comcast router. It seems to work via my Amped Wireless Router, but not Comcast, for whatever reason.
Next, streaming seems very poor overall. buffering times are no better than what I was getting with my Chromecast using the AllCast app.
Has anyone had better luck with AllCast and their Fire TV? Has anyone gotten mirroring to work? If so, how?
I've been posting on the Google+ page here and have not had any luck.
https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/cbwdhJvg2vk
dmm5157 said:
I've had a Chromecast since the device was launched and mirroring was really the one thing I wished that device did. I find that streaming from my phone or tablet to be slow on that, overall, so I was intrigued with the Amazon Fire TV launched and Koush was able to get mirroring to work with very little latency. He praised the Fire TV for being having better streaming quality and capabilities than Chromecast, Roku, or Apple TV, when streaming media from Android devices.
I then saw the YouTube video him using the mirroring features from the app AllCast on his Amazon TV and it looked flawless. He advertised that mirroring was available via the app, but I haven't actually run across anyone that has been able to get this to work using his apps. On top of that, I've had problems with my phone (HTC One) or tablet (Nexus 7 1st Gen) recognizing my Fire TV when connected through my Comcast router. It seems to work via my Amped Wireless Router, but not Comcast, for whatever reason.
Next, streaming seems very poor overall. buffering times are no better than what I was getting with my Chromecast using the AllCast app.
Has anyone had better luck with AllCast and their Fire TV? Has anyone gotten mirroring to work? If so, how?
I've been posting on the Google+ page here and have not had any luck.
https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/cbwdhJvg2vk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it worked right at least sending videos and photos, the connection between my nexus 5 and FTV was quick, but I didn't try the mirror. I'm using for router an asus rt-ac66u and is coneccted wired.
It doesn't work very well for higher quality/HD video streaming - buffer and lag issues. It is good for photos and whatnot though. Using my S4 and the Fire.
2fastkuztoms said:
For me it worked right at least sending videos and photos, the connection between my nexus 5 and FTV was quick, but I didn't try the mirror. I'm using for router an asus rt-ac66u and is coneccted wired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had some major issues when I first got it. Was visiting my in-laws this weekend and bought the Amazon Fire TV to be able to share pictures and videos of our baby with family. I spent 2 hours trying to get my AllCast to recognize the Amazon Fire TV and Allcast app on the device, no luck. didn't work with my Nexus 7 as well. I ended up resorting to uploading my pictures to Amazon Cloud Drive and showed the pictures/vidoes that way. The buffering time was horrible for videos, though.
When we finally got home Sunday night, I tried it on our TV and noticed I had the same issue when connecting to my Comcast router (same one my MIL has at her house). Luckily I have a separate router I use as a Wifi extender, so was able to get it to recognize my Fire TV with that connection.
Overall, I haven't been very impressed with the Fire TV, as compared to my Roku, Chromecast, or my dad's Apple TV. The one "must have" feature I wanted that this one seemed to have, as well as the apps and other features, was mirroring Android. If I'm not able to get that to work similar to how Koush was able to in his YouTube video, I'll probably pack it up and take it back to Best Buy for a return. Bummer, because it is a nice device, just already have too many other devices that do the same thing.
The AllCast app is finally available on Amazon Appstore (with the optional premium in app purchase) to work with AllCast for Fire TV app. Finally I can use my Amazon coins for something other than games!
AllCast and Amazon's version of Youtube have the ability to cast from Android devices to the Fire TV, just like Chromecast. They work great!
Ive seen so many mixed report regarding Miracast. I really like the idea but am cautious. From what i understand Netgears Push 2 TV PTV3000 is considered one of the better dongles. Anyone got any recommendations or are currently using Miracast on thier Tab S? Not entirely sure if it is even compatible. Would appreciate any feedback on your experiences and any recommendations.
I've got it. I use it. It works.
I got it when I had my Surface 2, I've continued using it with this Tab. Connects perfectly. Only thing I've noticed is that after watching a few HD YouTube videos, the sound goes out of sync with the video. I've yet to fully investigate this phenomenon, whether it be the YouTube app, the Tab, background apps etc. but can't see it been anything to do with the Netgear. I'm off on holiday now so won't be able to look into that for another week.
P.S. not sure if you could use Chromecast in the same way, but if so it would be a cheaper option.
SteveYorks said:
I've got it. I use it. It works.
I got it when I had my Surface 2, I've continued using it with this Tab. Connects perfectly. Only thing I've noticed is that after watching a few HD YouTube videos, the sound goes out of sync with the video. I've yet to fully investigate this phenomenon, whether it be the YouTube app, the Tab, background apps etc. but can't see it been anything to do with the Netgear. I'm off on holiday now so won't be able to look into that for another week.
P.S. not sure if you could use Chromecast in the same way, but if so it would be a cheaper option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks for your reply, did you root your Tab S?
No. And it's the 10.5
My DLink Miracast adapter works perfect with the Tab S 8.4. Remember to update the firmware after you get the adapter home. Else it'll lag like hell. After the update it works like a charm.
And Tab isn't rooted.
geoux said:
My DLink Miracast adapter works perfect with the Tab S 8.4. Remember to update the firmware after you get the adapter home. Else it'll lag like hell. After the update it works like a charm.
And Tab isn't rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update:
After the recent Tab S firmware update, it simply stopped working. Samsung, what did you do?
Update:
After a firmware update of the Miracast dongle, it started working again. Darn.
Ah, glad it's not just me then. I tried casting to the tv the other day (I'd just rooted the day before that) and I got an incompatible hardware issue or something, thought I'd broken something. I might have had an update in the background and it's ****ed it.
I'm using the Netgear PTV3000.
possible solution
geoux said:
Update:
After the recent Tab S firmware update, it simply stopped working. Samsung, what did you do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please see below...i know u say that you're not rooted but if u are using custom kernel or recovery then this pertains to u too
SteveYorks said:
Ah, glad it's not just me then. I tried casting to the tv the other day (I'd just rooted the day before that) and I got an incompatible hardware issue or something, thought I'd broken something. I might have had an update in the background and it's ****ed it.
I'm using the Netgear PTV3000.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if u are using cw/twrp/philz recovery and/or the sky high kernel then the custom images have broken your wifi...u can either install my SuperSamung V2 rom with the fix already included or edit your build prop by adding the line wlan.wfd.hdcp=disable then save & reboot
Sorry to revive an old thread, but i'm considering getting a Miracast dongle to feed powerpoint presentations to an office projector from my Tab S. Couple questions though:
1. Will it work?
2. Am I better off going the wired micro-usb-to-hdmi route?
I'd really rather go wireless so I can walk around and not worry about yanking the cable off in the middle of a meeting with top execs.
Why miracast instead chromecast? Chromecast works perfectly from the tablet or pc and has better support.
I just see miracast as a poor mans version of chromecast.
I'm also wondering about this.
For screen monitoring of e.g. games, photo viewing with Gallery of QuickPix, or tv streaming using an app provided by my cable company
I understood Chromecast is supposed to be especially good at showing content in the cloud. I forgot the exact list of supported services... Things like YouTube, picasa, Spotify, radio streams, Netflix? In this case, your tablet "refers" to the content, and chromecast does the actual downloading/streaming. Screen mirroring was added as an afterthought, and last I checked (hmm, 6 months ago) subject to a lot of disclaimers, supported only on some devices.
I understood Miracast is true screen mirroring, but the few receiver devices I looked at, mention technical limits, like (example) 15fps, which makes me doubt their use for video mirroring.
Thus I haven't bought anything yet :-\
More testimonies of miracast & Chromecast users could be interesting!
screen mirroring works fine with chromecast as long as you are not doing something effected by input/screen lag. Watching video from an app that is not natively supporting chromecasting (showbox...) is relatively simple. If you are on this forum you shoild have the ability to do it, just maybe not someone who can only facebook on their tab might have small issues. Casting pictures, slides, presentations or websites is fine too since there is no need to worry about the lag.
Gaming is annother story if you the person playing os wanting to use the tv screen then you have to pick a game with care. Any game that requires good to impossible timing (flappy anything or one finger death punch) is a great way for a masochist to have fun with out a sadist being in the room. Games that do not need fast timing like turn based strategy games or certain types of puzzle games are fine and work great. Even quite a few emulators work well like this but with the same game choice restrictions.
The screen lag you get is not anything like low fps it is input lag from the time difference it would take to simply send the information to your tablet vs the time it takes to send the information to your router and the router to send the information to the chromecast. I would assume miracast would suffer frome the same issues, though I haven't tried it yet.
acdbrn2000 said:
screen mirroring works fine with chromecast as long as you are not doing something effected by input/screen lag. Watching video from an app that is not natively supporting chromecasting (showbox...) is relatively simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting.
Is both screen + audio sent to the Chromecast then? Or are there audio/video sync issues... If video happens on tv but lags behind the video+audio of the tablet...
The audio went out of the tv when I did a cast using cast screen. Most of the casting I do from my device uses uPnPlay a wonderful free app that is as good as most if not all the paid upnp apps (bubble upnp/ allcast). I have never had any issues with audio desync using that app.
when I did a sceen cast with show box I did have a streaming hicup (a slight stutter) once or twice but that may have been due to my old router (wrt54g) and not so much the chromecast.
fred_be9300 said:
Interesting.
Is both screen + audio sent to the Chromecast then? Or are there audio/video sync issues... If video happens on tv but lags behind the video+audio of the tablet...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never had any sync issues casting with chromecast.
In most situations you would never have to screen cast as chromecast can pretty much cast anything web or local natively.
Presentations is really the only use I can see for screen casting.
ashyx said:
In most situations you would never have to screen cast as chromecast can pretty much cast anything web or local natively. Presentations is really the only use I can see for screen casting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as I mentioned earlier, my TV cable provider, has an app that streams live TV. We have a 2nd TV in the bedroom for which we don't have a decoder box, but I hope I could screenmirror the TV stream that I can get through the App (audio&video).
fred_be9300 said:
as I mentioned earlier, my TV cable provider, has an app that streams live TV. We have a 2nd TV in the bedroom for which we don't have a decoder box, but I hope I could screenmirror the TV stream that I can get through the App (audio&video).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should work fine for that then. You may get the occasional hiccup depending on many things but for the most part I do not see any reason why it would not work for you.
fred_be9300 said:
Interesting.
Is both screen + audio sent to the Chromecast then? Or are there audio/video sync issues... If video happens on tv but lags behind the video+audio of the tablet...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I caved and bought an Chromecast (CC)
Findings:
- screencast works fine most of the time. Transfers audio and video, and keeps good sync. But some applications cause a crash and reboot of the tablet (e.g. mirroring of MX Player playing a video)
- casting youtube works fine.
- the app I was most interested in (a TV streaming app of my local TV cable company) in fact does both Chromecasting, and works in screen casting mode. Hurray)
- good wifi reception is needed on both the tablet and the CC
and a general point
- according to reading around, it's not possible to use the CC without active internet connection, not even for local screencasting. Technically, it seems unnecessary to have an active internet connection on the WLAN that connects both the CC and the tablet (or pc), for local casting or screencasting. Read more at e.g. https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chromecast/XRktmNTk0QY
Sorry to take the thread off-topic from Miracast - but I think it's interesting to hear testimonies of both Chromecast and Miracast, to compare
regards
First things first, I live in Canada. I did get the Roku, but a lot of the apps don't work. I would like to use the apps that are locked to the US region so I was gonna use services like Unblock-Us, but it turns out I am using an incompatible router and unable to do that. So, I though, "Oh, why don't I get the Amazon Fire TV, I mean, its android." I can root it, install a VPN service, and use all the US restricted services. Would it be worth it? I mean I was thinking of using Hotspot Shield, if it works on Amazon Fire TV (I don't really want to spend money on a vpn). Theirs also the problem of the main focus being amazon prime, which I wont be using, the terrible keyboard, and the fact I have to cross the border to get it. Anyway, would it be worth it?
P.S. Would a USB 4-port extender work on the Fire TV?
Quick answer is yes! you should buy it!
I'm in Ireland and all I use a Smart DNS provider All I have to do is change DNS. No messing around with VPNs or routers. HBO, Showtime, Amazon Price, NBCSports, etc all working fine.
I got one of those 4-port USB extenders and it works.
Mine is made by Targus.
I live in Canada and using unblock.us I have been able to use the Fire TV to its full capabilities. The only issues as of now being A&E, and History and a couple other native Fire TV apps won't load and just crash to the desktop. Other than that all apps I have downloaded and sideloaded work great, including XBMC of course. I have the DNS settings set up through my router (netgear) and then it works with all devices. If you can replace the router that would be the easiest as they are relatively inexpensive. I have had Boxee's, Roku's, and Apple TV's and find the Fire TV to far superior to all of them.
DaltonHeintz said:
First things first, I live in Canada. I did get the Roku, but a lot of the apps don't work. I would like to use the apps that are locked to the US region so I was gonna use services like Unblock-Us, but it turns out I am using an incompatible router and unable to do that. So, I though, "Oh, why don't I get the Amazon Fire TV, I mean, its android." I can root it, install a VPN service, and use all the US restricted services. Would it be worth it? I mean I was thinking of using Hotspot Shield, if it works on Amazon Fire TV (I don't really want to spend money on a vpn). Theirs also the problem of the main focus being amazon prime, which I wont be using, the terrible keyboard, and the fact I have to cross the border to get it. Anyway, would it be worth it?
P.S. Would a USB 4-port extender work on the Fire TV?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a WD Live Plus and then a Ouya....now got the AFTV...huge difference. Of all 3, this is by far the most responsive and with a few exceptions, easy to set up.
Ultimately you don't necessarily need root (save for USB attached drive usage) - so at the very least Netflix + XBMC should cover all your needs.
I will say that I was able to run OpenVPN client on Ouya and I cannot do that on AFTV - but Hola works fine, or the router OpenVPN client tweaked to tunnel only AFTV traffic.
in your case it seems that Hola would be the easy way out...the beauty is that it works per app.
Really? That's great! I guess I'm crossing the border for it
Just do it
Yes get one they just work.
Cheers
I know the unit wasn't designed for this, but in theory can a Fire TV or even Fire TV Stick be used to just play back locally stored content?
I'm on the fence to get one of these for my home use (especially seeing it run Kodi/XMBC), but if I could use it for work presentations or backyard projectors, I'd be sold in a heartbeat! To be clear, these are situations in which there is no WiFi signal or device streaming to it... rather, I'd like to have locally stored media that it can play back in either Kodi or the Android version of VLC. Having a nice little device and remote seems far simpler and enjoyable versus hooking up my honking laptop to do those things.
Thoughts?
I was going to just pick up a Stick today for the $24 sale price and figure it out myself, but it appears I was too late. Am I better off with something else?
It should work as a local player with apps like MX Player, Kodi and VLC. Just that the stick has a few gbs of storage that can be used to store movies and to add movies you need to do it wirelessly or through adbfire. The Fire TV box can use HDs which can help with having the movies there. But if a portable player is what you want just use your phone with movies in a microsd, install mx player or Kodi and use a HDMI to microusb cable. That way you always have your player with you and only need that 6 dlls cable.
solorzano_felipe said:
It should work as a local player with apps like MX Player, Kodi and VLC. Just that the stick has a few gbs of storage that can be used to store movies and to add movies you need to do it wirelessly or through adbfire. The Fire TV box can use HDs which can help with having the movies there. But if a portable player is what you want just use your phone with movies in a microsd, install mx player or Kodi and use a HDMI to microusb cable. That way you always have your player with you and only need that 6 dlls cable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might want to double check that.... In theory you are correct, but in personal experience no internet means no loading of the home menu, meaning can't run anything at all. This may have changed or there may be a way around it, not 100% sure.
Solorzano, the idea is to have a dedicated player, not use my phone. That's why I originally dismissed the idea of a Chromecast... Sometimes I set up these boxes at fundraising events and hand all the hardware over to someone else to project. I'm often handling other technicalities of the event, or not even on location once they play it! I've been using my laptop to feed the presentation until now, but I'd rather not dedicate my laptop to the cause each time.
I'm actually leaning more towards one of those Kit-Kat quad core media boxes from china for this reason. They have USB ports (multiple ones!) and are much faster than the Fire TV Stick, maybe even faster than the Fire TV Box, for half the price. Only catch is that I won't be able to stream Amazon content if I ever wanted to do that at home (looking to make this a dual-purpose work and home purchase), but I think its a better suited device for everything else I want to do.
Thanks guys!
I posted a similar question elsewhere here, one responder stated that if you have Firestarter installed then you can go to that home screen and use apps, even though you can't go to the standard FireTV home screen. I haven't tried it yet, I'm not home where my Stick is.
Regarding a "standard" Android box, I have a Matricom G-box Q, I can watch Amazon videos with it using the Amazon Instant app. It basically takes you to the Amazon Instant home page (I have this defaulted to use Chrome), then when you select a video just choose the Amazon Instant app for playback. I seem to remember it was a little weird to install, something like: I installed it, I ran it, and then during the first run it asks if you want to install the app again, if you do it seems to work.
Terry T, yes with firestarter you can get to kodi. You can also go to the settings manage apps way of launching provided parental control is not on. The pin is verified on Amazons server. However, assuming you at least have wifi with an internet outtage you can also launch Kodi with firestarter, wukong remote or Apps Shortcut for FireTV. These methods bypass the parental PIN number
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Thanks guys! Next question: If I go with the Stick version, which lacks expandable storage or USB storage, is there a relatively easy way to load files onto the internal memory? For example, if I need to play a specific mp4 file at an event, can I sideload it over Wifi at home first, then show up the event and play it with kodi?
Yes, sideload ES File Explorer. You can cut or copy (long press, then the file is selected and options are at the bottom of the screen) from either a shared drive on your network or from a cloud source like Dropbox to the Stick. You will have to tell Kodi or whatever video player you are using where you saved the file.
I forgot to block OTA updates so I'm on the latest firmware (5.2.6.3). From the many hours of googling I've done it seems it can't be rooted right now. I'm hoping somebody tells me I'm wrong there. I fudged some stuff up so I did a factory reset so I'm working from a pretty much clean install.
My main complaint really is that I hate the launcher and the UI. It's soooooo slow and clunky from the get go. I saw ways of uninstalling bloat ware and using a different launcher, but they were only for older firmware or other FTV devices. I'm totally fine with losing any Amazon apps. Nothing against Amazon I just don't need those apps.
I looked into casting instead because I saw how awesomely smooth and easy the Chromecast is to use and I really regret not getting a Chromecast. I feel like I've tried every casting receiver on the play store, and a few that weren't, with very little success. I can really only cast YouTube with AirScreen.
The Netflix app on my phone acts like it can cast to the firestick right out of the package. But when I hit the cast button on my phone it opens Netflix and loads the user selection screen. Then I have to use the remote to pick the user and the thing I wanted to watch. Defeating the purpose. It's pretty much the same story for every app that that allows me to cast to the firestick.
Sorry for writing a novel full of dumb rookie questions. I've spent a lot of time trying a lot of stuff with no success at all. I just want this thing to work better somehow. Right now I kinda wanna just install Kodi and sell it as jailbroken so I can get a Chromecast.
To cast YouTube use this app
YouTube App
Goto YouTube settings on both fire tv app & your YouTube app on phone & select watch on TV & choose to link to TV via code
Enter the code on your phone that the fire app gives you & then you can cast (the fire app must be open for the cast icon to appear)
You can cast Spotify easily by using the Spotify TV version of the app on the firestick
You can cast any video/audio/picture on your phone using allcast (playstore) and also installing the receiver app on the firestick
You can cast any video/audio from your media server (pc/laptop/nas drive) using bubbleupnp
There's no such thing as a "jailbroken" firestick
Kodi is just a media player - what you use it for is your choice - for example you can use it with bubbleupnp to create a media server on your pc to cast all videos on your pc to the firestick
TheFixItMan said:
To cast YouTube use this app
YouTube App
Goto YouTube settings on both fire tv app & your YouTube app on phone & select watch on TV & choose to link to TV via code
Enter the code on your phone that the fire app gives you & then you can cast (the fire app must be open for the cast icon to appear)
You can cast Spotify easily by using the Spotify TV version of the app on the firestick
You can cast any video/audio/picture on your phone using allcast (playstore) and also installing the receiver app on the firestick
You can cast any video/audio from your media server (pc/laptop/nas drive) using bubbleupnp
There's no such thing as a "jailbroken" firestick
Kodi is just a media player - what you use it for is your choice - for example you can use it with bubbleupnp to create a media server on your pc to cast all videos on your pc to the firestick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YouTube, music and videos files I own are the only things I don't need help casting. But thank you for your quick reply. They make it crazy easy to stream files from your phone/pc. I just don't have any movies or TV shows downloaded on any of my devices. I forgot to mention I have been able to stream music I have on my phone/pc no problem. And the music apps casting sends to work pretty decently.
I know there's no such thing as a jailbroken firestick. But most people think a firestick with Kodi installed is a jailbroken firestick and will pay you $10 to $20 more for it :laugh: