NEW: Amazon's Fire TV Stick

I was one of those crazies who pre-ordered the Fire Stick! Because, as a current Prime member, I could pre-order it for $19.00. Now, that's a deal I just couldn't pass!

One of the things that Amazon's Fire TV Stick obviously can do is show Amazon instant video. Google's Chromecast can only do that by showing it on a laptop using the Chrome browser and then casting it. That doesn't work very well. I may go for the Fire TV Stick and see how it works.

EDITOR'S NOTE: That's a really good reason for buying the Fire TV stick. On the flip side, I'll bet the Fire stick doesn't play very nice with Google Play Movies.

I would like to see a comparison of all of these types of streaming media sticks. I have a ROKU, and I love it. I can't imagine an improvement on it. I cut the cable TV, put up an HD antenna for local channels, and cut my entertainment bill in half. I like the concept of paying just for those channels I actually watch [Netflix, etc.]. If there is something better than ROKU, I would like to read about it. It's hard to beat.

I'm also a current Prime member and couldn't pass up the $19 price. Delivery is supposed to be Nov 26. One more toy for me! lol It would beat dragging my blu-ray or laptop around for streaming on other TVs if it works. If it doesn't work, it won't take up much room in my junk box. Looking forward to your review if you get one, Bob!

Just a warning not to make the mistake I made. About a year ago I got a Chromecast. Plugged it in, connected it to my network, then didn't do anything with it until a few days later when some friends came over and I wanted to show them how it worked. Spent the next few minutes frantically looking all over my living room for the remote. It was a real Homer Simpson DOH! moment.

I'm an Amazon Prime member. Where can i get the $19 deal for the Amazon Fire TV Stick? Will this work with my DVD player on my computer?

One vital feature I use on my WD Live box is streaming content on my computer to my tv via "network share" (videos, music, photos, etc.) feature. Can the Firestick (or any other 'stick' ) also do this?

While, all of this, sounds good ... I guess, I am old fashioned. I want my DirecTV, it's a simple as that.

Now, I do have a Netgear streaming adapter, for my TV in my Living Room. Hubby doesn't want anything to do with "smart" anything, okay? I belong to VUDU, which is a FREE streaming service, but, you do pay for the movies or shows, you want. I have NO problem with that, either. I can easily watch, the movies that I purchased for $5 or less, full length and in HD, if, I want to pay a bit more. So, for now, I have them in SD, because I purchased them for my computer, which doesn't have HD capabilities, so SD is what worked.

Now, that I have the Netgear Streaming Adapter, I can purchase HD movies. I am so happy, about that, too. Must say though, the SD movies have been very, very clear on my HD TV. So far, I am very, very happy, with my set-up. :)

I have a Samsung smart tv and a Amazon Prime subscription. Is there any advantage to the Fire TV Stick. My DL speed stinks so the spinning circle is a big problem.

Advice appreciated by this dum ole guy!

Guess I will hold off now that my Prime membership won't help out and see how the reviews go. Besides the delivery date is now January 15th.

How fast download speed is needed to use these devices? Would I have to upgrade from 1.5 mps?

EDITOR'S NOTE: For reference, Netflix recommends 1.5 Mb/sec as a minimum; 3.0 for SD quality; 5.0 for HD quality.

When I first saw this article, I knew I had to have one. Followed your link to Amazon, ordered one, and received it Friday (might have shown up Thursday) with free 2-day shipping (I have Prime). No back-order... Just thought I'd let you know :-)

Thanks for the info, I bought it after reading your post and love it. I did follow this simple video to side load Firefox in to it and now i have full access even when staying in hotels. This makes it 100% better for travelers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoRY6sdXMbg

Is this constant data usage>

I have Direct TV and I'm techinically challanged. How does the Fire Stick work? Does the Direct TV box over ride the Fire stick's ability to connect to the internet?

The Fire stick works great, especially compared to Chromecast's stick. The only draw backthat I encountered is that it pushes Amazon's movies and sales. Voice activation goes to only prime movies ignoring Netflix or other feeds. These sticks work off the HDMI slot that they are plugged into just like your CD player. You have to change your TV setting to the HDMI feed that your stick is connected on. HDMI1, HDMI2 ect.

CAN THE FIRE TV STICK RUN WITH AWIRE057 ROUTER?

EDITOR'S NOTE : is there something special or odd about that router? I'm not sure why it would be dependent on the particular brand of router you have.

I want to display to my Sony smart TV a movie I watch from Popcorn Time on my laptop with windows 8.1 (Upgraded from 8.) It seems Amazon fire TV stick does not show on TV directly from laptop like it does from Android tablet. However it supports Miracast. Windows 8.1 projects to a wireless display using Miracast. On my windows 8.1 I tried to setup, devices, project but it does not show "add wireless display" option I do not know why. Can anyone help?

The apartment I now live in does not allow me to have Direct tv due to satellite dish unable to point in direction needed. Direct tv says I can use direct tv.com. I do not have a "smart tv"n however I do use Amazon fire stick with prime. Dtv did not know if stick is compatible to stream the Dtv. Can it work?

I have DirecTV and just purchased Amazon Fire Stick. It works occasionally, but is constantly losing the signal stating "broadband connection too slow." I have no problem with other devices - one desktop computer, one laptop, and kindle. Could it be my router? Please help since I am technically challenged by this. Thanks!