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After a long and tiring day of work, the first thing most of us want to do is hit the sofa and relax in front of the TV to watch the new binge-worthy show we’re addicted to, or a movie. As we all know, traditional television has taken a backseat nowadays and instead we find ourselves reaching for the remote of our favourite video streaming devices.
Saying that we are spoiled for choice in terms of video streamers would be an understatement. In a world of Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku - to name a few - our options of where to watch the new season of Fleabag, Schitt’s Creek or Umbrella Academy are becoming endless. Despite this, Amazon’s generous range of video streaming devices, created under the name Amazon Fire TV, seem to be a popular and prevailing choice of home entertainment technologies - and it’s easy to see why.
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The Fire TV devices combine high-tech Alexa Remote control with an easy-to-use layout to provide users a streamlined viewing experience. These devices, sometimes referred to as consoles, also range drastically in price, from inexpensive to relatively pricier models, suiting a variety of budgets and needs.
If you’re thinking of trying out the Fire TV but still have some unanswered questions, not to worry. We’ve created a detailed guide on the Amazon Fire TV range to help make your decision easier.
What is Fire TV?
Fire TV refers to a line of streaming media players developed by Amazon which you can connect to your TV, gaining access to thousands of streaming apps and channels including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube among many others. The apps available are not limited to TV; you’ll also be able to stream music on apps like Amazon Prime Music and Spotify, as well as gain access to a variety of games.
Fire TV comes in the form of various micro-consoles, including a box (Fire TV Cube) and HDMI plug-in stick (Fire TV Stick) which you simply connect to your TV.
What is Fire TV Stick?
The Fire TV Stick is an HDMI stick that you can plug in to your TV to access a large catalogue of streaming apps. The Fire Stick is available in three models. These include Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick with TV controls and Fire TV Stick 4K Ultra HD. While all three models include Alexa Remote control, each model varies in capabilities, a fact that is also reflected in their price.
Find a brief outline of each model below:
Description
This model is the most affordable option. While it might be tempting due to its price and relatively high resolution at 1080p HD, as well as 8GB storage, it's important to note that this device doesn't have TV controls, and therefore won't control power and volume on your TV.
Description
The next model is very similar to the Lite fire stick, with 1080p HD resolution and 8GB storage. However, unlike the Lite Fire Stick, this option also gives you full control of your TV with power and volume buttons, and fully supports Dolby Atmos audio. This is the middle-range option.
Description
If youu2019re looking to stream in 4K, this is the Fire Stick for you. This console is the most powerful media stick available, and includes full TV controls, a new Wi-Fi antenna design optimised for 4K Ultra HD streaming and an impressive 16GB of storage.
Can you watch live TV on Amazon Fire Stick?
While most of the content available on streaming apps is catch-up, certain apps such as Amazon Prime Video will give you access to some live TV events. For example, Prime Video covers 20 Premier League matches a season that you can watch live simply by being a Prime member. You can also download the app TVPlayer onto your Fire Stick, which allows you to stream over 50 live channels including BBC and Channel 4 without a TV license, or aerial.
Related: The Best Smart TV Apps
How do you connect the Amazon Fire Stick to your TV?
You can set-up your Fire Stick with a few simple steps. First, you want to start out by plugging the power adaptor into your Fire Stick, and then plug the other end into a power outlet. Then, you can either directly plug your Fire TV Stick into your TV’s HDMI port, or use the HDMI extender provided. Once the stick is connected, turn on your TV to the correct HDMI channel to begin the set-up.
Next, you’ll need to add the batteries to your remote in order to navigate your Fire TV Stick.
Finally, all you need to do is connect your Fire Stick to your Wi-Fi; on-screen instructions will be provided for you to complete this process. After that, you will be prompted to register your Fire Stick to your Amazon account – please note, that while you don’t need to be a Prime member to use the Fire Stick, you will still require a basic Amazon account to complete the set up.
However, to access to Amazon Prime Video’s large content library and Prime Music, you will require a Prime subscription.
How does Amazon Fire Stick work?
The Amazon Fire Stick essentially transforms any TV into a smart TV, giving you access thousands of apps and games. Once you’re logged in, all you need to do is download your favourite streaming, gaming or music apps and enjoy endless hours of home entertainment. Remember, while some apps do provide free content (such as YouTube, Spotify or TVPlayer), most of the popular streaming apps require paid subscriptions to view their content.
You’ll also be able to utilise Alexa voice control to navigate through, as well as get information on things such as the weather.
Does the Amazon Fire stick work on any TV?
The Amazon Fire Stick is compatible with any TV with a HDMI port, including HD Ready, full HD and 4K UHD TVs. Luckily, most TVs nowadays are equipped with these and are therefore compatible with the Amazon Fire Stick range.
Related: The Best 60-inch Smart TVs
What is Fire TV Cube?
For those who wish to go a step further with their entertainment streaming, the Fire TV Cube is the most powerful Fire TV streaming device available.
The Fire TV Cube is a hybrid between Amazon Fire TV and the Amazon Echo smart speaker. Instead of a stick, the Fire TV Cube comes in the form of a small box – as per its name – that you simply connect to your TV via an HDMI cable. You’ll be able to access all the same apps and content as on the traditional Fire Stick, but the voice control capabilities are what sets the Cube apart.
Similar to the Echo, the Fire TV Cube gives you the ability to control all the devices plugged into your TV from afar without ever picking up the remote. You can order Amazon products, set the time, and switch over to a different channel simply by using your voice. Its cutting-edge technology also allows it to pick up your commands in a noisy environment and over music.
The basic set-up process for the Fire TV Cube is very similar to that of the Fire Stick, apart from the fact that the HDMI cable is not included in the Fire TV Cube box. The additional control features will need syncing across other devices individually - thankfully this is a pretty simple process, too.