[alias_neo]

I wonder if the Vega stuff will be much better. There's really nothing to like about the Fire TV sticks.

I bought the 4K Max thinking it might be the best option for 4K streaming from all of the major providers as an upgrade for my aging Mi Box (3, I think); aside from the home screen being majority advert, the AV sync is constantly out and differs per-app, so changing it for one makes another worse, WiFi signal is poor and the whole thing is only "acceptable" performance wise.

I suppose Amazon is subsidising the pricing, the the advert laden home screen is a given, but AV sync when it's plugged directly into the HDMI port on the TV is appalling. The Prime Video app on it is disgracefully slow to input and browser, but in that department I find Netflix is really the only app that does perform well on the various TV devices I've tried.

At one point, I thought I wanted an Android TV box, but I realise now that I really don't care so long has it has all of the major streaming apps and performs well (a half decent remote is a must too).

[baggachipz]

Apparently the only redeeming quality for FireTV Sticks is the ease of piracy. Easily flashed with Kodi or whatever with all the pirate streams pre-configured. I had a FireTV Stick once and never again, their OS is some franken-android monstrosity.

[alias_neo]

I had kind of hoped when I bought it, that I could put a better launcher on it without the almost-full-screen ads, which aren't always appropriate in a home with children, but they've blocked the ability to change the default launcher; there are ways to have one launch after a short delay, but that just annoys the missus and confuses the kids when it launches just after they've started scrolling around the stock launcher.

[nani8ot]

There's currently a exploit which allows for system user access. This allows disabling core FireOS features like forced updates (which intentionally break custom launchers) and also allows setting a custom launcher. It's simple and can be done with just an Android phone (or ADB).

I've set Projectivy as my launcher and now it starts directly instead of the ad-ridden Amazon launcher.

https://xdaforums.com/t/system-user-fireos7-os8-all-fire-cub...

[ciupicri]

What kind of ads inappropriate for children were shown by it?

[tracker1]

They're a bit overpriced, but I've been exceedingly happy with Shield TV (Pro) boxes since they first came out... all the major streaming services are supported with full res as well as Kodi for lan and most other apps direct or side loaded.

I'm able to playback H.265 and AV1 video content at 4k@60 without any issues.

[nyarlathotep_]

> I wonder if the Vega stuff will be much better. There's really nothing to like about the Fire TV sticks.

I had one for a bit for the purpose of sideloading FreeTube via adb (I think it was called). That's the only good I can say about it.