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Fire TV Cube 4K Ultra HD streaming

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Comments

  • #32
    kenyard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 944 ✭✭✭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.


  • #33
    keredern
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 658 ✭✭✭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    Now this is 2 or 3 years ago and the cube was 100 at the time also, so I'm probably massively outdated.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!! :o:D

    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. :o


  • #34
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,993 ✭✭✭FileNotFound


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


  • #35
    keredern
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 658 ✭✭✭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. :)


  • #36
    Nollog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,908 ✭✭✭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.


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  • #37
    brightkane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,735 ✭✭✭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?


  • #38
    ablelocks
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭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....


  • #39
    Grumpypants
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,478 ✭✭✭Grumpypants


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


  • #40
    Ryath
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,600 ✭✭✭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.


  • #41
    brightkane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,735 ✭✭✭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?


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  • #42
    Grumpypants
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,478 ✭✭✭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.


  • #43
    brightkane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,735 ✭✭✭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.


  • #44
    LandonRicketts
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 400 ✭✭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


  • #45
    lukeeman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 214 ✭✭lukeeman


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


  • #46
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,993 ✭✭✭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.


  • #47
    Grumpypants
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,478 ✭✭✭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.


  • #48
    Johnny Storm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,010 ✭✭✭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)


  • #49
    magicmoves
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 473 ✭✭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


  • #50
    Johnny Storm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,010 ✭✭✭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


  • #51
    Grumpypants
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,478 ✭✭✭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.


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  • #52
    Helpneeded86
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Helpneeded86


    Is the price gone on this? Looks to be coming in at just under £100 now.


  • #53
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,993 ✭✭✭FileNotFound


    Helpneeded86 wrote: »
    Is the price gone on this? Looks to be coming in at just under £100 now.

    Deal gone I think


  • #54
    ooter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,414 ✭✭✭ooter


    Ordered one of these and hooked it up yesterday, I'm just using it for streaming, iptv etc. Noticeably quicker than the firestick for loading stuff. Didn't know it came with the ethernet adapter, nice bonus.


  • #55
    RustyP
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 114 ✭✭RustyP


    Thank you OP for this great bargain. Got it hooked up this morning and there's a noticeable improvement on the Firestick.


  • #56
    fmul9798
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 787 ✭✭✭fmul9798


    Is that compared to the fire stick 4k or another one ?
    RustyP wrote: »
    Thank you OP for this great bargain. Got it hooked up this morning and there's a noticeable improvement on the Firestick.


  • #57
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,993 ✭✭✭FileNotFound


    fmul9798 wrote: »
    Is that compared to the fire stick 4k or another one ?

    Much smoother than the 4k and thus every other one.

    Mind you much is relative - I despise lag and when i use a device that is quicker always struggle with the glitchy feel of the previous device.


  • #58
    keredern
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 658 ✭✭✭keredern


    This deal is back and it's even better!

    Now £54stg!

    I love mine...it's very snappy and unbeatable at this price.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RR6HQ6L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_R927HYQPQKCK36625JDH

    It's very easy to sideload apps with lots of tech YouTuber tutorials available.

    I highly recommend TDUK or Kevin Porteous.

    The Fire Stick thread on Boards is also a fantastic resource.

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058088307


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