Media/TV Hubs
Amazon Fire TV 4K Review
by Audrey Liang - May 24, 2016
Review
As an Amazon Prime member, I use Amazon a lot for both shopping and entertaining. If you also use Amazon services a lot, you may want to buy the newest Amazon Fire TV to watch 4K Ultra HD videos from not only Amazon, but also many other video suppliers, such as Netflix and Hulu.
The new Amazon Fire TV 4K has some new features like the 4K Ultra HD streaming, the Alexa virtual assistant, and advanced hardware. Amazon is not the first to offer 4K streaming, but the capability to offer 4K videos is still competitive and can improve consumers' watching experiences. However, the 4K videos on Amazon Fire TV are only available for Amazon Prime Videos and Netflix. Many other video suppliers, such as YouTube, were not allowed to stream in 4K. This is understandable because Amazon is now competing with YouTube by launching Amazon Video Direct that enables user-generated content on its prime videos.
Amazon's Alexa voice assistant is one eye-catching feature of the new Fire TV. Alexa is a cloud-based voice service that can answer your questions, play music, and check sports scores, the weather, and news remotely. You need to first install a companion app on your smartphone to set up Alexa before use. The more you use Alexa, the more it can learn from your habits and preference in order to better answer your questions. The Fire TV has a built-in mic to provide remote voice search for Amazon videos, but it cannot work on individual applications like Netflix. The result is biased voice searching results. When you ask Alexa to find Orange is the new black, a TV series that is free on Netflix, you will find the result showing the series in Amazon Prime Videos with a purchase price.
The Fire TV 4K has improved its hardware to offer smooth and fast watching experiences. It has a new processor with 75% more processing power compared to the previous version, a faster Wi-Fi support, 2 GB of memory and 200 GB expandable storage. If you are an Amazon fan or use Amazon services frequently, the new Fire TV 4K is the choice.
Highlights
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Amazon Fire TV now supports 4K Ultra HD for true-to-life picture quality.
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Now with Alexa, use your Fire TV Voice Remote to check news, sports scores, the weather, play music, and more.
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More streams in 1080p
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Wi-Fi support with dual-band 802.11ac
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2 GB of memory, and expandable storage of up to 200 GB
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Processor: MediaTek Quad-core up to 2 Ghz, Dual-core @ 2.0 GHz + Dual-core @ 1.6 GHz
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GPU: Power VR GX6250
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Voice support with Fire TV Voice Remote (included) or free Fire TV Remote App (available for download on Fire, Android, and iOS)
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Up to 12 months battery life with typical use
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1-year Limited Warranty
Pros
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Supports 4K Ultra HD content.
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Improved voice search with Alexa voice assistant.
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Responsive and fast.
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Gorgeous design.
8.9
Score
Cons
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Content is heavily weighted toward Amazon sources.
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Won't work with all 4K Ultra HD TVs.
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Non-universal search.
Apple TV 4 Review
by Jake Barrington - May 24, 2016
Review
Today, we gather around our big screens to watch big shows and big events. The overall experience of TV has continued to diminish. We must recognize that mobile apps could be the future of television. HBO NOW, Watch, ESPN, Netflix, Hulu, iTunes apps are quickly becoming how we watch movies and shows today. Therefore, Apple built a foundation around this vision with an operating system called tvOS, providing innovative ways to connect with your screen, and a smart use of Siri to search for something to watch.
Perhaps, this is where television is headed. On your mobile devices and computers, you already use apps to watch shows and movies. Apps allow you to make individual choices about what you want to watch. With Apple TV new experiences are created that could change what you expect from your big screen, making it feel as personal as your iPhone or iPad. The new apps can turn your living room into a fitness studio or a classroom. Even multiperson experiences that redefine family game night are around the corner.
With Apple TV and tvOS, a redesigned interface, and the Siri Remote, there's never been a better time to be a TV. That's why the experience of using Apple TV is designed to let you feel like you're interacting directly with your TV, not separated from it. With all these new apps on your TV, what's the best way to find something to watch? Just ask Siri.
With the Siri Remote, you tell your TV exactly what you want to watch. Ask Siri to give you a few options, like "Show me popular TV shows." Siri automatically searches across popular services like iTunes, Netflix, and others, so you don't have to dig through each app individually. You can also, ask to hear an album or song from Apple Music. You can even ask Siri to find or launch a specific app. The Siri Remote lets you focus on the entertainment by using your thumb on the touch surface to scroll, select, and navigate your TV screen effortlessly. Apple is been blamed for lack of innovation lately, but the Apple TV can quickly turn public opinion around back to the good old days of fresh ideas and new innovative designs.
Highlights
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All the entertainment your TV can handle.
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New iOS-based operating system: tvOS
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New apps - Use apps built just for the new Apple TV
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Redesigned Interface - A TV experience you’ve never experienced.
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Siri Remote - Ask more of your television.
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Games and More - Apps and games on TV, gaming with friends as they can join with their iPhones.
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Touch Surface - So long endless button pushing. Hello swipe.
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New remote - touchpad, motion-sensitive, Siri, etc.
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Flip it sideways - New remote doubles as a controller
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Stream from iPhone - Play 4K videos, but in 1080p
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Use any remote - Program third-party remotes to work
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1-year limited warranty
Pros
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Remote and interface feels tight and polished.
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Fast and responsive remote and thumb-sized touchpad – no more cursor-based controls.
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Better at streaming video content than less expensive products.
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Siri can search for movies or TV shows across multiple streaming services.
9.6
Score
Cons
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Only a small handful of apps work with Siri search right now.
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Lack of a real app for Amazon Video.
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Missing the ability to stream content available in Ultra HD 4K TV.
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“Speak to search” finds shows and movies only in Netflix, HBO, Showtime, and Hulu.
Amazon Fire TV 2 Review
By Priya Modi - December 8, 2015
Review
Watching TV is easy; just grab the remote, press the button and it is on. However, what if there could be more to it? Luckily, there is the Amazon Fire TV 2, which is a video-streaming box that offers varied forms of media access processing power, video resolution, and virtual assistance.
The Fire TV 2 enables you to watch your favorite TV shows, play games and listen to music. You can watch high-definition 1080p streams on Amazon Video, Netflix, Hulu, without requiring a 4K TV. The platform lives off the Internet, meaning if there is no pristine network conditions most features won’t work well. Since the device relies on the Internet one would expect a the Fire TV 2 to have a browser to search Google or explore other websites, but it lacks that feature. The Amazon TV supports 4K Ultra HD bringing exceptional quality. However, it does work with legacy (older) TVs. Nonetheless, a 4K display, as well as 4K content, is recommended.
The user interface navigation streams flawlessly, so jumping from app-to-app is smooth as butter. Let the virtual assistant, Alexa, help you by taking voice commands from the remote. You can say, “Alexa, search Thomas and Friends” into the remote and “she” will get you to that screen. However, complex commands cannot be recognized as easily, and you also have to make sure the remote is close enough to your mouth to pick up your commands.
The Fire TV 2 also offers single player and multi-player games, including Minecraft, Lego Star Wars, and Pac-Man 256, so there is something for everyone, but you have to get the game controller separately. Also, you can listen to the radio from the TV and get weather or sports updates instantly with a voice command or via the remote control.
Amazon Prime members can reap the benefits of getting unlimited access to Prime Video as well as other Amazon content. Compared to last year, not much has changed from the first Amazon Fire TV box except for slight improvements in resolution and power. If you enjoy staying close to Amazon’s “eco-system”, the Fire TV is certainly nice to have.
Highlights
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4K Ultra HD streaming
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Built for speed
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Great for gaming
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Listen to music
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Voice search
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Share photos in big screens
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8 GB internal and expandable storage
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Wireless game controller available
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Free cloud storage for Amazon content
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DC Jack, HDMI output, 10/100 Ethernet, microSD slot, USB 2.0
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Dolby Audio, 5.1 surround sound
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Amazon Fire TV Voice Remote
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1 year limited warranty
Pros
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Easy to setup
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Simple navigation
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Very responsive gaming
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Supports 4k content
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Amazon Prime members get unlimited access to Prime Video
8.5
Score
Cons
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Not enough apps
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Heavily favors Prime subscribers
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Voice search is a hit or miss
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Missing web browser for search
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Missing headphone jack in remote
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Alexa cannot take complex commands
Highlights
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Remote with headphone jack
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Up to 5x faster than last model
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2,000+ streaming channels available
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Search through movie channels, subscription services, and more
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Mobile device support
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Remote’s built-in motion sensor allows for immersive gaming experience
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Remote with headphone jack
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More apps available than competitors
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Fast and easy to use menu interface
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Voice search
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Mobile device support through robust app
Pros
Cons
9.5
Score
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Roku Feed feature has its limitations
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Remote can act out at times
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Tech Support
Roku 3 Streaming Media Player
Review
By Eljohn Macaranas - August 3, 2015
The Roku 3 is the latest media hub solution produced by Roku. Armed with over 2,000 channels, voice search, and the ability to play games, this media player just about has it all. It is also up to 5x faster than the last Roku.
Those looking for great picture quality will be delighted to know that the Roku 3 can handle full 1080p HD streaming. The built-in Roku Search service makes it a breeze for users, new and old, to find what they want to watch offering rentals, purchases, and even free content. All you have to do is search by title, actor, or director using the remote. You can even use your voice to search for what to watch which makes things even easier than before.
This device connects to the Internet using a Wi-Fi connection but also comes with an Ethernet port for those who would prefer a wired connection. Also included is a microSD card slot for expandable storage. Measuring 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches by 1 inch and weighing only 5 ounces, this set-top box has a relatively small footprint. It also connects to any TV with an HDMI connection.
The remote comes with a built-in headphone jack for those who prefer a private entertainment or listening experience. It also comes with dedicated buttons for popular services like Netflix, Amazon, Radio, and Hulu as well as a search button.
For those who wish to use their phones and tablets, a dedicated Roku app is available for download on free of charge for both iOS and Android devices. The app can be used to beam videos, songs, and photos from your phone or tablet to your TV at the press of a button. With a versatile and useful feature set, the Roku 3 might be the perfect streaming solution available.
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