Fire vs Roku

[SDMattman 6]

I've had some odd behavior from my Roku devices (I have two Roku Express +'s).  Just some really weird stuff... like pressing the volume up button and having my media fast forward... some weird Emby playback behavior that seems to follow a pattern until I work on troubleshooting it, then it goes away or becomes random/intermittent.

I'm at the point where I might be exploring other streaming devices, and I'm looking for feedback on Amazon's Fire devices.  Emby is what I use the most, so Emby specific feedback would be awesome.  If you could share experiences related to the differences between Fire and Roku that would also be great.

TIA

[ebr 16184]

Hi.  If you're looking at a Fire, then I would also consider a Mi box or a Google Chromecast with Google TV.  All are fine devices but the Google ones will have a little bit less "stuff" forced in your face in the main interface.

Unless, of course, you're a heavy Amazon prime video user and, then, the Fire is the best choice.

[SDMattman 6]

Thanks ebr,

I'll take a look at Mi.  That's a new one for me.

I've got an older Chromecast that gets zero usage because nobody wants to use their phone as a remote.  It just sits in a drawer and only gets used a few times a year.  It looks like there *might* be remotes for them now.

I also wouldn't be opposed to rolling my own with a raspberry pi if there's a way I can get it to play Emby and Disney+

[ebr 16184]

53 minutes ago, SDMattman said:

I've got an older Chromecast that gets zero usage because nobody wants to use their phone as a remote.  It just sits in a drawer and only gets used a few times a year.  It looks like there *might* be remotes for them now.

It is a completely new device now that has a full interface just like the Mi box.

[SDMattman 6]

I'm getting off topic now.  Does the Google TV portion work with your local Emby library?  I'm seeing conflicting/incomplete info on the Emby forums about it.  The Google TV idea seems pretty cool.  I think TIVO tried to get something like this working a few years ago.

[ebr 16184]

3 minutes ago, SDMattman said:

I'm getting off topic now.  Does the Google TV portion work with your local Emby library?  I'm seeing conflicting/incomplete info on the Emby forums about it.  The Google TV idea seems pretty cool.  I think TIVO tried to get something like this working a few years ago.

The new Chromecast with Google TV is just another Android TV box.  It will work just like a Mi or Shield or any other Android TV box.  You can use our Android TV app on it.

[Carlo 4561]

The name is a bit confusing but the key part is this "Chomecast with Google TV".

Like ebr said this is a full Google TV box with a remote and of course Play Store access so you install normal Google TV apps on it..  Actually if you have a Shield TV or MiBox-S you also have a "Chomecast" as these boxes support the Chromecast functionality.

The two to look at for low cost/great functionality is the Amazon 4K stick and the Chomecast with Google TV. ebr said the perfect thing to help you decide if needed.  If you have Amazon Prime the Amazon device might be a better choice all else being equal. You won't go wrong with either pick however and once inside the Emby app will feel the same.

Maybe look at the two different remotes to see if you have a preference.