Amazon Fire TV Review: Hardware and Ecosystem Analysis - HTG

Amazon Fire TV: A Comprehensive Review

As traditional cable television viewership declines, numerous companies are vying for dominance in the home entertainment space. Amazon has firmly entered this competition, and this review focuses on their offering: the Amazon Fire TV, a notably small yet potent media streaming device.

Key Features and Performance

The Amazon Fire TV distinguishes itself through its compact design. This allows for discreet placement behind a television or within entertainment centers. Despite its size, the device delivers robust performance.

Streaming is remarkably smooth, even with high-bandwidth content. This is due to a combination of optimized software and capable hardware. Users can expect minimal buffering and quick app loading times.

Content Ecosystem and Compatibility

A significant advantage of the Amazon Fire TV is its deep integration with Amazon’s vast content ecosystem. Prime Video subscribers will find seamless access to their library.

However, the device isn’t limited to Amazon content. It supports a wide array of popular streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. This broad compatibility ensures users aren’t restricted to a single platform.

User Interface and Navigation

The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. It prioritizes content discovery, presenting recommendations based on viewing history.

Voice control, powered by Alexa, is a standout feature. Users can search for content, launch apps, and control playback using voice commands. This hands-free operation enhances the overall user experience.

Connectivity and Expansion

The Amazon Fire TV offers a range of connectivity options. These include HDMI, USB, and Wi-Fi. This allows for connection to various displays and peripherals.

While internal storage is limited, expansion is possible via USB. This enables users to store additional apps and media files.

Overall Assessment

The Amazon Fire TV represents a compelling option for those seeking a powerful and affordable media streaming solution. Its compact size, robust performance, and extensive content compatibility make it a strong contender in the market.

For users already invested in the Amazon ecosystem, the integration benefits are particularly appealing. However, even those new to Amazon will find much to appreciate in this versatile device.

Understanding the Amazon Fire TV

The Amazon Fire TV, priced at $99, represents Amazon’s entry into the streaming media player arena. It is designed to rival devices such as the Apple TV, Roku 3, and Google’s Chromecast, including the newer Nexus Player.

This device boasts a remarkably slender design—approximately the dimensions of two stacked CD cases—yet contains powerful internal components.

Key Hardware Specifications

• 2GB of RAM ensures smooth performance.
• A 1.7Ghz quad-core mobile processor delivers robust processing power.
• A dual MIMO 802.11bgn antenna provides reliable wireless connectivity.
• An optical audio out port enables high-quality audio transmission.
• An Ethernet jack supports wired network connections.

While strong in processing capabilities, the Fire TV offers 8GB of non-expandable internal storage. It includes a straightforward Bluetooth remote and is compatible with Amazon gaming controllers, as well as other Bluetooth-enabled controllers.

The Fire TV is fundamentally designed to integrate seamlessly with Amazon’s media services. However, due to its Android foundation, it also supports applications for widely-used streaming platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu.

Its architecture is optimized for the Amazon ecosystem, providing a focused streaming experience.

Setting Up Your Device

The Fire TV is designed for a streamlined user experience, and the initial setup process reflects this. Begin by connecting the device to your HDTV, then connect the power adapter.

Next, simply grab the included remote control to proceed.

The Fire TV will automatically run some preliminary system checks. It will also download any available software updates.

If you are utilizing a Wi-Fi connection, you will be prompted to select and connect to your local wireless network.

Consider using a USB keyboard for easier input.

A USB keyboard can be connected to the port located on the back of the Fire TV. While the on-screen keyboard is functional with the remote, navigating it can be cumbersome.

Employing a physical keyboard bypasses the tedious process of entering your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password using the remote control.

After successfully connecting to the network and signing in to your Amazon account, an introductory video will begin playing.

The Kindle Fire’s ease of use, particularly with the Mayday assistance feature, was a highlight of our previous review.

This commitment to user-friendliness extends to the Fire TV, as the concise tutorial video provides all the necessary information to start using the device immediately.

The setup requires only your Wi-Fi details and Amazon account credentials.

From unboxing to full functionality, the entire process takes only a few minutes, primarily dedicated to unpacking and connecting the device.

User Interface

The Amazon Fire TV boasts a user interface that is straightforward and functional. For streaming devices, a simple and easily navigable design is often preferable.

Following the initial setup and a brief tutorial, users are directed to the main home screen.

This home screen functions as a central hub. It displays recently accessed content, personalized media suggestions, highlighted applications, and promotional material for media within the Amazon environment.

Navigation and Features

A sidebar provides access to key sections. These include Prime Video, Movies, TV Shows, a Watch List for saved content, a Video Library for purchased media, FreeTime for child-friendly viewing, Games, Apps, Music, Photos, and the Settings menu.

Experienced media center users will likely find the interface quite satisfactory. It is generally responsive, and navigating the primary categories is uncomplicated.

However, the Games menu could be improved. Browsing the full games library beyond the initial curated recommendations proved somewhat challenging.

Selecting and browsing media from Amazon’s services was seamless. The in-media settings, as illustrated, were intuitive and user-friendly.

Playback performance for third-party streaming applications, such as Netflix and Hulu, was also consistently reliable.

Hardware and Performance Capabilities

The hardware within the Fire TV demonstrably exceeds the requirements for smooth video playback. The processor and RAM allocation are, in fact, more substantial than necessary for 1080p content (even a Raspberry Pi effectively handles HD video with significantly less processing power).

Navigation through the menus is exceptionally fluid, exhibiting no noticeable lag. Video playback initiates almost instantaneously, a benefit of Amazon’s proactive caching system – ASAP – which downloads initial segments of anticipated content.

Responsiveness extends to in-video menus, ensuring a seamless user experience.

The Fire TV possesses ample power to handle demanding mobile games without issue. Titles such as Asphalt 8 and Grand Theft Auto, which typically strain less powerful Android devices, ran flawlessly.

Unique Capabilities of Fire TV

Fire TV possesses several distinctive features that are either absent in competing streaming media center platforms or are executed with less effectiveness. A detailed examination of these capabilities is presented below.

Voice Control Integration

Voice control is deeply integrated into the Fire TV experience. Users can navigate menus, launch applications, and search for content using spoken commands.

This hands-free functionality offers a convenient alternative to traditional remote control operation, enhancing user accessibility and streamlining the entertainment experience.

X-Ray Powered by IMDb

A notable feature is X-Ray, powered by IMDb. It provides information about actors, characters, and trivia directly within the content being viewed.

This allows viewers to quickly identify cast members and learn more about the program or movie they are watching, enriching their viewing experience.

Instant Access to Apps

Fire TV offers instant access to apps through its dedicated home screen. Frequently used applications are prominently displayed for quick launching.

This streamlined approach minimizes the time spent navigating menus and maximizes the time spent enjoying content.

Multi-Room Audio Support

The platform supports multi-room audio, enabling users to synchronize playback across multiple compatible devices. This creates a whole-home audio experience.

Listeners can enjoy consistent audio throughout their home, controlled centrally through the Fire TV interface.

Amazon Channels Integration

Amazon Channels are seamlessly integrated into the Fire TV interface. Subscribers gain access to a wide range of premium content directly through the platform.

This consolidation simplifies content management and eliminates the need to switch between multiple applications to access desired channels.

Parental Controls

Robust parental controls are available, allowing parents to restrict access to specific content and applications. This ensures a safe viewing environment for children.

These controls can be customized to suit individual family needs, providing peace of mind for parents.

Gaming Capabilities

Fire TV also functions as a gaming console, offering access to a growing library of Android games. This expands the device’s functionality beyond streaming media.

Users can download and play games directly on their TV, providing an alternative entertainment option.

Voice Search Functionality

Initial impressions led us to believe voice search would be a trivial feature, yet it proved surprisingly effective in practice. The process is straightforward: activating the voice command via the remote allows users to request content by simply stating the title, such as "Alpha House" or "Minecraft."

The system then searches the entire Amazon ecosystem to locate the requested item, regardless of ownership status.

Limitations Outside the Amazon Ecosystem

However, the voice search's utility diminishes significantly when seeking content outside of Amazon's services. Despite the availability of titles on platforms like Netflix, the search consistently prioritizes Amazon-based entries.

This behavior, while anticipated given the Fire TV’s purpose of driving Amazon sales, is nonetheless a source of frustration. A central media hub should prioritize user needs over promotional objectives.

Gaming on Fire TV

Criticisms regarding gaming performance on the Fire TV are less about the device itself or Amazon, and more reflective of the broader challenges within the mobile-gaming-on-TV category. The Amazon game marketplace is comprehensive, offering a vast selection of titles, including numerous quality options.

The Amazon Fire game controller is functional, though it doesn't rival established controllers like those from Xbox 360 or PlayStation DualShock. Utilizing the standard remote for gaming beyond very basic titles proves impractical and offers a suboptimal experience.

The Core Issue

The primary limitation isn't a deficiency of the Fire TV, but rather a persistent disconnect between the accessibility of mobile gaming on portable devices and the immersive experience of traditional console or PC gaming. This gap remains unaddressed by the mobile-gaming-on-TV genre.

Games enjoyable on a phone or tablet during commutes often feel diminished and lack substance when played on a television, requiring dedicated time and attention. Hopefully, the transition of mobile games to TV will improve, and compelling titles will emerge that leverage the Fire TV’s processing power.

Controller Alternatives

It’s important to note that Amazon doesn’t emphasize this feature, but users aren’t limited to their proprietary controllers. Instead of purchasing Amazon controllers at $40 each, most Bluetooth controllers are compatible with the Fire TV.

This provides a cost-effective alternative for those seeking a more comfortable and familiar gaming experience. Consider exploring third-party controller options to enhance gameplay.

FreeTime and Parental Controls on Fire TV

Our evaluation of Kindle Fire tablets revealed exceptionally well-designed parental controls and the FreeTime system. Amazon has successfully created a genuinely child-focused experience with FreeTime on their Fire tablets.

The implementation of this system on Fire TV is equally effective and precise.

Effortless Restrictions and Limits

Restricting device access is remarkably straightforward. Users can easily establish screen time boundaries and implement bedtime shut-off features.

Content restrictions are also simple to configure, allowing for a fully customized and secure environment for children.

These features collectively enable a complete lockdown of the device, ensuring a kid-friendly experience.

FreeTime Unlimited for Enhanced Safety

When paired with FreeTime Unlimited – available for $2.99 monthly for Amazon Prime members – the Fire TV transforms into a media-rich and secure entertainment hub.

This combination provides a safe and engaging media experience for younger viewers.

• Screen Time Limits: Control how long children use the device.
• Bedtime Shut-Off: Automatically turn off the device at a designated time.
• Content Restrictions: Filter inappropriate content.
• FreeTime Unlimited: Access a curated library of kid-friendly content.

The FreeTime system on Fire TV offers parents comprehensive tools to manage their children’s viewing experience.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of the FireTV

Having extensively tested the FireTV device over the past week, subjecting it to a variety of uses, we are now prepared to share our findings. This assessment will be presented in a structured format, outlining both its strengths and weaknesses. Following this, a final verdict will be delivered.

Positive Aspects of the FireTV

The FireTV boasts several notable advantages. Its intuitive interface allows for effortless navigation.

• Seamless Integration: The device integrates smoothly with Amazon’s ecosystem of services.
• Extensive App Library: A vast selection of applications is readily available for download.
• Voice Control: Hands-free operation is enabled through integrated voice control functionality.

These features contribute to a user-friendly and versatile experience.

Areas for Improvement

Despite its strengths, the FireTV is not without its drawbacks. Some aspects could benefit from refinement.

• Advertisements: The presence of advertisements on the home screen can be disruptive.
• Limited Customization: Options for personalizing the user interface are somewhat restricted.
• Occasional Lag: Performance can occasionally experience minor delays or lag.

Addressing these points would enhance the overall user experience.

Final Assessment

Considering both its positive attributes and areas needing improvement, the FireTV represents a compelling streaming solution. It delivers a robust feature set at a competitive price point.

Ultimately, the FireTV is a worthwhile investment for those seeking a versatile and feature-rich media streaming device. Its benefits generally outweigh its shortcomings, making it a solid choice for most users.

Key Advantages of the Device

This device boasts a comprehensive array of ports, featuring an optical audio output, an Ethernet connection, and a USB port for versatile connectivity.

Exceptional Performance

The hardware delivers remarkably swift performance. A quad-core processor, combined with 2GB of RAM, guarantees a fluid and responsive menu navigation and video playback experience.

Convenient Remote Control

The included Bluetooth remote operates without requiring a direct line of sight to the unit. This allows for discreet placement of the Fire TV box itself.

Effective Voice Control

Voice support is a genuinely useful feature, functioning with surprising accuracy and reliability.

Robust Search Capabilities

The search functionality, specifically within Amazon’s media ecosystem, is highly effective and user-friendly.

Controller Compatibility

Users have the option to connect third-party Bluetooth controllers, providing an alternative to purchasing numerous controllers directly from Amazon.

Family-Friendly Features

FreeTime, along with its associated parental controls, positions the Fire TV as the premier choice for families seeking a child-safe entertainment solution.

Limitations of the Device

One significant drawback is the absence of a built-in feature for playing locally stored content. This means users cannot directly access home videos or files saved on a network share without relying on third-party applications.

Gaming Performance

The gaming experience remains somewhat constrained and underwhelming when compared to other media center options. The Fire TV does not deviate from this trend within the broader market.

Content Discovery Challenges

Navigating the library of content available to Prime members can be surprisingly difficult. A streamlined browsing experience for this specific benefit is currently lacking.

Search Functionality Bias

The user interface and search capabilities are noticeably biased towards Amazon’s own content. The search function primarily focuses on media available through Amazon.

Restricted Streaming Options

The device does not offer native support for local streaming or accessing content from personal sources. This limits flexibility for users with diverse media libraries.

External Media Limitations

Connecting external storage devices, such as USB drives, is not supported. This prevents users from easily expanding the device’s storage capacity or accessing content from portable drives.

Storage Capacity

Currently, the internal memory of the device cannot be expanded. This fixed storage capacity may become a limitation for users who download numerous applications or store a substantial amount of content.

Amazon Fire TV: A Comprehensive Evaluation

Currently, the Amazon Fire TV stands out as the quickest streaming device available, significantly outperforming competitors such as the Apple TV and Roku 3. For users deeply integrated within the Amazon environment, it provides a seamless method to access Amazon content on their television.

Alongside Amazon’s offerings, the Fire TV maintains compatibility with popular streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Its suitability is further enhanced for families with children, offering access to Amazon content and a leading child-focused platform.

Limitations for Advanced Users

However, users who prefer a customized experience and rely on locally stored media may find limitations. The Fire TV lacks native support for streaming from portable hard drives (HDDs) or storage servers.

While third-party applications can be installed to circumvent this, modifying the default home screen through jailbreaking is currently not possible. This prevents prioritizing locally stored content effectively.

Final Recommendation

If you embrace the Amazon ecosystem and desire a straightforward, efficient streaming solution for both personal and family use, the Fire TV is an excellent choice.

Conversely, individuals seeking a highly customizable media center experience might find alternative solutions more suitable. Consider exploring resources like our guide, "How to Build a $35 Media Center with Rasbmc and Raspberry Pi," for building a personalized system.