Amazon Fire TV is a digital media player and mini console developed by Amazon.
With the Amazon Fire TV Stick, any TV with an HDMI port can be turned into a Smart TV in no time or it can be used to enhance the selection of apps.
Amazon is constantly improving products in the Fire TV line, with newer versions of the various Fire TV Stick variants already available, including the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, as well as the Fire TV Cube, which is now in its third generation.
Recently, dedicated Fire TV TVs have been launched into the market with names such as Fire TV Omni QLED, Fire TV-4, and Fire TV-2.
Amazon Fire TV comes with a variety of pre-installed apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+. Users can also download additional apps from the Amazon Appstore. In addition, Amazon Fire TV has a web browser called Silk which allows users to surf the internet on their televisions.
One of the key features of the Amazon Fire TV is the Alexa Voice Remote which allows users to control their TVs with their voice, making it easy to search for content and navigate apps hands-free. Users can also use Alexa to control smart home devices such as lights and thermostats.
Let’s get to know the functions of Amazon Fire TV in detail
Amazon Fire TV is a media adapter that enables users to access a diverse range of streaming content through it.
Unlike older devices referred to as set-top boxes or receivers, Fire TV is a modern device that connects to your TV through an HDMI port and accesses the Internet via Wi-Fi.
The platform offers a wide array of streaming options, including media libraries of broadcasters such as ARD and ZDF, as well as popular streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. Additionally, users can download other apps such as YouTube and Twitch to follow content creators and watch live broadcasts.
What services will I get?
All of these items are available for access and playback on Amazon Fire devices, which means that Amazon offers access to all major media libraries, streaming providers, and platforms. Additionally, users can download additional shows, channels, or games from Amazon free of charge to view on their Fire TV devices.
How to deal with different Amazon Fire TV devices?
You can start up any Amazon Fire device using:
- Voice input
- Remote control
Voice input:
It’s available on all Amazon Fire products with Alexa, Amazon’s smart voice assistant. However, the method of controlling Alexa varies by device. Users can activate Alexa via a button on the remote control or, on some devices such as the Fire TV Cube or Grundig TVs, Alexa can be activated by a voice from a long distance. With voice input, users can control all functions, open media libraries, fast-forward broadcasts, or change the volume. There are no limits to what can be done with Alexa.
Remote control:
Like voice input, the remote control has more functions in high-end devices. All remote controls have a function wheel, home button, multi-button, game button, fast forward button, and reverse button. In addition, the high-end remote controls include volume buttons, a mute button, a TV switch, and many more broadcast buttons that give the user direct access to their favorite streaming service. With this simple selection of buttons, applications can be opened quickly, and the process becomes clear after a few minutes.
Do all devices come with Alexa and Smart Home functionality?
Alexa is built into all Amazon Fire products and can control the TV as well as the device’s interface. However, the smart home functions are limited to a few actions or only available on the Fire TV Cube. While all other Amazon Fire devices allow users to call up the weather or control streaming services, the Fire TV Cube can continue to function as an Echo point even when the TV is turned off. The device can be used to control any smart home devices or to inquire about the weather. The Cube’s small speakers make this possible, and no other Fire devices have them.
How to operate different Amazon Fire TV devices?
To ensure that your Fire TV Cube or other devices work properly, the following requirements must be met:
- The TV must have an HDMI port and be able to display HD or Ultra HD
- There should be a stable Wi-Fi connection, and the device should not be too far from the modem
- You must have an Amazon account
Once you meet these requirements, it’s time for the installation process:
- Plug your Amazon Fire TV into the micro-USB port and plug the power supply into a power outlet
- Connect your Amazon Fire device to the HDMI input of your TV with an HDMI cable
- Turn on the TV and access the HDMI channel to which you have connected the device
- Insert the supplied batteries into the remote control
- The remote control should automatically pair with Amazon Fire. If it doesn’t, press and hold the home button for about ten seconds to start detection mode
- Follow the onscreen instructions to connect to your home router
- Once connected, register the device with your Amazon account
- After registering, a short Amazon video will appear explaining all the basic functions.
What are the types of Amazon Fire TV available in the market, and what are the differences between them?
The Fire TV family of products includes various versions, some of the most significant are:
First, the stick, which includes:
- Fire TV Stick 4K or 4K Max
- Fire TV Stick 3rd generation
- Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite
Secondly, the Amazon Fire TV Cube.
Thirdly, televisions come in the following types:
- Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED
- Amazon Fire TV 4
- Amazon Fire TV 2
Each version comes with different capabilities and features, allowing users to choose the one that best meets their specific needs. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the most popular and significant versions.
Fire TV Stick 4K or 4K Max
The Fire TV Stick 4K has an excellent frame rate and can display 4K content at 60 frames per second. It also supports Dolby Atmos for high-quality sound and has four powerful 1.7GHz processor cores, as well as a fast graphics processor for processing many pixels. Additionally, it has 1.5 GB of RAM.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max comes with 4 CPU cores, 1.8GHz, and a faster GPU, plus 2GB of RAM and Wi-Fi 6 instead of Wifi 5. This makes the 4K Max even faster, ensuring short loading times for opening applications and fast image transfer rates.
Third-generation Fire TV Stick
The Fire TV Stick offers HDR, 1080p resolution, Dolby Atmos, and other audio formats. Its remote control and Bluetooth version are similar to the Fire TV Stick 4K.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite
The Fire TV Stick Lite is said to be the cheapest option. It is almost identical to the Amazon Fire Stick, except for the remote control, which lacks a volume control and only has function keys. Whether this justifies an additional cost of about ten euros is up to the customer to decide.
Fire TV Cube
The Fire TV Cube is an Amazon device that combines the features of Echo and Fire TV. Using Alexa smart voice control technology, the device can turn on the TV, change channels, control volume, and perform many other TV-related tasks. The Cube also supports voice commands for other Echo features such as playing music and operating smart home devices. With its powerful eight-core processor, Wifi 6, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and other enhancements, the Fire TV Cube offers the highest quality audio and video in the Fire TV portfolio, along with a faster overall experience due to its high performance. Additionally, when the TV is not in use, the Cube doubles as an Echo speaker with full Alexa functionality.
Fire TV – Televisions
- Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED
- Amazon Fire TV 4
- Amazon Fire TV 2
If your Fire TV Cube or Fire TV stick devices are too bulky for you and you do not want to connect an external device, you can choose Fire TV devices. Currently, these devices are available from the Grundig, HomeX, or MediaMarkt/Saturn brands that have integrated Amazon Fire directly into the TV. The previous Amazon Fire TV series was discontinued in 2017 but is now seeing a resurgence with the introduction of newer versions.
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED:
The Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED series is Amazon’s latest in sophistication and affordability. QLED technology (not to be confused with OLED!) and 4K/UHD resolution guarantee a particularly impressive picture. Plus, it has HDR 10+, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ, adaptive brightness, and a few other extras that set this Fire TV line apart from the other two. Omni QLED TVs are available in sizes of 43, 50, 55, and 65 inches, with prices starting at €599.99.
Amazon Fire TV 4:
The new mid-range Fire TV series is known as the Fire TV 4 series and is available in three sizes: 43, 50, and 55 inches. Here too, the resolution is 4K/UHD. It uses traditional LED display technology instead of QLED. There is also a limited HDR format selection, with HDR 10 and HLG. The 43-inch model is available at a regular price.
Amazon Fire TV 2:
The Fire TV 2 series is the third version of the new Fire TV lineup, offering an ultra-low price segment with a starting price of €189 for the 32-inch model (other sizes available include 40-inch). This series is aimed at consumers who prefer small and budget-friendly smart TVs, and therefore, it offers Full HD resolution instead of 4K/UHD.
Which Amazon Fire product is right for me?
Since different Amazon Fire products target different groups of users, it’s essential to determine which group you belong to before making a purchase.
The following recommendations are only for the currently available Amazon Fire devices:
Amazon Fire TV Stick
This category includes the Fire TV Stick, Lite version, 4K variant, and 4K Max version. While the 3rd generation and Lite version differ only in the remote control, the 4K version provides higher resolution, and the 4K Max version provides faster streaming. These affordable Amazon Fire devices are ideal for beginners.
If you want to use streaming services and connect your TV to the internet, one of the various Fire TV devices is a good option. Stick-Lite offers the best price-performance ratio, with a regular price of just €30, while Stick 4k or 4K Max is more suitable for people who have an HDTV and require higher transfer speeds.
Fire TV Cube
The Fire TV Cube, only available in the third generation, is much more expensive than the stick, but it offers more features. Therefore, it is suitable not only for streaming enthusiasts but also for technology enthusiasts. With voice control via Alexa, a sensitive microphone can pick up what you say, allowing you to control movies, music, or even your speaker soundbar. When the TV is turned off, the Fire TV Cube acts as an Echo speaker.
The Fire TV Cube is primarily for people who want an all-in-one device that controls both their TV and other peripherals via voice input and brings Amazon’s Alexa into the living room.
Fire TV – Televisions
The third and final product category is Fire TV TVs, which are TVs with a built-in Fire TV stick. With this TV, you don’t need to connect any other Amazon Fire products to the internet. The user needs only a remote control to operate the TV and Fire TV, and they can even use voice input by calling “Alexa” to activate hands-free control, just like with the Fire TV Cube.
This product category is suitable for people who want an all-in-one package and don’t have to worry about extra accessories because the TV integrates all functions. Additionally, the HDMI port remains free, which can be used for game consoles or other devices.
Conclusion
Amazon Fire devices provide an easy entry into the world of broadcasting and television by updating and connecting non-smart TVs to the internet. The Amazon Fire TV Stick is ideal for beginners who want access to a large part of the Amazon universe at an affordable price, while the Fire TV Cube offers a nearly complete replacement for the Echo Dot and can also power streaming services. If setting these devices up seems too complicated, and you prefer an all-in-one product, the new Fire TVs are a good option, offering the usual Amazon quality.