Amazon Fire Stick $24

[jbloggs]

In case you you missed Amazon's deal on the Fire Stick...You may want to grab it now from Staples or Best Buy.

http://www.staples.com/Amazon-Fire-T...roduct_1434022

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/amazon-f...=8575135&loc=0

[Tycerium]

Anyone know what the picture quality is with the amazon fire stick? I'm looking for reviews but all they talk about is the user interface. I primarily watch blu-rays, but there is some stuff only available on amazon Prime that I would like to watch if I can tolerate the picture quality.

[Eddie501]

Originally Posted by Tycerium

Anyone know what the picture quality is with the amazon fire stick? I'm looking for reviews but all they talk about is the user interface. I primarily watch blu-rays, but there is some stuff only available on amazon Prime that I would like to watch if I can tolerate the picture quality.

I got mine on Friday & while I like the interface, I'm not happy at all with the picture quality. In the past I've streamed Amazon Prime on my Sony Blu Ray player & the Kindle Fire HDX. Both with great results. But on this thing, the streaming quality seems to vary from just ok to sub-VHS quality. I've got healthy bandwidth & I'm not sure why the picture quality would be worse, but it most definitely is. I started a few movies & then had to finish streaming them on the blu ray player because the stick quality is so poor.

[squatting hen]

I got mine yesterday from the $19 deal and I hate the UI. I much prefer my Roku 3. The fire stick (and TV) make getting to your apps cumbersome, and pushes Amazon VOD too much. It's like one big Amazon ad.

I like I can easily see my apps on the Roku and get to them quickly, including the Amazon one. I don't have to cycle through things I don't care about.

Not bad for $19 or so.

[Sozo]

Originally Posted by squatting hen

I got mine yesterday from the $19 deal and I hate the UI. I much prefer my Roku 3. The fire stick (and TV) make getting to your apps cumbersome, and pushes Amazon VOD too much. It's like one big Amazon ad.

I like I can easily see my apps on the Roku and get to them quickly, including the Amazon one. I don't have to cycle through things I don't care about.

Not bad for $19 or so.

I ordered mine from the $19 deal as well, but it looks like I won't be getting it until closer to Christmas. I saw Best Buy had a bunch yesterday in store at the $24.99 price.

I'm excited to get a new device, but I have the Roku Streaming Stick and love it, so I guess we'll see. I mainly bought it to just have something else just in case.

[Rios]

Just saw my 2 Amazon Sticks are "shipping now" with a supposed Tuesday delivery date.

[JaseT]

The $19 order I placed is supposed to arrive next week. Not too excited after reading some of the above posts.

[coloncatastrophe]

While I cannot comment too heavily on the image quality as I've been just tinkering around with this thing (should try to stream some HDX video off of Flixster) I have to say I like it more than the Chromecast. I always had issues with the Chromecast dropping from my network and having issues reconnecting, but the Fire Stick has been pretty solid so far. Again, I haven't gone deep into use with it quite yet, but first impressions are great.

[TheCloudX]

My Fire Stick was just delivered. After an hour of playing with it, I've all but decided to send it back.

First it doesn't use my TV's usb port for power. Had to plug into the old fashion way. Annoying but not a deal killer.

Secondly, and most importantly, the picture and audio quality is substandard. I watched 1 TV show and 2 movies (not all the way through) to test it, and then compared it to blu-ray. The audio is flat and sounds muffled and the picture quality seems to be standard definition even though it shows outputting in high definition. I have solid bandwidth, so I know it's not my connection. I could live with picture quality if I'm simply streaming, but the audio killed it for me.

Personally, I would not suggest this device. My TV, roku, PS3 all do a better job. The only reason I picked this up is the roku kills my CEC and the Fire Stick was $20. Not worth it imo

[GreenMotion]

I had a lot of problems with it as well, but things got better after applying the latest firmware update.

Nonetheless; I still prefer my Roku, especially since the fire stick doesn't have support for VuDu

[Chiefy]

Originally Posted by GreenMotion

I had a lot of problems with it as well, but things got better after applying the latest firmware update.

Nonetheless; I still prefer my Roku, especially since the fire stick doesn't have support for VuDu

First thing I did was upgrade the firmware. I find the picture quality to be very good, and on par with my other streaming boxes, and Blu-ray player with apps. For Amazon Prime viewing, it is top notch. Everything you could want is at your fingertips (for Prime). It is very quick to start, and super fast to navigate; although the remote is tiny. I'm patiently waiting for HBO go (coming next year), and really hoping VUDU gets added. Another nice thing would be if I could use this with Serviio, as that is what I currently use with two other streamers vs. needing to install the Plex app.

[Chiefy]

I was very pleasantly surprised adding the History Channel app, that I was able to watch the first two episodes of Vikings (as a non-cable/satellite subscriber). The show is available one day after airing. At least this fits the bill (free)! The show plays with some limited commercial interruptions that range from 25-100+ seconds, but for free, I'm not complaining.

[Chiefy]

HBO go is now on the Fire Stick.