What can i do with a fire tv box? - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I am looking for a replacement to the mad catz m.o.j.o console i had a refund on it but i want open android with superb graphics really,but the thing is i don't want anything too expensive or too cheap either,the problem is i don't know what models are best,or more importantly for this section of the forum what i can do in relation to getting a fire tv gaming and web browsing etc?Can i play games can more importantly can i sideload and also can i sideload downloaded stuff? Or possibly flash a rom on it?

PHYSC-1 said:
I am looking for a replacement to the mad catz m.o.j.o console i had a refund on it but i want open android with superb graphics really,but the thing is i don't want anything too expensive or too cheap either,the problem is i don't know what models are best,or more importantly for this section of the forum what i can do in relation to getting a fire tv gaming and web browsing etc?Can i play games can more importantly can i sideload and also can i sideload downloaded stuff? Or possibly flash a rom on it?
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Dont take this the wrong way, but to get everythihg you want you will need to custom build a HTPC with a computer. These android boxes are good and most are cheap, but they do have limitations and will not meeet all your expectations.
IMO, the FTV is the best box on the market in the under $150 category. If you are willing to comprimise, it should meet most of you expectations. All you questions are answered in this forum, so read up or use search.

byrdcfmma said:
Dont take this the wrong way, but to get everythihg you want you will need to custom build a HTPC with a computer. These android boxes are good and most are cheap, but they do have limitations and will not meeet all your expectations.
IMO, the FTV is the best box on the market in the under $150 category. If you are willing to comprimise, it should meet most of you expectations. All you questions are answered in this forum, so read up or use search.
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Had enough of pc's i am a computer repair technician,i want it for the lower power consumption but with nearing or par with console level graphics.Pc's are too expensive to run they are rubbish in small form factors they tend to burn out on the bridge on the board, or they come with cheap [email protected] psu's that cost a bomb for good one's in small form factor.If there's one thing i learned quickly it was never buy small form factor pc's if you want it to last or not to overheat.
But on the other hand android tv box's don't push the same high level temps because they are only passively cooled quite often as apposed to actively cooled,besides if i really want i'll cooling mod it like my k-r42 with 80mm fan and shimmed.
But basically i want an android unit that has gaming power beyond a mali400 and closing in on if not better than a snapdragon 8xx chip.I've looked at the huwaei tron but it's yet again a 4.2x android system with no guarentee my tv will be supported over hdmi properly i learned that from my mad catz m.o.j.o not outputting 1080p on my 1080p tv.So i may just hang on until k1 touches down in shops but it looks like they are not in a hurry although there is the mipad rumor,i think i'll be waiting until 2015 at this rate before a god unit comes out that has kitkat on it,i was wondering if any rockchip 8 core cpu's are out in tv box form yet,and if they have a heightened gpu to the mali 400? And was also wondering where they fit in terms of graphical power?

Firetv is anything but open. IMO android boxes are all underpowered and frustratingly issue laden. Pity as I too am wanting to buy something good... I bought a s89 tronsmart and it's not as good as I'd hoped. I was interested in the MOJO... Why did you return it, it's a lot more open than Amazon firetv surely?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

I've bought it as replacement for raspberry pi and was disappointed. Yes Fire TV build perfectly and has a good hardware. But software is a crap and no way for root by now, only hopes and blocking of update server. It's not clear for now what improvements OTA brings and if root will be issued. If you looking for a good device that works and not for fun reverse engineering hours. Try to find alternative.
May be once it will be a good choice but not now, unfortunately.
Sent from my LG-G2 using XDA Free mobile app

Rumored Android TV BOX... http://pulse.me/s/1jrW6M
God I hope that one IS true and GREAT!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I was 100% happy with my ouya, with stock OS, and then even better with CM11. performance was never a problem.
really the only reason I went for firetv was that I watch prime video A LOT. and between flash-plugin + pick-your-favorite-browser being way-EOL and a bit buggy, and the fact that it took literally 6-8 clicks/actions to go to the next episode of a show, vs 1 (or at most 2) clicks/actions on firetv (yeah first-world problems...)
ouya sales on amazon for $60 would still be worth it (esp they want like 50 bucks for just an extra controller) but at the 100 point might as well firetv or something else.
but honestly it all comes down to what do you want to do with it. oh wait I don't have to re-ramble all this...
http://www.xbmchub.com/forums/threads/21722-Fire-TV-vs-Ouya?p=185275&viewfull=1#post185275

Anyone who bought Amazon-anything devices and expect openness is definitely going the wrong path. Amazon has some great devices but it has a pretty strict walled garden environment (which, granted, is kind of pretty) where they are expected to stay. Amazon is somewhat similar if not worse than Apple in this regard.
Amazon's latest devices such as the Fire HDX and the Fire TV are amazing devices on their own right, but if you are not getting them because of what they can do out of the box but instead of what they 'should be able to do' and expect to hack/mod them, you are in for a disappointment. This is what differentiate them to Google's devices, where it can be a gamble whether a product can be 10x better or 10x worse in the few months following its release (see: Google TV vs. Chromecast).
With Amazon devices it's extremely simple. You go to the product page and look at what it's offering. If you're wowed by those, then get it, if you think that 'it has potential', then don't get it.

Newcron said:
Anyone who bought Amazon-anything devices and expect openness is definitely going the wrong path. Amazon has some great devices but it has a pretty strict walled garden environment (which, granted, is kind of pretty) where they are expected to stay. Amazon is somewhat similar if not worse than Apple in this regard.
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Yes and no - I bought this box because I wanted one device that did both amazon video and Netflix. Met expectations there.
But I also wanted to be able to use it as a front-end for music stored on my NAS. This is why I was never interested in Roku, might've been interested in the Apple product but don't remember it having Prime support, and kept using my Western Digital Live Plus for as long as I did - the access to files inside the walls is important to me.
By day 2, I had enabled ADB and sideloaded XBMC. Yes, I don't have root, but I have Amazon, Netflix and local files all in one place, which I like a lot.
From what I've seen, on the Fire tablets amazon doesn't block sideloaded apps, or I wouldn't have bought this device. It makes a decent HTPC device for my purposes, though, and is open enough for me. Of course I'd prefer root, but in this instance, not if having root broke the Amazon Video stuff.
My biggest complaint so far is that amazon doesn't give us a preference setting for how much bandwidth the box should allocate to itself. So I needed to do that with my firewall instead.
I'll be interested to see if Amazon makes Prime available for the rumored Google TV box. My guess is they will not. But if they do, and I'm within my return window when the device is fully announced...

Related

why didnt google just combine nexus q with google tv

What the point of having two seperate devices. I really want to get the new Google TV set box and I've been wanting to be able to stream from my tablet and phone directly to the TV for a while now. Why not just either add Google TV to the q or add the q functions to Google TV. Now I'm going to have to get the Sony Google TV set box and nexus q.
Also, side questions. Does anyone know if you can stream movies on the phone/tablet to the nexus q if its stored on the device and not Google play?
Google is going after Sonos it seems. However, the Q is strange (requires a Android phone/tablet to control it) and over priced. I really don't see a huge market for it unless they drop the price by a few hundred dollars.
Aye, for that much cash, I'd have thought it'd have more GoogleTV like features, unless this is just a Trojan Horse into the living room and those things can be added later (though without an hdmi input, that'll be interesting to see how).
No, I admit, I just don't 'get it' as a device when a GTv will do the same stuff, plus more, just without the amp. There's something missing in all this it feels like.
That's kinda what I meant, but didn't say. $300 to just stream video and music from play store is kinda stupid. $300 for Google TV that can do it= awesome
$300
Running on Galaxy Nexus hardware.
Only streams YouTube, Google Play Videos/Music.
Runs 'Android' but seems to have no real use beyond the line immediately above this one.
According to the data we have so far (that above), the Nexus Q seems to me to be a failure of Google to have any real vision if they intend to get into our living rooms. Honestly? No applications, no Netflix, nothing. Just YouTube and Google Play music/videos? That's pathetic. For $300? That's not just pathetic, that's an insult.
That is, unless Google is hiding more functionality in their sleeve. Which, if they have any intelligence at all (which we know they do), they most certainly haven't shown everything they intend to do with it yet. Although I could be wrong...give me this great looking device running on solid hardware and the full functionality of Android on my TV with my phone/tablet as a remote? Yeah, I'll spend $300 on it. Leave it as displayed so far? No thanks.
No Hulu, no Netflix, no local steaming. No buyers.
The reason for the price being $299 is due to it being 100% made in the US.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Worth it
I think it is pretty neat personally. I own a sony google TV and wish it had some of these features, but this thing is so king for parties. I also really like the fact that it is American made. Whenever you are talking about companies like Apple getting rich off of worker suicides at foxconn.
2Fast 2Low Customs said:
I think it is pretty neat personally. I own a sony google TV and wish it had some of these features, but this thing is so king for parties. I also really like the fact that it is American made. Whenever you are talking about companies like Apple getting rich off of worker suicides at foxconn.
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You sir are so right. Koush said on Google+ last night he has no use for it but will buy it solely because its made in America and gift it to someone. I commend Google for this move and will buy one too. Everyone claims to want their **** manufactured here, well prove it if so and step up and buy one, I will. That price designed, made and assembled here to me is worth it for the features it boasts.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
sirius b said:
You sir are so right. Koush said on Google+ last night he has no use for it but will buy it solely because its made in America and gift it to someone. I commend Google for this move and will buy one too. Everyone claims to want their **** manufactured here, well prove it if so and step up and buy one, I will. That price designed, made and assembled here to me is worth it for the features it boasts.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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kudos for making the device here. now all they need to do is make it a device I would want in the first place.
if the thing turns out to be less locked-down and more hackable than the google tv products, then I can see some serious potential.
94SupraTT said:
No Hulu, no Netflix, no local steaming. No buyers.
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Tell that to Sonos. Unfortunately, this is a high end market and I'm not sure how it can work given it requires a Android ecosystem.
I agree with what everyone else has said. It'd be a hard sell to make since it doesn't (as of now) have any support for third parties such as Netflix and Pandora. However, Google has encouraged "hacking" the device... so maybe they will leave such capabilities to people such as XDA devs to really put this device to use? Kind of a stretch, but it could add utility to the device without Google having to officially sign on board with third parties?
I appreciate this is manufactured here in the US but boy oh boy.
I would really like to see my Logitech Revue get revamped, even though I only paid $120 for it at Best Buy to get that and the camera I would like to see it get some updates in features. (cough cough SKYPE support)
This thing though, I could see it being nice to have on your desk or something? I don't get the connecting it to a TV thing unless you plan on using a home theater system.
We'll wait and see.
but that thing in the video where all the people are in the kitchen talking and everyones picking songs for the Nexus Q to play, that would just be irritating. No don't touch it, you can look at it. Don't change my song please. Leave it the fck alone.
I bet it's going to be a hacker's delight. If it was priced a little more sensibly, I would have bought it.
What if this turns into the next generation GoogleTV by developers? Imagine running latest version of CM on your TV? Now, that $300 isn't looking so bad after all.
You better belive some developers are drooling over this great hardware. Cyanogen said so himself on G+. Let's wait and see......
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
So what I could gather from the press conference is that it's a galaxy nexus without the screen, cell capability, storage space... but a proper hdmi output and usb...
maybe if it could be hacked to run an operating system off a thumb drive? I love Google tv but the hardware is so slow and low on memory... I dunno, but the "to make it open to general hackability" statement does show promise.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

[Q] Should I get the new Kindle Fire SD?

I saw the new Kindle Fire SD announced with slightly better specs available for $159. I wanted to buy it and also sign up for Prime to stream video and borrow books and have apps and stuff, plus root it and run Android 4.1 so I can have an awesome cheap "android tablet" with Amazon Prime
Is it worth the $280?
Will there be development?
Thanks in advance for aiding a little noob.
Encerspay said:
I saw the new Kindle Fire SD announced with slightly better specs available for $159. I wanted to buy it and also sign up for Prime to stream video and borrow books and have apps and stuff, plus root it and run Android 4.1 so I can have an awesome cheap "android tablet" with Amazon Prime
Is it worth the $280?
Will there be development?
Thanks in advance for aiding a little noob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy it because you want to use it as an Amazon tablet. Whether or not these can ever be used as an Android tablet is the big question mark right now. There are rumors and much speculation about whether or not the bootloader will be secured in some way. The way that Amazon is marketing these things with lockscreen advertising, they have plenty of reasons to keep them from being easily manipulated like the first generation devices. Nobody will have any good idea about their potential until the right people start looking at them.
I have no idea where this $280 figure comes into play.
EDIT: I'm not sure the SD version is a good buy anyway. For $40 more, you get the better display, double the storage, bluetooth, HDMI out... that seems like the better choice.
kinfauns said:
Buy it because you want to use it as an Amazon tablet. Whether or not these can ever be used as an Android tablet is the big question mark right now. There are rumors and much speculation about whether or not the bootloader will be secured in some way. The way that Amazon is marketing these things with lockscreen advertising, they have plenty of reasons to keep them from being easily manipulated like the first generation devices. Nobody will have any good idea about their potential until the right people start looking at them.
I have no idea where this $280 figure comes into play.
EDIT: I'm not sure the SD version is a good buy anyway. For $40 more, you get the better display, double the storage, bluetooth, HDMI out... that seems like the better choice.
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The $280 includes Prime, sorry I didn't clarify that
$40 doesn't seem like much at all, and your views on the SD tablet are very interesting. I honestly haven't even considered the HD version. I'll check it out.
Thanks for the input.
It's still a question mark on whether the developers will be able to root the new fire easily. I suggest waiting for a month or so.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
The new Kindles have a locked bootloader, but I have a feeling they'll be easily bypassed since Amazon lets you do manual updates via USB.
Ok you're asking us about 2 separate things. In my opinion, Amazon Prime is only worth $80 if you buy a lot of stuff online.
If I were in your shoes, I'd buy a used Kindle Fire or I'd find a way to get $40 together and buy a Nexus 7.

[Q] Buy Ouya for XMBC, Cheapcast and Emulators?

Ok, guys... Ouya is not available in my country, but I have one opportunity to buy this console, since my friend is in the USA atm.
I am not interested in Ouya games (some are too expensive for my taste). I'm thinking of buying the console for video playback (MX Player or XMBC), Cheapcast (to stream from my Nexus) and emulating some old gaming systems (GBA, NES, Sega, etc).
I don't like the fact that it's easily brickable (I know you don't like that, too).
Should I buy it for that? What's your opinion?
Go for it.
I am more than happy using mine for XBMC and emulators along with side loaded games and a few choice Ouya games.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Corvus Corax said:
Ok, guys... Ouya is not available in my country, but I have one opportunity to buy this console, since my friend is in the USA atm.
I am not interested in Ouya games (some are too expensive for my taste). I'm thinking of buying the console for video playback (MX Player or XMBC), Cheapcast (to stream from my Nexus) and emulating some old gaming systems (GBA, NES, Sega, etc).
I don't like the fact that it's easily brickable (I know you don't like that, too).
Should I buy it for that? What's your opinion?
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Click to collapse
its why i bought mine really.........really dissapointed that it wasnt the whole open console....but pleased with it to watch stuff on
hippopig said:
its why i bought mine really.........really dissapointed that it wasnt the whole open console....but pleased with it to watch stuff on
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I bought it for xbmc but to be honest, I think that i would have been better off doing more research. It was an impulse buy and if you are going tobe doing emulation and side loaded stuff you may as well spend the money elsewhere.
HT123 said:
I bought it for xbmc but to be honest, I think that i would have been better off doing more research. It was an impulse buy and if you are going tobe doing emulation and side loaded stuff you may as well spend the money elsewhere.
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OK the xbmc part is debatable, personally i enjoy mine using xbmc but i can see others frustrated with it. However I'm curious about the emulation part, I am running the nes, genesis and a few other emulators on it without a hiccup and absolutely love it for that. It is probably only a matter of time before someone does a good port of mame to it and that will just add to it.
what the unit does and the form factor, or a better way to put it not having to have a full pc there to do these little things. and if i want to do something more powerful normally i'm at my desk for that anyway.
chewyboy said:
OK the xbmc part is debatable, personally i enjoy mine using xbmc but i can see others frustrated with it.
what the unit does and the form factor, or a better way to put it not having to have a full pc there to do these little things. and if i want to do something more powerful normally i'm at my desk for that anyway.
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I think android and a small set top box are the correct OS and form factor for TV displayed emulation but i say money could be better spent elsewhere for the following reasons. For XBMC, the controller is horrible. It just is. If you want a decent remote to go with the Ouya it will run you at least $35 or $40. For most other stuff the Controller is not the best and a PS3 controller seems to be the current controller of choice for gaming. If you get an android HTPC it will still be able to pair a remote (or use flirc) as well as pair with a PS3 controller. The other selling point with a Non-ouya android device is that you are not given a version of the android OS which needs to be modded to use the Play store. My final complaint and the biggest is the wifi is just horrible, just. plain. horrible. Moving the wireless router or running a cable 35 feet to the living room are not options and it is the only device with such bad performance.
that is my rant... i just talked my self out of an Ouya... too bad i didn't write this $99 ago.
HT123 said:
I think android and a small set top box are the correct OS and form factor for TV displayed emulation but i say money could be better spent elsewhere for the following reasons. For XBMC, the controller is horrible. It just is. If you want a decent remote to go with the Ouya it will run you at least $35 or $40. For most other stuff the Controller is not the best and a PS3 controller seems to be the current controller of choice for gaming. If you get an android HTPC it will still be able to pair a remote (or use flirc) as well as pair with a PS3 controller. The other selling point with a Non-ouya android device is that you are not given a version of the android OS which needs to be modded to use the Play store. My final complaint and the biggest is the wifi is just horrible, just. plain. horrible. Moving the wireless router or running a cable 35 feet to the living room are not options and it is the only device with such bad performance.
that is my rant... i just talked my self out of an Ouya... too bad i didn't write this $99 ago.
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OK i have to argue about the controller part of this. if you are geeky enough to buy an ouya then you have at least 1 tablet laying around, dont say you do not because you do. the xbmc remote for android or ios devices works great for xbmc and the ouya so really that is not an excuse for complaining about the controller for controlling the ouya when in xbmc.
now setting it up sucks, but there is a way around that to, it's called plug in a usb keyboard for 10 minutes and setup your network shares and all.
chewyboy said:
OK i have to argue about the controller part of this....
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I am geeky enough and currently use that solution at times although honestly, I dislike the XBMC remote on the phone and tablet. I like buttons that I can push. Aside from personal preference, that solution is only valid if the box stays in XBMC and XBMC is used as a launcher for android programs and another controller is handy and paired. The other issue is that solution is only valid if I am both home and willing to let the other people in the house use my phone or tablet as a remote so they can use XBMC.
So while I agree there are other solutions for controlling XBMC I don't think they justify the purchase of the Ouya simply because they are available, especially since they are generic apps and will be available regardless of the android based set top you buy. Why pay the price for the Ouya controller so you can immediately implement a solution that is suitable for the situation.
Sad news, guys. A friend went to BestBuy in NYC yesterday to buy me an Ouya. http://stores.bestbuy.com/1448/
They had 3 of them and all were sold yesterday during the day. The nearest BestBuy was 15 blocks away and he didn't have the time to go there. Today he is flying back home, so no Ouya for me... :/
It's a piece of sh***... Don't waste your money for this console or whatever it was supposed to be. I have it and I hate it... Waste of time and money... Get a real android or Linux device and that makes you happy
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Hardware refresh??

How often with current trends would a hardware refresh be necessary on android streaming boxes . From a developers standpoint does this cause as many issues as it would on say a xbox or ps4? I see so many people reference that Fire TV is getting long in the tooth already? It seems to me that many of the set top boxes are outdated already at release to keep the cost down? In there current state can they really compete in the gaming arena with the likes of Microsoft or Sony? I am A laymen when it comes to development but would love to learn what a dev has to do to put a game on Fire TV or Google Play?
These days, most electronic devices are obsolete after a few months, but not to me. I use my electronics til they stop working or I get something new. I still have an original Apple TV that I use all the time. Do not ever let people tell you when you need to replace your device. If it works, use it. A good example of this is the Galaxy Note 4 on AT&T, I commented the other day that I never thought it would get root, cause it was already three months old and it had not happened yet, so everyday it does not happen is another day that someone is losing interest in hacking it, and that developers are always looking for the next big thing. Just me saying that got the thread closed, but its true. If the Fire TV 2 came out next week a lot of people would say our Fire TV was garbage even though it works just fine. If my Fire TV last five years then it will get used for five years, period. Don't let anyone ever tell you when your device is outdated, make that decision for yourself. Normal people would never be ready to buy a new car or home every six months, but when it comes to electronics, a lot of people wanna throw away their device every time the new thing comes out. Those people are lame as hell, and only want new phones, tablets etc, cause society tellls them its cool to have it. I am still using the first Galaxy Note and will continue to do so till it dies. I have replaced the screen and went through two batteries exploding, and its still works, so why upgade? These devices are for casual gaming, not hardcore gaming. Android boxes were never meant to compete with or replace gaming consoles. All the people that say that the Android boxes are taking over game consoles are unintelligent. Android boxes provide a different type of gaming experience then modern gaming consoles and til google decides to make an android gaming consoles they will never be able to compete with sony or microsoft. I also doubt google would ever turn Android into a big time gaming platform, but I do think google will release a gaming console in the future to compete with sony, microsoft and nintendo, just won't be an android console.
I'm actually with porkenheimer on this. I have good equipment but I've become sort of a hoarder of electronics. Lots of stuff is older than 8 years and whether it's an external hdd or an old laptop or even an iPod, I've had amazing luck fixing things and I DO find a purpose for it. I've used laptops from a decade ago as ubuntu servers, got xbmc running on some.
I actually benefitted from people discarding what they think is broken and/or obsolete.
As for aftv, I don't think the hardware is the reason development will slow down. It's more to do with Amazon's resistance to opening it up.
In fact, I have looked around, here & abroad and I've found some good possible replacements but not in the price range of aftv. The processor will be a tad less powerful with the same amount of ram or the processor and ram will be better but the price is over bloated. But for now, I don't think you'll find a faster experience for the price. Once it gets to the $200 range I'm thinking of building an htpc or investing the money elsewhere because I'm satisfied with what's happening on my TV.
Of course I think if cyanogenmod becomes a reality on aftv, the hardware will be put to better use. Fast is great but fire os, imho, is not a worthy os.
Thank you both I appreciate your words of wisdom. I agree its so easy to pile up old hardware. I don't know why the android media streamers have become such a point of interest. I currently own Fire TV, Ouya, Madcatz Mojo, Android TV ADT1, and in the end they all basically do the same thing So, yes maybe its time for me to stand back and say to myself "What exactly am I trying to do with these devices"? I do no I have been searching for that box that has all my streaming apps and games with extra power to spare? The closest I have come so far is a modified Madcatz Mojo which has HBO Go, Showtime, Starz, Encore, Netflix, Hulu, Etc. its far from perfect! I have been eyeing (though I need to Stop) the forthcoming Razer Forge or Snail Games Obox? I dont like how amazon has locked out root, and all the proprietor y parts of the OS. Eight gig of storage is a joke for anyone who likes games?
You developers out there when you release your code on a device does it have to be custom configured for each chipset you release it on? Say you upgraded fire TV to the Qualcomm 810 would each app require modification?

Jailbroken Fire TV on ebay?

I am new to Fire TV and don't currently own one.
Whats the deal with the jailbroken fire tv units being sold on flea bay? Are they a waste of time & money?
They claim to provide live TV channels to replace cable etc.
As far as I know there was never a "jailbreak" for this device.
Only certain software revision Fire TVs can be rooted. The current ones at amazon and best buy cannot. It's really hard to find ones that are rootable. I can sell you mine. Thing is a serious POS. First it's as closed off as an apple product when stock. Which wouldn't be so bad, if it actually functioned. Alas, Netflix cannot play smooth on the device at all. I don't know if intentional that amazon does it so you'd use their services or what. At any rate. Buy the shield TV. It's $100 more, but it's at least powerful enough you shouldn't have an issue. I'm unloading mine asap to buy the shield.
supremekizzle said:
Only certain software revision Fire TVs can be rooted. The current ones at amazon and best buy cannot. It's really hard to find ones that are rootable. I can sell you mine. Thing is a serious POS. First it's as closed off as an apple product when stock. Which wouldn't be so bad, if it actually functioned. Alas, Netflix cannot play smooth on the device at all. I don't know if intentional that amazon does it so you'd use their services or what. At any rate. Buy the shield TV. It's $100 more, but it's at least powerful enough you shouldn't have an issue. I'm unloading mine asap to buy the shield.
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It's no worse than the kindles, at least towelroot works. If you're so eager to get rid of yours, sell it to him cheap...
ldeveraux said:
It's no worse than the kindles, at least towelroot works. If you're so eager to get rid of yours, sell it to him cheap...
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That's what I was implying, but I'm pretty sure xda rules perhibit private sales. This thing has been nothing but frustration. My $25 Chromecast? Plays Netflix flawlessly. There's no reason that this device shouldn't be able to.
supremekizzle said:
That's what I was implying, but I'm pretty sure xda rules perhibit private sales. This thing has been nothing but frustration. My $25 Chromecast? Plays Netflix flawlessly. There's no reason that this device shouldn't be able to.
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You're kidding me right? You can side load kodi (hell...you can side load anything). Can't do that on ATV. Its got much better specs. You can use an external drive. And up until a short time ago it retailed for the same as apple TV. Chromecast? Its like a decent tool but what it is able to do doesn't make up for what ftv stick does and the price is the same.
This thread seems kind of trollish.
supremekizzle said:
That's what I was implying, but I'm pretty sure xda rules perhibit private sales. This thing has been nothing but frustration. My $25 Chromecast? Plays Netflix flawlessly. There's no reason that this device shouldn't be able to.
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No, I wasn't agreeing with you[emoji1] . I've had no problems or issues at all with mine, sorry. Everything plays exactly as planned...
KLit75 said:
You're kidding me right? You can side load kodi (hell...you can side load anything). Can't do that on ATV. Its got much better specs. You can use an external drive. And up until a short time ago it retailed for the same as apple TV. Chromecast? Its like a decent tool but what it is able to do doesn't make up for what ftv stick does and the price is the same.
This thread seems kind of trollish.
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I don't think you really follow. I'm not claiming the Chromecast as being more feature rich or powerful than the FTV. I'm saying that if a $25 device can play Netflix smoothly, it's absurd that the FTV can't. Go ahead and Google "fire TV netflix" and it'll return results from tons of people saying that Netflix playback on the device is crap. Netflix is BY FAR and away the most used streaming service. There shouldn't be problems using it on the FTV, but there are. So let me revise my stance: OP, 'jailbroken' or not, if you plan on using the fire TV for Netflix streaming, seek other options. If you're undeterred from broken Netflix, then rooted FTV's are worth it for the extra functionality. Especially the larger partition HDD, since amazon deemed having larger than 4gb would condone piracy since external HDD are apparently only to be used for apps and games, not your media collection.
supremekizzle said:
I don't think you really follow. I'm not claiming the Chromecast as being more feature rich or powerful than the FTV. I'm saying that if a $25 device can play Netflix smoothly, it's absurd that the FTV can't. Go ahead and Google "fire TV netflix" and it'll return results from tons of people saying that Netflix playback on the device is crap. Netflix is BY FAR and away the most used streaming service. There shouldn't be problems using it on the FTV, but there are. So let me revise my stance: OP, 'jailbroken' or not, if you plan on using the fire TV for Netflix streaming, seek other options. If you're undeterred from broken Netflix, then rooted FTV's are worth it for the extra functionality. Especially the larger partition HDD, since amazon deemed having larger than 4gb would condone piracy since external HDD are apparently only to be used for apps and games, not your media collection.
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I heard you fine. Your Netflix issues are just like the ones I've documented/complained about in the past year & change. I was focusing on your 1st post where you called AFTV a "POS" then made a reference to chromecast. I've said many times that its a great media device for the price but Netflix not working is unacceptable. Amazon's heard my complaints but unless I want to shell out $200 for nvidia or upgrade to an htpc, I think this is still the best media center for under $100. Even though my laptop had less trouble with Netflix back in like 2006. My apple TV plays Netflix flawlessly and with better resolution but will remain in storage because although amazon is restrictive, apple has no equal in terms of being locked down.
Btw--what do u mean it won't play? Not at all? Or are you often greeted with an "unable to play title"/loads to 99%...which is usually resolved by quitting the app, worse case reboot.
KLit75 said:
I heard you fine. Your Netflix issues are just like the ones I've documented/complained about in the past year & change. I was focusing on your 1st post where you called AFTV a "POS" then made a reference to chromecast. I've said many times that its a great media device for the price but Netflix not working is unacceptable. Amazon's heard my complaints but unless I want to shell out $200 for nvidia or upgrade to an htpc, I think this is still the best media center for under $100. Even though my laptop had less trouble with Netflix back in like 2006. My apple TV plays Netflix flawlessly and with better resolution but will remain in storage because although amazon is restrictive, apple has no equal in terms of being locked down.
Btw--what do u mean it won't play? Not at all? Or are you often greeted with an "unable to play title"/loads to 99%...which is usually resolved by quitting the app, worse case reboot.
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Ok. Glad we're on the same page. I concur that at $100 it's the best option save for Netflix, closed ecosystem, HDD. With the XDA community it had accomplished quite a bit. So I will agree to disagree and retract my POS comment. Yes. Netflix is almost unusable. I get loading to 99% and unable to play, somewhat frequently. However, the worst problem is the video getting all choppy and stuttering while the audio plays fine. Then the video has to speed up to " catch up" to the audio. This happens ALL OF THE TIME. I've cleared cache, rebooted wayyyyy more times than should have been necessary with this thing.
supremekizzle said:
Ok. Glad we're on the same page. I concur that at $100 it's the best option save for Netflix, closed ecosystem, HDD. With the XDA community it had accomplished quite a bit. So I will agree to disagree and retract my POS comment. Yes. Netflix is almost unusable. I get loading to 99% and unable to play, somewhat frequently. However, the worst problem is the video getting all choppy and stuttering while the audio plays fine. Then the video has to speed up to " catch up" to the audio. This happens ALL OF THE TIME. I've cleared cache, rebooted wayyyyy more times than should have been necessary with this thing.
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You ever consider the fact that it may be network handshake issues? Or speed issues? Wireless vs wired? It seems to work fine for me and all the other people that haven't chimed in, there's no reason it shouldn't for you too!
And realistically you can google any device, paired with any problem, and you'll see threads and threads on that topic. Look how many people can't follow simple instructions with towelroot!
Netflix has always worked fine on my Fire TV connected via ethernet and on my Fire Stick connected via 5GHz wireless. Check for interference or a bad ethernet cable. Change your router to use 5GHz instead of 2.4.

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