Improving network connections for media sharing - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I use vlc on my firestick 4k a lot to watch videos on my pc over smb and am looking at ways of optimising the LAN connection between all my devices. I just installed an upgraded network card on my pc which has two ethernet ports and have been wondering if I plugged my firestick into one of the ports after setting that port up to share my Internet connection, would that increase the speed the firestick is able to access smb files?
My firestick is usually connected to LAN with an ethernet cat5 to a three 5g router
Any advice is much appreciated, thanks

jammalam said:
I use vlc on my firestick 4k a lot to watch videos on my pc over smb and am looking at ways of optimising the LAN connection between all my devices. I just installed an upgraded network card on my pc which has two ethernet ports and have been wondering if I plugged my firestick into one of the ports after setting that port up to share my Internet connection, would that increase the speed the firestick is able to access smb files?
My firestick is usually connected to LAN with an ethernet cat5 to a three 5g router
Any advice is much appreciated, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To improve network connection
Optimizing the video streaming on Windows 10 PC:
1. Go to Windows Settings -> Apps -> Video Playback
2. Enable I prefer video to play at a lower resolution
Block Amazon services from using networks:
1. Download NoRoot Firewall from Downloader app: https://apkpure.com/noroot-firewall/app.greyshirts.firewall
2. Install NoRoot Firewall and open
3. Go to Apps section and you want to deny any Amazon services from networks (i.e DeviceSoftwareOTA OTA apps)
4. Go back to Home section, press Start and create a VPN connection.
5. Enable ADB and unknown sources in Fire TV settings
6. On your PC, search cmd and run the following commands:
Code:
//Connect ADB using network
adb connect <Fire TV IP>
//Verify the attached devices
adb devices
//Run this command
adb shell pm clear com.amazon.device.software.ota

I actually use Kodi smb connect to my media server and use wireless. I don't get any buffering issues with Kodi. I have a portable hard drive connected to my router to store videos on. What kind of issues are you having?

Related

How to get VPN fire tv. No messing & Cheap. (UK)

Hi Guys,
Basically, you don't even need root for this.
You need to get a DIR-615 router. (I got mine for £10 delivered). I've gone for the D4 revision but I believe most work. Unless of course your router supports DDWRT.
I'd suggest getting this as an additional router. I've got a BT Homehub 5, and the lan cable from that connects into the DIR-615 internet port. So effectively two networks, one for DNS the other for anything else.
Next, install DD-WRT. Change the default IP to 192.168.5.(whatever). Just make sure where 5 is, it's not 1 as it will conflict and not give you internet access.
Next, get a smart dns provider. (DDWRT also supports VPN) - smartdns is an easier way. Put the IP addresses in the DNS fields.
All set up, running NBC Live sports from home on the TV.
Not to mention, with the video add ons - none will be blocked from UK. etc.
Hi,
This is EXACTLY what I've been looking to do, just didn't think anyone else would be doing the same thing!
So if I understand you correctly your set up is this:
Your Master Socket is connected to your BT HomeHub 5.
You then connect your BT HomeHub 5 to the DIR-615 via Ethernet?
You install DD-WRT, set up the VPN settings etc, and then connect your Fire TV to the DIR 615 rather than the HomeHub?
I currently have a Openreach Modem which connects to the master socket. I then have a ASUS RT-N66U connected to the Openreach modem via Ethernet. Am I right in assuming if I buy and connect a DIR - 615 to the Asus via an ethernet port and then do the above I can achieve the same thing? I
I'm looking to buy a fire TV so I can watch NBC Sports Live Extra on my TV. I only want a VPN connection on my FireTV only when I'm watching NBC not my other devices etc hence why I second router would actually work perfectly for me.
If all you want to do is bypass geographic restrictions so you can watch NBC sports then all you need is a smart dns provider, a popular one is Unotelly but there are loads out there...
I have set up using the below instructions (which are wireless) so when wanting to watch the Premiership on NBC I just unplug my Ethernet cable and connect to my router wirelessly which then has all the correct settings
http://help.unotelly.com/support/solutions/articles/193478-setting-up-unodns-on-your-amazon-fire-tv-
adatdeys said:
Hi,
This is EXACTLY what I've been looking to do, just didn't think anyone else would be doing the same thing!
So if I understand you correctly your set up is this:
Your Master Socket is connected to your BT HomeHub 5.
You then connect your BT HomeHub 5 to the DIR-615 via Ethernet?
You install DD-WRT, set up the VPN settings etc, and then connect your Fire TV to the DIR 615 rather than the HomeHub?
I currently have a Openreach Modem which connects to the master socket. I then have a ASUS RT-N66U connected to the Openreach modem via Ethernet. Am I right in assuming if I buy and connect a DIR - 615 to the Asus via an ethernet port and then do the above I can achieve the same thing? I
I'm looking to buy a fire TV so I can watch NBC Sports Live Extra on my TV. I only want a VPN connection on my FireTV only when I'm watching NBC not my other devices etc hence why I second router would actually work perfectly for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly . Very easy to set up! SmartDNS is set up for me, not a VPN. NBC works brilliantly.
Although, NBC has been hacked on XBMC - login not even needed (SmartDNS is still needed). But for the App, it will work great too.
My next port of call is getting a wireless harddrive, or something that takes USB/SD Cards, and wireless devices can pick this up - Essentially so I can download episodes etc from XBMC/PC to it and watch on Fire TV.
Can't be done with BT home hub 5 though can it? DNS is blocked I believe.

[Q] Fire Tv Stick and (hotel) Wifi

Is the Fire TV Stick easier to set up in a hotel than a Chromecast (with the AP Isolation issues)?
Am I right is saying that the Fire TV Stick is not dependent on the Wifi signal for the speed at which it 'flings' a media file, the Wifi is used to make a direct wireless connection between the fling sender and the fling receiver?
You can login through Chrome browser in Fire Tv.
SandLake said:
Is the Fire TV Stick easier to set up in a hotel than a Chromecast (with the AP Isolation issues)?
Am I right is saying that the Fire TV Stick is not dependent on the Wifi signal for the speed at which it 'flings' a media file, the Wifi is used to make a direct wireless connection between the fling sender and the fling receiver?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm the network connection is in the path of the data from the sender to the stick. You will always have a dependency on network throughput unless you are playing from local media storage - which the stick doesnt support.
If you are interested in playing from a local storage device, one thing you can do is invest $20 in one of the HooToo Tripmate travel routers. They have usb ports that you can plug in a local drive and share via wifi to your stick.
Sorry, I'm not very proficient with this, I had heard of WiFi Direct (http://www.howtogeek.com/178691/htg-explains-what-is-wi-fi-direct-and-how-does-it-work/) and thought that maybe this is how the Fire TV Stick worked - the sender and receiver needs to be on the same network to 'find' each other but then communicate directly.
I have tried using plex on my android phone to stream from my home plex server (admittedly over mobile internet) and the experience was underwhelming. I had thought that maybe (just maybe) I could load up my tablet with media and using a Fire TV Stick fling the media at a TV using this direct connection and avoid any slowdowns on hotel wifi. If this isn't going to work I have just bought a Raspberry Pi2 which I can connect using an actual cable (how 20th century!!!!)
SandLake said:
Sorry, I'm not very proficient with this, I had heard of WiFi Direct (http://www.howtogeek.com/178691/htg-explains-what-is-wi-fi-direct-and-how-does-it-work/) and thought that maybe this is how the Fire TV Stick worked - the sender and receiver needs to be on the same network to 'find' each other but then communicate directly.
I have tried using plex on my android phone to stream from my home plex server (admittedly over mobile internet) and the experience was underwhelming. I had thought that maybe (just maybe) I could load up my tablet with media and using a Fire TV Stick fling the media at a TV using this direct connection and avoid any slowdowns on hotel wifi. If this isn't going to work I have just bought a Raspberry Pi2 which I can connect using an actual cable (how 20th century!!!!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can achieve local playback to a FTV easily with one of the HooToo Tripmates. They give you a local wifi hotspot. Devices plugged into the hotspot can be shared (like usb drives etc). Media on your wifi connected devices can be accessed as well. Your tablet and FTV would connect to the Tripmate wifi and not to the hotel. The Tripmate can connect to the hotel and allow your devices to connect to the internet for netflix etc.. You have many options using this method.

If I take my AFTV outside of my home network, how to get KODI to connect to my movies

Hi there
I got 3 external hard drives plugged into a Amazon Basic USB 4 Hub, this is then connected to the single USB socket on my home router.
Using Kodi I can access my folders and added all my movies to KODI, streams brilliantly
Question is if I take my AFTV outside of my home network, how do I get KODI to connect to my movies?
I used to use plex and my router is already setup.
Won´t work that easy way. The SAMBA/CIFS or UPnP (DLNA) protocols which are used in most cases by routers for local streaming are designed for a local network not for use via Internet or between networks behind different router NATs.
darkdjay said:
Hi there
I got 3 external hard drives plugged into a Amazon Basic USB 4 Hub, this is then connected to the single USB socket on my home router.
Using Kodi I can access my folders and added all my movies to KODI, streams brilliantly
Question is if I take my AFTV outside of my home network, how do I get KODI to connect to my movies?
I used to use plex and my router is already setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install PleXBMC client on the FTV, works for me but I have a NAS running Plex Server.
Look in the settings of your router and see what options it has for sharing what's plugged into it. Mine has an option to allow access from the net for my files, its a netgear. U should just be able to point kodi to whatever URL it makes.

Configure Wifi without Remote Control

Ok, I am in a hotel and have tried to plug-in my Fire TV Stick, but it doesn't find my home wifi - no surprise - darn! I've forgot the standard Remote Control!!!! ARGHHH
So I configure my phone as a wifi hot spot and name it as my home wifi (with the same password) - voila! I can connect with the Fire TV app for Android but as soon as I go to reconfigure the wifi to use the hotels wifi it disconnects and I can no longer access it at all from the Android app.
Now, is there a way to reconfigure the wifi-settings manually either by plugging it into a computer via USB or some other app that will emulate the stock remote that comes with the Fire TV?
OzzMosiz said:
Ok, I am in a hotel and have tried to plug-in my Fire TV Stick, but it doesn't find my home wifi - no surprise - darn! I've forgot the standard Remote Control!!!! ARGHHH
So I configure my phone as a wifi hot spot and name it as my home wifi (with the same password) - voila! I can connect with the Fire TV app for Android but as soon as I go to reconfigure the wifi to use the hotels wifi it disconnects and I can no longer access it at all from the Android app.
Now, is there a way to reconfigure the wifi-settings manually either by plugging it into a computer via USB or some other app that will emulate the stock remote that comes with the Fire TV?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.storm.lightning.client.aosp&hl=de
If you are using a wifi remote control app like Wukong Romote, your phone and the AFS has to be on the same network for your phone to be able to find it.
Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk
I find the control can be use in this app called CetusPlay, you can find it on google play store
Use a second smartphone or tablet with firetv to reconfigure the stick to the hotel WiFi
For the "not long enough, want to read" explanation -
As the OP said, configure 1st smartphone as a WiFi hotspot with identical name and password as home WiFi.
Firetv should automatically connect you this when powered up.
Connect 2nd smartphone to this network (probably will automatically connect as it will 'see' it as its home network)
Use the firetv app on 2nd smartphone to navigate to system/settings/network (not exact steps but you should be able you find it) and reconfigure the firetv stick to connect to the guest/hotel WiFi.
Once connected turn off WiFi hotspot on 1st phone and connect it to guest/hotel WiFi.
Start firetv app, search for firetv and connect.
Discover that most content is geographically controlled and cannot be viewed and settle in for a season of Man in the High Castle.
@finkle - this was a good idea, but sadly as soon as the other wifi is selected on the fire stick it changes to the hotel wifi and opens the browser page to enter the credentials, which simultaneously disconnects the remote app! So close ;-(
That's what you want to happen.
Once the firestick is connected to the hotel Wi-Fi you connect either of the remote devices to the hotel Wi-Fi and you're good to go - the firestick and device will both be on the same network so they can chat..
The hotel Wi-Fi I used this on only required confirmation that you wanted to connect and accept their usage terms, which the firestick coped with fine.
Honestly, it worked in real life!
Hi,
I tried the above steps, but when I then connect my mobile to the hotel network, it then cannot find the firestick. I have the firestick stuck on the hotel pop up asking for the password, but can not navigate to enter the password in. Help?
Thanks
---------- Post added at 07:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:54 PM ----------
Hi,
I tried the above steps, but when I then connect my mobile to the hotel network, it then cannot find the firestick. I have the firestick stuck on the hotel pop up asking for the password, but can not navigate to enter the password in. Help?
Thanks
finkle said:
That's what you want to happen.
Once the firestick is connected to the hotel Wi-Fi you connect either of the remote devices to the hotel Wi-Fi and you're good to go - the firestick and device will both be on the same network so they can chat..
The hotel Wi-Fi I used this on only required confirmation that you wanted to connect and accept their usage terms, which the firestick coped with fine.
Honestly, it worked in real life!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks To User FINGLE......
Thanks ,..I tried it.. I lost my remote to my firestick... I got the app on my phone...for remote... Firestick was still on previous network....and since we got new internet..service provider... The network was diffrent,....so we changed hotspot on phone, ( to the previous netwrk we had...and I got a diffrent phone...and with the second phone,, I was able to conect with the phone ap remote...[theseconv
QUOTE=finkle;69046260]Use
HTML:
a second smartphone or tablet with firetv to reconfigure the stick to the hotel WiFi
For the "not long enough, want to read" explanation -
As the OP said, configure 1st smartphone as a WiFi hotspot with identical name and password as home WiFi.
Firetv should automatically connect you this when powered up.
Connect 2nd smartphone to this network (probably will automatically connect as it will 'see' it as its home network)
Use the firetv app on 2nd smartphone to navigate to system/settings/network (not exact steps but you should be able you find it) and reconfigure the firetv stick to connect to the guest/hotel WiFi.
Once connected turn off WiFi hotspot on 1st phone and connect it to guest/hotel WiFi.
Start firetv app, search for firetv and connect.
Discover that most content is geographically controlled and cannot be viewed and settle in for a season of Man in the High Castle.[/QUOTE]
ok i have done everything exactly as you have said, but unfortunately my fire tv is not automatically connecting....Any thoughts on why? I know i reconfigured the hot spot correctly because i disconnected a 2nd smart phone from the current wifi and it automatically found our home network and connected...
What i typically do is connect my FireTV stick to the USB port on my computer, i can then manually send keyevents via ADB to connect the device through the hotel portals, yes it is tedious but once you get it connected you should be able to connect to it via Fire TV remote App on your phone. you can then plug it back into the wall and when it reboots it should auto connect to wifi this time.
P.S. this will only work if you have already previously enabled developer mode and allow adb connection on your fireTV stick.
Oh clever people, I hope you can help? I am absolutely not techy-minded, I wish I was..
I've read through this thread, and I fear there is no help for me..
I was bought a firestick by a well-meaning friend, who set it up for me... About 18 months ago. I have since moved house, and the move has meant the remote is misplaced.. So I downloaded an app that I can use as a remote. However the firestick is still linked to the old wifi, of which I have no idea what the username or password was....
So am I buggered? A useless firestick?
Please advise!
LinzAM said:
Oh clever people, I hope you can help? I am absolutely not techy-minded, I wish I was..
I've read through this thread, and I fear there is no help for me..
I was bought a firestick by a well-meaning friend, who set it up for me... About 18 months ago. I have since moved house, and the move has meant the remote is misplaced.. So I downloaded an app that I can use as a remote. However the firestick is still linked to the old wifi, of which I have no idea what the username or password was....
So am I buggered? A useless firestick?
Please advise!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found this answer on the Amazon help page ( https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx3ERA8C5GDSLWS?_encoding=UTF8&sort=helpful ) :
All tvs have a cec option under settings. Google search cec settings and it'll help ya. It lets you control hdmi plug ins with the regular tv remote. Tried it on one of my tvs and wouldn't work. Tried it on another tv in the house witch is different brand and it worked. I was able to set the wifi back up and then was able to use the fire stick remote app on my phone. Good luck
Someone confirmed that it worked for them. if not then you can order a new remote fairly cheaply: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LORGAG6/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza
Problem Solved
Hold down the home button on your Amazon firestick remote until you get a popup on your tv screen that the remote is connected. This will take 5-10 seconds. No internet necessary. Cheers!!
Thank You!
This CEC on my visio worked perfectly. we haven't been able to use one of our firesticks for quite a while now. thank you!! and no... holding down the select button on a diff remote does not work..
Enable the CEC Setting on your TV
OzzMosiz said:
Ok, I am in a hotel and have tried to plug-in my Fire TV Stick, but it doesn't find my home wifi - no surprise - darn! I've forgot the standard Remote Control!!!! ARGHHH
So I configure my phone as a wifi hot spot and name it as my home wifi (with the same password) - voila! I can connect with the Fire TV app for Android but as soon as I go to reconfigure the wifi to use the hotels wifi it disconnects and I can no longer access it at all from the Android app.
Now, is there a way to reconfigure the wifi-settings manually either by plugging it into a computer via USB or some other app that will emulate the stock remote that comes with the Fire TV?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
----
Go into the settings on your tv and enable CEC. I have a Vizio and it worked for me.
In your search engine type: How to Enable HDMI-CEC on Your TV, and Why You Should then click on the HowtoGeek link
In case anyone runs in to this in the future (including myself).
If your stick is rooted then you can manually configure the WiFi over ADB/USB in the file /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf
My situation is that one day i switched my tv input from blue ray player to fire tv stick as ive done for a long time, but this time when itd boot up it would hold on the home screen and the 3 dots, and then network connection lost. But nothing has changed with my wifi, all my other devices still connect to wifi just fine. And i dont have the remote and have been using my phone to navigate my fire tv stick. Any advice?
Now its bootlooping after it shows network connection lost for about 1min then reboots.
Could provide steps as to how to reconfigure Wi-Fi setting in the Fire Stick via ADB?

fire tv looses wifi connection with Plex

Help
Most times when I try to start Plex to steam a movie or tv show from my computer wifi (Win7) I have to shut the Toshiba firetv down and cold start it. Is there a way to fix this problem?
What's your network setup?
Are computer and television connecting to the same WiFi access point?
Do you have the Plex client on the TV set to allow insecure network connections on the same network?
Hello
The computer and TV are on the same 1G WiFi network router / modem. Computer is directly connected and the TV is wireless.. Plex app starts on the Toshiba Fire Tv but while loading a movie or tv program will go black and nothing. Both movie and TV show are in MKV format. It's just so frustrating to have to shut down the TV and restart to get the shows to play, computer is always on.
Thanks for your response.
chas638
Are you able to stream video from other FireTV apps?
This sounds like a Plex & networking issue. Have you tried giving your FireTV and Computer static IPs?
You may want to try the Plex support forum:
Topics tagged fire-tv
Topics tagged fire-tv
forums.plex.tv
Hello
I'm not sure how to create static IPs. I assumed because they were on the same network the router would handle it. I left a message as you suggested on the Plex forum.
Thank you

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