Fire Tv + Netflix + Internet Question

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zs-kev

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Hi everyone,

I am interested in getting the Fire TV.
First Question, which one? http://www.takealot.com/amazon-fire-tv/PLID32850854 or http://www.takealot.com/amazon-fire-tv-now-supports-4k-ultra-hd/PLID40660437
I don't have a 4K TV, but maybe for the future?

Now my main question is to do with the Fire TV and Netflix. Can one just use Netflix or is there something I have to install? I see people were talking about XMBC. Now I know there is Showmax, but that is only on Mobile devices, unless there is a way to get it onto the TV?

And my last question! I have Uncapped 2mb line from Telkom, is that sufficient or is a faster line needed? Another thing is that after a certain amount of bandwidth has been used with Telkom's uncapped, they start to shape which slows us down to like 20Kbps. So is it worth getting the Fire TV?

I see that Netflix plan on coming here, so should I maybe wait for them to come first before purchasing the Fire TV?

Hope you can Help,
Kevin
 
I think you are going to battle with a 2mb line (especially uncapped) :(

Netflix Recommendations
3.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for SD quality
5.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for HD quality
25 Megabits per second - Recommended for Ultra HD quality
 
Hi Dual,

Yes I thought my line speed would be an issue. I was planning on switching to someone else as Telkom's shaping is driving me crazy! I was thinking of moving to Web Africa Capped service on a 10mb line. But im not sure? What would you recommend?

Kevin
 
Device comes with Netflix, but you need something like Unotelly or Unblock US for it to work in South Africa. Then you need to purchase a Netflix account. You can also sideload XMBC/Kodi and a bunch of other apps. I have 4 of the gen 1 devices.

I would go with Vox or Afrihost/Axxess (new network is boss).
 
Hi Roligov,

Thanks for the reply. Is Unblock US an app that you install onto the Fire TV?

The reason I was thinking WebAfrica is because I can get a 10mb line capped, with 100GB and an extra 1000GB between 00:00 and 6:00, which means I can download my games and such between 00:00 and 6:00 and then ill have the 100GB for video streaming. Or I can go for the 200GB 8mb Line for R700. all of these deals are cheaper than Afrihost and Axxess as they are not giving you the extra 1000GB from 00:00 to 6:00. I am a heavy gamer, so I download a lot of games which use up a lot of data.

Kevin
 
Go with Afrihost capped ADSL bundle. You will need to migrate your line to Afrihost. They are the cheapest currently, and have a solid network. You can probably upgrade to a 4mbps line and a big cap for the same price or a little more than you are paying to Telkom for 2mbps uncapped.

Check it out here: https://www.afrihost.com/site/product/capped_dsl_bundles?src=website_nav

4mbps + 100GB cap for R458 per month. That price of course excludes analogue line rental. Data usage between midnight and 6am is free - it doesn't reduce your cap.

I've been using Afrihost + Netflix for about 2 years now, and it works well. I started off with a 4mbps line, than 8mbps, than 10mbps, and now I am on 20mbps + 200GB. I only use about 160GB and stream Netflix in 720p HD. That's with 3 people in the house watching everyday, watching different things. Not sure why, but I seldom get 1080p, though I know my line can handle it. But 720p looks pretty damn awesome in any case.
 
Hi Saadjid,

I did not see the free data between 00:00 and 6:00, thanks for that!

I was looking at Hulu and that seems to better than Netflix as Netflix is missing some programs that I like but Hulu has it.

Ill keep looking.

Kevin
 
zs-kev said:
Hi Saadjid,

I did not see the free data between 00:00 and 6:00, thanks for that!

I was looking at Hulu and that seems to better than Netflix as Netflix is missing some programs that I like but Hulu has it.

Ill keep looking.

Kevin
Click to expand...

I run a Fire TV with Netflix and Hulu. Hulu has some of the latest stuff, while Netflix has much bigger selection. We also use Amazon Prime on the Fire TV which is superb, but expensive.

Prime TV can be difficult to register, but as long as your Amazon account has a US based address associated you'll be fine. I like Beverly Hills, for some reason. ;)

Then you require Unotelly. I recommend Unotelly, as their service is good and their DNS is one we as ISPs can prioritise. For various reasons, we do not recommend the other services for this. Although this is all hypothetical in any case as we do not recommend any service such as Netflix or Hulu. I run it for diagnostic purposes.

The Fire TV is a great device, but is a bit behind the times in comparison to something like the new Apple TV, which is a serious consideration when looking at current media devices...
 
Hi Dj,

Thanks for the recommendation!
The reason I want to switch to these services is because DSTV is an absolute Rip Off! R820 a month for repreat after repeat! And its REALLY expensive for what it offers!

The new Apple TV is not good at all! I have seen reviews of all these products and the Apple TV is just one up from Roku. (Plus I HATE apple! All there products are overpriced for what they can do!)
I was thinking of getting the Nvidia Shield as that's way better than the rest, but its just to expensive compared to the rest, even though it has more to offer...

All I want to be able to do is what series in HD, I have a gaming PC for games already, so all I need is a streaming device for the TV. If you don't recommend Hulu or Netflix, then what would you recommend?

Kevin
 
I am not an Apple fan at all, but the new Apple TV is quite a device.

Note that the Fire TV has no volume control...
 
The new Apple TV is no way "quite a device". Search up the NVidia Shield, now that is quite a device! I can stream my PC games onto my TV through the Shield and so much more!

Why do I need the Fire TV to have volume control when my TV has volume control? DSTV has volume control but we just leave it at full blast and adjust the TV volume instead.
 
Just a question.. What's all the hype about streaming your pc games to your TV? Is it so that u can sit by your TV and play on the TV while it's being streamed to the tv?
 
Its nice because then if I want to play multiplayer with a friend, I don't have to lug my PC over to my TV and set the whole thing up just so that I can play split screen on a bigger screen. And then after I have to pack everything away and go reset the whole thing back up in my room. Its a pain in the ass! Would be nice to just turn the Shield on and play!
 
DJ... said:
I run a Fire TV with Netflix and Hulu. Hulu has some of the latest stuff, while Netflix has much bigger selection. We also use Amazon Prime on the Fire TV which is superb, but expensive.

Prime TV can be difficult to register, but as long as your Amazon account has a US based address associated you'll be fine. I like Beverly Hills, for some reason. ;)

Then you require Unotelly. I recommend Unotelly, as their service is good and their DNS is one we as ISPs can prioritise. For various reasons, we do not recommend the other services for this. Although this is all hypothetical in any case as we do not recommend any service such as Netflix or Hulu. I run it for diagnostic purposes.

The Fire TV is a great device, but is a bit behind the times in comparison to something like the new Apple TV, which is a serious consideration when looking at current media devices...
Click to expand...

Sometimes DJ :D
 
zs-kev said:
The new Apple TV is no way "quite a device". Search up the NVidia Shield, now that is quite a device! I can stream my PC games onto my TV through the Shield and so much more!

Why do I need the Fire TV to have volume control when my TV has volume control? DSTV has volume control but we just leave it at full blast and adjust the TV volume instead.
Click to expand...

Bit of an arsehole response to someone trying to assist don't you think?
 
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