Develop Bugs

[Q] ALLCAST by Koush mirroring?

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
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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.
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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!

Cannot decide between Fire Tv stick or chromecast.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

bt sport cast

so my fire tv is fully set up with kodi and really enjoying such a great device.
however i stlll have to use my chromecast as the sideloade app in fire tv requires a mouse each time which is a pain.
is there any better way i can stream from my nexus 5 bt sport app to fire tv?
thanks
p.s really hope amazon can get support with bt sport then can get a fire tv stick for upstairs as well!

ratski said:
so my fire tv is fully set up with kodi and really enjoying such a great device.
however i stlll have to use my chromecast as the sideloade app in fire tv requires a mouse each time which is a pain.
is there any better way i can stream from my nexus 5 bt sport app to fire tv?
thanks
p.s really hope amazon can get support with bt sport then can get a fire tv stick for upstairs as well!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you use an external Player with the app? Is there a share button in the app to share the stream? If so either use an external player like Wondershare Player, which can cast media to other devices, or share the video with Wondershare Player or Playto and cast the videos to you Fire TV. There are other players that cast mdia, but I prefer Wondershare and Playto. EDIT: I just installed the official BT Sport app and it opens, but I do not have an account to log in, so all I get is the BT Sport background and a login form. I got it from 1Mobile Market. Just install 1Mobile Market on your Fire TV and install the BT Sport app from there.

[Q] Slingbox Fire TV

Hello, I have searched the Internet for a Slingplayer app for my Slingbox solo on my Fire TV with no success. I took a chance and sideloaded several APK'S, a lot did not show the video, only sound. I found Slingplayer for tablets 3.4.0 and got it to work, with a little fiddling the quality is not bad (SD) at 2Mps on a wired network. With an Ipad mouse app and an Ipad remote control app It works, I use the Virgin Media Anytime App to change channels. I would like some feedback as to whether or not this is a new discovery or if there is a better APK for the Fire TV out there...... Thanks ....Mark

I had this version loaded on my AFS successfully. However, since I didn;t have Google Play Store, it stopped working after a while since it couldn;t validate my license.
sparkycomuk said:
Hello, I have searched the Internet for a Slingplayer app for my Slingbox solo on my Fire TV with no success. I took a chance and sideloaded several APK'S, a lot did not show the video, only sound. I found Slingplayer for tablets 3.4.0 and got it to work, with a little fiddling the quality is not bad (SD) at 2Mps on a wired network. With an Ipad mouse app and an Ipad remote control app It works, I use the Virgin Media Anytime App to change channels. I would like some feedback as to whether or not this is a new discovery or if there is a better APK for the Fire TV out there...... Thanks ....Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

tekweezle said:
I had this version loaded on my AFS successfully. However, since I didn;t have Google Play Store, it stopped working after a while since it couldn;t validate my license.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the apk. The error message doesn't seem to occur until I log out eventually and then doesn't let me back in so just uninstall and reinstall and works again. Isn't ideal but its just like having to log in again after each time.

These versions have worked for me thus far on AFS. The first was made for a phone and second for tablet. I use the one for the tablet as looks a little better and for me has a real remote. Only issue with the slingbox remote was the bottom half was off the screen. To bring it up, using the firestick remote, placed the mouse over the slingbox remote and moving the firestick cursor up first, then held down the firestick select button, letting go when reaches desired location. Mouse must be over the remote throughout. Stays in that position until log out.
bit.ly/2Ovmvis
bit.ly/2ypee5D
This thread is 3 and a half years old so might be a better way out there by now? Something with better quality?

There's a Slingplayer app for the Fire TV. Why aren't you using it?

Sizzlechest said:
There's a Slingplayer app for the Fire TV. Why aren't you using it?
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Click to collapse
the slingplayer application for firetv does not work with all slingbox models. I use the app for tablet and I have installed a version of google playstore posted in this forum. For the user interface I use an i7 Rii mini with the function of "air mouse".
1. Google Play Services 11.9.75.apk
2. Google Play Store 8.5.39.apk
3. Google Account Manager 4.4.4.apk
4. Google Gmail (Login Interface) 5.6.102685581.apk
5. SlingPlayer Free for Tablet_v1.0.1.apk

Wow, what an old thread. I mothballed my streaming boxes because cable set top boxes are becoming rare. But while I had them running, my slingbox and Vulkano boxes worked great for streaming live tv!

[Q] Using FireTV native Slingplayer app with remote. Is it easier?

I have been using my Slingbox Pro HD with Slingplayer tablet apk sideloaded to the FTV. However to use it to change channels and select options I need to use a Keyboard/Mouse combo to move around and navigate.
The Native and New Slingplayer app built for FTV doesn't work with the PRO HD. It only works on Slingbox 350, 500, and M1. I was wondering if the new Slingplayer app was easier to navigate with the FTV remote? I am mainly using it to control a XBOX 360 with WIndows media Center to stream my cable card. Anyone know how hard it is to rewind/ff and access recordings and change channels with the FTV remote only?
Thanks.

The native Slingplayer app works well with the Fire TV remote. The one feature that's missing is the SlingPlayer guide. Instead, it access the box's guide function, which is useless due to the delay between clicks. I end up using my tablet or smartphone to get the TV listings and then punch in the channel number with the Fire TV remote. Another annoyance is the quality always resets to the lowest setting when the app starts. However, I tested the regular, tablet, and Fire TV apps and the Fire TV app produces better video quality at the highest settings.

Thanks for the info!