Amazon Fire TV / XBMC

[boxst]

I just bought one of these and I'm quite impressed. I wanted something that was simple to install XBMC on and could be like the Apple TV 2 that is in another room.

It is an Android based device, so installing XBMC was actually quite easy from the command line. You can't put XBMC on the home page (at least I couldn't) although you can use something like AutoPilot to boot straight to XBMC.

It is quicker than the Apple TV and will output 1080p.

[boxst]

Don't think so.

[sgrimshaw]

Where did you get it from?

Didn't think it was released in the UK yet.

[boxst]

I'm currently working in San Francisco and I can't do the test until later in the week when I get home.

(I have to spoof a Mac address in order to get on the network so can't set up something to stream from)

[boxst]

So I'm back home now. And although the Amazon Fire TV is great for XBMC still it is pretty useless for everything else out of the box currently unless you have an American amazon account. You can't use your UK prime account (if you have one) or go to the Amazon app store.

You can still 'sideload' most of the applications if you wish from a computer.

[RC1]

uk version will be rolled out from end oct and prime subscribers get the box for less than 50 notes! im in

[Luke.]

Me too. Ordered one last night. Not sure I need it, but who ever does?

[boxst]

That's a good deal. I hope I can flash the American one I have with UK firmware as it is still useless for everything apart from side loaded applications and XBMC.

It does a GREAT job with XBMC though and glad I replaced my Apple TV.

[LordGrover]

Even at £49 it seems a little over-priced, but what the heck - pre-order placed.

[RC1]

well im a big fan because I don't have content with other platforms like apple or google and I have amazon prime and am getting bored with hooking up my wifes ipad or the laptop to the tv each time I wsnt to watch something

im also a big shopper with amazon anyways so I don't mind them pushing their stuff to me over stuff from other guys

and best of all... it defers my purchase of a playstation although ive no idea how good the gaming bit is

[Lord Pikey]

Iv ordered. At 50€ i could not complain.

What id really like is for a ROM that boots XBMC only rather than loading XBMC as a program. I have done some searching and cant see if it possible yet.

Im hoping that it will be like my RPi but faster and less prone to freezing when i ask it to play a Rar'd 8GB file

bring on November

[JonRB]

I ordered one yesterday too. For £49 it seemed a reasonable way of being able to watch Amazon Prime Video if nothing else. Currently the only two things I can watch Amazon Prime Video on are my Sony BluRay player and my Windows PC - it doesn't work on any of my Android or Linux devices.

[boxst]

Lord said:

Iv ordered. At 50€ i could not complain.

What id really like is for a ROM that boots XBMC only rather than loading XBMC as a program. I have done some searching and cant see if it possible yet.

Im hoping that it will be like my RPi but faster and less prone to freezing when i ask it to play a Rar'd 8GB file

bring on November

That isn't possible, or at least I couldn't find it. You can set it up to boot straight into XBMC so you never see the Amazon interface.

[page3]

Ordered one, but thinking of cancelling.

What what I've read:

1. Ethernet is only 10/100. No 1000.
2. Wifi is 2.4ghz no 5ghz.
3. Plex (and other apps) cannot support digital 5.1 output, only amazons built in apps.

Shame, thought it might replace my Mac mini but looks like it's been hobbled.

[Bullett]

Got my Fire TV (uk edition) today and I can't get it to work. No other reported problems that I could find.

It's weird. Finds my wifi ok, I put in the password and it seems to connect but then gives a could not connect to amazon.co.uk message.

Any ideas?

[JonRB]

Got mine today too. I plugged it into my AV amp and not only did it not work but nothing works on my system now and I can't even watch my Sky+ HD box. I can't be arsed to trace the issue tonight - I'll probably leave it to the weekend now.

[RC1]

got mine working last night over the wireless after a very lengthy software update that it did itself

have to say i think its really good but then ive got no basis for comparison being a bit of a luddite

[Podie]

Plugged it in, turned it on, did a quick update and it's sorted itself out.

The voice search does actually work, and it automatically optimised settings. Seems quicker than the Apple TV 3 as well.

As Amazon Prime subscribers it means watching video content is a lot quicker and easier.

Pretty happy for the £49 that Mrs Podie spend on it

[LordGrover]

Not sure it's worth the £79 full price though.

[Podie]

LordGrover said:

Not sure it's worth the £79 full price though.

No more than the ATV is, IMO.

As people who stream Amazon content, I imagine it'll leave the ATV gathering dust (previously used the iPad to mirror to the ATV)