Fire TV Cube 4K Ultra HD streaming

keredern

Fire TV Cube, Certified Refurbished | Hands free with Alexa, 4K Ultra HD streaming media player

Seems to be an excellent bargain.

The FireStick Ultra 4K is £49.99 stg and doesn't ship here.

But the Cube is shipping to Ireland! :eek:

Might be of interest to someone...

I bought three! (but they're for friends! :rolleyes:)

£64.52

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RR6HQ6L

brightkane

So this is kinda like the 4k firestick and echo dot combined? minus the led clock?

McMurphy

How are these spec wise compared to the shield? You'd have to imagine it's a fairly close second place to it?

mistress_gi

I have one of these and i love it.
I find it better and faster than the firestick and the fact you can just ask alexa to do stuff is great!
Can't compare to the shield as I've never had one.

mel123

I dont need this, i dont need this, i want it

gerrykiddy

The Shield is considerably faster, almost 3 times. But this cube is easily fast enough. Has 2GB Ram and 16 GB ROM. It also comes with an Lan Adaptor (10-100 though but that's plenty for normal use. Probably the best streaming device not including the Shield. And for about 70 euro a great buy. There are problems reported when it first came out but most sorted and adding extra storage is a cinch.

ablelocks

from the main Cube page -

This product only ships to the United Kingdom. Most content and services will not work if your country of residence is not the UK. Learn more about international use

for anyone using it already in Ireland, have ye any issues with it?

brightkane

ablelocks wrote: »

from the main Cube page -



for anyone using it already in Ireland, have ye any issues with it?

This is the same as any fire device , BBC iplayer, itv player ect wont work without a vpn.
Netflix, disney, prime and sideloaded apps work fine.

Frank_1969

mistress_gi wrote: »

I have one of these and i love it.
I find it better and faster than the firestick and the fact you can just ask alexa to do stuff is great!
Can't compare to the shield as I've never had one.

You can also use alexa voice control with the 4k version of the firestick.

brightkane

Frank_1969 wrote: »

You can also use alexa voice control with the 4k version of the firestick.

I think the difference is you have to press the button on the remote to activate alexa on the firestick.

On the cube you just use it like an echo dot,

FileNotFound

mel123 wrote: »

I dont need this, i dont need this, i want it

My mind right now haha.

Dont need really but kinda want, already have a device for every tv haha

Just remembered the import fees lol. Just out of dislike for them having a second thought

Fat_Fingers

FileNotFound wrote: »

Just remembered the import fees lol. Just out of dislike for them having a second thought

There is no import fees, only Irish VAT that will be added at the point of purchase

FileNotFound

Fat_Fingers wrote: »

There is no import fees, only Irish VAT that will be added at the point of purchase

It says "import fees deposit" on amazon when i go to pay (may be irish vat)

ablelocks

does this connect through a receiver or direct to the TV?

Fat_Fingers

FileNotFound wrote: »

It says "import fees deposit" on amazon when i go to pay (may be irish vat)

Yes , Amazon shows Irish VAT as import fees

mistress_gi

ablelocks wrote: »

does this connect through a receiver or direct to the TV?

Direct to tv via hdmi

FileNotFound

Does it work the same as an echo dot for all non tv functions.

Jut read it even has in built speaker.

Was looking at a dot before and given it seems to be a 2 in 1 might be worth the punt after all

FileNotFound

Bought one in the end. Another device to throw in the pile

dodzy

FileNotFound wrote: »

It says "import fees deposit" on amazon when i go to pay (may be irish vat)

As others have said....13.07/62.24=21(%)

benmeade

ablelocks wrote: »

from the main Cube page -



for anyone using it already in Ireland, have ye any issues with it?

No issues streaming,
but i don't understand how sometimes it streams the radio from tunein from its speaker and other times it switches the tv on to do it. Beats buying a stick and an echo for the same room though.

Fat_Fingers

FileNotFound wrote: »

Bought one in the end. Another device to throw in the pile

lol.. yep. i know the feeling.

blastman

I have a Firecube and a couple of HD Firesticks. They're all great, the Firecube is one of the best Android devices out there. I got mine at a similar price to this on a Black Friday deal (pre-Brexit) and at this price, it's definitely a no-brainer.

magicmoves

Pulled the trigger, Shammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

FileNotFound

The OP should get a cut of all these purchases from amazon, so many unnecessary cubes bought haha

zweton

What can it do that the firestick cant?

FileNotFound

zweton wrote: »

What can it do that the firestick cant?

Faster processor so will be quicker and have a version of the amazon alexa dot built in - control lights, set alarms etc.

I find the firestick 4k slow compared to Chromecast with google tv. The cube should be even smoother.

blastman

FileNotFound wrote: »

Faster processor so will be quicker and have a version of the amazon alexa dot built in - control lights, set alarms etc.

I find the firestick 4k slow compared to Chromecast with google tv. The cube should be even smoother.

Also has more storage on board, so much more room for apps and even media if you wanted (although it's still not huge)

keredern

blastman wrote: »

Also has more storage on board, so much more room for apps and even media if you wanted (although it's still not huge)

But you can add additional storage easily.

Loads of videos on YouTube on this, & how to get the best use out of the Cube.

Can't wait for mine!

I have the Nvidia Shield Pro.

The Cube compares very well with it by all accounts, but obviously not quite as sleek or fast!

It gets great reviews generally and at <£65 it's a steal!

The Shield is £198.

FileNotFound

keredern wrote: »

But you can add additional storage easily.

Loads of videos on YouTube on this, & how to get the best use out of the Cube.

Can't wait for mine! ðŸ˜

I have the Nvidia Shield Pro.

The Cube compares very well with it by all accounts, but obviously not quite as sleek or fast!

It gets great reviews generally and at <£65 it's a steal!

The Shield is £198.

Was thinking of investing in a shield, heard they are very good, might go that direction later this year, see if it comes on sale anytime soon.

keredern

FileNotFound wrote: »

Was thinking of investing in a shield, heard they are very good, might go that direction later this year, see if it comes on sale anytime soon.

They're excellent!

While you're waiting, if budget allows, I'd try the Cube.

It's a very decent bit of kit, especially at this price!

kenyard

keredern wrote: »

They're excellent!

While you're waiting, if budget allows, I'd try the Cube.

It's a very decent bit of kit, especially at this price!

From everything I've read the firestick 4k is better value by a long way unless you also want the alexa also.
Supposedly it didn't sell well at all so wasn't updated and bugs weren't fixed or ironed out and any advice I saw said get the echo dot separately instead.
I looked into it also originally because on paper it looked great but every review I saw at the time said go with the firestick 4k.
Now this is 2 or 3 years ago and the cube was 100 at the time also, so I'm probably massively outdated.

I'd like to hear comparisons from someone with a firestick 4k,nvidia shield, google chromecast new gen and cube to see.

Considering we can't get a 4k firestick through addresspal/parcel motel anymore and the cube ships here I guess this is a good midrange price option.
Alternatives are probably the Google chromecast or rokus.
Considering the chromecast is more similar to nvidia shield I'd have thought you may consider it?

kenyard

FileNotFound wrote: »

Was thinking of investing in a shield, heard they are very good, might go that direction later this year, see if it comes on sale anytime soon.

Shield is great if you use it.
Honestly fantastic device. Probably amazon germany is best bet for getting it cheapest. Most irish stores charge 250+
I doubt you will get it for under 200 euro though.
They had a 2017 and 2019 shield so I expected a 2021 personally.

It has proper gaming support for streaming stadia or geforce now or using emulators and handles 4k remuxes no issue.

If you are only using amazon or netflix and disney apps I'd probably say stick to google chromecast or firesticks.

I got it for true hd audio support.

keredern

kenyard wrote: »

From everything I've read the firestick 4k is better value by a long way unless you also want the alexa also.
Supposedly it didn't sell well at all so wasn't updated and bugs weren't fixed or ironed out and any advice I saw said get the echo dot separately instead.
I looked into it also originally because on paper it looked great but every review I saw at the time said go with the firestick 4k.
Now this is 2 or 3 years ago and the cube was 100 at the time also, so I'm probably massively outdated.

I'd like to hear comparisons from someone with a firestick 4k,nvidia shield, google chromecast new gen and cube to see.

Considering we can't get a 4k firestick through addresspal/parcel motel anymore and the cube ships here I guess this is a good midrange price option.
Alternatives are probably the Google chromecast or rokus.
Considering the chromecast is more similar to nvidia shield I'd have thought you may consider it?

I think any issues with the Cube have indeed been resolved.

I'm absolutely not an expert, just an amateurish tinkerer!!

But from watching some UK based YouTuber techies, it gets pretty decent reviews for performance.

https://youtu.be/-bb_juIyKRw

I honestly think for sub £65stg it's a bargain - but only if you have a need for such a device.

Its usual retail price on Amazon is £109.99stg.

BTW it's Android based, albeit somewhat different to the Shield's layout.

Fire TV Stick UHD 4K runs Android 7.1 while the Cube 4K runs Android 9.

The Shield also runs Android 9.

Shield on Amazon UK at £215.99 + £12.95 delivery (& import fees no doubt!) :eek:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NVIDIA-Shield-Streaming-Player-separately/dp/B07Z6RD4M9/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nvidia+shield+pro&qid=1615498961&sr=8-1

Currys are selling for €250

Amazon Fire TV 4K Cube comparison for the lower spec Shield (not Pro);

https://www.androidcentral.com/nvidia-shield-tv-vs-amazon-fire-tv-cube

Even better overview for all the top devices;

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Amazon_Fire_TV_Cube_2nd_Generation_vs_NVIDIA_SHIELD_Android_TV_HDR_4K_UHD_Streaming_Media_Player_2019_vs_NVIDIA_SHIELD_Android_TV_Pro_HDR_4K_UHD_Streaming_Media_Player_2019_vs_Apple_TV_4K_32GB/BHitems/1505810-REG_1512595-REG_1512596-REG_1361939-REG

Just my opinion though, and it really is subjective as to which device is preferable.

FileNotFound

When my cube lands I can give a comparison of it, 4k firestick and Google chromecast with tv.

keredern

FileNotFound wrote: »

When my cube lands I can give a comparison of it, 4k firestick and Google chromecast with tv.

That'd be great!

Much appreciated.

Nollog

I've read the cube outpaces the shield when it comes to Kodi.
Because of the read/write speeds and CPU.

Excuse the German
https://aftvhacks.de/benchmark-test-des-fire-tv-cube-2-schnellstes-fire-tv-aller-zeiten/

GPU suffers greatly, not shocking from Nvidia - a graphics card company.

brightkane

I have a shield and an echo dot in the same room.

I am thinking of getting this to replace both.

But i read that for playing music on Spotify or tunein for instance the echo turns on the tv as it plays it and the speaker is only used for giving back simple responses.

Anyone got any further info on this?

ablelocks

I already have a logitech harmony elite, which is working fine and i don't use voice control on it.

tv + onkyo receiver + sky q + firestick hd + xbox is what i currently have.

I nearly bought the cube today, but i'm struggling to see what difference it would make.

anyone have both the elite and the cube?

if i get this, i could move the current firestick to another TV in another room....

Grumpypants

Mine is due to arrive today. Looking forward to getting it set up.

Ryath

/\/ollog wrote: »

I've read the cube outpaces the shield when it comes to Kodi.
Because of the read/write speeds and CPU.

Excuse the German
https://aftvhacks.de/benchmark-test-des-fire-tv-cube-2-schnellstes-fire-tv-aller-zeiten/

GPU suffers greatly, not shocking from Nvidia - a graphics card company.

That's the old model the 2019 shield is faster. I'm tempted to get the cube myself but thinking in the long run the shield would be a better buy. Main advantage seems to be it's upcaling ability is supposed to be very good. Gaming is a big plus and it will get Stadia at some point. Can work as Plex server. Works with google home to. We're a google household though the kids do have fire tablets.
https://androidpcreview.com/nvidia-shield-vs-fire-tv-pendant/

Thinking about getting rid of Sky and just relying on streaming, Have netfilx, prime and Disney plus and I'll pay for the odd month of NowTv entertainment pack if there's something on Sky Atlantic I want to watch. Use an older NowTv box as streaming device but it is glitchy and crashes occasionally and it runs very hot.

brightkane

Grumpypants wrote: »

Mine is due to arrive today. Looking forward to getting it set up.

Can you try spotify / tunein when the tv is off and see if it plays through the speaker on the cube without turning the tv on?

Grumpypants

brightkane wrote: »

Can you try spotify / tunein when the tv is off and see if it plays through the speaker on the cube without turning the tv on?

I tried it and it turned on the TV. I'm not sure if there is a setting I can change. But honestly the speaker isn't great. I wouldn't be listening to much with it.

brightkane

Grumpypants wrote: »

I tried it and it turned on the TV. I'm not sure if there is a setting I can change. But honestly the speaker isn't great. I wouldn't be listening to much with it.

Thanks for that. I appreciate it.

I was was on the fence but I wont bite. I will stick with the shield and echo in the room.

LandonRicketts

Got my fire cube today. Is anyone having problems getting the UK apps working? Have the smart DNS on my router and can get on them on my phone so it's not the smart DNS problem

lukeeman

Having the same problem cant get itv hub ,Amazon prime uk working
Im using Getflix

FileNotFound

lukeeman wrote: »

Having the same problem cant get itv hub ,Amazon prime uk working
Im using Getflix

This rings a bell, reddit or here on boards had similar issue mentioned. Something about amazon differentiating between the countries now.

I'm sure a VPN would solve most issues.

Something like reset, set your amazon account to being UK based (not Ireland) then set it up again. Might be wrong was just browsing.

Try setting video region to UK in prime first.

Grumpypants

brightkane wrote: »

Thanks for that. I appreciate it.

I was was on the fence but I wont bite. I will stick with the shield and echo in the room.

Had a better look today. There is a setting to turn on the TV if you ask for anything, film, song or podcast etc. You can change it to only specific content or not at all.

I didn't want to go messing with the settings too much as I spent ages getting it to control the TV and soundbar properly.

But even if it could play the songs the speaker is pretty poor. Nowhere near the echo.

The cube itself wasn't working great, Alexa couldn't turn on the TV or soundbar, couldn't open Netflix etc.

So I spent some time on routines now it works great. Can turn on and off and open Netflix, Disney etc, can even play specific shows. Like Alexa play Moana will turn on the TV and soundbar, open Disney+ and start playing Moana.

Johnny Storm

LandonRicketts wrote: »

Got my fire cube today. Is anyone having problems getting the UK apps working? Have the smart DNS on my router and can get on them on my phone so it's not the smart DNS problem

Getflix smart DNS working fine for me (set up on the cube, not the router)

magicmoves

Johnny Storm wrote: »

Getflix smart DNS working fine for me (set up on the cube, not the router)

I had to setup a uk address on my Amazon account to get the apps working
along with the vpn set-up. Not sure if this is the correct setup to use

Johnny Storm

Thanks OP, this is one of the best bargain alerts ever!

This yoke raises laziness to a whole new level! I can now control my tv and sky box as well as all the apps on the cube without even needing to pick up a remote control. Does it get any better than that?

The only problem I am having is that Sky tv channels are numbered differently in the UK than in Ireland and this yoke is set for UK sky. So if I say "tune in BBC1" it will turn on the tv and sky box and go to whatever channel number BBC 1 is the UK, but that is not BBC1 on my sky box.

If you say "watch Arrested Development" it turns on the TV and goes straight to that show on Netflix. For some shows on iPlayer you still have to use the remote to confirm you are over 18.

If I'd known the cube was so good I'd have bought one years ago

Grumpypants

You can build great routines with it. When you click into the routine, instead of selecting smart device you will see a fire cube option.

This has specific ones for the cube. Turn on/off the TV, volume etc. but also content.

When Netflix was coming back as unsupported. I popped it in there and now it opens no issues at all.