Amazon Fire TV stick

[prime]

Has anyone used the Amazon Fire TV stick and have accessed to US channels/apps? I'm a little behind technology and have very little knowledge of these streaming devices and the jargon associated with it. I'm going over the border and I'm thinking of picking one up to replace my current cable TV. I'd like use it to watch Netflix, sports, and some TV channels.

If you have the Fire TV stick I'd like to get your opinion and the steps you took into optimizing the device. Thanks!

[ryan2.3]

depending on what you're looking for and how much tv/what kind of tv you watch, it won't replace your cable. For Netflix, it doesn't matter where you buy the device, Netflix looks up where you are and shows you content for your region. So you'd still be looking at Canadian Netflix. There are ways around it though to get US Netflix in Canada.
Some channel apps you need to be an active subscriber to get access to the content within. I believe you need to be paying for HBO to use the HBO now app. Same goes with ESPN. I imagine showtime and NBC are the same

We only use netflix/youtube for streaming, so a fire stick would be perfect for me. Although i already use a chromecast. Anything not on those two, i just torrent and stream to my TV. if you're someone who watches tv shows that may not be available to stream on netflix/amazon video/hulu then you may want to hold on to your cable. Also if you're into watching sports.

[baymoe]

Has anyone used the Amazon Fire TV stick and have accessed to US channels/apps? I'm a little behind technology and have very little knowledge of these streaming devices and the jargon associated with it. I'm going over the border and I'm thinking of picking one up to replace my current cable TV. I'd like use it to watch Netflix, sports, and some TV channels.

If you have the Fire TV stick I'd like to get your opinion and the steps you took into optimizing the device. Thanks!

I'd like to know also despite owning one.

I have the Amazon FireTV box and have sideloaded Kodi on it. I haven't done much with it aside from that, let alone using it. I find the use quite limited without a mouse attached. Although I was able to load Showbox, I was unable to select the show without a pointer device.

I do own a Chromecast and find it more intuitive to use especially if you have an Android base tablet/phone.

[ryan2.3]

I'd like to know also despite owning one.

I have the Amazon FireTV box and have sideloaded Kodi on it. I haven't done much with it aside from that, let alone using it. I find the use quite limited without a mouse attached. Although I was able to load Showbox, I was unable to select the show without a pointer device.

I do own a Chromecast and find it more intuitive to use especially if you have an Android base tablet/phone.

you can also use iOS devices for chromecast

[bigguy1]

Not sure about the one your interested in but I just got a GR8 stream stick and it is great. It comes pre loaded with lots of TV and movie add ons such as xbmc, is powered by a USB cable to the tv, or wall outlet via adaptor and Also came with a remote that has a small mouse pad and keypad on it. My tv has become my computer.

I picked it up at the ex of all places. On line they go for 299.00 plus 50.00 for the remote. They had a special for 250.00 all in. I talked them down to 220.00.

I'm sure there are better and cheaper units but this one is so small and easy to use I'm happy. It takes seconds to remove it from one tv and attach to another.

[prime]

I'd like to know also despite owning one.

I have the Amazon FireTV box and have sideloaded Kodi on it. I haven't done much with it aside from that, let alone using it. I find the use quite limited without a mouse attached. Although I was able to load Showbox, I was unable to select the show without a pointer device.

I do own a Chromecast and find it more intuitive to use especially if you have an Android base tablet/phone.

How did you find Kodi (aka XBMC)? What kind of videos were you able to access (TV shows, sports, movies, Cdn/US Netflix)? The Fire TV Stick came with a remote. I'm not sure if the set-top box came with one as well.


Not sure about the one your interested in but I just got a GR8 stream stick and it is great. It comes pre loaded with lots of TV and movie add ons such as xbmc, is powered by a USB cable to the tv, or wall outlet via adaptor and Also came with a remote that has a small mouse pad and keypad on it. My tv has become my computer.

I picked it up at the ex of all places. On line they go for 299.00 plus 50.00 for the remote. They had a special for 250.00 all in. I talked them down to 220.00.

I'm sure there are better and cheaper units but this one is so small and easy to use I'm happy. It takes seconds to remove it from one tv and attach to another.

That's quite above my price range since the Fire TV stick was for $40 USD. Out of curiosity did the TV dongle you purchased have a name?

[bigguy1]

It's called GR8 stream stick.

[gabbygenier]

How did you find Kodi (aka XBMC)? What kind of videos were you able to access (TV shows, sports, movies, Cdn/US Netflix)? The Fire TV Stick came with a remote. I'm not sure if the set-top box came with one as well.

http://kodi.wiki/view/Devices

all the info youll need is on their wiki pages.

its very easy to install on most devices.

i have a google nexus player with xbmc. really good so far. no issues. sometimes, depending what you watch, it'll be slow to load. but that could be due to our crappy internet (changing next week)

after installed, i would suggest getting the fusion repository. this is the best one i've found so far (didnt do much searching after i found fusion)
https://seo-michael.co.uk/how-to-install-fusion-for-xbmc/

hubwizard(part of fusion repository) is also really nice, it knows what works good with what OS's and installs it all for you.
https://seo-michael.co.uk/how-to-install-xbmc-hub-wizard/

if you want to test out xbmc and you have an adroid phone, it can easily be installed on there from the app store. only thing is as far as i know, you cant cast to anything from it but youll get to test it out to see if you like it