Amazon announced that its flagship streaming device will stream 4k Ultra HD video and support Alexa. The new Amazon Fire TV will be released October 5, 2015. You can now pre-order on Amazon.com at the same cost of $99! Apple also recently released their updated Apple TV. Let’s see how this holds up.
Amazon Fire TV – 4K Ultra HD
4K Ultra HD quality TV is no doubt the next big thing. However, you may wonder the same dilema we had with 1080p HD when it first came out. Content. There were very little content that was true 1080p HD. Amazon answered this. Amazon promised that they will be creating original and exclusive content in 4k. The Fire TV will also support Netflix’s 4k content as well. There will be no upcharge to stream in 4k vs. 1080p or lower quality like SD content. Also, even if you do not have 4k TV, you will benefit from Amazon’s support for HEVC (high efficiency video coding) which makes streaming high quality content more efficient.
Alexa support
One other feature that would be welcomed by Amazon fans is Alexa support. Many people got a taste of Alexa through Amazon Echo. Fire TV and Fire TV Stick remotes will have Alexa support through its voice enabled remote control or through the Fire TV app. Through Alexa support, you can use your Fire TV to replace the Echo.
Below is a full comparison between the old Amazon Fire TV and the newly updated 2015 Amazon Fire TV:
| Previous Fire TV | New 2015 Fire TV | |||
| Size | 4.5″ x 4.5″ x 0.7″ (115 mm x 115 mm x 17.5 mm) | Size | 4.5″ x 4.5″ x 0.7″ (115 mm x 115 mm x 17.8 mm) | |
| Weight | 9.9 oz (281 grams) | Weight | 9.5 oz. (270 g) | |
| SOC Platform | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8064 | Processor | MediaTek Quad-core up to 2 Ghz | |
| Processor | Qualcomm Krait 300, quad-core to 1.7 Ghz | Dual-core @ 2.0 GHz + Dual-core @ 1.6 GHz | ||
| GPU (Video) | Qualcomm Adreno 320 | GPU | Power VR GX6250 | |
| Storage | 8 GB internal | Storage | 8 GB internal | |
| Memory | 2 GB LPDDR2 @ 533 MHZ | Memory | 2 GB | |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO) for faster streaming and fewer dropped connections than standard Wi-Fi. Supports 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi networks. | Wi-Fi Connectivity | Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO) for faster streaming and fewer dropped connections than standard Wi-Fi. Supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi networks. | |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 with support for the following profiles: HID, SPP | Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.1 with support for the following profiles: HID, HFP, SPP | |
| Cloud Storage | Free cloud storage for all Amazon content | Cloud Storage | Free cloud storage for all Amazon content | |
| Ports | 5.5 mm DC Jack, HDMI, Optical Audio, 10/100 Ethernet, USB 2.0 Type A | Ports | DC Jack, HDMI output, 10/100 Ethernet, microSD slot, USB 2.0 | |
| Voice Support | Yes, with Fire TV Voice Remote (included) or free Fire TV Remote App (available for download on Fire, Android, and iOS) | Voice Support | Yes, with Fire TV Voice Remote (included) or free Fire TV Remote App (available for download on Fire, Android, and iOS) and Alexa | |
| Audio | Support for Dolby Audio, 5.1 surround sound, 2ch stereo and HDMI audio pass through up to 7.1 | Audio Support | Dolby Audio, 5.1 surround sound, 2ch stereo, and HDMI audio pass through up to 7.1 | |
| Game Controller Support | Yes, optimized for Amazon Fire TV Game Controller and most games are compatible with other Bluetooth controllers | Game Controller Support | Yes, optimized for Amazon Fire TV Game Controller and most games are compatible with other Bluetooth controllers | |
| Content Formats Supported | Video: H.263, H.264, MPEG4-SP, VC1; Photo: JPG, PNG | Content Formats Supported | Video: H.265, H.264, Audio: AAC-LC, AC3, eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus), FLAC, MP3, PCM/Wave, Vorbis, Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC), Photo: JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP | |
| Audio: AAC, AC-3, E-AC-3, HE-A, PCM, MP3 | ||||
| TV Compatibility | Compatible with high-definition TVs with HDMI capable of 1080p or 720p at 60/50Hz, including popular HDCP-compatible models from these manufacturers: Hitachi, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, NEC, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba, Vizio, Westinghouse | TV Compatibility | TV must support minimum HDCP requirements for protected content playback. Learn more. Compatible with (1) 4K ultra high-definition TVs with HDMI capable of 2160p at 24/25/30/50/60 Hz and HDCP 2.2, including popular models from LG, Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio, and others or (2) high-definition TVs with HDMI capable of 1080p or 720p at 50/60 Hz, including popular HDCP-compatible models from Hitachi, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, NEC, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba, Vizio, Westinghouse, and others. | |
| Output Resolution Supported | 720p and 1080p up to 60fps | Output Resolution Supported | 2160p up to 30fps; 720p and 1080p up to 60fps | |
| System Requirements | High-definition television, HDMI cable | System Requirements | Compatible high-definition or ultra high-definition television with available HDMI input, Internet connection, a power outlet | |
| Warranty and Service | 1-year Limited Warranty and service included. Use of Fire TV is subject to the terms found here. | Warranty and Service | 1-year Limited Warranty and service included. Optional 2-year and 3-year Extended Warranty available for U.S. customers sold separately. Use of Fire TV is subject to the terms found here. | |
| Regional Support | Certain services may not be available outside the U.S. | Regional Support | Certain services may not be available outside the U.S. | |
| Closed Captioning | Watch videos and TV shows with closed captioning displayed. Captions are not available for all content. | Closed Captioning | Watch videos and TV shows with closed captioning displayed. Captions are not available for all content. | |
| Included in the Box | Amazon Fire TV | Included in the Box | Amazon Fire TV | |
| Amazon Fire TV Voice Remote | Amazon Fire TV Voice Remote | |||
| 2 AAA batteries | Power adapter | |||
| Power Adapter | 2 AAA batteries | |||
| Quick Start Guide | Quick Start Guide | |||
