It's been a while since i've loaded one of these and was wondering if any advancements have been made such as being able to simply load files directly to the stick 2nd gen without registering it and all that... and simply plug it directly into your computer and transfer the files. I know at one point this was possible with one of the fire boxes probably the 1st gen.
I guess i am going to ask why would you want to? it is far easier to sideload apps. Without being rooted you don't have many options. you might be able to load a flash drive with a on-the-go usb hub.
danknasty said:
It's been a while since i've loaded one of these and was wondering if any advancements have been made such as being able to simply load files directly to the stick 2nd gen without registering it and all that... and simply plug it directly into your computer and transfer the files. I know at one point this was possible with one of the fire boxes probably the 1st gen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without registering a Fire TV you won't have much fun with the device. You will then regularly see hints for certain actions, which you have to click away.
Amazon already registers every device on delivery and links it to an Amazon account (even if you log out, Amazon still knows the link). The device also reports regularly to Amazon, so you will never be on the go anonymously anyway.
Related
I have rooted a few phones here and there but this is the first time I will be trying to root a fire tv. I have the box, not the stick and so far from what I understand I will be able to root this version with the ethernet trick. That is all I know, I dont know how to perform this trick for one, let alone the steps I need to perform afterwards. Here is some information I have.
Hardware Revision: 03
Software Revision:02
Likely software: 51.1.0.1 or 51.1.0.2
I plugged it in and it said it was updating but I didnt let it get anywhere near finishing the software download before unplugging it and stopping it. So here are some questions. After I get root, will I have to flash a custom rom like I would a phone? Will I still be able to use the original apps like netflix or will I have to do everything through XBMC? Is there really a way to watch theatre release movies or is this just a scam people try to use to get money from others?
Same problem for me heres my thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/general/root-help-to-device-t3017428#post58541250 maybe you can find something there
xxxFoopaTroopahXXX said:
I have rooted a few phones here and there but this is the first time I will be trying to root a fire tv. I have the box, not the stick and so far from what I understand I will be able to root this version with the ethernet trick. That is all I know, I dont know how to perform this trick for one, let alone the steps I need to perform afterwards. Here is some information I have.
Hardware Revision: 03
Software Revision:02
Likely software: 51.1.0.1 or 51.1.0.2
I plugged it in and it said it was updating but I didnt let it get anywhere near finishing the software download before unplugging it and stopping it. So here are some questions. After I get root, will I have to flash a custom rom like I would a phone? Will I still be able to use the original apps like netflix or will I have to do everything through XBMC? Is there really a way to watch theatre release movies or is this just a scam people try to use to get money from others?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you got to the registration screen you should be good but I'd go to aftvnews and read the starters guide. Also, what made you stop? Most people go as fast as they can to get the process started fearing Amazon might find a way to update.
Your first step should've been to block Amazon domains on your router. Did you?
Since you got to registration screen, you should be able to check the exact firmware.
In all likelihood you'll need to downgrade (follow that guide closely) Youll need cwm and will be using rbox firmware. Everything looks identical to stock (Netflix, prime, Amazon apps) Unless you decide to change it.
But seriously, I'll bet you find this trickier than your phones so read closely. I bought my 2nd aftv last month and the process was way more complicated than it was in June. But pay attention and double check your steps and you'll be ok.
Go here and follow the root guide. WWW.aftvnews.com
Whatever you do do not let the update go thru. There, you will also be instructed how to block the update from your wifi router and also prominently disable the update going forward.
Newbie_from_NJ said:
Go here and follow the root guide. WWW.aftvnews.com
Whatever you do do not let the update go thru. There, you will also be instructed how to block the update from your wifi router and also prominently disable the update going forward.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I was just about to buy a fire tv from staples and was wondering does the firmware matter at this point
cpugeeker said:
Thanks I was just about to buy a fire tv from staples and was wondering does the firmware matter at this point
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got a second unit yesterday - did the Ethernet unplug trick. USB storage is essential IMHO, so rooting is the only way to go.
I had the extra step of rolling back firmware, but it only took an extra 20 mins. I don't have a USB keyboard, so using putty on my laptop emulating a keyboard was also an extra step. I didn't do rboxs boot menu, don't really have a need yet?
Just unplug your internet from your router so you still can adb around on your local - no worries about updating while you fool around. Just make sure to have all the files local first - can block updates via adbfire or ftv toolbox whatever.
what are the advantages of rooting?
from what i understand without root we can stil install xmbc and playstore and apps
cpugeeker said:
what are the advantages of rooting?
from what i understand without root we can stil install xmbc and playstore and apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Main advantages are probably:
1. using the usb port for external storage since the ftv has such limited internal memory
2. being able to install the play store.
3. Enabling different launchers to react to the home button
This is tangential to the OP, but for me the remote management of an FTV is invaluable. I manage 6 FTVs now remotely with WebKey. Two days back, they send me 2 FTVs to upgrade (one old at the 51.1.1) and one brand new. They paid $15 bucks to ship and I paid the same for the return. Now, I don't have to pay that and avoid that cost (if not updating core OS/Bios stuff). That is a real dollar saving.
The point about Google Play is very true, not just for flexibility of installing, but also for using apps you already paid for (I would imagine that majority of paid apps do licence checking through Play infrastructure). That is a real dollar saving.
Using cheaper game controllers instead of buying OEM is a real dollar saving.
Creative uses of FTV like running a wireless router on it for non-intensive stuff is a real dollar saving. I am sure there are other creative ways to use it (with root) that talented people do without that information in public domain.
You need to extract real value out of your time to root. For some, its cost saving. For some, its ease of use. For some, it is the satisfaction of putting one over Amazon. For some, it is the value of learning about Linux/Android.
dbdoshi said:
This is tangential to the OP, but for me the remote management of an FTV is invaluable. I manage 6 FTVs now remotely with WebKey.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say manage remotely, do you mean remote control they way LogMeIn and TeamViewer work?
I am not aware of the two apps you mentioned. But Webkey is a true Remote Desktop for Android. Once you log in from a browser into your FTV (local or remote, HTTP or HTTPS), you see the exact screen of your FTV mirrored in your browser. And you interact with it as if you were sitting in front of it. Basically, what you see is what you get. Other added benefits are push/pull files, run apps with one click, a terminal emulator (all done through your browser) and a virtual text entry box that you can type in and send your blob of text to the FTV to whatever apps/controls are in focus and waiting for input.
downgrade help
Hey guys,
Hoping to get some help. New to Android and AFTV but I feel like I've made it pretty far. I'm stuck on downgrading my 51.1.1.0 Firmware to 51.1.0.2_user_510058520. I'm specifically confused on step 9 below... I make it that far and I don't know much about echo.. I type the line exactly as shown, after hitting enter, I get the command prompt again (no acknowledgment - success or error message, do I assume it worked?)
when I continue on to step 12 and try to push the update.zip file I get "cannot start update.zip : No such file or directory". I'm on a MAC so the c: instructions don't help me. How do I tell terminal where to get the update.zip file from?
Thanks guys.
dbdoshi said:
I am not aware of the two apps you mentioned. But Webkey is a true Remote Desktop for Android. Once you log in from a browser into your FTV (local or remote, HTTP or HTTPS), you see the exact screen of your FTV mirrored in your browser. And you interact with it as if you were sitting in front of it. Basically, what you see is what you get. Other added benefits are push/pull files, run apps with one click, a terminal emulator (all done through your browser) and a virtual text entry box that you can type in and send your blob of text to the FTV to whatever apps/controls are in focus and waiting for input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking to buy one of these bad boys, however, with Nvidia Shield console and other android TV boxes to follow, I'm weary to do so as amazon seems to be apple-esque in how they wall everything off. Firstly, is FTV running a custom Android TV? Or heavily skinned android? Second, now that HDD are supported is it still worth it to root (assuming I find a unit that can be rooted) any other features you gain? I read that FTV only supports Fat32. That sucks. Think they'll allow for larger than 32 GB drives in the future. Thanks for any help.
Bbbuuuummmmpppp. Bought a fire TV today that is able to be rooted. However, don't know if I want to. Above still applies. Also, it there a way to use a HDD connected to my WiFi so I don't have to worry about the maximum imposed by amazon? I don't want to use Plex because that requires an always on PC. I just want a HDD attached to my router that I can access via fire TV. Preferably with a nice ui/cover art. Kodi? Will Kodi be able to do that with cover art and alphabetized? Thanks
supremekizzle said:
Bbbuuuummmmpppp. Bought a fire TV today that is able to be rooted. However, don't know if I want to. Above still applies. Also, it there a way to use a HDD connected to my WiFi so I don't have to worry about the maximum imposed by amazon? I don't want to use Plex because that requires an always on PC. I just want a HDD attached to my router that I can access via fire TV. Preferably with a nice ui/cover art. Kodi? Will Kodi be able to do that with cover art and alphabetized? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you got a rootable one, there is no reason to not go with root. If anything there are a few benefits to root. If you root you can use the usb for direct access. You can use kodi with the network share drive on your router regardless of root.
navigates said:
If you got a rootable one, there is no reason to not go with root. If anything there are a few benefits to root. If you root you can use the usb for direct access. You can use kodi with the network share drive on your router regardless of root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. You rock for taking the time to help me out! Digital high five.....pow! Let's just go hypothetical (I've rooted every device I've had so I probably will this one too, but say amazon somehow kills root later) if it were unrooted and I used Kodi to access files on DLNA from a router connected HDD, would Kodi inject cover art to my backup DVDs, or, is that something I have to add to the HDD? One reason I want to go NAS route is because I have a bedroom TV with a Chromecast that I'd access it too. Unless I can access the HDD on the fire TV from another Chromecast? Thanks
supremekizzle said:
Awesome. You rock for taking the time to help me out! Digital high five.....pow! Let's just go hypothetical (I've rooted every device I've had so I probably will this one too, but say amazon somehow kills root later) if it were unrooted and I used Kodi to access files on DLNA from a router connected HDD, would Kodi inject cover art to my backup DVDs, or, is that something I have to add to the HDD? One reason I want to go NAS route is because I have a bedroom TV with a Chromecast that I'd access it too. Unless I can access the HDD on the fire TV from another Chromecast? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the high five. !! ok couple of clarifications If you root correctly and block the amazon updates, the firetv will always remain rooted regardless. The only downfall I see is that when a new firmware is released with majority of the changes it takes anywhere from few days to a week or two until the modified firmware is released. After you install the boot menu, updating the firmware has become really simple. Its literarily a two step process.
It’s a good idea to access the NAS through the router vs. direct USB. I do that as well. I have two hard drives. One on my router and the other is my laptop. I keep switching across. Best way to access the content is Kodi and you can even put the kodi icon on the home screen easily.
If you are new to rooting which I don't think so. Then its a challenge to get the right files and I can help with that sequentially. PM me and I can send you the link for all the files organized correctly. Starting from the downgrade to Firmware 1, then Bootmenu and finally the latest Rom.
Kodi will find the cover art and other metadata and save it on the FireTV.
Terry T said:
Kodi will find the cover art and other metadata and save it on the FireTV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if I'm accessing mp4 dvd backups from my NAS? The files for cover art, cast, etc don't need to be with the mp4 on the HDD? Kodi will recognize movie and fetch it? Thanks
As long as you have the file named in a way that Kodi will recognize it. I use Filebot to rename everything per TheTVDB and TheMovieDB, this works well with Kodi.
So after having mine for a while now and showing it off I have had a few friends ask me if they purchased one could I set it up like mine for them.
Also thinking about getting one for each of my brothers for Christmas this year. I will not be doing root just installing fire starter and aide loading Kodi with my preferred addons.
Mainly I just want to back up my Kodi settings and adb the backup to the new devices.
I have this covered no issues.
Unless someone else has a better idea for that we will move on to the real question
During the setup process I have to login to my Amazon account. When I do these to my friends I would prefer that my cc info not be available to them. Is de registering the device sufficient enough in removing this?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
epicroot said:
So after having mine for a while now and showing it off I have had a few friends ask me if they purchased one could I set it up like mine for them.
Also thinking about getting one for each of my brothers for Christmas this year. I will not be doing root just installing fire starter and aide loading Kodi with my preferred addons.
Mainly I just want to back up my Kodi settings and adb the backup to the new devices.
I have this covered no issues.
Unless someone else has a better idea for that we will move on to the real question
During the setup process I have to login to my Amazon account. When I do these to my friends I would prefer that my cc info not be available to them. Is de registering the device sufficient enough in removing this?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it should be, I also did the following when making a new account
Ok here's what I did, just make and separate email account and register with Amazon again. and use that account on the Amazon Fire TV, please note, some apps require a credit card or visa to be added to the account to be installed even if they're free apps. to get around that just add a fake credit card or visa to the account it'll work. It did for me.
I bought 3 fire sticks on Black Friday one for my office, one for my sister and one for her son. What I did was to configure the one for my office and used the fire utility app to backup the kodi setup. Then I just used the fire utility app to push kodi and firestarter restore the backup on each of the other sticks. 10 minutes for each stick.
When I was done with each stick in the fire tv system settings menu at the end there is an account selection. Pick account and then choose deregister account. This will remove your amazon information and prompt them for their information when they plug it into their tv. None of your kodi installation is touched using this method. Fire starter works etc.
I have a kindle fire that is broken and not worth repairing the screen (cost of parts is almost what I paid for it, so I just bought another one).
I'd like to put this old model to good use- it still works aside from the screen being dead, I can it turn on and many of the pixels activate and try to display. I'm wondering if I can use it to run Android apps remotely for testing and/or ad related apps (swagbucks, perk, etc) by sideloading them onto it. Some of them had been previously sideloaded and work like a charm.
I've seen demonstrations of remote apps like VNC working on a Kindle Fire, but I don't know how I can install it without access to the screen!
I've read about people who broke their phone screen and used ADB and/or Google Play to force installation of an app so that they could remote in via the computer. But I haven't figured out yet if this is possible on a Kindle. I wish this thing had an HDMI out or something, but alas- its the 2015 edition Kindle Fire 7. No HDMI, just a usb port and card slot. Is such a thing possible, or is this destined for the trash heap?
Dishe said:
I have a kindle fire that is broken and not worth repairing the screen (cost of parts is almost what I paid for it, so I just bought another one).
I'd like to put this old model to good use- it still works aside from the screen being dead, I can it turn on and many of the pixels activate and try to display. I'm wondering if I can use it to run Android apps remotely for testing and/or ad related apps (swagbucks, perk, etc) by sideloading them onto it. Some of them had been previously sideloaded and work like a charm.
I've seen demonstrations of remote apps like VNC working on a Kindle Fire, but I don't know how I can install it without access to the screen!
I've read about people who broke their phone screen and used ADB and/or Google Play to force installation of an app so that they could remote in via the computer. But I haven't figured out yet if this is possible on a Kindle. I wish this thing had an HDMI out or something, but alas- its the 2015 edition Kindle Fire 7. No HDMI, just a usb port and card slot. Is such a thing possible, or is this destined for the trash heap?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not the 5th gen forum
ask here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/help
Sent from my XT1080 using XDA Labs
I have a first Gen Firestick-E9L29Y-Green Head Droid-white eyes-White Antenna, described as Chinese tracking also Malware. In Notification Droid shows up with music. went in to ES files and deleted it-keeps returning in Notifications with Notification turned off.
I tried a refresh--no help. Heard by some users that tried reinstalled it still appeared- It must me permanently embitted in the root system. Am I better off purchasing another fire stick. I have a IPTV side loaded and have not had a problem in four years. So did I get this from amazon on an update or a program download-or is it in embitted in EES files of the File Manger. Is this too complex to fix. ust want to side load a IPTV Program with ease and try not to catch malware on a device. I also use Nord VPN on Firestick.. Is there a better device you can recommend. I am an Amazon prime member and get free access to many Amazon programs. Any help or ideas would be appreciated -Should I make a door stop out of this Firestick ?