Been waiting for this to drop in price for a while. Not the lowest according to 3xcamel, but I think it's a pretty good deal considering the period we are spending indoors.
CamelCamelCamel.
So it's the 2nd Gen version with a 1st Gen remote?
Seems like a decent deal then, I can live without voice-control.
So are you able to play content from the USB?
Yep.
well that is awesome thanks, using VLC?
@socheap: I tested with Kodi, but am sure it will work with VLC:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-install-kodi-fire-tv,new…
Can double check later today if needed?
@kirt: no need to test, thanks anyway.
One last question with the Micro USB OTG cable
The image in your post shows
Micro - male
Standard - female
Standard - male
What I thought you would want so you can power it
Micro - Male
Micro - Female
Standard - Female
@socheap: The image is correct, as you can use that same cable to power the Fire TV from your TV:
Micro - male to Fire TV
Standard - female for USB sticks etc
Standard - male to TV to power Fire TV
…or you could the other one you mentioned if you want to use external power (and I assume you could get a male to female adaptor to change it anyway regardless of the cable you got).
Thanks. I have LG OLED and Chromecast. Is it still worth getting Firestick?
Probably not.
One of the main pros of the Fire TV Stick is that it has the Apple TV+ app (which is not yet available on Android TV / Telstra TV / game consoles etc), but your LG OLED should have that app?
Everything else would be covered with the ChromeCast (and I've found I can even get some controls to work on my remote on my ChromeCast using HDMI CEC).
Thanks, saved me some $. I dont use Apple, so its fine.
noob question, will this play netflix?
Amazon Fire TV Stick connects your HDTV to a world of online entertainment. Enjoy a wide selection of movies, TV episodes and games. Amazon Fire TV Stick is an easy way to enjoy content from Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV and more. Directly access millions of websites such as YouTube, Facebook, and Reddit with browsers like Silk and Firefox.
yes and also the ability to load a VPN
FYI: It doesn’t work with Alexa
Deal breaker. Better off getting the US version, though it doesn't ship to Australia through Amazon. I hate this half baked Australian versions
I've the Firestick 4k, and I can't use the Amazon prime app on it which is a shame. It works great a a Kodi stick though.
Alexa doesn't work either. All amazon apps are region locked.
I have one and it doesn't allow VPN with Netflix, you can play Netflix on it, as long as the VPN is turned off.
That's more of a netflix blocking VPN issue than firestick most likely?
yeah, i use VNP and netflix without issues, i would suggest its the VPN service you are using (being blocked by netflix)
I use ExpressVPN and always seem to be able to connect. Wouldn’t let me connect using NordVPN though
I am thinking whether I should by Vodafone TV or Fire TV Stick.
Is this better than the Vodafone TV?
Vodafone TV is better, but personally I'm holding out for this, the thing that puts me off VTV is the lack of support and updates, so a stock Android TV straight from Google would be ideal.
I hadn't heard of this! A full Android TV chromecast with remote… definitely looks good! The only thing I think that's currently better than the VodaTV is the Nvidia Shield, but that's WAY more expensive.
Yeah, I'm in dire need of an Android TV but forcing myself to hold out for Google to release theirs in the next few months, pretty keen to see what they produce!
the updates are getting better - just got Android 9 with the new UI, Dec19 security patch.
not the best still, and far off the shield, but really not a bad device anymore.
I actually preferred my VF TV before the update! Android 9 has given me zero benefits, yet a few irritants.
@Xizor: I like the new UI and I like the new overview versus the old design, but the new settings menu structure is irritating.
@maybe a bot: Yeah true. But breaking ntfs, man, that is poor. Not being able to move that first tile irks me, and also the double click quick menu to easy force close apps vanishing (like nvidia implemented a workaround for on the shield) are my biggest gripes. I firmly believe android or some apps have memory and/or caching issues that the quick force close capability mitigates. Instead now have to go into app settings to force close.
@Xizor: Wait they broke NTFS??? That's pain.. never noticed cause I only stream from outside sources, never network drives now.. But damn.
Version 9 broke my primary use case - 4K connectivity. Just won;t connect in 4K any more. So frustrating. Otherwise I would've recommended VTV for an extra $15.
@Punkboy: Weird, mine has worked with 4k all this time. 4k netflix works clean, maybe change HDMI cable?
Can you play your own content from USB + VLC?
Second noob question, what's the difference between this, a Chromecast and Apple TV?
I currently just mainly stream things through Chromecast
Good price, I've been waiting to pull the trigger on one of these. Thanks OP.
How does this compare to Android TV - something like the Xiaomi Mi Box S
Can I stream content saved on my phone to TV using this device.
Or is it network streaming only like Netflix and YouTube.
How is this compared to a mi box?
I had a mi box for a week before I sold it. Soooo slow and shit to use.
I have had 2 for the past couple of years and they work great not sure what your issue was. The Oreo update improved the mi box a lot.
Has anyone had any luck loading iView or SBS On Demand on the FireStick.
Voda tv a better option I think.
I own one of these, a voda and chromecast
Can you play content from a USB ?
I got a Vodafone TV last week for my in-laws. Yes, it does play content from USB however a recent firmware update prevents it reading NTFS filesystems now so I had to format their 1TB USB drive to FAT32. It works fine but there is now a 4GB file size limitation.
great thanks
Does it not read exFAT filesystems? That would get around the 4GB file size limit. Android supports exFAT so would think the Voda TV still should too.
@MitchyD1989: No I tried that too but unfortunately it wouldn't read NTFS or exFAT. There's a bit of a discussion about it here: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/518095
Can I use airplay with it?
no that's only available on apple tv.
Any way of sideloading Kayo onto this? Don't think it's on the Amazon app store
Any luck with this?
Unsuccessful with Kayo. From what I could find out, I think the Amazon stick runs on Android 5.0, and Kayo requires Android 7 or above.
I got it working. But had to install a app called Kodi, then install kayo inside the Kodi app
I was going to get my sister to send a UK version so i could have all the UK apps - but can these be side loaded anyway ?
It's good. We have it on our bedroom TV is like cheaper, less sexy Apple TV. Only downsides so far is that you can't get SBS on demand, iView or the Channel 9 app on it. Although you can get Channel 7's and Stan, Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon (obviously). Definitely good value for money.
I've got 6 "smart" tv's in the house, but after a short time the built-in apps start to age and stop getting updated. I've been using a mibox3 for a couple of years and has been awesome (especially after the last update). I lent my chromecast to my mother to watch Netflix and bought a FireStick in the meantime and I'm now considering getting one for every tv. I'd been using Kodi for years but recently installed PLEX and it's better than everything else I've got. If it's your thing, the Firestick also has an AppleTV app, whereas standard Android doesn't.
About the only thing I can fault with it is Amazon Prime doesn't like NordVPN running at the same time.
Have you tried VLC with the fire sticks?
Have you tried nordvpn with US Netflix to see if it works?
Spend $18 more, buy a Vodafone TV box and thank me later.
Why do you say that it looks like you can sideload everything you need?
Vodafone box is so much better for an extra $18.
@socheap: Yes you can and yes it is a full size port.
Details here:
https://www.vodafone.com.au/vodafone-tv
@batrarobin: Thanks - sold me on the voafone, especially with the TV turner for the parents save the multiple remotes
@socheap: With the latest firmware, it no longer supports NTFS. It now only works with devices formatted as FAT32.
@jl434: Had the guys over at whirlpool confirm that apparently yes it does do 60hz just google it and you'll find the thread
Does the Vodafone TV have Disney +?
Yes. Runs very well
Thanks
Arrived today, thanks.
Any idea if you can load prime video or do you need to sideload?
Prime video works, but no HDR
I have one of these, have Netflix, Stan, Disney Plus and of course Amazon Prime installed.
You can install other apps from the library including VPNs which is pretty nifty (i.e. Private Internet Access), you can also sideload apps through a browser app on the device itself.
To be honest i think there is much the muchness having it over a Chromecast unless you are trying to stream content from overseas.
are there Aus apps like SBS?
If anyone is wanting to see the app store, https://www.amazon.com.au/Apps-Games-Fire-TV-Stick/s?rh=n%3A…
Keep in mind a lot of the apps for overseas services will be geo-locked unless you use a vpn!
This would be handy for travel if we ever get to travel again
Thanks. Was looking for something cheap and simple for Kodi on the kids tv
Pity we are stuck with gray imports for 4K sticks…
Will netflix, apple TV plus and prime video work properly on grey import 4k fire sticks ?
not sure about first two, but apparently you can side load Aussie Amazon Prime Video and works ok. Search Ozbargain.
Does this support Dolby Atmos?
If you mean 7.1 trueHD bitstreamed, then no.
I have this, Great stick, have netflix and Disney and for anything else the CinemaHD app. enjoy
Need 4k :( but really tempting for VPN, hate the fact you can't use chromecast with a VPN.
Anyone got any other solutions for streaming 4K with VPN?
So not all the AUS TV catchup apps are available?
I'm still confused with versions. So this one in AUS is still the 1st gen stick with 1.3 Ghz cpu.
2nd gen is 1.7 Ghz cpu with improved wifi.
And 3rd gen adds 4K to 2nd gen.
Is this how it is, more or less?
Looking at the specs here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01ETRGDV4#tech
I think this is the 2nd gen stick with the 1st gen remote as it doesn't support Alexa.
1080?
Yes. See my comment above for the full tech specs.
Its got limited storage. I bought it so that i can play Jackbox games, and due to their size it was only able to have one pack. Started getting errors trying to load another pack.
when are we getting 4K?
Can you power this with the usb port on your tv?
I hate to use another brick on my wall.
Thanks OP
My review from a few years back for what it's worth:
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/9067pxk9#r20