- Oct 9, 2002
- 28,298
- 1,235
- 136
[2016-05-19]
[OP]
I used mine a couple times and stopped. I have so many other streaming devices, I don't want to torture myself trying to use one causes so much frustration.
Other than mobile phones and tablets, it's the only wireless device in my apartment. Desktop PC, printer, DVR, Playstation, Apple TV, NAS, and everything else is hard-wired via Cat5/6 Ethernet. The Fire TV stick is connected via 5GHz (to avoid 2.4GHz interference from neighbors) and it's only 5 feet from the 802.11ac Apple AirPort Extreme wireless router.
In the brief time I used it, there were 2 obvious main problems:
I suspect there's some kind of hitching background service that's the root cause of both problems. It's hard to believe all Fire TV stick units would behave this way, but I talked to someone on the phone yesterday and he described the exact same issues with his Amazon Fire TV stick.
Just wondering: Are there any owners that do not experience what I described?
[/OP]
So I can't use a 5GHz network anymore.
I connected it for the first time in a very long time and had another horrible experience. I didn't even bother to see if it still had those same old problems.
First, it made me dismiss a couple screens describing new features. One tells me to use the microphone on my remote to search, but it should know I don't have the mic remote.
Then, it says there's no network connection. It shows my 2.4GHz network and dozens of neighboring 2.4GHz/5GHz networks. Scrolling waaay down, it showed my 5GHz SSID as if it represented only stored settings and the network was out of range (it's only a few feet from the router). The only option was to forget the network. I tried that and now there's no trace of my own 5GHz SSID...only neighbors. All of my other devices can still see and use the 5GHz network just fine. I carefully entered my SSID and WPA2-PSK, with correct case. It simply behaves as if that network isn't in range and doesn't even try to connect. The 2.4GHz network works, but I refuse to use 2.4GHz in my RF-congested apartment.
I did a factory reset. It took waaaay too long on a "Fire TV" logo with no indication that it wasn't hung forever. When it finally continued, it refused to pair with the RF remote until I removed and reinstalled the batteries.
Surprise! Still can't find my 5GHz network. I had to log-in to Amazon again (of course). It forced me to dismiss the same 2 feature screens -- including the one that I can't possibly use with my remote ("Just hold the [mic] button..."). Then it plays a "welcome to your new Fire TV" video with no option to skip. Firstly, Amazon should know this device ID was previously activated with the same Amazon account. Secondly, the video shows the wrong remote. As I try to skip through it, it stops skipping and makes me wait for it to buffer something k don't even want to watch.
I finally get to the main screen and there was no update or anything to fix these problems. I marveled at how terrible the UI is and disconnected the damn thing once again.
[/2016-05-19]I connected it for the first time in a very long time and had another horrible experience. I didn't even bother to see if it still had those same old problems.
First, it made me dismiss a couple screens describing new features. One tells me to use the microphone on my remote to search, but it should know I don't have the mic remote.
Then, it says there's no network connection. It shows my 2.4GHz network and dozens of neighboring 2.4GHz/5GHz networks. Scrolling waaay down, it showed my 5GHz SSID as if it represented only stored settings and the network was out of range (it's only a few feet from the router). The only option was to forget the network. I tried that and now there's no trace of my own 5GHz SSID...only neighbors. All of my other devices can still see and use the 5GHz network just fine. I carefully entered my SSID and WPA2-PSK, with correct case. It simply behaves as if that network isn't in range and doesn't even try to connect. The 2.4GHz network works, but I refuse to use 2.4GHz in my RF-congested apartment.
I did a factory reset. It took waaaay too long on a "Fire TV" logo with no indication that it wasn't hung forever. When it finally continued, it refused to pair with the RF remote until I removed and reinstalled the batteries.
Surprise! Still can't find my 5GHz network. I had to log-in to Amazon again (of course). It forced me to dismiss the same 2 feature screens -- including the one that I can't possibly use with my remote ("Just hold the [mic] button..."). Then it plays a "welcome to your new Fire TV" video with no option to skip. Firstly, Amazon should know this device ID was previously activated with the same Amazon account. Secondly, the video shows the wrong remote. As I try to skip through it, it stops skipping and makes me wait for it to buffer something k don't even want to watch.
I finally get to the main screen and there was no update or anything to fix these problems. I marveled at how terrible the UI is and disconnected the damn thing once again.
[OP]
I used mine a couple times and stopped. I have so many other streaming devices, I don't want to torture myself trying to use one causes so much frustration.
Other than mobile phones and tablets, it's the only wireless device in my apartment. Desktop PC, printer, DVR, Playstation, Apple TV, NAS, and everything else is hard-wired via Cat5/6 Ethernet. The Fire TV stick is connected via 5GHz (to avoid 2.4GHz interference from neighbors) and it's only 5 feet from the 802.11ac Apple AirPort Extreme wireless router.
In the brief time I used it, there were 2 obvious main problems:
- Hitching video - The video keeps hanging while the audio continues, then it plays too fast until it catches up with the audio. I have seen this with multiple content providers (Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, HBO Go).
- Hitching remote - At least, I think this is what's happening. Trying to skip back with a quick press of the skip button quickly is CONSTANTLY misinterpreted by the device -- as if I was holding the button. My hearing is bad and I frequently miss a line of dialog, so I frequently need to skip back. With the Fire TV stick, I'm afraid to even attempt it. When I do, the device goes crazy rewinding and fast-forwarding when I don't want it to.
I suspect there's some kind of hitching background service that's the root cause of both problems. It's hard to believe all Fire TV stick units would behave this way, but I talked to someone on the phone yesterday and he described the exact same issues with his Amazon Fire TV stick.
Just wondering: Are there any owners that do not experience what I described?
[/OP]
Last edited:
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