Amazon FireTV

[gorcorps]

They made sure to point out that the 2nd screen feature works on Kindle Fire HDX tablets, but I don't see anything that says it works on anything else. Is that a Kindle only feature, or does it work on other android devices? I was pretty excited about it, but not if I have to have a Kindle Fire to make use of everything.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Something is still missing though. None of these have HDMI passthru. I would love for a media streamer to have this. Come on Roku, it's your chance to earn your top spot back.

If you don't mind, can I ask why HDMI passthrough is a killer feature for you?

From what I understand about the Xbone, the HDMI passthrough was added for two reasons:

1. To add additional onscreen displays for other content, like displaying live scores of other football games as you watch a particular one.

2. Microsoft bought into Steve Job's idea that people are too dumb to switch inputs on their TV.

Obviously the second one doesn't really apply to anyone here (especially in the age of AV receivers with 5+ HDMI ports and cheap remote-driven HDMI switches), so I assume the additional onscreen display is what you are going for (unless the concept is to have a more idiot-proof Roku to give grandad as a X-Mas present or something).

So what ideas in particular do you have for this? Should Roku copy Microsoft and add all the game scores? Is there certain additional onscreen displays that will enhance content watching in your opinion? Work with cable providers to provide on-demand previous episodes after you watch a live show on cable or something?

 

[Ravynmagi]

If you don't mind, can I ask why HDMI passthrough is a killer feature for you?

From what I understand about the Xbone, the HDMI passthrough was added for two reasons:

1. To add additional onscreen displays for other content, like displaying live scores of other football games as you watch a particular one.

2. Microsoft bought into Steve Job's idea that people are too dumb to switch inputs on their TV.

Obviously the second one doesn't really apply to anyone here (especially in the age of AV receivers with 5+ HDMI ports and cheap remote-driven HDMI switches), so I assume the additional onscreen display is what you are going for (unless the concept is to have a more idiot-proof Roku to give grandad as a X-Mas present or something).

So what ideas in particular do you have for this? Should Roku copy Microsoft and add all the game scores? Is there certain additional onscreen displays that will enhance content watching in your opinion? Work with cable providers to provide on-demand previous episodes after you watch a live show on cable or something?

Number 2 is one of the reasons. I have someone in my house that is scared of my Roku because she technology impaired and always has trouble figuring out how to switch inputs. She can't really even grasp the concept of different HDMI inputs.

And heck, it's not bad to have one less button to push to get to the streamer.

Also I have 4 HDMI inputs and they are all used up.

 

[s44]

Err... we were talking about Plex right above your post.

DLNA rendering only through a Plex app is pretty useless. The point is, with other devices (WDTV, etc.) you can just send content over and it will start playing. If you have to fiddle around with the Amazon box to open the Plex app first, that kills the convenience.

(I guess you could leave the renderer running in the background as you do on an Android stick... but it's not clear the Amazon box supports that either.)

Number 2 is one of the reasons. I have someone in my house that is scared of my Roku because she technology impaired and always has trouble figuring out how to switch inputs. She can't really even grasp the concept of different HDMI inputs.

I'm guessing this person is an adult? It's funny how older people freak out over tech sequences that kids just get.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Number 2 is one of the reasons. I have someone in my house that is scared of my Roku because she technology impaired and always has trouble figuring out how to switch inputs. She can't really even grasp the concept of different HDMI inputs.

Oh. Cool, thanks for the explanation.

I should have guessed that, it makes sense. I Harmonized away all that years ago, so I forgot such an obvious answer. With the FireTV (thanks to the Bluetooth remote) I guess I would fall back into that trap too (*shudders*) so I too would want that capability.

Also I have 4 HDMI inputs and they are all used up.

Makes sense. If you don't want an AV receiver HDMI ports are precious and now that I think about it the only way I get away with the HDMI switch I use upstairs is Harmony...

Thank you for your reply!!!!

On a side note you just convinced me to act like this new Amazon box is pure poison around my extended family so they don't get one and undo all I have hidden from them. One of my best moves all time was to give each a programmed Harmony for an Xmas so I stopped getting AV questions daily.

 

[ControlD]

Number 2 is one of the reasons. I have someone in my house that is scared of my Roku because she technology impaired and always has trouble figuring out how to switch inputs. She can't really even grasp the concept of different HDMI inputs.

And heck, it's not bad to have one less button to push to get to the streamer.

Also I have 4 HDMI inputs and they are all used up.

I actually think that is a pretty common thing to be honest. The only way around it for me is to program macros on a universal remote.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Number 2 is one of the reasons. I have someone in my house that is scared of my Roku because she technology impaired and always has trouble figuring out how to switch inputs. She can't really even grasp the concept of different HDMI inputs.

Why not have a remote with a macro that does that for them automatically?

 

[gorcorps]

Why not have a remote with a macro that does that for them automatically?

This sounds good in theory, until they forget to point the remote during the whole macro sequence and something gets thrown off. I've heard it before... the receiver switches inputs but the TV doesn't, so they press it again and the TV will switch but then the reciever is 1 input ahead of where it should be and then I get a text that the "TV is broken because the sound isn't working". It's maddening

Until everything moves on from IR there will be problems like this. The Harmony remotes caused me more issues because the people using them had no idea how they really worked, so they didn't know how to manually fix something if it got thrown off.

 

[Ravynmagi]

This sounds good in theory, until they forget to point the remote during the whole macro sequence and something gets thrown off. I've heard it before... the receiver switches inputs but the TV doesn't, so they press it again and the TV will switch but then the reciever is 1 input ahead of where it should be and then I get a text that the "TV is broken because the sound isn't working". It's maddening

Until everything moves on from IR there will be problems like this. The Harmony remotes caused me more issues because the people using them had no idea how they really worked, so they didn't know how to manually fix something if it got thrown off.

Yeah, exactly. I bought a couple Harmony remotes. I have no problem with them. But she sometimes forgets she need to keep the remote pointed towards the TV a little longer. The macro gets interrupted, something isn't switched right, or turned on, and now she's frustrated because she has no idea how to fix it.

So I have to keep it as simple as possible.

 

[poofyhairguy]

This sounds good in theory, until they forget to point the remote during the whole macro sequence and something gets thrown off. I've heard it before... the receiver switches inputs but the TV doesn't, so they press it again and the TV will switch but then the reciever is 1 input ahead of where it should be and then I get a text that the "TV is broken because the sound isn't working". It's maddening

That is what the help button on a Logitech Harmony is for. This is how my AV calls with family go nowadays:

Them: "My TV won't work."
Me: "Did you hit the help button on the remote."
Them: "Ok, it is asking me ______"
Me: "Hit the yes button."
Them: "Now it is asking me _____"
Me: "Hit the no button."
Them: "Now it is asking me _____"
Me: "Hit the yes button."
Them: "Oh yay it works now!!!!"
Me: "Have a nice day."

That is like a 2 minute conversation instead of 30 minutes trying to get them to actually understand what is happening. And after a while some of them got the hang of going through the help menu themselves.

Now some equipment is harder to Harmonize than others, such as any TV without discrete inputs commands. Like in your example, optimally the TV and receiver will have a discrete commands for each input so even if they blast the same command twice the input stays the same. Any equipment that requires scrolling through inputs only will be a Harmony hack-a-thon that will fail on them eventually.

Which is why I demand to be let in on all their major electronic purchases, and I act like non-Harmonizable equipment will give you cancer. When in doubt, Samsung stuff always plays ball and people are comfy with that brand.

Oh and the other side is you have to NAIL the Harmony programing, and that can be a process. But it is worth it to hide all that modern complication without having to forgo the advantages of the equipment.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Welp my technophobe won't even go that far. If something goes wrong, she gets frustrated and goes to another room. And then'll she'll never try the Roku again.

Though granted her techno-impairments are definitely much worse than the average persons. But I would definitely appreciate an even more idiot proof box.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

I believe there's a harmony remote now where you can setup little "IR-Blasters" in front of the IR port of every device, then you don't need to point the remote at all. Why isn't this being talked about? I was thinking about looking into getting one of those.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

This sounds good in theory, until they forget to point the remote during the whole macro sequence and something gets thrown off. I've heard it before... the receiver switches inputs but the TV doesn't, so they press it again and the TV will switch but then the reciever is 1 input ahead of where it should be and then I get a text that the "TV is broken because the sound isn't working". It's maddening

Until everything moves on from IR there will be problems like this. The Harmony remotes caused me more issues because the people using them had no idea how they really worked, so they didn't know how to manually fix something if it got thrown off.

It is still far simpler than trying to explain to someone how to switch to different inputs for different devices, especially if you have a receiver in the equation. If you have a Harmony with a screen, there's an icon that won't disappear until it is done sending commands, so you tell them to point it at the entertainment center until the icon vanishes.

Oh and the other side is you have to NAIL the Harmony programing, and that can be a process. But it is worth it to hide all that modern complication without having to forgo the advantages of the equipment.

Yeah, I have two Harmony 880s and one Harmony 650. The 650 isn't a concern since it is for my man cave, but the 880s are used in the master bedroom and the entertainment center. For the Roku, there's a button that says "Watch Roku." The macro switches on the TV, switches the TV input, turns on the receiver, switches to the receiver input, and it is done. Far simpler doing that and telling someone to keep it pointed at the entertainment center until the transmit icon disappears. Didn't work? Tell them to press the power off button on the Harmony, let everything turn off, and try again.

Yeah, exactly. I bought a couple Harmony remotes. I have no problem with them. But she sometimes forgets she need to keep the remote pointed towards the TV a little longer. The macro gets interrupted, something isn't switched right, or turned on, and now she's frustrated because she has no idea how to fix it.

You tell them to press the power off button, let everything turn off, and then try again and keep the thing pointed at the entertainment center. It really can't be much simpler.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I believe there's a harmony remote now where you can setup little "IR-Blasters" in front of the IR port of every device, then you don't need to point the remote at all. Why isn't this being talked about? I was thinking about looking into getting one of those.

Agreed. Logitech has fixed that problem with this:

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/harmony-smart-control

It is even super mobile friendly for those who hate remotes. Does your technophobe run away from mobile devices too Ravynmagi? If not it could be a solution other than having to gut capabilities.

As far as being relevant to the thread, the key is that the FireTV can't be Harmonized, even by this new product, so for everyone who asks me about it (who I know has trouble with technology) they will hear about how it will burn their house down if they buy one.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I believe there's a harmony remote now where you can setup little "IR-Blasters" in front of the IR port of every device, then you don't need to point the remote at all. Why isn't this being talked about? I was thinking about looking into getting one of those.

Yeah, I think that's the Harmony Smart Hub. I've been thinking about that as my 880s are getting a little old and some button issues are starting to creep up, but I need to do more research.

 

[Imported]

Something is still missing though. None of these have HDMI passthru. I would love for a media streamer to have this. Come on Roku, it's your chance to earn your top spot back.

Would love HDMI passthru. Lack of HDMI slots on my TV is its one downfall and my switch seems to be hit/miss.

If you could mirror from Android tablets and phones this would be huge, hope Google doesnt screw up their box they have in the works.

I love this feature on my HTC One with its media link thing.. Would be amazing to have it on a box/stick as the media link only does one thing.

 

[ControlD]

Agreed. Logitech has fixed that problem with this:

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/harmony-smart-control

Dang, I want that.

 

[blairharrington]

I use AirVideoHD, it will transode anything that the AppleTV doesn't natively support, then will stream it over. It just uses the iDevice as a bridge, so you can still do stuff on your iDevice when the file is playing on your TV.

I use it all the time.

I've read really mixed reviews online. Do you AirPlay avi files? Any stuttering? I don't need to use my iPad while a movie AirPlay's from it. I just need smooth and consistent playback.

 

[TheStu]

I've read really mixed reviews online. Do you AirPlay avi files? Any stuttering? I don't need to use my iPad while a movie AirPlay's from it. I just need smooth and consistent playback.

AVIs, MP4s, MKVs, whatever I throw at it works just fine. No stuttering to speak of. Slight degradation in quality since you're transcoding, but certainly worth the convenience to me.

 

[TiredEngineer]

I am fine with Amazon releasing this and like competition.

What baffles me though is the fact that a services company feels that they need to give their zero margin hardware an advantage by not providing Android/Chromecast with Amazon video.

Let's face it, I don't know anyone who signs up for Prime just for the video. I was using Prime long before the video services. It is just icing on the 2-day shipping cake. I do, however, like to rent movies from the comfort of my couch...which Amazon, I am sure as a services company, wants that revenue. Since Amazon does not provide that support to Google devices, I can for the same price just rent it from Google.

It just seems insane to me. They sell a device at zero margin so people use their services. There is a much cheaper competing device that provides the same services. I *WANT* to use Amazon services, I like Amazon, however I will *NEVER* buy one of their Fire products. I guess they don't want the revenue stream from one of the largest market segments.

 

[Ravynmagi]

My guess regarding Amazon Instant Video on Android is they are concerned about vulnerability of their videos from a rooted Android device. Though I had a rooted Kindle Fire HD and never heard of any exploits to rip videos from Prime, so I dunno if the concern is valid or real.

Another thing that bugs me is Amazon doesn't update the previous generation of Kindle Fire once the new generation is released. Last year's Fire HD won't be getting Fire OS 3. And it makes no sense, it's capable, and they don't really make money of the hardware. So you'd think they'd want to provide the optimal shopping experience on their tablets for as long as possible. Amazon is worse than any Android manufacture when it comes to OS updates. And yet they seem to have the least reason to be this way.

So I probably should not be surprised when next year's Fire TV 2 (or whatever letters the affix) means the Fire TV 1 I bought stops being updated.

 

[bearxor]

Amazon and Google have kind of a Cold War going on. Amazon doesn't want to provide it's Instant Video service for Android devices because that would discourage purchase of Kindle tablets. Stop selling Kindle tablets and now there's not much inventive to purchase from the Amazon App Store. If you stop buying from the Amazon App Store, maybe you'll stop buying Kindle titles in favor of Google Play.

I guess Amazon just figured that, if you have an iOS device, they've already lost you. And if you become dependent on the Amazon Instant Video app and want to switch to Android, then it's more likely you'll choose a Kindle device for it.

 

[TiredEngineer]

Amazon and Google have kind of a Cold War going on.

That exactly sums it up. Sad, considering these are probably my two favorite companies (most of my shopping is on Amazon and I own Nexus devices).

The funny thing about it, is the main one losing revenue has to be Amazon. I doubt many people bought a Kindle Fire because it had Amazon Instant Video. Most people buy it because they shop on Amazon and saw a tablet cheaper than the iPad with good reviews.

 

[SAWYER]

I will be curious to see what happens to this thing on xda

 

[bearxor]

UNBOX!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk0aX3nR9Ho