In general, Plex uses Direct Play where it can (i.e. where the source is H264 or otherwise hardware-decodable by the client) and transcoding (server-side) otherwise. So the client never transcodes anything, basically.Is it powerful enough to play HD files smoothly? are you having the FireTV decoding the video files or its it your PC/NAS doing the decoding?
thank you
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Amazon FireTV Announced and Released [$99 box, $40 controller, game capable STB]
- Thread starter Nirolak
- Start date
I assume Dolphin browser would work just fine too? If i do not hook up a keyboard can I use the remote to navigate and type text? ( select the text boxes or something of that nature )
Thanks.
Is it powerful enough to play HD files smoothly? are you having the FireTV decoding the video files or its it your PC/NAS doing the decoding?
thank you
Running very smoothly so far. Just have the server set up on my PC.
Got mine this afternoon. The unboxing was nice, with very classy packaging. Everything except the batteries for the controller, which were sealed with an adamantium band. Update installed quickly, apps downloaded the same way. I had to manually restart Netflix, but there was a button to do that in the settings. Got Plex and Pandora, Hulu and Netflix going. Very nice.
I played a single game so far. The controller is surprisingly comfortable. The D-Pad is shitty, but everything else works pretty well.
I played a single game so far. The controller is surprisingly comfortable. The D-Pad is shitty, but everything else works pretty well.
sometimes i game
Member
Personally intrigued by the game teaser Amazon put out from the origami animal game to the platformer and dinosaur smasher. I'm all for an experience in between digestible mobile and heavier console, personally, so I hope they are able to deliver.
I recently got a Roku 3 and it has been a headache. The channel store is frequently down (or at least it's the error I get) so I can't add or remove things, and it feels chuggy overall. Might return it for a Fire TV or another chromecast (bedroom).
Gimme more game details Amazon!
I recently got a Roku 3 and it has been a headache. The channel store is frequently down (or at least it's the error I get) so I can't add or remove things, and it feels chuggy overall. Might return it for a Fire TV or another chromecast (bedroom).
Gimme more game details Amazon!
brain_stew
Member
Has there been any word on what native codecs/containers/bitrates the Plex app supports natively and what needs to be transcoded yet?
Seems xbmc devs seem to be working on new test builds for this thing which is a very good sign.
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Amazon_Fire_TV
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Amazon_Fire_TV
ThatsMytrunks
Member
If you're unhappy about the controllers being sold out, can I recommend this li'l number? I just tried it out, and it works flawlessly.
Despite its copious flaws and utter shit design.
DJSebolski
Member
If I could stream my PC through this box that would be awesome
I own an xbox one and I LOL'd at this. Soo true!
Saucycarpdog
Member
I wonder if this thing will prompt Roku and Google to add gaming to their boxes as well. The war of micro-consoles!
Roku has had gaming for a while. They even had an Angry Birds edition.
But if you expect them to hire developers to make games specifically for Roku, then I wouldn't hold my breath.
If FireTV does well and Roku/Google/Apple see gaming as a particular reason for a part of that success, I'm sure they will in their own way. Always good to have more competitors in the space for this reason
I got mine yesterday. It's a mixed bag for sure. The Netflix client is the same one built into my tv.
I will give it a chance but so far I have to agree with the roku comparisons. The ShowTime player was good though and it automatically validated me on the cable Wi-Fi.
Apple needs to figure it out without $99 game controllers (which is what they're currently trying to pull), that's for damn sure.
ThatsMytrunks
Member
I submitted my app on Thursday afternoon, still haven't heard a peep.
Saucycarpdog
Member
True, Roku would probably not have enough resources to do it but I could see Google definitely trying it out. Actually, wasn't there rumors about Google making a gaming box?
CrashPrime
Member
Well I think I might end up returning mine to Amazon.
ESPN and Showtime anywhere do not support my cable provider, but the same applications do on Roku.
That isn't to say I am getting a Roku, just that I need to investigate a suitable replacement.
I think I might go with a RaspPi and try to user friendly it with a remote/UI for the girlfriend instead.
Sucks that there is as many ISP restrictions on the thing as there is.
ESPN and Showtime anywhere do not support my cable provider, but the same applications do on Roku.
That isn't to say I am getting a Roku, just that I need to investigate a suitable replacement.
I think I might go with a RaspPi and try to user friendly it with a remote/UI for the girlfriend instead.
Sucks that there is as many ISP restrictions on the thing as there is.
Limelight works for streaming Steam games if you sideload it and the developer is planning on officially submitting it to the Amazon store within the next few weeks. I was going to replace my bulky HTPC with the Fire and an Intel NUC for SteamOS streaming, but now it looks like the Fire with Plex and Limelight might be a viable option to completely replace the HTPC by itself.
Diablohead
Member
Looking at some youtube stuff it seems Asphalt 8 is in 1080p and runs above 30fps on medium settings, when the dude changed it to high the game had frame rates everywhere.
I presume it's 1080p, would expect it to run a little better if 720.
Really want one when amazon brings it to europe, how long was the wait for the kindle fire from US to EU?
I presume it's 1080p, would expect it to run a little better if 720.
Really want one when amazon brings it to europe, how long was the wait for the kindle fire from US to EU?
I couldn't get it to pair. It was able to discover it, but then would error out during the pairing process.
I think you're right, it supports Amazon and Hulu right now. I just don't use Hulu so I kind of forgot.
As for the buttons, yeah, if you just press (rather than hold down) rewind or fast forward it will jump back/forward 10 seconds, like the Roku. Well actually, it appears to do that in the video player for Amazon, Youtube, jumps in 5 second increments everytime you hit it in Crackle, and in Netflix it starts fast forwarding or rewinding (and goes faster when you hold it down). I think it jumps 10 seconds in Crunchyroll, too. So, most of the time yes, but not in Netflix, there you have to hit rewind and then hit play a second or two after.
That's pretty disappointing, particularly for Netflix (one of my most used apps). Hope that's something that can get updated.
I honestly consider that the best feature of Roku.
If you have an old PC laying around, you could consider unRAID.
Obviously if transcoding is required, you'll need a beefy enough PC. Though then again, pre-made NAS boxes with enough power to do HD transcoding are pretty pricey anyway.
Got the Shakes
Member
On the Plex forums, the 5.1 issue is a known problem and the devs say they are actively working to fix it.
Ah, cool. Thanks.
Got the Shakes
Member
No problem. They say it will be fixed ASAP, but haven't given a timeframe beyond that.
Thanks for that suggestion.
I still have my unopened Ouya. Maybe now at least its controller will be of use as I wait for my Amazon controller. LoL
I really wish Logitech Unifying receivers were many-to-many, and not just many-to-one.
I'm using a K400 with my HTPC. Would love to not need more than one. Maybe I can hack some type of USB switcher.
The Plex app is a client app. To my knowledge none of them do transcoding, that's the job of the server. So in terms of playback, you are limited to the codecs of the client in 'direct play'. That said, for the supported codecs this is the most powerful STB of its kind on the market. It shouldn't have many issues with performance for supported files.Is it powerful enough to play HD files smoothly? are you having the FireTV decoding the video files or its it your PC/NAS doing the decoding?
thank you
For files that need realtime transcoding, that depends on your server.
The Plex app knows what hardware it is on, so it will support whatever the hardware does in direct play mode.
Per the Amazon site:
Code:
[B]Audio[/B]
Support for Dolby Digital Plus, 5.1 surround sound, 2ch Stereo and HDMI audio pass through up to 7.1
[B]Content Formats Supported[/B]
Video: H.263, H.264, MPEG4-SP, VC1
Audio: AAC, AC-3, E-AC-3, HE-A, PCM, MP3
Photo: JPG, PNGAlso note, for video containers ... Plex will remux instead of transcode as appropriate (MKV, etc)
Now as far as bitrates, I guess we'll have to wait for tests to see. Though given the SoC, I believe it should be quite good.
Roku already has games, but their HW is behind and they haven't invested as much in terms of support.
I expect they will get okayed ... the question is when :\
Just getting used to it now. So far, seems to run pretty smooth. I'm really like the DIAL support. It's really nice to essentially have a Chromecast with a remote. Also like that it auto sorts your apps by activity.
Obviously the app support needs to get there, but I think it will with Amazon behind this. That said, I really hope they push to get the Netflix app updated to the Roku 3 rev. The old ass version on here is obviously a step back, though functional.
Obviously the app support needs to get there, but I think it will with Amazon behind this. That said, I really hope they push to get the Netflix app updated to the Roku 3 rev. The old ass version on here is obviously a step back, though functional.
Darkmakaimura
Can You Imagine What SureAI Is Going To Do With Garfield?
Roku 3 doesn't have Bloomberg TV? My old man has the Roku 2 XS and that's what he watches most of all on there.
Also, runs Amazon's version of Android may or may not be a good thing. The Kindle Fire HD has issues sometimes when running certain games.
The Roku 2 XS also did not come with an HDMI cable.
Damn, it doesn't have VUDU? That's something they should add asap. Pretty good service and allows you (through a PC) to convert your Blu-rays and DVDs to digital copies to own for about $2.00.
Earthanoid
Member
I've got a couple of Rokus and a Chromecast in my house so I don't think I'll need another streaming box. I'm wary of Amazon after getting burned with a Kindle Fire, which they basically stopped supporting after around 6 months, so I'll be interested to see how people like the Fire TV in the long term.
I wouldn't trust that chart, it's been shown to be inaccurate (for example, Chromecast does support Pandora).
I wouldn't trust that chart, it's been shown to be inaccurate (for example, Chromecast does support Pandora).
Darkmakaimura
Can You Imagine What SureAI Is Going To Do With Garfield?
Well, I know Roku 3 supports different channels. For instance, YouTube is not available on Roku 2 XS. However, the big draw back for me would be no VUDU. The upside is they have YouTube.
ThatsMytrunks
Member
Well, looks like it's already been rooted.
I have a bluetooth keyboard/mouse switcher, and I use it all the time with my between my tablet and pc.
Basically, you plug in a usb mouse and keyboard (even wireless works too with the dongles), and it'll pass through usb to your pc. It also converts the USB keyboard/mouse into bluetooth when you switch inputs.
Here's the link to it:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CA7ST22/?tag=neogaf0e-20
tensuke
Member
Awesome news! Hopefully USB storage support is not far off. It gets angry when it has less than 500MB of free space and likes to kick you out of your THPS game to tell you it's low on space.
Saucycarpdog
Member
Orders for the controller are now backed up to May 11th (previously was April 24th)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DU0ZI8Q/?tag=neogaf0e-20
I guess even Amazon didn't think it would be this popular.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DU0ZI8Q/?tag=neogaf0e-20
I guess even Amazon didn't think it would be this popular.
Got the Shakes
Member
I'm going to return my FireTV to Amazon. No fault of the FireTV, as it's a capable little box, the more I used it the more I realized that I jumped the gun and it didn't really fit my use case. I was starting to dig into using Plex for all of my media, and the more I've researched I decided that I'm going to go the HTPC route so the FireTV wouldn't get any use.
WAR recon zero
Banned
wait what. limelight works well in this thing?
can I stream to this box with little lag? if so I'm ordering one today!!!
can I stream to this box with little lag? if so I'm ordering one today!!!
Terrible first impression from me on the gaming side. NBA 2K14 had bad controller lag, looked terrible and in general did not play well. Minecraft was completely unplayable. I couldn't start Modern Combat 4 because I was out of space and I couldn't find a storage management menu (am I supposed to just pick games to delete until I have space?). Sev Zero was OK, but there were moments where the hardware was clearly struggling and it didn't keep my interest at all.
The FireTV is just a stopgap for me until I build an HTPC, quite capable but you cannot beat out the overall ability of a proper HTPC.
Now, if the FireTV gets Steam In Home Streaming support...
Got the Shakes
Member
I actually hadn't put much thought into a HTPC, but once I started digging around the Plex forums I decided it was the way to go and just assume put the $100 spent on the FireTV towards that. I may have been more willing to hold off if Plex on FireTV had supported 5.1 surround out of the gate, but that is a pretty big issue for me. I know from tweeting the Plex devs and the forums that they are working on it, but they don't have an eta right now. Once I get everything up and running, I may consider purchasing a FireTV again in the future if 5.1 gets worked out and I need something to run a Plex client on another tv.
threetri333
Banned
Is there a reason to get the Ouya over Fire TV? They're both the same price, but the Fire TV has better specs.
There's no reason to get an Ouya. I say this despite owning one. Personally, I'd wait and see what Google shows with The Verge's leaked Android TV thing. Not sure how close that is to being announced.