Amazon.com.au:Customer reviews: Fire TV Stick | Stream Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and more

Top positive review

Great Device But No Aussie Content

5 January 2018

Great performing device but it’s clearly been rushed to release just like the Amazon Australia website (-that lacks decent filters/categories). No Aussie apps, no ABC iView, no Ten Play, no nothing Australian. Registered for technical call back via Amazon.com.au, Amazon UK called me back, understandably didn’t have a clue about Aussie channels/content, they transferred me to Amazon US who stated that the stick only comes with US channels...I pointed out that the UK Stick had UK App channels like BBC iPlayer, long pause, eventually found an Australian contact number. Rang the number, Australian Kindle Support, eventually advises there’s no Aussie apps at the moment. Again good device but it’s not set up for Oz at the moment.

That all said I’ve been spoilt with Amazon UK over the years. I’ll stay positive, it’s fantastic that Amazon have decided to come to Oz, what you see today will look very different in 12 months time I’m sure of it. Amazon delivery is top notch, their funded TV Series are all very strong and highly rated, the website and offers will change significantly as content increases (-seriously needs some better filtering of product categories!), and in this case well done to Amazon for not screwing the Aussie’s on price. The Fire TV Stick, while classed as Basic Edition, performs really well for current content (-Netflix, and Kodi Krypton was simple to install and runs better than my old Android box), and hopefully ABC, Ten, Freview FV etc get their current Android Apps tweaked and available in the near future.

Update 9 March 18: And for those suggesting that this is the ‘old’ model, well yes it doesn’t come with the voice control but this is the latest 1.3GHz quad-core device, the previous series was 1GHz. After a few months of operation I’m really enjoying this device, great Kodi and Netflix performance, just one star off due to lack of Aussie app support (-recognising that this is more to do with the app providers, hopefully changes as Amazon roll out Prime and more competitive services).

178 people found this helpful

Top critical review

See all 179 critical reviews›

Paulo

Disappointed with the product - Smart Home Unfriendly

3 September 2018

I am really disappointed with this product due to the fact that it is incompatible with Alexa and my Echo devices!

As a regular customer of Amazon services, and home automation enthusiast, I felt amazed when I read in many ebooks available in the Kindle store that with the Amazon Fire Stick TV and my Echo devices I could finally enable the total control of my entertainment system through voice commands - searching/playing different series, movies, channels, and other amazing functions (reason why I bought the Fire Stick device rather than other competitor video streamers).

However, after couple minutes of conversation with the Customer Service, who friendly tried to explain me that I was wrong for expecting this capability, that the Basic Version commercialised in Australia does not support this integration, and being pushed with question technically difficult for an average person to remember in details, like why I believed that I could expect that, where I saw that 'this BASIC version' does include this capability and what version (1s, 2nd, 3rd GEN) was mentioned in the ebooks that I read regarding Alexa/Echo/Fire TV - I got the conclusion that the purchase was a bad decision.

I believe that it would be correct from Amazon to clarify that this device doesn't support this function and also review the content that is available on Kindle store, which makes you believe that with any FIRE TV DEVICE, not mentioning differences in versions such as Basic, 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation you can have the benefits of an integration with Alexa. To conclude, I am really disappointed considering my original expectations about this device.

43 people found this helpful

Sort by

Filter by

Showing 1-10 of 22 reviews(containing "remote control"). Clear filter

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Different to ChromeCast.

7 February 2019

Verified Purchase

I did not want to write a review because there are heaps already - the Fire TV stick has been available for a long time, everyone has had their say. I just want to point out, after owning a ChromeCast as well, that there are some pros it has over the ChromeCast.

PROS
1. No extra device required.
- The Chromecast requires another device, whether a Google Home, tablet or a phone, to 'cast' onto the ChromeCast. Without this 3rd device, you are dead in the water.
- The Fire TV Stick can be controlled with its own remote, or your TV remote. I love that I can turn the TV on, and with the same remote, choose netflix or prime video, and navigate through what shows I want.
- Similar to Google Home + ChromeCAst, you can use a chosen Echo device to control the FireTV through voice.

2. Native Prime Video
- Of course Amazon will give you Prime Video on Fire TV!
- You will have to use workarounds to stream primevideo to your ChromeCast, like playing through browser or mirroring your device screen

CONs:
1. No AU Freeview Content.
- Biggest bummer for AU market is no way to get Freeview content on Prime Video (If you know a way, show me how!!)

I'm just an average user, and was only looking for a solution to smarten up my 'dumb' 1080p TV.

If this review has been helpful, please click the 'helpful' button below. Thank you!

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

0Comment

Good but limited functionality in Australia

19 September 2018

Verified Purchase

What this does it does really well - it's compact and simple to set up, the remote is simple but functional (no voice control), it connects easily to wifi and the interface is intuitive and fast and looks good. Netflix and Prime work really well on it. I knew when I purchased this that it didn't have Australian content and I didn't think I'd mind but after about a week of using it I found it was too limited and I ended up returning it. It didn't have Stan, SBS, ABC iView, 7, 9, 10 or Optus Sport - all of which I realised in the end I was going to want. If you're happy mainly just watching Netflix and Prime then this is very affordable, I was impressed with how easy it was to set up and use and it certainly did everything it claimed to do. Also I guess eventually they'll offer more Aussie content so it would be worth checking if it's been updated. But for my purposes after using it for a while, although it was really nice to use and a good price, the lack of local content meant it didn't really meet my needs.

6 people found this helpful

11 Comment

29 November 2018

I bought this so I could watch Amazon Prime. I also have a chromecast and it's a disappointing experience in comparison.

Firstly, you don't operate the Firestick from the Amazon Prime app on your phone. You use an old school remote control. And that is the crux of the problem.

The remote sucks. On day 2, the home button and the back button stopped working correctly. The navigation and selection buttons stopped working as well.

It's very buggy. There's an app that you can download. Not so great. My telly remote works in a limited way.

But it's annoying taking several minutes trying to select the program you want.

And it the back button acted as though it was the selection button. And I ended up downloading two apps I have no interest in (luckily, these were free apps).

As for the navigation itself, it also sucks.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

0Comment

Amazon Customer

Could have been better than Google Chromecast

14 October 2018

Verified Purchase

On first use I really liked the Firestick and nearly rated it higher than Google Chromecast. It's easier to use than Chromecast with its Netflix/Apple TV type menu and the included Remote control. I was very impressed with the ease of setup and the applications I could install. Construction wise it feels very well constructed and solid.

My only problem, and the reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5, is that it's developed a recent problem where it disconnects from a show I'm watching and returns to the Home Page. In addition the connection doesn't appear to be quite as good as other devices I've used. It doesn't happen often enough for me to say there's a fault in the device but it can be annoying.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

0Comment

Sean

Easy could be much better.

13 July 2019

Verified Purchase

This basic model is not able to turn on your TV. You must use multiple remotes.
the hd model can turn on and off your tv and control volume. But not connect to prime only Netflix in Australia.
Both not recommended.
Only hd if it ever works in Australia.
On the home page you are made to have items that you dont want.
We will only EVER use for NETFLIX and AMAZON TV, so all the other things we wish could be hidden.
I would never ever use this for the internet.
Should be able to turn on and have only the items you want.
ie. for me, a netflix and amazon tv icon only.

Chrome Cast easier to use but this with a remote is full standalone.

4K if you want, you need to buy Google Chrome Cast again, as the 4k version we bougt also and doesnt work in Australia and nearly all countries in the world.

No Ethernet connection so a little laggy compared to hard wired such as the Google Chromecast 4k, the Chromecast standard is laggy like this one.
C

Correct install you have to search thoough the menu page and directory at a time. Navigate to the update page too.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

0Comment

Nicki

Super easy to set up and get watching

22 November 2019

Verified Purchase

I bought the Firestick because I wanted to quickly and easily watch Amazon Prime on my TV with the convenience of a remote control, instead of casting from my laptop or phone. It works perfectly for this purpose.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

0Comment

Gonzalo

Works fine but, sometime, Fire TV OS crashes (freeze) when watching Netflix

16 August 2019

Verified Purchase

Device: The device does what it is expected to do. Though, a couple of times, Netflix made the TV Fire OS freeze and I had to power off and on to start the system again. This should not happen with an stable OS.

Remote control: The remote control works fine but there's no way to go to the main home screen directly. ie. I'm watching a Youtube video, and I want to switch to Netflix. I have to press the back button [⟲] multiple times until I get to the main menu screen so I can pick Netflix app. Maybe I missing something?

Helpful

0Comment

Works Excellent!

19 August 2018

Verified Purchase

Our TV in our bedroom is not a smart tv. So, I bought this stick for my wife who enjoys watching Netflix. It is easy to set up. Just follow the prompts on the TV screen and it worked from the first time. It does not require big space as it just sticks to one of the HDMI ports on TV. My wife is very happy with this product. The price is also reasonable. Only one thing; it requires power supplied from a wall AC mains outlet. Not enough power by just plugging the USB power cable onto one of the USB ports on the TV. But it comes with a power adapter which cable is long enough for most installation. Comes with a remote control, which is easy to use. Simple solution and great product!

Helpful

0Comment

Nikki B

Wish I'd stuck with my chromecast!

21 October 2019

Verified Purchase

I went in to buy a chromecast and was recommended this instead, I really don't like it, there's no search button and most the apps are american. And if you lose your remote control its useless, oh there is an remote app that you can pay monthly for!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

0Comment

Tony Austin

Value for money, but the 4-way button needs improving

19 August 2018

Verified Purchase

The Fire TV Stick Basic Edition works well enough, except for the large four-way button at the top that needs redsigning. I find it quite hard to press decisively in a particular direction (up. down, left or right) compared with the corresponding buttons on other devices that I use, such as severa Roku models and various TV remote controls.

Also, the remote control is rather small and would be very easy to misplace. Therefore I added a brightly coloured tag so that it would be easier to find. This should be a design enhancement too.

Helpful

0Comment