Is your Amazon Fire TV stick...garbage?

[Ichinisan]

[2016-05-19]

So I can't use a 5GHz network anymore.

I connected it for the first time in a very long time and had another horrible experience. I didn't even bother to see if it still had those same old problems.

First, it made me dismiss a couple screens describing new features. One tells me to use the microphone on my remote to search, but it should know I don't have the mic remote.

Then, it says there's no network connection. It shows my 2.4GHz network and dozens of neighboring 2.4GHz/5GHz networks. Scrolling waaay down, it showed my 5GHz SSID as if it represented only stored settings and the network was out of range (it's only a few feet from the router). The only option was to forget the network. I tried that and now there's no trace of my own 5GHz SSID...only neighbors. All of my other devices can still see and use the 5GHz network just fine. I carefully entered my SSID and WPA2-PSK, with correct case. It simply behaves as if that network isn't in range and doesn't even try to connect. The 2.4GHz network works, but I refuse to use 2.4GHz in my RF-congested apartment.

I did a factory reset. It took waaaay too long on a "Fire TV" logo with no indication that it wasn't hung forever. When it finally continued, it refused to pair with the RF remote until I removed and reinstalled the batteries.

Surprise! Still can't find my 5GHz network. I had to log-in to Amazon again (of course). It forced me to dismiss the same 2 feature screens -- including the one that I can't possibly use with my remote ("Just hold the [mic] button..."). Then it plays a "welcome to your new Fire TV" video with no option to skip. Firstly, Amazon should know this device ID was previously activated with the same Amazon account. Secondly, the video shows the wrong remote. As I try to skip through it, it stops skipping and makes me wait for it to buffer something k don't even want to watch.

I finally get to the main screen and there was no update or anything to fix these problems. I marveled at how terrible the UI is and disconnected the damn thing once again.​

[/2016-05-19]

[OP]
I used mine a couple times and stopped. I have so many other streaming devices, I don't want to torture myself trying to use one causes so much frustration.

Other than mobile phones and tablets, it's the only wireless device in my apartment. Desktop PC, printer, DVR, Playstation, Apple TV, NAS, and everything else is hard-wired via Cat5/6 Ethernet. The Fire TV stick is connected via 5GHz (to avoid 2.4GHz interference from neighbors) and it's only 5 feet from the 802.11ac Apple AirPort Extreme wireless router.

In the brief time I used it, there were 2 obvious main problems:

1. Hitching video - The video keeps hanging while the audio continues, then it plays too fast until it catches up with the audio. I have seen this with multiple content providers (Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, HBO Go).
2. Hitching remote - At least, I think this is what's happening. Trying to skip back with a quick press of the skip button quickly is CONSTANTLY misinterpreted by the device -- as if I was holding the button. My hearing is bad and I frequently miss a line of dialog, so I frequently need to skip back. With the Fire TV stick, I'm afraid to even attempt it. When I do, the device goes crazy rewinding and fast-forwarding when I don't want it to.

I suspect there's some kind of hitching background service that's the root cause of both problems. It's hard to believe all Fire TV stick units would behave this way, but I talked to someone on the phone yesterday and he described the exact same issues with his Amazon Fire TV stick.

Just wondering: Are there any owners that do not experience what I described?
[/OP]

 

[boomhower]

I have one in my daughters room. It has crappy wifi reception and buffered, stuttered etc. a lot. I added an access point in that part of the house as the wifi reception wasn't good, no problems since. She loves it. No issues at all once the wifi was fixed. Apparently they didn't put a good enough antenna in it as it seems particularly bad with wifi performance.

 

[Ichinisan]

I have one in my daughters room. It has crappy wifi reception and buffered, stuttered etc. a lot. I added an access point in that part of the house as the wifi reception wasn't good, no problems since. She loves it. No issues at all once the wifi was fixed. Apparently they didn't put a good enough antenna in it as it seems particularly bad with wifi performance.

Thanks.

WiFi reception shouldn't be a problem for me because it's on a 5GHz network and is only ~5 feet away from the 802.11ac wireless router. If yours doesn't do the strange video and input hitching, then perhaps only some units experience that. I might experiment with putting it on a 2.4GHz network to see if the remote control and everything works better. If nothing works, I'll be calling Amazon...

 

[Dulanic]

My Netflix has some issues on it where the video pauses but the sound continued. It then goes super fast on the video to catch up. Doesn't happen too often but maybe a few times per half hour.

However, I recently cut the cord and my tivo ota has all the streaming apps built in so I've been using it instead.

 

[Ichinisan]

My Netflix has some issues on it where the video pauses but the sound continued. It then goes super fast on the video to catch up. Doesn't happen too often but maybe a few times per half hour.

However, I recently cut the cord and my tivo ota has all the streaming apps built in so I've been using it instead.

I'm starting to think it's a really common problem. Out of 4 owners, 3 of us have experienced the hitching video. Like you, I ignored it because I have so many other streaming devices.

The video hitching I can tolerate, but the remote control hitching (where it interprets a quick press as if I'm holding the button down), that's intolerable. I think the 2 problems are related.

 

[Dulanic]

I'm starting to think it's a really common problem. Out of 4 owners, 3 of us have experienced the hitching video. Like you, I ignored it because I have so many other streaming devices.

The video hitching I can tolerate, but the remote control hitching (where it interprets a quick press as if I'm holding the button down), that's intolerable. I think the 2 problems are related.

FYI, Amazon did replace my FTVS as my first one just died completely. Both did same thing. However, mine didn't do it with Amazon videos.

 

[Beer4Me]

Widely documented issue with constant buffering in Netflix with this Firetv stick. Google is your friend. Also, using 5 GHz Wifi, and it buffers all of the freaking time in Netflix and Prime Video app. Tried 2.4 GHz Wifi with same results. Gave up on it, and now it sits in my desk drawer collecting dust. HUGE piece of crap product, and it's left a bad taste in my mouth for all things Fire-related. Roku 3 replaced the Fire stick, and my wife and I are muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch happier.

 

[Ichinisan]

Widely documented issue with constant buffering in Netflix with this Firetv stick. Google is your friend. Also, using 5 GHz Wifi, and it buffers all of the freaking time in Netflix and Prime Video app. Tried 2.4 GHz Wifi with same results. Gave up on it, and now it sits in my desk drawer collecting dust. HUGE piece of crap product, and it's left a bad taste in my mouth for all things Fire-related. Roku 3 replaced the Fire stick, and my wife and I are muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch happier.

"Buffering" is not really what I would call it. It really seems to be more of a CPU/processing issue than a network issue - especially because the audio doesn't freeze and the remote control hitches too (misinterpreting a quick press as if I held the button down for 1+ second). I suspect the Fire TV Stick can't even process input events to see that I released the button because the CPU is busy processing something else. Either it misses the key-up event entirely and thinks I held the button down, or the hitching lasts long enough that it thinks the key-up event occurred much later than it actually did. It's like when I unlock the screen on an iPhone and press the home button before it's really ready - the phone thinks I held the button and activates Siri voice assistant. I think the background process hitching on the FTVS is actually more constant than the video hitching.

...and it's not just Netflix. Prime Instant Video does the same thing. HBO Go does the same thing.

 

[Ichinisan]

FYI, Amazon did replace my FTVS as my first one just died completely. Both did same thing. However, mine didn't do it with Amazon videos.

Interesting that yours didn't do it with Amazon videos. Were you watching older SD shows? Newer HD movies?

I specifically watched Transformers 4: Age of Extinction (Michael Bay trainwreck) to test Amazon Prime Video on mine. At the time, that movie was available from both Prime and Netflix. The video hitching happened frequently throughout.

 

[soulcougher73]

Had one when it first came out. Hated it. Stuck with Roku 3. Stuttering, buffering, slow etc.

 

[mcveigh]

I love mine. Get it replaced. I do have the stuttering on netflix only. It's not that bad though.

 

[Beer4Me]

"Buffering" is not really what I would call it. It really seems to be more of a CPU/processing issue than a network issue - especially because the audio doesn't freeze and the remote control hitches too (misinterpreting a quick press as if I held the button down for 1+ second). I suspect the Fire TV Stick can't even process input events to see that I released the button because the CPU is busy processing something else. Either it misses the key-up event entirely and thinks I held the button down, or the hitching lasts long enough that it thinks the key-up event occurred much later than it actually did. It's like when I unlock the screen on an iPhone and press the home button before it's really ready - the phone thinks I held the button and activates Siri voice assistant. I think the background process hitching on the FTVS is actually more constant than the video hitching.

...and it's not just Netflix. Prime Instant Video does the same thing. HBO Go does the same thing.

Mine also did it with Prime instant video. I bet yours is over-heating. Touch the "stick" when it starts acting up like this. I bet it's really, really warm/hot.

 

[cronos]

Mine had similar problems at first, but has not stuttered (and UI control feels much faster) when I moved it closer to the wireless router. The problem is I already have a Fire TV box on my living room TV and I just sold the rest of my TVs (no TV in the bedrooms now), so I no longer have a use for it.

 

[Ichinisan]

Mine also did it with Prime instant video. I bet yours is over-heating. Touch the "stick" when it starts acting up like this. I bet it's really, really warm/hot.

You might be right about the overheating thing. To find out, I'll actually have to use it

Perhaps they just had some sloppy TIM application in the factory affecting a large percentage of these units. Once something like this gets hot, efficiency gets worse and it produces even more waste heat.

So if mine is having a meltdown, I'll let it cool off for a while and then try it with a fan blowing on it the whole time.

 

[Phynaz]

Love mine, no issues streaming with it.

 

[Beer4Me]

You might be right about the overheating thing. To find out, I'll actually have to use it

Perhaps they just had some sloppy TIM application in the factory affecting a large percentage of these units. Once something like this gets hot, efficiency gets worse and it produces even more waste heat.

So if mine is having a meltdown, I'll let it cool off for a while and then try it with a fan blowing on it the whole time.

It's garbage. I was an early adopter, so I think the first production batches were crap. Regardless I picked it up for $19, so I could care less. I have 2 Chromecasts (1x1st gen, 1x2nd gen), and those seem to work great.

 

[notposting]

Got ours for $19. Haven't seen any problems, really - it's been updated a few times. Not too close to WiFi - we use ours on our second TV.

Question for anyone having trouble: do you have it plugged into AC power?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Yes, IMO, it is garbage. I bought mine for $19 to have a spare streaming device and then a few weeks later, I had a Roku die and put the FireTV stick in service. Problems I have:

1. Netflix periodically seems "corrupted" with odd graphical glitches, etc and I have to clear the cache and app data to fix it.
2. I have issues where Netflix refuses to play some shows no matter what I try.

The thing is literally 8-10 ft from my access point too.

 

[Ichinisan]

Got ours for $19. Haven't seen any problems, really - it's been updated a few times. Not too close to WiFi - we use ours on our second TV.

Question for anyone having trouble: do you have it plugged into AC power?

Mine is on AC power using the original AC adapter and original USB cable.

 

[EvilYoda]

Never had a problem with mine - a bit slow from menu to menu at times but fine otherwise. Granted, I got it to play with it and don't use it consistently. Hoped my parents would take to it but it's just too much tech for them (they refuse to try anything...my dad is happy with AMC/TNT/USA reruns).

 

[balloonshark]

I bought one for a relative. It was skipping all the time and the remote locked up once. I replaced batteries in the remote and it didn't help. I unplugged the power cord and hdmi cable for good measure to reboot and the remote worked fine and the skipping stopped. It seems to like "reboots" about once a week in my brief experience with the device.

 

[AnMig]

mine is working fine, even installed kodi (XBMC) and now able to play movies on shared networked folders with no hitching.

my old chromecast however started hanging and buffering on netflix

 

[Ichinisan]

Should be able to stay cool like this.

I'll start using it again to see if it has the same problems as before.

 

[EvilYoda]

Stop showing off your Famicom collection.

 

[JechtShot]

Have all the same issues you have described. It's not my internet connection. I have an R8000 router paired with a 16 channel modem. My chromecast and other streaming devices don't have this issue, only my Fire Stick(s).