Reply to: Fire Stick Versus Google Chromecast

[vetran]

Looks like much the same POS android remote LG have for my TV. I installed it; laughed, then uninstalled it.

stop being remotist!!!

[VectraMan]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....aosp&hl=en_GB

Looks like much the same POS android remote LG have for my TV. I installed it; laughed, then uninstalled it.

[FrontEnder]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....aosp&hl=en_GB

It also supports remote control through hdmi, so if you've got a newish TV, it's remote will probably work with it.

[vetran]

A lot of what put me off the Firestick is the extra (and very naff looking) remote control.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....aosp&hl=en_GB

[VectraMan]

A lot of what put me off the Firestick is the extra (and very naff looking) remote control.

Now I have a TV with Netflix and the like built in I use the Chromecast a lot less, but although the TV has YouTube it's so much easier with the tablet/Chromecast than the clunky remote control/TV interface.

If you're anal about these things checkout the output framerates. Many of these devices only do 60Hz and so judder with any European 25/50 content, and differently with any 24p content. Chromecast now has a 50Hz mode, added recently after years of complaints, but they didn't add the 24p compatible mode people have been crying out for, which means most things on Netflix/Amazon you're stuck with a choice of two differently juddering modes. That's if you notice, which most don't.

[sal]

A bit of an old thread but will pitch in. I own Chromecast 1st gen, Apple TV 4th gen, NVIDIA Shield Android TV, Sony TV built in Android TV.

If it's for abroad - Prime won't work unless you use UK VPN and the OP was trying to avoid data charges in the first place.

Chromecast is a great option for streaming something form your device or the internet. Terrible for anything else, limited apps, no direct control over the device.

Personally my favourite travelling companion is the NVIDIA Shield - a bit pricey (got mine from Amazon Prime deal for £100). But it can run Plex server and has builtin Chromecast functionality, plus it's half a gaming console providing additional entertainment. The only downside (other than the price) is it doesn't have out of the box Amazon Prime streaming, can be side loaded fairly easy tho and irrelevant abroad anyway.

[b0redom]

I use the FireTV box. I've tried a number of different streaming devices, admittedly not the Chrome one though. I settled on the FireTV box as it supports:

Amazon (obviously)
Netflix
iPlayer
etc
etc

You can also install Plex and have it stream from your laptop (assuming you're taking your laptop).

The reason I settled for the box over the stick (which I also have) is that the stick struggles with uncompressed BluRay rips. I'm not sure if this is to do with bandwidth (as it's the stick is wireless only) or the CPU. It only struggled very occasionally, but it was enough to be off putting.

[vetran]

Prime, its an Android dongle and you can load apps to it. sideload KODI or just load Plex & iplayer.


You can stream to it just load relevant apk. Most of the time ther is plenty on Prime

[IPSE]

Oh and yes the TV does have HDMI

I've had no issues at all with a fully-loaded iPad with Lightning to HDMI converter.

[d000hg]

Would it be rude to suggest that going on holiday, maybe take a break from watching TV too? Get out, see the world, rather than watching missed episodes of Eastenders.

And then when you get back in the evening it's nice to read a book or watch a film... plus we're here for a month to relax away from work and people, not explore!


Oh and yes the TV does have HDMI

[DallasDad]

Does said TV have an HDMI connection?

[VectraMan]

Get both, they're cheap enough.

Or try the fire stick first if you're already paying for Amazon Prime. The fire stick is primarily aimed at streaming content via Prime Video (or Netflix etc if got a sub for those apps) but requires faffing around with third party apps to stream from phone/tables/network devices, unless mirroring is the chromecast equivalent. I've only used kodi so far so can't comment on suitability as a chromecast type device.

Chromecast is the opposite out of the box, primarily aimed at streaming from devices. Not got one as I don't have any current need to stream via my phone/tablet so the fire stick does what I need it to do.

Chromecast is primarily aimed at streaming from the internet; Netflix, YouTube etc. The big one that's missing is of course Amazon because they want people to buy their device. I use it with the Plex app to play content from the server on my PC but that can also play from a device; the only way I know to do it and you need to buy the app.

Being able to use a tablet to control what's on TV is great especially for wasting hours on YouTube.

[Boo]

Would it be rude to suggest that going on holiday, maybe take a break from watching TV too? Get out, see the world, rather than watching missed episodes of Eastenders.

If the OP's job is getting out and seeing the world then maybe a holiday indoors watching TV is exactly what's required ?

Boo

[WTFH]

Would it be rude to suggest that going on holiday, maybe take a break from watching TV too? Get out, see the world, rather than watching missed episodes of Eastenders.

[Hobosapien]

Get both, they're cheap enough.

Or try the fire stick first if you're already paying for Amazon Prime. The fire stick is primarily aimed at streaming content via Prime Video (or Netflix etc if got a sub for those apps) but requires faffing around with third party apps to stream from phone/tables/network devices, unless mirroring is the chromecast equivalent. I've only used kodi so far so can't comment on suitability as a chromecast type device.

Chromecast is the opposite out of the box, primarily aimed at streaming from devices. Not got one as I don't have any current need to stream via my phone/tablet so the fire stick does what I need it to do.