yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Currently have an ATV2 and was asked by a friend for something similar so they can have XBMC along with the Video addons to watch Icefilms etc..

Well the ATV2 is a bit outdated at this point, on top of that the price tag to get one is quite steep. I've come across the Fire TV and it seems to do the trick and it even has a remote which would involve less tinkering to get working etc.

My question is, how well is the Fire TV & XBMC setup? They care only really about the Video addons to run IceFilms, ProjectFreeTV etc.. to watch Movies/Shows.

I'm in Canada and as far as I understand Netflix etc wouldn't work since the device technically isnt supported here yet. But again, this would be mainly used for XBMC.

I know there is some other devices out there that can run the XBMC platform well, but they require then further hacking of making a universal remote to work, or hooking up a keyboard or mouse. I am looking for the cleanest solution.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lolwatpear:
It'll work fine for that stuff, especially when you root it. It's definitely the best $/performance XBMC box possible.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
What benefit does rooting give the device?

To my understaning it doesn't need to be rooted to run XBMC? But if so, what benefits does rooting give it?
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lolwatpear:
Rooting will allow you to boot straight to XBMC and use it as a launcher:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2790392

I think there might be a way without root, but I didn't bother with that method. Otherwise, you can launch XBMC using an existing app's icon on the default launcher to easily get to it:

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?titl...C_from_an_Existing_App_on_the_FTV_Home_Screen

The problem with not doing one of these things is that in order to launch XBMC, you would need to go to the settings menu, then to the installed applications section and finally launch it. It's way too may steps to do this constantly.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Ahh I see what you mean now, basically the second part is how my ATV2 is. I have to go to the XBMC icon to launch it.

Yah the rooting would be benefical on the FireTV then as I am trying to make this as user friendly as possible so launching straight into XBMC would probably be their preferred choice anyways.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cwalk2this:
I'm in Canada and have Netflix, Pandora, etc all working great with VPN. Also, I sold both my Apple TV 2s and replaced them with Fire TVs. I am not looking back. The Apple TVs were dated and showed their age. The Fire TVs with XBMC are incredibly fast. The only thing Fire TVs are missing is AirPlay, but you can download AirPlay receiver apps on the Fire TV that will allow you to beam content easily. Here's an idea: Sell your Apple TV to your friend for $150-$175 (perfectly reasonable price for 2nd Gen), then use that money to upgrade yourself to an Amazon Fire TV for $99 while pocketing the difference.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mcsephoenix:
There is no comparison the hardware in the FireTV is far superior to the ATV2 not to mention you can run tons of android apps on it. The menu and fan art load times are much faster, it feels like a polished product instead of something that could reboot at any minute. XBMC has been much more stable on the FireTV. I sold my ATV2 on ebay for $230 and didn't look back. I suggest you do the same before the bottom falls out of the market for them.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Well I ordered up a FireTV last evening off ebay $130 shipped, cheapest I could find for us Canadians. You guys have a better source?

But I think you guys might have me convinced on selling my ATV2 and switching over to the FireTV, I don't use anything else on the AppleTV besides XBMC and sometimes the Radio app from Apple..

My ATV2 is still running 5.3 so its jailbroken but untethered. I know some version require the tethered jailbreak, so I think mine would bump up in value even more?
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mcsephoenix:
You are correct you will usually get more money for an untethered jail break. It took a little work to get the FireTV setup the way I wanted it but I am very happy I made the switch. With the money I made from selling the AppleTV I am thinking about getting a second one.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Newcron:
XBMC on FireTV is simply amazing.

I don't have any experience with those streaming add-ons though. My XBMC plays local media only (on smb).
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] LakersFan_73:
Same here. I love XBMC on Fire TV. Works great. I've tried streaming add-ons with no issues, although I admittedly haven't watch an entire movie via a streaming add-on. But all-in-all, I'm very happy with the purchase and would buy another if I could justify it with the wife. ;)
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] htpcforall:
No brainer!

XBMC on FIRE TV dominates. ATV2 is a weak dinosaur in comparison.

Hope that helps.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] skeptic_always:
As someone that ran a full house, multiple front end, centralized backend database, XBMC setup on mini-PCs for years before switching to Rokus and a FireTV, I'd call XBMC on FireTV a huge win. Ultimately, you are not going to beat the power and flexibility of a mini-PC running something like OpenElec (an embedded XBMC install), but FireTV gets you access to all the great Android apps and at a price you'd never be able to match with a mini-PC with similar performance. Plus, XBMC on FireTV is easier - it just works.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bkdg100:
would love a work up on on best feature add-ons for XBMC , the amount of options and add-ons is overwhelming .
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nhumber:
great call on the upgrade. hola android app also works with the stock netflix app to access US netflix from canada with no charge.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Where you guys order your FireTV's from?

Anything cheaper than $130 off ebay?
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jmerrilljr2:
Sure. Amazon.com. $99. Ones on Ebay are probably rooted.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
In Canada.. FireTV is not officialy sold here. So I can't order it off amazon.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jainanshal:
If $130 is all-in price, then it isn't bad, cheapest would be around $120. If you think it in a different way, if FTV was to be launched in Canada, its price would be something like $110 CAD & with tax would come around $125 CAD (don't know your exact location so tax can differ).

If you don't wanna cross border, I would say ebay is your best bet as local Kijiji would most probably be costlier.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Yea, $134 is the CDN price converted etc.. shipped to my door. The seller is a international seller and has sold hundreds of units for guys outside of USA for this exact reason. It was like $96 for the device, and another 25$ for shipping and then currency conversion came around $134.

According to the AD the unit is brand new, unopened etc. So its not rooted or anything which is fine by me I can take care of all that. I've actually posted my ATV2 on Kijij and have a few interested already.. and high as $300. :good:
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cameraguy23:
It's great!!!

After reading on how well xbmc works well with FTV I ended picking up 2 at best buy in Florida on vacation. I installed xbmc and wow it works great and fast, also Netflix has a native app on it that works well. Sold my Apple TV 2 for $230.00. Only disadvantage is I can't use my harmony one remote with it.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bruce7373:
I read something yesterday that suggested Harmony remotes work work with a USB dongle. Can't find the link at the moment, but I'm sure Google could pull up something. For now, I'm using Yahtze remote on my old phone for XBMC on FTV which works very well.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Wait.. Does the stock remote that comes with the Fire TV not work with XBMC?
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nadimsoze:
It does, you just need to map the buttons. You can also map the home button to go to xbmc home, then use a favorite within xbmc to get to FTV home. Possibly do the same to access Netflix direct from xbmc
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Okay good, the reason I went with the FireTV was due to the simplicity of setting it up for someone else that wanted XBMC kind of like my Apple TV. I didn't want to frig around too much with 3rd party controllers erc to make it work.

I'll be ordering another Fire TV for myself in the next day or so as well :)
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bruce7373:
Yes, as stated it does. I like Yahtze because it lets me use a keyboard, as well as having all those shortcuts. I was even able to plug in my USB wireless keyboard/touchpad from my media PC. But I understand the need for keeping it simple and the FTV remote works very well.

---------- Post added at 08:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:57 AM ----------

Would this mapping eliminate the need to install a launcher version of XBMC? I would rather launch directly into FTV's GUI, as I will be using that more.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nadimsoze:
I guess. I'm assuming home would default to xbmc home only if you're already in xbmc. Which I had set to auto start at ftv boot.

I don't have the ftv anymore. Will probably get another one when the exchange rate comes down.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] realtuxen:
These 2 Things have nothing to do with eachother. :)

I prefer to launch XBMC from the native FireOS also, and the keys on the remote works fine.

You can however or even install a different keyboard mapping for XBMC if you like.

And the fireTV absolutely rocks (fastest streaming box out there) so get rid of that atv2 while the prices last,
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] vook:
I looked at the remote for FireTV and I don't see how you can type into XBMC searches/captchas. Does the onscreen keyboard work with it? Is it native on-screen keyboard or XBMC keyboard? I am thinking to replace my G-box mx2 with FireTV.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
What? So you can't use the remote to type stuff?
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bruce7373:
Huh?? Who said they did? I was responding to two different posts.

---------- Post added at 08:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:12 PM ----------

Yes, you can, but it's a laborious task using the directional keys, which I have little patience for.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] realtuxen:
I'm sure you know this but you either talk to the remote with a key word such as "terminator" or "sean connery" or "who is the main actor in iron man" or you can use a onscreen keyboard controlled with the remote. The speech reconision works incredibly well compared to other platforms and is planned to implement in other apps than amazon's interface and musicvideos.

That said I don't have no idea how well that would work if Integrated in all apps such as XBMC.

Everywhere else where there is a box to enter text you get a standard onscreen keyboard you can use your remote to type with. If you don't like that you can use a remote/keybaord device such as the Logitech de novo mini. or other remotes with a keyboard on it.

---------- Post added at 08:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:18 AM ----------

@bruce7373, sorry man. I got confused. (worst thing your name lol ..i apologize)
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Ah okay, so its exactly like the ATV2 you move around the letters with the directional pad and click on what letter you want to spell out the word. Ok I think that's fine for who I'm setting this up for.

Just also purchased a second Amazon TV for myself. Now to unload the ATV2.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drumst1x:
OUYA also has only a bluetooth remote. The solution I used to get my Harmony 650 to work was to buy a FLIRC.

https://flirc.tv/

http://www.amazon.com/FLIRC-Dongle-Media-Centre-Raspberry/dp/B00BB0ETW8

Basically, it's an IR receiver that plugs into USB. Works with OUYA, works with FireTV, works with a computer. And you can program any codes from an IR device to map to any functionality. Great little device, and works perfectly on my OUYA.

I'm in the market for a FireTV since they're on sale now for 85 bucks @ Amazon, so I'll be getting another FLIRC for this. Also replacing an ATV2 with my FireTV. Hoping to make some good cash, since bought the ATV2 (untethered jailbreak) for 90 bucks :)

And for those asking, you can use the remote to bounce around the keyboard in XBMC. Only thing I wish I knew how to do without changing my skin in XBMC was to change the keyboard from an ABC-sorted keyboard to a QWERTY keyboard.

*** EDIT *** Just read a couple threads here saying that there was an update today that broke towelroot.... might try to get one today super fast, hoping the update wasn't included, and see if I can still root it. If not, i'll end up returning it :(
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bruce7373:
Thanks for the FLIRC link. I just got my FTV, so it pains me to see it's $15 off now, lol.

Don't know if you're aware of this, but here's a way to keep the FTV from automatically updating and breaking root:

http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-block-ota-update-for-amazon-fire-tv-and-keep-root-access/
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drumst1x:
Happy to help w/ the link. It's a great tool.

I am aware of this, however it seems that this method requires you to have root first ... if I'm buying it, and it will not yet be updated, will it force the update on me before I have a chance to root it?
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Correy27:
I would block the updates through your router before connecting it to your network.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drumst1x:
OK, looking at this thread (http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2760884&page=2), it looks like there are 2 urls to block:

http://amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net/

and

http://firs-ta-g7g.amazon.com/

Is that still accurate? Thread is 1.5 months old....
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Correy27:
I would think so, but I am not 100% sure. Someone on the firetv subreddit said they got it yesterday and it didn't auto update. I can't post the link b/c I have < 10 posts, but just go to the fireTV subreddit and look at the comments under 'New Fire TV Firmware Blocks Rooting'.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
This is no good if this thing does updates just like that.. thats a dirty move on amazons part.

Even the ATV2 you can set it not to perform updates.

I don't even know if the people I'm going to set this up for have a way of actually blocking URLs on their router..

If the device is rooted, couldn't you edit whatever file is in the actual system structure that checks or runs the update to stop it from doing this?
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] vook:
http://xdaforums.com/#

Thanks for the answer. You can always mod the default skin. I like the Apple IOS clone skin for use with a remote (not sure the name), but maybe you just want to try a few different skins out, there are some good ones.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drumst1x:
yes ,that points back to the AFTVnews site, and I'm actually coresponding back 'n forth with them there (my name's "mike" :) ) That's why I mentioned someone said it doesn't update, others have said it does. The AFTVNews guy(guys?) are getting a new AFTV from amazon and will see what steps are needed to get it rooted, so hopefully there'll be a new walkthrough shortly. I'm not going to do anything with mine until I see their steps (or someone else's in here).

Once it's rooted, yes, that's exactly what you can do (or simply disable the packages that handle the updates), however when you FIRST get it (if it's new), you need to get to the home screen in order to get ADB working to even start the rooting process, and if it auto-updates before you're able to get to the home screen, obviously that's a catch 22.....

yeah, i've seen the xTV one, and i like that it's qwerty. Just wish there were a qwerty option in confluence! oh well....:)
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] vook:
Maybe this works? http://www.xbmchub.com/forums/threads/2721-QWERTY-Keyboard-for-Confluence-Skin

https://code.google.com/p/xbmc-skin-convergence/downloads/detail?name=DialogKeyboard.zip&can=2&q=
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cloudbyday90:
So I just installed XBMC on my FireTV. I downloaded the Official XBMC Remote on my ipod, is there a way for me to use the remote for external applications? Its just kinda annoying that I need to swtich back and forth between remotes....
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
What do you mean for external applications?

I've used the XBMC remote on my android tablet, it did everything I needed it too. There was even a keyboard option where you could type something on the there and just send it to the XBMC (tv) interface
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cloudbyday90:
I am talking about non-XMBC applications. Like I sideloaded ES File Manager and the native Netflix doesn't work as well. When I use ES File Manager I cannot get the XMBC remote to work for it.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Just received my FireTV that I picked up on ebay last week. Took 7 days to arrive, which is quite fast.

Looking forward to hooking this up tonight.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Alright.. so the modem/router does not support URL filtering. So I have no way of blocking those URLS for the FireTV to access.

Any ideas how I can make this work? What if I shared my connection from my laptop? Anything I can do there to block it?
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tselling:
Does the new Fire TV have ADB access before it registers with amazon? If so maybe can disconnect router from the internet so it just gets local ip address and you can use the: "pm disable com.amazon.dcp" command in adb.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Well to my understanding, the FTV needs internet access to boot into the Home screen?

Once your in the Home Screen, you can go into settings to enable ADB debugging..

Or am I missing something here?
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tselling:
oops sorry I forgot we had to enable it first. I just got another fire tv today so when I get a chance I will play with it a bit.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bruce7373:
I did. That's a consideration. I remember when they allowed 30 days for price drop refunds. That was sweet.

Edit: Ha! I just called Amazon and played the "good Prime customer" card and it worked! They're giving me a $15 refund. God love 'em! Thx for the suggestion.

---------- Post added at 09:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 AM ----------

If it hasn't already updated, follow the directions in that link I posted. It's kept my box from updating. I'm sure there will be a fix anyway down the road.

As for connecting to Amazon, I'm a prime member, and my box knew who I was at the first start up, so apparently it does.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Well rooted the FTV yesterday, pretty simple following the directions.

If you notice the thing pulling down the update don't worry there is lots of time to pull the cable or kill the connection for it to not go through.

Installed XBMC all works well - Just have to get a USB mouse so I can configure the Auto Launcher for it so that it loads XBMC on boot instantly.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bruce7373:
Another option, which would probably save you a few bucks, would be to install DroidMote Server from the Play Store and use the corresponding remote's pointer to enable the check box.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Hmm, but from what I read last night - I could be wrong. In order to load the playstore I also need to enable another type of module?

I guess it still uses the Xposed Framework?

http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-install-the-google-play-store-on-the-amazon-fire-tv/#more-767
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bruce7373:
Thanks for the link, I can use that, but I was thinking of a more direct method: side load the DroidMote apk directly. Now that I think about it, that's probably not the most practical solution.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
I guess another option would be to use the limitless remote, I guess people are talking about it over in the xPosed mod thread.. Just to find the apk for it now..
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bruce7373:
I stumbled across this site which explains how to download apks from the Play Store to your desktop in order to side load them to the FTV:

http://www.androidgadgematic.com/2012/03/how-to-download-play-store-android-apps.html
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
So I just updated xbmc to 13.2 but now it doesn't auto boot into it anymore.. previously i was auto booting into
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] quattroatl:
The Fire TV with XBMC has far surpassed my expectations. I thought having Plex on my ATV3 was the best thing, but XBMC on Fire TV is even better. ATV3 is still a necessity for home sharing iTunes, but the Fire TV is basically used for everything else. I'm just afraid how long Amazon will allow XBMC to be side loaded knowing the video apps that are available for it.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] krawhitham:
I have llama launching XBMC when Classic TV is selected on the main menu, is there any way to have llama also send a Wake on Lan packet before launching XBMC?

EDIT

This Plugin will do it

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.darune.autowakeonlan&hl=en
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Hey guys,

The amazon fire tv I setup last week for a friend was working great when I used it etc. So I send the device up to him.. anyways he's telling me now that when he plugs the device in all he gets is a black screen. I had it all rooted etc, disabled updates.

The light flashes white and then nothing on the device itself.. they tried unplugging it etc and nothing seems to change.

Any idea what's going on here? The thing worked perfectly fine at my place for almost a week and I had it loaded on with XBMC etc..
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dweekie:
Try a different display? It didn't get along with my projector. I read of one other person complaining that it didn't work on one of their tvs.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bkdg100:
,blinking light , no boot

had one a month back that did the same ,blinking light , just amazon screen , no boot , tried everything and ended up returning to amazon and getting replacement .

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2784332

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2799779
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Issue resolved, they tried it on another TV and it worked perfect. Guess there is something with certain displays, the one it didnt work on is a older/no name brand TV..

So not sure what's up but it works perfectly fine now
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bkdg100:
glad that was all it was. hdmi handshake sometimes requires you to power cycle tv with new device on and in .
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nhumber:
its the resolution, if your TV cant do 1080p and you've setup the fireTV on a 1080p display.. its not going to work.. plug it into the newer TV and set the resoultion to 720p or whatever resolution your older TV supports then try again.. it will work.
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
Yes, the TV was setup on 1080p.. but I never hard set any kind of settings..

Would the fireTV not adjust itself automatically?
[Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DHeffernan:
I checked the settings..

If the Display settings are left to AUTO the FTV should automatically pick up what is best suited for it on the given TV its connected to.

I do not recall changes this on the previous box I setup..