(General question to choose between firestick and chromecast 2)
My main need is to be able to
1) stream/cast music and movies from both Android smartphone and Windows 10/Linux(Ubuntu) to the firestick or chromecast WITHOUT NEED OF ACTIVE INTERNET CONNECTION PREFERABLY . I have my music collection mainly in my android smartphone. i want to cast directly from music player/YouTube/soundcloud or through any other music app directly to firestick or chromecast and same for videos too with proper audio sync and no lag.
2) Able to screen mirror the smartphone/Windows 10/Linux(Ubuntu) to the firestick or chromecast without lags or frame rate drop or out of sync video.
3) To be able to connect Bluetooth headphones so i can listen to audio wirelessly through headphones and video on TV, where content is being played by firestick or chromecast through desktop or android smartphone.
4) Can connect external USB devices such as wirelss mouse,usb drive (can be accomplished on firestick with usb host otg as saw on a youtube video for ver.2 of firestick- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vSwYeJd5fI)
5) Able to use JioTV/JioCinema/HotStar by out of the box or by some mod or something.
i am confused between two.
Currently the amazon firestick is available on amazon for just 2900 with offers and Chromecast for just rs.1800 from flipkart with offers.
so about Rs.1000 price difference roughly.
What should i choose ?
Please reply ASAP as the sale ends on 16th may and so will be the cheap offers.
BUMP !
what about a miracast dongle? cheap and you can stream from win10 and android devices
but back to your question.
chromecast is not as good as a miracast dongle (both are just able to stream. chromecast you´ll need internet, miracast you won´t).
firetvstick should fit the most of your needs but only a few. you should be good with a fire tv box.
texten said:
what about a miracast dongle? cheap and you can stream from win10 and android devices
but back to your question.
chromecast is not as good as a miracast dongle (both are just able to stream. chromecast you´ll need internet, miracast you won´t).
firetvstick should fit the most of your needs but only a few. you should be good with a fire tv box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, fire tv isn't avaialble in India and can you suggest some good miracast dongle ? How about some popular chinese android tv box on aliexpress ?
chromecast dosent have bluetooth AFAIK
go with fire stick as it is better or spend a little more for mi box 3 to get best of both
Fire TV has out of the box support for most streaming services and otherwise it supports Android TV and phone apps. You can use AirPin to get AirPlay support for audio and video. Other apps like AirScreen have options for Chromecast and Miracast but neither worked when I tried them out for a short while. However, the Fire Stick is grossly underpowered to run background services while ensuring a smooth interface. I imported the AFTV3 though Amazon only sells the Fire TV Stick locally. The Fire TV box was too expensive when imported and I needed 4K at 60 FPS with no gaming requirement.
Chromecast is good enough for mirroring from Chrome and casting apps but requires a working WiFi connection to operate. Moreover, it can be extremely laggy when mirroring high definition content depending on local WiFi network and the streaming device. Another thing to note is that content protected apps block any sort of mirroring and hence Chromecast might not work even when mirroring the entire Android device.
The best offline wireless solutions I had researched in the past that worked with almost all phones and Windows was the Screenbeam Mini 2 as it is Miracast and WiDi certified, but I suppose you will have to import that as well at a higher price.
Related
Hi all.
I don't know why this seems to be such a difficult thing to do but I can't seem to get a straight answer.
I have a Galaxy Note 2, my wife has a Sensation XE and we both will soon have Nexus 7 and/or Nexus 10 - possibly. What I want to achieve is a way to send video content including things like netflix from our devices to our TV wirelessly.
I don't want to have seperate receivers etc for each device but I am happy for a software solution if a hardware one is not available.
Thanks
im not sure about netflix and stuff because i don't use it, but when you have any videos theres a button on the top with like a small tv and 3 lines or so all together like a little symbol, your tv provided its a samsung, should be connected on the same wifi as your phone and all you have to do is clack that button and it should work.
As for youtube which is what i sometimes use, i just pair it with the TV and it connects straight away.. really simple
This looks similar to what your after .
http://gigaom.com/mobile/how-to-wirelessly-stream-android-media-to-an-hdtv-doubletwist-airsync/
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
If your tv is not dlna compliant
Yiu had to buy samsung dongle wbich connect to uiur tv and yiu can stream to your tv over wifi
I th8nk its called allshare cast
I use a free app skifta to stream my nas contents to my tv or my phone
Use it via my wd livetv smp to play contents to my tv from my note 2
LLanito said:
im not sure about netflix and stuff because i don't use it, but when you have any videos theres a button on the top with like a small tv and 3 lines or so all together like a little symbol, your tv provided its a samsung, should be connected on the same wifi as your phone and all you have to do is clack that button and it should work.
As for youtube which is what i sometimes use, i just pair it with the TV and it connects straight away.. really simple
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried that with an app called 'Skifta' to a laptop running xbmc (for testing purposes) but it only supports local content and a select few stations/channels of which netflix isn't one. My TV is a 6 year old Bush LCD IDTV so no DLNA
b4d5h0t said:
This looks similar to what your after .
http://gigaom.com/mobile/how-to-wirelessly-stream-android-media-to-an-hdtv-doubletwist-airsync/
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks good except I don't have xbox 360 or PS3
boxer29 said:
If your tv is not dlna compliant
Yiu had to buy samsung dongle wbich connect to uiur tv and yiu can stream to your tv over wifi
I th8nk its called allshare cast
I use a free app skifta to stream my nas contents to my tv or my phone
Use it via my wd livetv smp to play contents to my tv from my note 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does allshare cast work on non-samsung devices? I'll look at WD LiveTV
kinsago said:
I've tried that with an app called 'Skifta' to a laptop running xbmc (for testing purposes) but it only supports local content and a select few stations/channels of which netflix isn't one. My TV is a 6 year old Bush LCD IDTV so no DLNA
Looks good except I don't have xbox 360 or PS3
Does allshare cast work on non-samsung devices? I'll look at WD LiveTV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes allshare cast works on older tv which are not smart tv.
if your samsung tv is new it would be dlna or smart tv so you wont need that allshare cast
boxer29 said:
yes allshare cast works on older tv which are not smart tv.
if your samsung tv is new it would be dlna or smart tv so you wont need that allshare cast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, what I meant was, does allshare cast work with non-samsung phones/tablets (see OP).
I don't have a samsung TV nor can I afford one.
Well, it's a hardware solution, and right now is a lil bit on the pricey side. Gigabyte skyvision ws100.
The advantage, you can use it with whatever devices with hdmi i/o capability. It seems it pretty much works flawlessly and without lag, if I had came across it couple of months before I might have bought one instead a 30m+ HDMI cable than runs from my PC to the TV in the living room. If I had, now I could easily switch between PC (gaming), laptop (movie watching), and now phones (occasional viewing of photos and stuff). And, I could use it to stream av to the projector in our bedroom.... might still consider this Christmas.
Best regards.
The device is called Allshare cast dongle. It works with any TV with HDMI port. Plugs in to the hdmi port and you connects your to galaxy device over "wifi direct" (you dont need a wifi network for this to work). Its not sold in North America (thanks to apple) but is widely available on amazon and ebay for under $100.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Provinomico said:
Well, it's a hardware solution, and right now is a lil bit on the pricey side. Gigabyte skyvision ws100.
The advantage, you can use it with whatever devices with hdmi i/o capability. It seems it pretty much works flawlessly and without lag, if I had came across it couple of months before I might have bought one instead a 30m+ HDMI cable than runs from my PC to the TV in the living room. If I had, now I could easily switch between PC (gaming), laptop (movie watching), and now phones (occasional viewing of photos and stuff). And, I could use it to stream av to the projector in our bedroom.... might still consider this Christmas.
Best regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I shall investigate. The problem with cables however is that the devices have different HDMI outputs (if at all) hence wanting wireless solution.
farhanali_ said:
The device is called Allshare cast dongle. It works with any TV with HDMI port. Plugs in to the hdmi port and you connects your to galaxy device over "wifi direct" (you dont need a wifi network for this to work). Its not sold in North America (thanks to apple) but is widely available on amazon and ebay for under $100.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm aware of the allshare dongle but I need it to work with more than samsung devices (see OP)
Would ANYBODY know ?
[/B]Does anybody know if it's possible to mirror the phone onto a smart tv without the use of a dongle????
and i don't mean videos, i mean complete mirroring???[/B]
I can see my TV in the "Wireless Displays" menu and also the YouTube app offers to stream to the tv but it wont connect for some reason.
Anyone using their Samsung Smart TV as a wireless display for the N7 flo?
I read people are using push2tv devices such as the Netgear PTV3000 but doesn't the smart tv have that technology built in? I am able to stream video content to my tv over wifi with apps like BubbleUPnP.
boykomac said:
I can see my TV in the "Wireless Displays" menu and also the YouTube app offers to stream to the tv but it wont connect for some reason.
Anyone using their Samsung Smart TV as a wireless display for the N7 flo?
I read people are using push2tv devices such as the Netgear PTV3000 but doesn't the smart tv have that technology built in? I am able to stream video content to my tv over wifi with apps like BubbleUPnP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Note2 but with Paranoid android means it doesnt have any Samsung features but offers Miracast instead.
Unfortunally Allshare Cast is modifyed Miracast and i think thats the point (its not working for me too)
and unfortunally Miracast from Windows 8.1 does not work too.
I also flashed the stock Rom to get all Samsung features but strangely i get a disconnect even with real allshare Cast , i think i have to write the samsung support maybe the tv has some sort of mailfunction
Hi, as in the subject is there any way to connect nexus 7 to tv and watch tablet content on tv screen ( mirroring)
Thx
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
+1
I am planning to buy an android stick to watch XBMC live streaming but if I can mirror XBMC from N7 to my TV then I may not buy the stick.
sajid44 said:
+1
I am planning to buy an android stick to watch XBMC live streaming but if I can mirror XBMC from N7 to my TV then I may not buy the stick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chromecast, I think
nexusguy7 said:
Chromecast, I think
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sort of. Chromecast can show a few things (YouTube, Google Play, Hulu Plus, NetFlix) on your TV. It is controlled by an Android device (like the Nexus) but it isn't streaming it from there.
However, on a desktop browser (but not from the Nexus, that I know of) you can have it more or less grab your screen and put it on the TV. Then you can show anything but video performance is only so-so and that's if you have a screaming fast computer and network.
Why you can't do that from Android, I have no idea -- it may be because of things like Hulu being paranoid about missing out on the mobile market.
Miracast wireless display works well
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
mandrsn1 said:
Miracast wireless display works well
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chromecast is not mirroring. You need special apps that have Chromecast capability to stream. And currently there are very few apps that can do that (Netflix, Youtube, etc.). You can not even mirror pictures or recorded videos (yet).
There are 3 ways (that I'm aware of) to mirror (listed in order or reliability):
1. Use a long cable (wired method). You need a slimport adapter and a long HDMI cable. There are mixed reviews and many are reporting the cheaper slimport adapters aren't working well. I use the one made by Kanex and it works well, but it's on the more expensive side at about $30.
2. Miracast (wireless) - This is similar to Widi and may be compatible with some Widi units. You need a TV that has a widi adapter built-in or you need to purchase a Widi Adapter for your TV. I have a Belkin Screencast which connects to my TV via HDMI and is a Widi adapter. The latest firmware allow it to do Mracast as well. However, I had to try several times until I got it to connect. I bought the Belkin Screencast a year ago to work with my laptop, but it was unreliable as it disconnected every few minutes. Hoping the latest firmware update would fix some issues. I just connected it today to my Nexus 7 and need to do further testing.
3. Google TV (wireless) - You need a TV with a built-in Google TV box or a separate Google TV box. There are apps that you can add to both the Google TV box and your Nexus which allow mirroring. However, I found this to be unreliable. The apps really slowed down my Logitech Google TV box. Lots of lag as well.
Nothing beats the good old wired slimport cable. However, I've seen Youtube videos showing great success using Mracast with other branded Miracast adapters (maybe it's just the Belkin that has issues).
Good luck!
Just a quick question, can I switch the screen off on my mobile when mirroring to tv via slimport? I want to use xbmc on nexus to watch tv on my tv screen and use Bluetooth mouse to control it so I don't need my nexus screen to be on.
Thanks
Sent from my Casio calculator using XDA app version 1.01
skwieradee said:
Just a quick question, can I switch the screen off on my mobile when mirroring to tv via slimport? I want to use xbmc on nexus to watch tv on my tv screen and use Bluetooth mouse to control it so I don't need my nexus screen to be on.
Thanks
Sent from my Casio calculator using XDA app version 1.01
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Slimport will mirror whatever is on your screen to your TV. If the Nexus screen is blank, the TV screen will be blank too.
Obviously a Slimport connected to the Nexus 7 is the way to go. Then it is just HDMI.
I do have a question, can you please recommend a specific slimport model where someone has had success with the airport.
I've had a Chromecast since the device was launched and mirroring was really the one thing I wished that device did. I find that streaming from my phone or tablet to be slow on that, overall, so I was intrigued with the Amazon Fire TV launched and Koush was able to get mirroring to work with very little latency. He praised the Fire TV for being having better streaming quality and capabilities than Chromecast, Roku, or Apple TV, when streaming media from Android devices.
I then saw the YouTube video him using the mirroring features from the app AllCast on his Amazon TV and it looked flawless. He advertised that mirroring was available via the app, but I haven't actually run across anyone that has been able to get this to work using his apps. On top of that, I've had problems with my phone (HTC One) or tablet (Nexus 7 1st Gen) recognizing my Fire TV when connected through my Comcast router. It seems to work via my Amped Wireless Router, but not Comcast, for whatever reason.
Next, streaming seems very poor overall. buffering times are no better than what I was getting with my Chromecast using the AllCast app.
Has anyone had better luck with AllCast and their Fire TV? Has anyone gotten mirroring to work? If so, how?
I've been posting on the Google+ page here and have not had any luck.
https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/cbwdhJvg2vk
dmm5157 said:
I've had a Chromecast since the device was launched and mirroring was really the one thing I wished that device did. I find that streaming from my phone or tablet to be slow on that, overall, so I was intrigued with the Amazon Fire TV launched and Koush was able to get mirroring to work with very little latency. He praised the Fire TV for being having better streaming quality and capabilities than Chromecast, Roku, or Apple TV, when streaming media from Android devices.
I then saw the YouTube video him using the mirroring features from the app AllCast on his Amazon TV and it looked flawless. He advertised that mirroring was available via the app, but I haven't actually run across anyone that has been able to get this to work using his apps. On top of that, I've had problems with my phone (HTC One) or tablet (Nexus 7 1st Gen) recognizing my Fire TV when connected through my Comcast router. It seems to work via my Amped Wireless Router, but not Comcast, for whatever reason.
Next, streaming seems very poor overall. buffering times are no better than what I was getting with my Chromecast using the AllCast app.
Has anyone had better luck with AllCast and their Fire TV? Has anyone gotten mirroring to work? If so, how?
I've been posting on the Google+ page here and have not had any luck.
https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/cbwdhJvg2vk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it worked right at least sending videos and photos, the connection between my nexus 5 and FTV was quick, but I didn't try the mirror. I'm using for router an asus rt-ac66u and is coneccted wired.
It doesn't work very well for higher quality/HD video streaming - buffer and lag issues. It is good for photos and whatnot though. Using my S4 and the Fire.
2fastkuztoms said:
For me it worked right at least sending videos and photos, the connection between my nexus 5 and FTV was quick, but I didn't try the mirror. I'm using for router an asus rt-ac66u and is coneccted wired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had some major issues when I first got it. Was visiting my in-laws this weekend and bought the Amazon Fire TV to be able to share pictures and videos of our baby with family. I spent 2 hours trying to get my AllCast to recognize the Amazon Fire TV and Allcast app on the device, no luck. didn't work with my Nexus 7 as well. I ended up resorting to uploading my pictures to Amazon Cloud Drive and showed the pictures/vidoes that way. The buffering time was horrible for videos, though.
When we finally got home Sunday night, I tried it on our TV and noticed I had the same issue when connecting to my Comcast router (same one my MIL has at her house). Luckily I have a separate router I use as a Wifi extender, so was able to get it to recognize my Fire TV with that connection.
Overall, I haven't been very impressed with the Fire TV, as compared to my Roku, Chromecast, or my dad's Apple TV. The one "must have" feature I wanted that this one seemed to have, as well as the apps and other features, was mirroring Android. If I'm not able to get that to work similar to how Koush was able to in his YouTube video, I'll probably pack it up and take it back to Best Buy for a return. Bummer, because it is a nice device, just already have too many other devices that do the same thing.
The AllCast app is finally available on Amazon Appstore (with the optional premium in app purchase) to work with AllCast for Fire TV app. Finally I can use my Amazon coins for something other than games!
AllCast and Amazon's version of Youtube have the ability to cast from Android devices to the Fire TV, just like Chromecast. They work great!
Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Just get both lol. That's what I did
Fire stick is closer to a tablet than anything
depakjan said:
Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I see it, AFSTV is a tablet used for streaming. Chromecast needs more apps and a native browser; maybe chromecast II will be able to compete in the same league (if it ever shows up).
depakjan said:
Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4. Most US FTV's from Amazon, Staples, BestBuy, Radio Shack can still be rooted.
depakjan said:
Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 2 of each, but hands down the Fire Stick is a better device with may more uses.
FS has MUCH MUCH(get the idea) better wifi.
The one thing I've found that the CC is better at is taking on a trip since you don't need the remote to get it connected on a new wifi. FS you MUST have remote so far as I can figure out.
gottahavit said:
I have 2 of each, but hands down the Fire Stick is a better device with may more uses.
FS has MUCH MUCH(get the idea) better wifi.
The one thing I've found that the CC is better at is taking on a trip since you don't need the remote to get it connected on a new wifi. FS you MUST have remote so far as I can figure out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as taking it on a trip, if you stay in a hotel that requires you to accept the terms of service through a browser good luck connecting the chromecast.
I have both, and I never use my Chromecast. The only reason I could think of why I would use it is for my 2 movies in Google Play... The Fire Stick is just better in every way.
adfurgerson said:
As far as taking it on a trip, if you stay in a hotel that requires you to accept the terms of service through a browser good luck connecting the chromecast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes neither works perfectly traveling, but having to bring remote just to get it to connect to phone sucks. The only thing chromecast did right was the private wifi setup with devices.
Both are good I'm leaning more to aftv just has more features.. But I also have chromecast connected as well it's good to have back up to send media to the tv with my phone
adfurgerson said:
As far as taking it on a trip, if you stay in a hotel that requires you to accept the terms of service through a browser good luck connecting the chromecast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Although having just experienced this, you'll need to sideload a browser and some mouse mode (controller, mouse, phone mouse,etc) to actually navigate and accept terms.
What I do is tether to my phone and cast predownloaded movies using All cast.
Chromecast is great for basic stuff and used with a tablet. When using my phone, everything gets paused and occasionally locks up when getting calls and messages on my phone.
Fire TV stick is also a pretty good emulator player for retro gaming on the go.
Unless you need to stick with the small form factor or the budget doesn't allow, the correct answer if you can't decide between the two is to get a Nexus Player. If you are not in a hurry, wait until spring when I'm sure the market will be flooded with cheap Chinese Android TV boxes (Android TV version of Android, not just Android on a stick). Essentially the same as FireTV, but with Chromecast functionality built in.
If I had to choose between a Chomecast or AFTV stick I'd take AFTV stick every time.
Comes Down to Apps
You should research the App you know you want to use. I really just want a Chrome cast with a physical remote. I was excited when I grabbed a FireTV stick for $25. I was not excited that the Showtime Anytime app doesn't support on Dish on FireStickTV but does on Chrome cast?
I would tell you make a list of the apps you really want and see what platform has them.
thats what i did too
No brainer.. AFTV.
Maybe its just me, but i really dont have the urge to "cast" everything from various devices. A nice standalone box that can connect to networked drives on its own while having native streaming capability nicely beats a simple "casting" box...
If you have a miracast compatible computer, you can use that with the firetv.
Youtube on chromecast is good in "social" settings. Friends can queue up videos (eg. songs) to be played.
ziddey said:
If you have a miracast compatible computer, you can use that with the firetv.
Youtube on chromecast is good in "social" settings. Friends can queue up videos (eg. songs) to be played.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't seen 1 person post that Miracast works from a PC to the Fire TV.
See this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/miracast-t2954237/
After using both for a few weeks apiece, the fire stick with xbmc and a remote >>>>>>>>>>>> the chromecast.
It gets tiresome having to keep turning my phone etc and having some files need transcoding with the chromecast. The stick, since they updated the firmware and fixed the video quality problems, is almost perfect and I love that remote
The only thing chromecast has over the fire tv is the ease of use with the phone with the little cast button but I can live without that
As soon as the fire sticks go on sale again, I'm picking up another 3!
The AFS seems to be a more flexible platform. It's essentially a Android Stick computer. Will be even better when someone figures out how to root it. For the most part you can sideload the same working apps that work on other Android devices. That's pretty useful.
The Chromecast seems to be more of a one trick pony. The casting feature is interesting but why would you not want to just run apps directly to control it?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
I have both.
I bought the Chromecast last year. The biggest use I got out of it was binge watching to catch up on Game of Thrones via HBO Go app. Video was definitely grainy, lower quality than the On-Demand HD from Comcast. Since then, I've rarely used it. Having to start everything via the phone or pad, then "casting" feels clunky. Casting videos/movies from my PC browser was choppy at best.
The Fire TV Stick is pretty smooth. I like having the physical remote and looking at the TV when I do things (i.e. not having to use/look at the phone). YouTube works (although I'm not able to play Purchases). Plex works well, as does SPMC (XBMC fork). NBC Live Extra app seems to work ok, but I'll get a better feel for that tonight watching football. HBO Go isn't officially available for the FireTV STICK yet. On my Fire TV (box) I am disappointed that HBO Go and Showtime Go (I would be there are some other apps too) do not have the ability to sign in for Comcast/Xfinity customers like the apps on iOs and Android do. I do realize that is a COMCAST limit, but it still stinks.
As @alton987 said earlier, it important to know the apps you want to use, and what is available on a particular device.
I bought a Fire TV Stick the day before Thanksgiving at Best Buy for $24.99. I bought it primarily for Amazon Prime.
So far, it's been working perfectly. Along with Prime movies and tv, I'm also using Prime music, Netflix, Crackle and AllCast. All work perfectly except for Netflix. On Netflix, video freezes about 10-15 minutes before the end of the movie, audio continues. I have to back out and then resume. Only takes a few seconds but it's annoying. It's the only app that's giving me a problem.
I also sideloaded BS Player and ES File Explorer. I wanted to use them for playing movies stored on my PC. Both are working just fine. I have mine connected to my A/V receiver (Yamaha). Picture quality is excellent, as is audio through my system.
I'm VERY pleased with the stick, and will buy another one for a second tv.
I have no experience with the Chromecast so I can't comment on it.
But the Fire tv stick is, for me, a no brainer if you subscribe to Amazon Prime. Terrific add-on to my system.