In most reviews and comparisons, the playback quality of Netflix on the Nook Tablet is stated as being considerably better than the Fire. Given that both share essentially the same screen and processing capability - what's driving the difference?
Is it just software related? If so, can the Netflix app from the Nook be installed on the Fire?
technikalkp said:
In most reviews and comparisons, the playback quality of Netflix on the Nook Tablet is stated as being considerably better than the Fire. Given that both share essentially the same screen and processing capability - what's driving the difference?
Is it just software related? If so, can the Netflix app from the Nook be installed on the Fire?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be that the Fire Netflix app isn't streaming in HD, possibly intentionally done because it competes with Amazon's streaming.
Can this be fixed by sideloading another version of Netflix?
So far Netflix is only certifying devices for the HD version that have an OMAP4 processor (like the Kindle) and that have hardware security checks enabled (unlike the Kindle) for DRM and content protection. I am assuming the HD apk has some security checks that verify these DRM protections exist in order to run. I found this news article that confirms the problem here
B&N decided to make that tradeoff with their new Tablet model (since they don't have their own video service) but now they have left a huge dev community frustrated because the boot process is very securely locked down in it's signature checks, and custom kernels and custom ROMs will take a lot of work if they ever even work properly. I and many others would much rather have the flexibility than the HD video, but B&N is targeting the millions of customers who think the exact opposite of us
Thanks for the info. So as of now, to enable hd streaming amazon would have to lock down the device... I think I'll live with sd netfilx...
technikalkp said:
Thanks for the info. So as of now, to enable hd streaming amazon would have to lock down the device... I think I'll live with sd netfilx...
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Click to collapse
I definitley do too, though I'm sure they'll find a workaround in no time. I have Amazon Prime too, I can find a good bit of what I watch on Netflix (ie.Red Dwarf) on Amazon Prime Video, and it's included in the membership.
I was really underwhelmed with the quality of netflix on my fire. Artifact city, almost looked like I was viewing it over a mobile connection and not 15mbps cable internet. Compare that to amazon prime streaming and you can see the quality it's capable of.
matt314159 said:
I was really underwhelmed with the quality of netflix on my fire. Artifact city, almost looked like I was viewing it over a mobile connection and not 15mbps cable internet. Compare that to amazon prime streaming and you can see the quality it's capable of.
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That's already been explained above. Netflix's HD is restricted to OMAP4 devices with hardware DRM enabled. Kindle Fire has the OMAP4, but does not implement the required DRM.
Since Amazon owns the device experience, they can choose whether to implement HD streaming on their own device.
Interestingly, I copied my Canadian Netflix APK file from my Samsung Galaxy S (Telus Fascinate) onto my Kindle Fire. After sideloading it I was able to watch Netflix in HD (At least it looks HD to me) without issues. And the Kindle runs the app flawlessly.
AluminumHaste said:
Interestingly, I copied my Canadian Netflix APK file from my Samsung Galaxy S (Telus Fascinate) onto my Kindle Fire. After sideloading it I was able to watch Netflix in HD (At least it looks HD to me) without issues. And the Kindle runs the app flawlessly.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for this app it runs well, but I'm not living in USA and I'm not able toregister a netflix user
Is there any possibilities to (register and) watch netflix video on Kindle Fire (reloaded 1.2H rom) from Hungary?
hm not that i know of
AluminumHaste said:
Interestingly, I copied my Canadian Netflix APK file from my Samsung Galaxy S (Telus Fascinate) onto my Kindle Fire. After sideloading it I was able to watch Netflix in HD (At least it looks HD to me) without issues. And the Kindle runs the app flawlessly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now if someone could pull the APK from an American source and it'd be cool to see.
Wouldn't work unless you were in the US. The only reason Netlfix was working for me in Canada is because of either my Canadian username or because my IP is owned by a Canadian ISP. Trying to use the US Netflix in Canada wouldn't work.
any update to this?
I currently use a jailbroken AppleTV 2 for 2 purposes - streaming media off my NAS device through XBMC, and watching Netflix. That is it.
Is XBMC for FireTV yet stable enough to replace my AppleTV? A jailbroken Apple TV 2 still goes for $150-$250 on eBay so I could even turn a profit if I switch to FireTV, plus I would have access to more apps.
Yes it is a complete replacement solution, also you get full 1080p
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
martyxng said:
I currently use a jailbroken AppleTV 2 for 2 purposes - streaming media off my NAS device through XBMC, and watching Netflix. That is it.
Is XBMC for FireTV yet stable enough to replace my AppleTV? A jailbroken Apple TV 2 still goes for $150-$250 on eBay so I could even turn a profit if I switch to FireTV, plus I would have access to more apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. You might also want to look at a blu ray player - many of the smart players can read SMB or NFS shares and have Netflix and other stuff baked in, and then you get a movie and music transport for physical media, too. You do need to shop carefully for them - the codec support in some dvd players isn't great, and some are dlna-only.
The fireTV has pretty good codec support in XBMC, basically as good as the WDTV live plus box it replaces for me - the WD was solid but was never going to get Prime and I wanted the flexibility of having Prime as well.
yes, i sold my apple tv 2.
the atv2 is very low compared to Fire TV
I sold my Jailbroken ATV2 on eBay for about $225 about a month ago and got a FireTV instead. Loving it!
Yep, sold mine also. Realise the value of it now. Far superior. I'm running a heavy skin on XBMC (Aeon Nox 4.1.9) and it zips through everything, no crashes.
Cool. Thanks a lot guys! Looks like there is no reason for me not to sell my Apple TV at a PROFIT after several years, and get a brand new device for FREE! I just ordered a Fire TV.
Yes, I am selling mine having test the Fire TV for a few weeks.
Steve
Hi all,
I got my Amazon Fire TV a few days ago, and have sideloaded XBMC for media playback. Although I was ideally looking to do that via USB, until there's a root method for the latest UK firmware, streaming will have to do, I guess.
However, the issue I am having is with playback quality. I do not know if this is down to XBMC/Kodi or AFTV, but videos are not as smooth and lovely as they are when played directly via my TV's USB port. Even my TV is not as good as my previous device, which was a Sony DVR. It had the MOST wonderful video playback, with beautiful colours, perfect balance and no noise. It failed, so I started using my TV's USB port. Video quality is not as good - it's slightly grainer, a bit overexposed.
I got Amazon Fire TV because I was expecting something better than what my almost 4 year old Samsung TV can do. All those extra bells and whistles are fine, but playback quality is THE most crucial thing for me. I am not an expert, and I do not know if Sony and Samsung have some state-of-the art upscaling, but I'm baffled that a quad-core device with a dedicated GPU is worse than both of them. Playback via XBMC is just a huge let-down.
Am I doing something wrong? Is it supposed to be like this? Am I expecting too much? Are there any settings I can try?
I'd love to hear what you all think!
Lisali said:
Hi all,
I got my Amazon Fire TV a few days ago, and have sideloaded XBMC for media playback. Although I was ideally looking to do that via USB, until there's a root method for the latest UK firmware, streaming will have to do, I guess.
However, the issue I am having is with playback quality. I do not know if this is down to XBMC/Kodi or AFTV, but videos are not as smooth and lovely as they are when played directly via my TV's USB port. Even my TV is not as good as my previous device, which was a Sony DVR. It had the MOST wonderful video playback, with beautiful colours, perfect balance and no noise. It failed, so I started using my TV's USB port. Video quality is not as good - it's slightly grainer, a bit overexposed.
I got Amazon Fire TV because I was expecting something better than what my almost 4 year old Samsung TV can do. All those extra bells and whistles are fine, but playback quality is THE most crucial thing for me. I am not an expert, and I do not know if Sony and Samsung have some state-of-the art upscaling, but I'm baffled that a quad-core device with a dedicated GPU is worse than both of them. Playback via XBMC is just a huge let-down.
Am I doing something wrong? Is it supposed to be like this? Am I expecting too much? Are there any settings I can try?
I'd love to hear what you all think!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having no idea what you are trying to play, what it's resolution is, what it's codec is, etc, makes it hard for anyone to say. My AFTV (rooted) with Kodi plays videos great. Everything is looking like it should, whether it's old doctor who episodes in divx, latest 720p TV releases, or 1080p movies. Previously I was watching stuff via a computer connected by a dvi- 15p vga connection. Both connections at 1080p on the TV.
And yes it is possible that your TV has a hardware upscaler that does a better job then software. If you usb tv thingy is connecting at a lower resolution then your AFTV then upscaler could play a factor. There is a post about how to change the resolution of what your AFTV connects at.
nyder said:
Having no idea what you are trying to play, what it's resolution is, what it's codec is, etc, makes it hard for anyone to say. My AFTV (rooted) with Kodi plays videos great. Everything is looking like it should, whether it's old doctor who episodes in divx, latest 720p TV releases, or 1080p movies. Previously I was watching stuff via a computer connected by a dvi- 15p vga connection. Both connections at 1080p on the TV.
And yes it is possible that your TV has a hardware upscaler that does a better job then software. If you usb tv thingy is connecting at a lower resolution then your AFTV then upscaler could play a factor. There is a post about how to change the resolution of what your AFTV connects at.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi nyder,
Thanks so much for your response!
I play a variety of files, but mostly mp4 in SD and MKV in 720p. 720p an above looks OK - not as good as the TV's USB or Sony, but the biggest difference is with SD mp4 files. They look noticeably worse - oversaturated, overexposed, blocky, with artefacts.
Thanks for the tip about changing the AFTV resolution. I tried that, but it did not help. Hmm...What can I do now? Shall I try something else or look for another device?
Thank you!
Lisali said:
Hi nyder,
Thanks so much for your response!
I play a variety of files, but mostly mp4 in SD and MKV in 720p. 720p an above looks OK - not as good as the TV's USB or Sony, but the biggest difference is with SD mp4 files. They look noticeably worse - oversaturated, overexposed, blocky, with artefacts.
Thanks for the tip about changing the AFTV resolution. I tried that, but it did not help. Hmm...What can I do now? Shall I try something else or look for another device?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am new to UK fire tv but I have to say I have tried a few 1080p dd5.1 H264 and so far all looks very nice streaming localy
using xbmc-13.2-Gotham-armeabi-v7a kicked off from newest plex app
madusmacus said:
I am new to UK fire tv but I have to say I have tried a few 1080p dd5.1 H264 and so far all looks very nice streaming localy
using xbmc-13.2-Gotham-armeabi-v7a kicked off from newest plex app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you enjoying your device?
Yes - that seems to be the case. 1080p will look fine, but SD files look awful.
Lisali said:
How are you enjoying your device?
Yes - that seems to be the case. 1080p will look fine, but SD files look awful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Took me a few days to get past all the "you cant root this version" nonsense its OK now :¬)
I have firedtv and I used llama to make the old Plex app launch the new Plex app (sideloaded) and
I use air buddy to launch xbms as it detects its sideloaded and gives you a laod button :¬)
Its definatly a mark up from my old jailbroken ATV 2 - (RIP) - :¬)
Only bad thing its for me DD5.1 definatly does NOT WORK over HDMI (Netflix and amazon prime)
Fixed by buying optical cables - it its a real pain duplicating cables - grrr
XBMC of course works over either HDMI or OPTICAL
I am guessing this problem is UK version or a new firmware NERF they have done to ruin peoples life for a laugh and then buy optical cables from amazon :¬):¬):¬).
madusmacus said:
Took me a few days to get past all the "you cant root this version" nonsense its OK now :¬)
I have firedtv and I used llama to make the old Plex app launch the new Plex app (sideloaded) and
I use air buddy to launch xbms as it detects its sideloaded and gives you a laod button :¬)
Its definatly a mark up from my old jailbroken ATV 2 - (RIP) - :¬)
Only bad thing its for me DD5.1 definatly does NOT WORK over HDMI (Netflix and amazon prime)
Fixed by buying optical cables - it its a real pain duplicating cables - grrr
XBMC of course works over either HDMI or OPTICAL
I am guessing this problem is UK version or a new firmware NERF they have done to ruin peoples life for a laugh and then buy optical cables from amazon :¬):¬):¬).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear you're enjoying it. I really wanted to use it for USB playback. As the computer is in the same room, I do not want it being on all the time, so I'm a bit annoyed that it can't be rooted to allow for USB playback. I tried XBMC, but SD playback quality is just abysmal, so I'm not sure what to do at this point.
I did not know that 5.1 does not work over HDMI - that's odd, I'll have to try that. Thanks for the heads up!
[/COLOR]
Lisali said:
Good to hear you're enjoying it. I really wanted to use it for USB playback. As the computer is in the same room, I do not want it being on all the time, so I'm a bit annoyed that it can't be rooted to allow for USB playback. I tried XBMC, but SD playback quality is just abysmal, so I'm not sure what to do at this point.
I did not know that 5.1 does not work over HDMI - that's odd, I'll have to try that. Thanks for the heads up!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might want to try "MX Player"(free) for SD or PLEX (but that involves and external server)
I might just be it does not like my HDMI tv or AUDIO
I obviously can be done because XMBC works flawlessly
I am using Amazon HDMI cables too :¬)
:¬( lowest I have gone so far is 720
I was having issues with some of the services I was trying to use on my FTV. Playback would be jerky here and there. I went ahead and disabled mediacodec and everything plays nice and smooth now.
Maybe try that incase it changes the quality as well?
Hello Lisali
the same issue goes for me too.
I am rather disappointed with the picture quality of AFTV. In most of the time, I play 1080p net-downloaded movies and TV shows such as Band of brothers, Dark knight, and etc. The pictures are too blocky and grainy.
I thought it was some kind of limitation of the mobile chip(?) cause I tried MX player for playback which resulted in the same picture quality, but it seems not everybody are having the same issue.
I wonder what the problem is.
Amazon Fire TV intentionally downgrading video playback quality
wonhorang said:
Hello Lisali
the same issue goes for me too.
I am rather disappointed with the picture quality of AFTV. In most of the time, I play 1080p net-downloaded movies and TV shows such as Band of brothers, Dark knight, and etc. The pictures are too blocky and grainy.
I thought it was some kind of limitation of the mobile chip(?) cause I tried MX player for playback which resulted in the same picture quality, but it seems not everybody are having the same issue.
I wonder what the problem is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi - I see, the MX player did not help?
After some thinking, I think this is intentional on Amazon's part. Here's why: The main point of Amazon Fire TV is to promote Amazon services - Prime, App Store, music. When you look at Amazon Prime, you get a lot of content for free, but mostly in SD. Want HD? Pay more. If Amazon started upscaling their SD content, there would be no reason for people to pay to watch HD stuff.
This is quite devious, I must say. SD content = crappy. HD content = better. Pay even more for HD, Amazon makes more money. Devious - yes. Honest and honourable - no.
I and some others use SPMC and it works a lot better than xbmc
Regards
dbaseii said:
I and some others use SPMC and it works a lot better than xbmc
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi - thanks for the response. That sounds good, but how is it at upscaling SD content? If this is a hardware limitation in Amazon Fire TV box, it may not be much better than Kodi. I will give it a go, thanks!
Looking at system info in SPMC it does use all 4 processors.
Other people have used the Ouya version with success.
---------- Post added at 04:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:53 PM ----------
Any of you guys in the UK. Head over to Amazon Fire TV UK group on fb.
if it is so, how come there are guys who are satisfied with the playback quality?
from the reply, i see other guys satisfied with their amazon TV's razor sharp picture quality.
wonhorang said:
if it is so, how come there are guys who are satisfied with the playback quality?
from the reply, i see other guys satisfied with their amazon TV's razor sharp picture quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They may be playing 1080p content, or are happy with the quality they get. I am not. Amazon Fire TV is NOT razor sharp.
Lisali said:
They may be playing 1080p content, or are happy with the quality they get. I am not. Amazon Fire TV is NOT razor sharp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have gone through a few android boxes including the Minix Neo X8-H. I thought that was a great box. But tha AFTV is better. Handles even the most demanding skins and excellent picture quality. As I said in a previous post I'm using SPMC.
Lisali said:
Hi - I see, the MX player did not help?
After some thinking, I think this is intentional on Amazon's part. Here's why: The main point of Amazon Fire TV is to promote Amazon services - Prime, App Store, music. When you look at Amazon Prime, you get a lot of content for free, but mostly in SD. Want HD? Pay more. If Amazon started upscaling their SD content, there would be no reason for people to pay to watch HD stuff.
This is quite devious, I must say. SD content = crappy. HD content = better. Pay even more for HD, Amazon makes more money. Devious - yes. Honest and honourable - no.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you in the UK as well? I ask as you mention Amazon Prime content being in SD, I only watch HD with my prime membership and i dont pay any extra. Granted i don't even think about looking at anything that would be in SD but everything i am interested in is always available in HD.
My experience is that SD looks like crap on any HD TV no matter how you slice it. Upscaling helps but you can still see the difference very easily
nujackk said:
Are you in the UK as well? I ask as you mention Amazon Prime content being in SD, I only watch HD with my prime membership and i dont pay any extra. Granted i don't even think about looking at anything that would be in SD but everything i am interested in is always available in HD.
My experience is that SD looks like crap on any HD TV no matter how you slice it. Upscaling helps but you can still see the difference very easily
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi - yes, I'm in the UK. Some Prime content is in HD, but not all of it is. A lot of movies, especially older ones, are SD only. Some of them are included in prime as SD, but you have to pay extra for HD. I also watch a lot of my own content, which is not always in HD, and the box seems to degrade, instead of upscale those. It's just odd that my 5 year old TV's built-in USB playback function is so much better at this than Amazon Fire TV, which is a beast of a machine. When it comes to how much better it is, I'd say 20-30% for HD and 50-60% for SD content.
Lisali said:
They may be playing 1080p content, or are happy with the quality they get. I am not. Amazon Fire TV is NOT razor sharp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Completely false. I play US TV shows (typically downscaled HD broadcasts to SD or even 640 x 360) and full HD movies ([email protected]) and I see no real image quality difference compared to my Windows 8.1 HTPC also running XBMC. I usually disable any post-processing in XBMC, in the Windows video driver (if applicable) and on the TV itself.
The claim that Amazon is on purpose degrading the video is also BS IMHO.
I got the Fire TV today, I bought it specifically for 4k content. How do I find 4k content?
For the FireTV, all I know of are Amazon Instant Video, Netflix (upgraded subscription) and Youtube. Not having a FTV2 I wouldn't know which clients actually support 4k.
You bought a cow to butcher for meat, but you don't even know how to find a knife to butcher it .
Netflix has some bit it's extra $.
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
TabGuy said:
I got the Fire TV today, I bought it specifically for 4k content. How do I find 4k content?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Netfliex, Amazon are your best choices. As far as downloaded content youre mostly limited to Porn.
There was even talk that someone was able to obtain the first episode of Breaking Bad in 4k from netflix (see link below)
https://torrentfreak.com/first-netflix-4k-content-leaks-to-torrent-sites-150828/
Which TV do you have ? my Samsung has the Amazon app pre loaded so I have direct access to all their 4K content.