New Fire TV Stick for New Zealand

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#2979906 10-Oct-2022 08:46

Was getting annoyed that some of the UK apps I like to use still aren't ported to the CCwGTV (Channel 4 for one) and had to do some kludgy things to try and access those services (and sideload other that did have apps that are out of the Google Play Store NZ 'world').

Already had an elderly - but still functioning AFTV, so bit the bullet and bought the new 4k max model yesterday.

It installed about 3 updates first time on and then to business.

Logged it in, installed all my apps from various locations that were already against my amazon account (I wont explain how you can curate a collection of apps from various locations here), and apart from the business of logging them it was all go.

I run kodi, which is the only thing I had to sideload and there is always that head scratching bit about adding a network samba share to kodi.

So all up and running now. It is definitely smoother/faster than the CCwGTV and seems to have better wifi.

The CCwGTV seems to have micro glitches when playing a lot of apps - probably some sort of mismatch between frame rates and display rate - but seems fine with the AFTV.

The CCwGTV will probably go upstairs to the bedroom TV to replace the old AFTV Gen 1.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

johno1234

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#2979909 10-Oct-2022 08:58

IainD: Can I ask is Disney +, Spark Sport, Netflix etc all pre loaded onto the stick ?

Not pre-loaded, but it is extremely easy to install them - it even prompts you for them so you don't have to go looking for them.

As it is an Amazon product, it helps to have an Amazon account before you start. Also, there was a fairly lengthy period of the stick downloading a set the latest system updates and rebooting between each one.

I have a no-name (Veon) TV and the FireTV doesn't know the IR codes for it and failed to find them with the built-in trial and error attempt. For now, I have to switch the TV off with its own remote. If you have a better known Sony/LG/Samsung/Panasonic etc you can put the TV remote away.

I also need to grab an optical cable to link in the soundbar. Again, because I have odd-ball stuff, I am not optimistic about controlling the soundbar volume with the FireTV remote.

johno1234

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#2979911 10-Oct-2022 09:01

IainD: In a simpler form , could someone explain to me in very basic terms how you load the apps onto your TV Stick as I’ll be trying to explain this to my elderly father ( 83 ) 😆

There are links on the screen to the apps you listed. It actually looks like they are already installed but you click on them and it asks if you want to install them. Just accept and it will download and install the apps. Once you then open the app you will likely need to log in with an account. Using the onscreen keyboard is a fiddly pain but you only need to do it once. If your dad is within driving distance it might be worth doing yourself - talking him through it on the phone could be hard.

gzt

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#2979921 10-Oct-2022 09:18

Bluetooth keyboard can be useful for setup if you have the account details.

TheComedyWife

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#2979934 10-Oct-2022 09:52

johno1234:
IainD: Can I ask is Disney +, Spark Sport, Netflix etc all pre loaded onto the stick ?

Not pre-loaded, but it is extremely easy to install them - it even prompts you for them so you don't have to go looking for them.

As it is an Amazon product, it helps to have an Amazon account before you start. Also, there was a fairly lengthy period of the stick downloading a set the latest system updates and rebooting between each one.

I have a no-name (Veon) TV and the FireTV doesn't know the IR codes for it and failed to find them with the built-in trial and error attempt. For now, I have to switch the TV off with its own remote. If you have a better known Sony/LG/Samsung/Panasonic etc you can put the TV remote away.

I also need to grab an optical cable to link in the soundbar. Again, because I have odd-ball stuff, I am not optimistic about controlling the soundbar volume with the FireTV remote.

I also have a Veon and with my CcwGTv the IR works with some weird brands in the list. Maybe the FireTV will also. If you search in these forums there’s chat about it somewhere. That’s what help me set mine up. Might be worth a shot.

johno1234

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#2979948 10-Oct-2022 10:37

TheComedyWife:

I also have a Veon and with my CcwGTv the IR works with some weird brands in the list. Maybe the FireTV will also. If you search in these forums there’s chat about it somewhere. That’s what help me set mine up. Might be worth a shot.

Thanks for reminding me to search that. I found Akai, Infiniton and Coocaa brands mentioned as IR matches to Veon, will try and report back.

HP

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gzt

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#2979949 10-Oct-2022 10:46

Can I buy the Fire TV Max from Dick Smith or Amazon and set region to NZ?

or looking at it another way, what will I miss out on if anything?

johno1234

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#2979952 10-Oct-2022 10:50

gzt: Can I buy the Fire TV Max from Dick Smith and set region to NZ?

I got mine from PBTech. The setup process asks for language but not region. I picked UK English (alternatives were US English and Australian English). I notice it connected to amazon.co.uk when signing into Amazon - but I see no ill effect. I think all your streaming services work out the region themselves.

richms

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#2980058 10-Oct-2022 12:13

johno1234:

TheComedyWife:

I also have a Veon and with my CcwGTv the IR works with some weird brands in the list. Maybe the FireTV will also. If you search in these forums there’s chat about it somewhere. That’s what help me set mine up. Might be worth a shot.

Thanks for reminding me to search that. I found Akai, Infiniton and Coocaa brands mentioned as IR matches to Veon, will try and report back.

That's one thing that I don't get, is the warehouse sells the Chromecast but veon isn't in the list. I would have thought that you would make sure you give an easy experience to your customers but I guess that is too much for them to ask for that to be added.

Will be interesting to see if the fire tv stick handles my garage NEC which the Chromecast remote has problems with since it has discrete buttons for off and on.

Richard rich.ms

robjg63

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#2980136 10-Oct-2022 13:09

Has anyone found any way of installing a minimalist launcher on the AFTV 4k Max?

I can live with it as it is - but would much soon just have a simple list of my apps than all the adverting and suggestions that it defaults to.

I found something called the Wolf launcher that looks good (I did install this) and there were suggestions/settings on how to make it the default launcher and start up on boot/wake - but I cant see how to do that. Maybe Amazon has blocked this.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

weetbix43

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#2980141 10-Oct-2022 13:19

Am I able to side load the Stremio app using the fire stick downloader?

TIA

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gzt

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#2980144 10-Oct-2022 13:26

adverting and suggestions

Uh oh how bad is this. Is this an ad supported low end model?

TheComedyWife

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#2980167 10-Oct-2022 14:47

gzt: Can I buy the Fire TV Max from Dick Smith or Amazon and set region to NZ?

or looking at it another way, what will I miss out on if anything?

I’m going to go to The Warehouse. They price match plus 10% discount. They have them for $109 and PB has them for $107. Both are close to me so it’s not a bother for the $20 savings on two units. They probably price match online with live chat too.

gzt

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#2980170 10-Oct-2022 15:09

That's ideal. I have credit to use up at DIck Smith unless there's a problem with using an AU or US version in NZ whichever DS happens to be supplying.

richms

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#2980171 10-Oct-2022 15:09

TheComedyWife:

I’m going to go to The Warehouse. They price match plus 10% discount. They have them for $109 and PB has them for $107. Both are close to me so it’s not a bother for the $20 savings on two units. They probably price match online with live chat too.

10% is gone from them now. There was another thread about it. Just making themselves less and less relevant to shopping IMO.

Richard rich.ms

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