Worth Purchasing the Fire TV Cube?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Worth Purchasing the Fire TV Cube?

1 | 2

lchiu7

6521 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 543

Trusted

#2059425 20-Jul-2018 16:23

richms:

Then you run out of HDMI inputs and have to get a switch and then deal with the problem of all the fake "4k" stuff around. Fun being into tech so much.

I encountered that problem a while ago so I have a 5 port HDMI switch.

Just installed a Harmony Ultimate One remote and paired it with Alexa and that works pretty well.

"Alexa - turn on Bluray" which

1. turns TV on and sets to HDMI1

2. Turns on AVR - sets it to DVD

3, Switches HDMI switch to position 2

I think the Harmony remote can do bluetooth also which (to get back slightly on topic) can then control my Firestick 4K (must check)

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

ajsdad

1 post

Wannabe Geek
Inactive user

#2084663 6-Sep-2018 06:25

I recently purchased a FireTV cube, this was after I won an Amazon Echo Spot from Coke. I actually found it very convenient to ask Alexa to do things, so thought it would be good to have her connected to my home theatre receiver.

I have managed to get my Netflix working but am struggling with Amazon prime video.

In order to get full Alexa control I had to change my Amazon account from .com.au to .com but now PrimeVideo doesn't work!

I have played around with VPN to get US content for both Netflix and PrimeVideo but haven't got it working well yet.

I think the FireTV cube is a good bit of kit, and for $89.99USD that it was on special for last week it is good value, but it is limited in NZ and not supported.

When I had it shipped from YouShop is came to $166.89 NZD via the faster option.

Once I get it all working with a VPN and have USA content on Prime and Netflix I think I will love it!

dickytim

2514 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 537
Inactive user

#2103077 8-Oct-2018 07:25

I have a Fire TV Cube, and (finally) have it working as I want it! Basically to have Alexa working (the whole point of the Fire TV Cube) your Amazon account needs to be set to the USA site (.com) if you have it set to the Australian site (.com.au) Alexa will not work, however this has the affect of Amazon Prime Video not working. I tried a few VPN providers but all of them ended up being blocked by Amazon Prime. In the end, and thanks to the advise on here I tried DNS4U which finally worked. I did however have to toggle the country on the DNS dashboard (via PC) to get it going.

My set up is our LG Smart TV is set to Netflix NZ then the Cube is set to Netflix USA and Amazon Prime Video USA.

I am also using Amazon Music Unlimited.

It is also worth noting that if you want to hire videos from Amazon Prime you need to load some credit to your account and then remove your NZ credit card. I hires Starwars Solo ($2.99USD) and Dead Pool 2 ($5.99USD) over the weekend.

Over all the Cube TV won out over Apple TV based on price and the fact that I don't trust that Siri will ever be as good as Alexa!

dickytim

2514 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 537
Inactive user

#2103080 8-Oct-2018 07:34

It is worth noting that the Ethernet adaptor on this is only rated to 100mb/s where as the wireless adaptor is much faster.

In practice this also seems to be the case. Don't get too hung up on the Ethernet if you are looking at this vs. the normal FireTV with voice control.

GazzaGazza

61 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#2137117 30-Nov-2018 11:22

DNS4U??? What is this service??

dickytim:

I tried a few VPN providers but all of them ended up being blocked by Amazon Prime. In the end, and thanks to the advise on here I tried DNS4U which finally worked. I did however have to toggle the country on the DNS dashboard (via PC) to get it going.

michaelmurfy

meow
13581 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10914

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2137128 30-Nov-2018 11:47

@GazzaGazza Look in the private forums I've just added you to - https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=178

Explains it all there. We don't talk about this in public for many reasons.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

GazzaGazza

61 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#2137242 30-Nov-2018 13:52

Thanks.

1 | 2