Amazon FireTV Stick announced - Page 25

fjtorres · 11-30-2014, 05:07 PM

This one was sorta fake but lots of fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifRKu1W1fXQ

A classic, really.

ApK · 11-30-2014, 09:56 PM

Oh, is THAT where this thread is going now?

Fine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-tPJYlcYvc

twowheels · 12-01-2014, 12:26 PM

Got my Fire TV a few days ago, just had time to play with it last night (was out of town). Took four tries to update it... kept failing to download. Finally got it up, asked for my LONG wifi password AGAIN... but half way through it crashed, then was able to connect w/o entering it.

Nothing plays without stuttering... not even music. This is on the same WiFi network as my Roku 3, which works flawlessly, and is hooked to the same TV. The interface is OK, and navigates fast enough, but takes forever to load thumbnails. The video descriptions are surprisingly brief, even when you open the expanded view. Sadly I learned that my TV cannot forward Dolby Digital Plus via TOSLINK, so I still don't get surround sound, which is something I was hoping for over the Roku.

I did like to see that it can play music in the background while browsing other content/playing games (which my Roku cannot do) and I did like that it can play games (which my Roku does, but not as much selection). I may try to find a used XBox controller for ~$15 and consider it a $35 game machine as I don't see any value in the other features, other than Prime Music.

Overall I'm wondering how often I'll use this.

rkw · 12-01-2014, 02:40 PM

About purchases from Amazon via the "Firestick" (better name I think), can you disable the ability to make purchases via the stick, either via Amazon settings or in-app on the stick?

I want to loan this to a friend who cannot afford cable but must disable purchases for it to work. There are kids in that household, worse teenage boys, so gotta lock it down if I am going to give this to them and let them access Prime video/audio for free.

twowheels · 12-01-2014, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkw

About purchases from Amazon via the "Firestick" (better name I think), can you disable the ability to make purchases via the stick, either via Amazon settings or in-app on the stick?

I want to loan this to a friend who cannot afford cable but must disable purchases for it to work. There are kids in that household, worse teenage boys, so gotta lock it down if I am going to give this to them and let them access Prime video/audio for free.

When I first set it up it asked if I wanted to set parental controls to prevent purchases w/o a PIN. I believe that would do exactly what you want if you configured a PIN. (I didn't configure that, so I can't say for certain how it works).

fjtorres · 12-01-2014, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkw

About purchases from Amazon via the "Firestick" (better name I think), can you disable the ability to make purchases via the stick, either via Amazon settings or in-app on the stick?

I want to loan this to a friend who cannot afford cable but must disable purchases for it to work. There are kids in that household, worse teenage boys, so gotta lock it down if I am going to give this to them and let them access Prime video/audio for free.

Here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=201636230

Quote:

Note: Parental controls do not restrict content in third-party applications. Parental controls for third-party applications are determined by the app provider.

From the Home screen, select Settings, and then select Parental Controls.
Using your remote, press the Select button to turn parental controls On or Off.
Enter your Parental Controls PIN, and then select Next. Your PIN is the same PIN you use for other Amazon services such as Amazon Instant Video.
Note: If you forget your PIN, visit www.amazon.com/PIN to reset your Parental Controls PIN.

After you set a PIN, you can set one or more of the following settings:
Require a PIN for all purchases
Require a PIN for Amazon Instant Video only
Block the ability to view or purchase certain content types, such as games, apps, music or photos
Change your Parental Controls PIN
After you enable Parental Controls, most actions related to content viewing, purchasing, or changing settings will require you to enter your Parental Controls PIN.

rkw · 12-01-2014, 04:53 PM

Perfect...thanks to you both. It's a duuuuh moment but parental controls will do just what I need.

fjtorres · 12-03-2014, 05:37 PM

FWIW: the included power adapter provides enough power to "fast" charge the FireHD 8.9 tablet so it can serve as a backup for it. That is worth $19 all by itself.

Blossom · 12-03-2014, 06:09 PM

My Original date was December 17th I just got notice it has shipped and will be here Friday!

FizzyWater · 12-03-2014, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

My Original date was December 17th I just got notice it has shipped and will be here Friday!

Me, too!

EDITED TO ADD: Wait, looked at the email and it says shipped today, expected to be delivered tomorrow. What the heck? Maybe it's a nearby warehouse? Hmmm, doublechecked the "invoice" under my orders and it looks like they actually shipped it yesterday. I only saw the email today.

sadievan · 12-03-2014, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

My Original date was December 17th I just got notice it has shipped and will be here Friday!

Me three.

twowheels · 12-03-2014, 11:31 PM

My Fire TV continues to have difficulty buffering, taking forever to load even music, and generally very poor performance. It reports a very good wifi connection, and my Roku right next to it works perfectly. I've tried with and without the HDMI cable and various rotations to maximize the performance. I'll next try to connect to the non 5G version of my WiFi, but if that doesn't work I'm not sure if I'll have to send it back for a replacement or refund.

I also find it disappointing that I cannot browse Prime Music, but can only play items that I've added to my library, which is a significant shortcoming.

Catlady · 12-03-2014, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sadievan

Me three.

Sheesh. Amazon clearly doesn't love me. I'm still seeing the same date I started out with: December 19.

Blossom · 12-03-2014, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

Sheesh. Amazon clearly doesn't love me. I'm still seeing the same date I started out with: December 19.

Hang in there! I bet the next shipment to go out will have yours in it.

Ripplinger · 12-04-2014, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

Sheesh. Amazon clearly doesn't love me. I'm still seeing the same date I started out with: December 19.

I'm feeling left out too, my original date was December 23rd and it's still showing December 23rd.

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11-30-2014, 05:07 PM	#361
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	This one was sorta fake but lots of fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifRKu1W1fXQ A classic, really.

11-30-2014, 09:56 PM	#362
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,402 Karma: 69116640 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	Oh, is THAT where this thread is going now? Fine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-tPJYlcYvc

12-01-2014, 12:26 PM	#363
twowheels Wizard Posts: 1,855 Karma: 13432974 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD, iPad Pro 10", iPhone 15 Pro, Boox Note Max	Got my Fire TV a few days ago, just had time to play with it last night (was out of town). Took four tries to update it... kept failing to download. Finally got it up, asked for my LONG wifi password AGAIN... but half way through it crashed, then was able to connect w/o entering it. Nothing plays without stuttering... not even music. This is on the same WiFi network as my Roku 3, which works flawlessly, and is hooked to the same TV. The interface is OK, and navigates fast enough, but takes forever to load thumbnails. The video descriptions are surprisingly brief, even when you open the expanded view. Sadly I learned that my TV cannot forward Dolby Digital Plus via TOSLINK, so I still don't get surround sound, which is something I was hoping for over the Roku. I did like to see that it can play music in the background while browsing other content/playing games (which my Roku cannot do) and I did like that it can play games (which my Roku does, but not as much selection). I may try to find a used XBox controller for ~$15 and consider it a $35 game machine as I don't see any value in the other features, other than Prime Music. Overall I'm wondering how often I'll use this.

12-01-2014, 02:40 PM	#364
rkw Old & Busted Hotness Posts: 182 Karma: 1290260 Join Date: Apr 2012 Device: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0,Asus TF700T, K1-2-3-Fire	About purchases from Amazon via the "Firestick" (better name I think), can you disable the ability to make purchases via the stick, either via Amazon settings or in-app on the stick? I want to loan this to a friend who cannot afford cable but must disable purchases for it to work. There are kids in that household, worse teenage boys, so gotta lock it down if I am going to give this to them and let them access Prime video/audio for free.

12-01-2014, 04:53 PM	#367
rkw Old & Busted Hotness Posts: 182 Karma: 1290260 Join Date: Apr 2012 Device: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0,Asus TF700T, K1-2-3-Fire	Perfect...thanks to you both. It's a duuuuh moment but parental controls will do just what I need.

12-03-2014, 05:37 PM	#368
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	FWIW: the included power adapter provides enough power to "fast" charge the FireHD 8.9 tablet so it can serve as a backup for it. That is worth $19 all by itself.

12-03-2014, 06:09 PM	#369
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	My Original date was December 17th I just got notice it has shipped and will be here Friday!

12-03-2014, 11:31 PM	#372
twowheels Wizard Posts: 1,855 Karma: 13432974 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD, iPad Pro 10", iPhone 15 Pro, Boox Note Max	My Fire TV continues to have difficulty buffering, taking forever to load even music, and generally very poor performance. It reports a very good wifi connection, and my Roku right next to it works perfectly. I've tried with and without the HDMI cable and various rotations to maximize the performance. I'll next try to connect to the non 5G version of my WiFi, but if that doesn't work I'm not sure if I'll have to send it back for a replacement or refund. I also find it disappointing that I cannot browse Prime Music, but can only play items that I've added to my library, which is a significant shortcoming.