Roku vs Firestick streamers to supplement Hopper
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The difference between the original Fire TV (let's call it a cube) vs. original Firestick was the "cube" was bigger because it had optical audio out, more memory, faster processor and better parts. Sort of like a separate amp and preamp instead of a receiver. The next "cube" had HDCP 2.2 and the last different Fire TV (call it the "Yield" sign) was small enough to hang like a dongle and added 4K and Dolby Atmos. With the next [and current] generation, they dispensed the separate shape altogether, and now their top-of-the-line 4k product is a Stick shape as well. What they are now calling the "Cube" is, basically, an Echo Alexa and Fire TV combined for 'hands free' operation. It has microphones and a small speaker built in just like a regular Echo. I imagine it has some special software built in to make it easier to work with Satellite receivers, cable boxes, soundbars etc., (basically what a Harmony Remote does) but there is no improvement in picture or sound from the 4K Firestick. So if you just want the best picture & sound streamer but have no need for hands free operation, save $70 and get the 4K Fire Stick.
The Dishanywhere app on the Firestick does work well but two big drawbacks are 1.) having to continually having to reauthorize it and 2.) not being able to easily enter channel numbers.
Thanks eddie willers. I have a 4k Stick got a couple of months ago. Also got three more for gifts. Everyone likes them including me. I do have one issue that I will post sometime in the appropriate forum for help. My Ring cameras quit working on TV for some reason.
We have two of the 42" Fire TVs from Amazon, made by Toshiba. They are smart, 4K televisions with Alexa built in. You can download apps to the TV, just as you would with a Firestick. We also got a Firestick on Prime Day for the big 72" Sharp TV in the living room. That one is "smart", but you only get the apps that it comes with, like Netflix. With the Firestick on it, we can now get Prime Video and other streaming apps.
The voice remote for the Firestick and the Fire TV is useful, but it doesn't integrate well with the DirecTV Genie. I can't figure out how to get the DirecTV guide on the screen.
I'm also trying to figure out how to get my Ring camera to display on the TV.
The voice remote for the Firestick and the Fire TV is useful, but it doesn't integrate well with the DirecTV Genie. I can't figure out how to get the DirecTV guide on the screen.
I'm also trying to figure out how to get my Ring camera to display on the TV.
I have three Ring cameras that I set up to work thru my Alexa. While watching my Hopper I could say to Alexa "Show me front door", etc and the TV would go to the camera I requested. It all of a sudden quit working. If I am watching my Fire Stick instead of my Hopper all three cameras work. Something changed someplace. I was on the phone couple of weeks ago with the Amazon Alexa tech folks and never could get it to work. The tech escalated the issue to higher up techs and I got an email that said they are working on the problem. Never heard back from them and cameras still don't work unless I am watching TV thru the Fire Stick. I will call them again next week and see what's going on with my trouble ticket.
I like Roku products, not crazy about Amazon's Amazon-centric products. I don't use Dish Anywhere on my TV's in the house as they are connected to Dish receivers (HWS or wireless Joey). Roku has a really nice interface and remote.
Actually the Cube has better specs and seems to be the new top-tier Fire device, and the Cube is also a high powered "Alexa" device that can voice control an entire A/V set-up (and Dish devices, of course) among the other full featured Alexa "skills" along with the Cube's much better speakers compared to earlier "Alexa" devices. The Fire TV Stick has none of the additional features of the Fire Cube, and that is why the Cube is priced higher than the Stick.
I started out with a preference for Roku. I loved its simplicity and got top tier Roku's. However, after already investing in 3 Roku's, I got a Fire TV for its support of Slingbox Sling Player; TiVo app; and Dish Anywhere, while Roku supported none of those apps. WOW, the top tier Fire TV made even my latest top-tier Roku seems as if it were slower than a turtle. Buh-bye, Roku.
I now have all Fire TV devices. I have no need for Roku's "hundreds" of useless junk channels. Fire TV supports the Dish Anywhere and SlingPlayer apps and the forthcoming TiVo app (Roku won't be supporting DA nor the new TiVo app) with very simply select (load) and it all starts working like magic on your big screen TV. Roku's SlingPlayer non-app (solution) is a very cumbersome process that can only be controlled by your portable device (phone or tablet) to get the video rolling on the Roku, but then the Roku remote is USELESS, and you must use your portable device to control all Slingbox functions--AND you keep getting the annoying message that someone else is using your Slingbox--NOT TRUE--and you are forced to disconnect, and then RE-connect, and then the whole mess starts all over again. Sometimes it can take FOUR times before things settle down to let you watch TV remotely.
Bottom line: Fire TV for me all the way and I have never missed Roku, and yes, there are limitations to the Roku OS that make the Fire TV so much easier and full featured apps that fell like Android TV because Fire TV is based on (forked) Android.
I am just waiting for the Fire Recast 2.0 to fix a few shortcomings, and then I'll get a Recast. Recast has no additional charges after purchase and no fee for guide data.
I now have all Fire TV devices. I have no need for Roku's "hundreds" of useless junk channels. Fire TV supports the Dish Anywhere and SlingPlayer apps and the forthcoming TiVo app (Roku won't be supporting DA nor the new TiVo app) with very simply select (load) and it all starts working like magic on your big screen TV. Roku's SlingPlayer non-app (solution) is a very cumbersome process that can only be controlled by your portable device (phone or tablet) to get the video rolling on the Roku, but then the Roku remote is USELESS, and you must use your portable device to control all Slingbox functions--AND you keep getting the annoying message that someone else is using your Slingbox--NOT TRUE--and you are forced to disconnect, and then RE-connect, and then the whole mess starts all over again. Sometimes it can take FOUR times before things settle down to let you watch TV remotely.
Bottom line: Fire TV for me all the way and I have never missed Roku, and yes, there are limitations to the Roku OS that make the Fire TV so much easier and full featured apps that fell like Android TV because Fire TV is based on (forked) Android.
I am just waiting for the Fire Recast 2.0 to fix a few shortcomings, and then I'll get a Recast. Recast has no additional charges after purchase and no fee for guide data.
Amazon and Google kissed and made up and today put a YouTube app on Fire TV. I have the 4K Stick and DL'd it today. It is well thought out and the picture is magnificent. Since it is nighttime now, I had to use my headphones, so I won't know the audio quality through the home theater until Monday. But so far it is a knockout version that beats the pants off the Hopper app or even the app on my 4K XBox.
I have 2 hoppers with sling. 2 sling streams - no waiting.
Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys mobile app
Wow. Thanks for the info. I use the Fire TV to watch YouTube every week. I have to say that Amazon's solution to use the browser (I use Firefox) to access YouTube was for me hardly any change at all. I was still able to do all the things I did when it was an App on Fire TV and PQ was excellent. I really couldn't tell the difference from the app experience. However, I think this is bigger news for those who have the Show because I think there was no browser or other way than an App for them to view YouTube on the Show. Better they play together than not. Can't wait to try the new app on my Fire TV, and it makes the Show even more compelling.
Or Slingbox 500 or M2 still selling while they last. I've 2 Slingboxes and they have been rock solid reliable and now the ONLY way for me to view TiVo (OTA content) remotely while TiVo still works on building the new the Fire TV app. The TiVo app for mobile is truly abysmal. It seemed to work well a long time ago, but now only works on my LAN, and forget about remote viewing. Transferring shows is still decent, though. Meanwhile, DA remotely has been REALLY reliable, but I have to say that for some reason, the Slingbox streaming my Dish seems to be a bit more stable. Still DA remote usage has been quite good for several months. Thank goodness.
True, and no live channels, everything on Demand. As far as reauthorize it, that is easy, if your password is saved. I only have to reauthorize mine every month or two. The Fire TV. you can sync everything, so if you get your programming via a source, sign in to one app, and Fire TV remembers everything else.
DA has live channels if you have a Hopper3 or Hopper w/Sling connected to the internet.
I have bad news for you. The kissing and making up did not extend to the Echo Show. Only Fire Devices so far. BUT, the Show does have Silk and FireFox browsers, so that workaround is still available.
