Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device with Alexa Voice Remote | Dolby Vision | 2018 release good idea???

[sdifox]

Also you can try the prime Video app on your phone and see if you can cast to your tv, that way you find the show easily with your phone.

 

[Muse]

I just posted this to the Questions function at Amazon for this Fire Stick, hopefully I'll get some informed responses:

Would a fire stick 4k (2018 release) be a worthwhile addition to a tcl roku 4k 43" tv/monitor using gigabit wifi & ant? i don't yet do paid streaming.

Got 3 answers so far to my question, bolded above:

It allows you to have the same type "roku" experience without using a roku tv. It will work in a hdmi port on roku tv if you want to side load programs into the firestick for streaming allowable video programs.
- -
Yes, I believe it would work for you.
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I see no benefit in it. Since you are not trying to get a paid subscription app that you cannot get on Roku, not much to be gained.
- - - -

I don't understand the first answer. What does "side load programs into the fire stick for streaming allowable video programs" mean? Would that provide something that I'm not getting with just the Roku TV?

 

[Muse]

If yoh already scanned the channel with the tv tuner, you just need to know which channel is what. Roku should have epg as well, I think it is either left or right arrow to bring it up.

There is an EPG thing, I haven't been using it, but I don't know if that will enable me to go directly to a channel, gotta check that out.

 

[sdifox]

There is an EPG thing, I haven't been using it, but I don't know if that will enable me to go directly to a channel, gotta check that out.

No you would atill need to navigate.

 

[killster1]

im confused, is a hdmi cable not a option here? also firesticks and roku's drive me crazy and i require a android box or nvidia shield to playback.

 

[WelshBloke]

The Fire Stick 4K (2018 Release) features voice activation, Alexa (I have yet to meet Alexa, personally, I've never used any voice actuation system and am endlessly annoyed at any telephone automation system that requires me to talk to a robot... I'm sure my voice conveys this, whether it's registered or not!!!). So, I infer that the remote has a microphone built in.

I'm not a huge proponent of talking to computers but it makes searching things on a fire TV really easy.
Press the button, say the name of the film or program and it searches through whatever services you have and pulls the relevant thing up instantly. You don't have to search individually through Netflix, or Disney+ etc.

 

[Muse]

I'm not a huge proponent of talking to computers but it makes searching things on a fire TV really easy.
Press the button, say the name of the film or program and it searches through whatever services you have and pulls the relevant thing up instantly. You don't have to search individually through Netflix, or Disney+ etc.

Well, thank you for that. I guess it's one reason I'd want to keep this thing. I haven't yet removed it from the Amazon delivery package. I'm in a state of deliberation. But that might be a real good reason to keep it... that is, unless there's some downside other than the cost, which appears to be pretty meager for a device like this. I wonder if it will interfere with anything. I suppose not, just don't know. I'm a noob for sure. Comments, etc. I have seen suggest that Amazon Prime (which I've had since the beginning of 2021, and am just beginning to explore Prime Video) works well with this, Roku is the competition and they are two competing worlds. If I keep this I've got two competing worlds on the same TV! Doable, workable...? AFAIK yes. In actuality, I do not know!

 

[Muadib]

Well, thank you for that. I guess it's one reason I'd want to keep this thing. I haven't yet removed it from the Amazon delivery package. I'm in a state of deliberation. But that might be a real good reason to keep it... that is, unless there's some downside other than the cost, which appears to be pretty meager for a device like this. I wonder if it will interfere with anything. I suppose not, just don't know. I'm a noob for sure. Comments, etc. I have seen suggest that Amazon Prime (which I've had since the beginning of 2021, and am just beginning to explore Prime Video) works well with this, Roku is the competition and they are two competing worlds. If I keep this I've got two competing worlds on the same TV! Doable, workable...? AFAIK yes. In actuality, I do not know!

The Fire tv search is nice. However Ruku's new remote could also be nice. For a guy with 3 Roku TV's, how can you not try it?

 

[Muse]

The Fire tv search is nice. However Ruku's new remote could also be nice. For a guy with 3 Roku TV's, how can you not try it?

It offers something(s) that the TVs' remotes don't?

 

[Muadib]

It offers something(s) that the TVs' remotes don't?

It has a headphone jack, and it works with voice.

 

[MtnMan]

I have a HiSense 4K with Android. Works but really a PIA to navigate.

Got a FireTV 4K stick on sale, and it's much better than the Android built into the TV.

The Firestick is wireless only, but that doesn't matter as the TV remove controls the Firestick through HDMI CDC (which has to be enabled).
Additionally, the phone app for the Firestick is excellent, and allows either keyboard entry or voice (Alexa) control or search entries.

The app also works on the older HD Firesticks connected to our other TVs.

 

[Muse]

I have a HiSense 4K with Android. Works but really a PIA to navigate.

Got a FireTV 4K stick on sale, and it's much better than the Android built into the TV.

The Firestick is wireless only, but that doesn't matter as the TV remove controls the Firestick through HDMI CDC (which has to be enabled).
Additionally, the phone app for the Firestick is excellent, and allows either keyboard entry or voice (Alexa) control or search entries.

The app also works on the older HD Firesticks connected to our other TVs.

Could you please explain this more? "The phone app for the Fire Stick is Excellent? Uh, there's an android app I can get that controls the Fire Stick?

What is "HDMI CDC?"

I finally today opened the package from Amazon that contained the Fire Stick 4K. The reason I did this is because a Google search led me (evidently erroneously) to believe I could install Innovision to the Fire Stick and have free access to the live broadcast today of the Copa America soccer final (Argentina vs. Brazil). Turned out that the behavior of Innovision with the Fire Stick was the same as through my TCL Roku TV... i.e. it wanted me to identify my cable provider. Absent that, not free! I'd have had to subscribe. Meantime the match was progressing. TitanTV said the match was broadcast live but the station didn't appear on my TV after a channel scan. I decided, to hell with it. But I discovered in TitanTV that there were "additional" options to the station I wasn't picking up and there were 2 other Innovision stations providing the broadcast. I tried one and there it was!

Now, I'm not at all sure I should keep this Fire Stick. I think what the Amazon CSR's told me wasn't true, that I needed it to get access to my Prime Video in a convenient way.

I think that Roku remote (same price) would probably be better because it has a headphone jack.

Roku

Roku provides the simplest way to stream entertainment to your TV. On your terms. With thousands of available channels to choose from.

www.roku.com

 

[MtnMan]

Could you please explain this more? "The phone app for the Fire Stick is Excellent? Uh, there's an android app I can get that controls the Fire Stick?

What is "HDMI CDC?"

I finally today opened the package from Amazon that contained the Fire Stick 4K. The reason I did this is because a Google search led me (evidently erroneously) to believe I could install Innovision to the Fire Stick and have free access to the live broadcast today of the Copa America soccer final (Argentina vs. Brazil). Turned out that the behavior of Innovision with the Fire Stick was the same as through my TCL Roku TV... i.e. it wanted me to identify my cable provider. Absent that, not free! I'd have had to subscribe. Meantime the match was progressing. TitanTV said the match was broadcast live but the station didn't appear on my TV after a channel scan. I decided, to hell with it. But I discovered in TitanTV that there were "additional" options to the station I wasn't picking up and there were 2 other Innovision stations providing the broadcast. I tried one and there it was!

Now, I'm not at all sure I should keep this Fire Stick. I think what the Amazon CSR's told me wasn't true, that I needed it to get access to my Prime Video in a convenient way.

I think that Roku remote (same price) would probably be better because it has a headphone jack.

Roku

Roku provides the simplest way to stream entertainment to your TV. On your terms. With thousands of available channels to choose from.

www.roku.com

What Is HDMI CEC? How To Enable On TV + Pros & Cons!

Unlock seamless home theater control! Learn about HDMI CEC, its pros/cons, and enable it hassle-free with step-by-step instructions.

thehometheaterdiy.com

Example: The arrows on the TV remote, OK button, pause/play, etc. control the Fire Stick. The vol buttons control the amp, all through the TV, via HDMI CEC.

The app

Amazon.com

smile.amazon.com

One of the things I really like about using the app, is that you can enter text directly without navigating an onscreen keyboard for entering login info to services, and searching.