Amazon Fire TV: Difference between revisions
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The trick to launch Kodi from the "Recent" menu is no longer possible, because Amazon decided to remove Kodi from their app store. | The trick to launch Kodi from the "Recent" menu is no longer possible, because Amazon decided to remove Kodi from their app store. | ||
== Launching Android apps within Kodi == | == Launching Android apps within Kodi == |
Revision as of 04:44, 7 December 2015
Devices | Android | Amazon Fire TV |
These pages are maintained by the community and should not be considered an endorsement or recommendation. Device pages are made when there's a bunch of useful information for a particular device, and someone takes the time to make that page. Keep in mind, some devices simply don't need a page of specific information, but are still excellent devices. * |
Amazon Fire TV (2015) Gen-2 | |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Amazon.com |
Released | 2015-09-17 (US) |
OS | Fire OS 5.0 "Bellini" (Based on Android 5.1) |
CPU | MediaTek MT8173 ARM big.LITTLE Quad-Core CPU up to 2Ghz |
Storage | 8 GB internal + MicroSD slot up to 128 GB |
RAM | 2 GB RAM |
Display | Full HD (1080p) @ 60 fps and Ultra HD (2160p) @ 30 fps |
Graphics | PowerVR GX6250 |
Connectivity | HDMI 2.0 (with HDCP 2.2 and CEC), Bluetooth 4.1 LE, USB 2.0, WiFi Dual-Band/Dual-Antenna (802.11ac MIMO), 10/100 Ethernet |
Dimensions | 115 × 115 × 17.5 mm (4.53 × 4.53 × 0.69 in) |
Amazon Fire TV (2014) Gen-1 | |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Amazon.com |
Released | 2014-04-02 (US) |
OS | Fire OS 3.0 "Mojito" (Based on Android 4.4) |
CPU | Qualcomm Krait 300, ARM Quad-Core CPU to 1.7 Ghz |
Storage | 8 GB internal |
RAM | 2 GB RAM |
Display | Full HD (1080p) @ 30 fps |
Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 320 |
Connectivity | HDMI 1.4a (with HDCP 2.1 and CEC), Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, Wifi (802.11n), 10/100 Ethernet, Optical audio |
Dimensions | 115 × 115 × 17.5 mm (4.53 × 4.53 × 0.69 in) |
Amazon Fire TV Stick (2014/2015) | |
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Manufacturer | Amazon.com |
Released | 2014-11-19 (US) |
OS | Fire OS 3.0 "Mojito" (Based on Android 4.2.2) |
CPU | ARM Cortex A9 Dual-Core @ 1.0GHz |
Storage | 8 GB internal |
RAM | 1GB RAM |
Display | 720p and 1080p @ 30 fps |
Graphics | Broadcom VideoCore IV (OpenGL ES 2.0) with integrated VPU circuits |
Connectivity | HDMI 1.4a (with HDCP 2.1 and CEC), Bluetooth 3.0 (HID, HFP, HPP), WiFi (802.11a/b/g/n), and one Micro USB 2.0 port for power only? |
Dimensions | 84.9 x 25.0 x 11.5 mm |
Note: Unless otherwise noted, the following information applies to both the Fire TV box and Fire TV stick.
Amazon Fire TV (first and second-generations) is a series of Android-based (Fire OS) set-top-box that contains a powerful ARM processor (that can even handle some of the more heavy Kodi skins). First released in 2014, Amazon's Fire TV series stands above some of the other Android-based offerings due to Amazon's strong product support and because it contains more remote friendly versions of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other video service clients, which generally makes it a good pairing with Kodi.
Amazon have also released Amazon Fire TV Stick as a low cost version in a HDMI-stick format, and while the Amazon Fire TV Stick also uses the same Android-based (Fire OS) software platform it contains less powerful ARM processor hardware it should still technically provides the same video playback features and capabilities as the first-generation of Amazon Fire TV, at least as far as running Kodi on it. The second-generation of Amazon Fire TV however does support newer video codecs and higher resolutions than the Fire TV Stick model.
Fire TV Gen-1 and Gen-2 differences
The main differences between the first-generation Fire TV (released in 2014) and second-generation TV (released in 2015) is that the second-genration supports newer video codecs (HEVC and VP9) plus higher resolutions (Ultra HD /2160p at up to 30 fps, also known as "4K" resolution), and that includes HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 as required for 4K output by some streaming apps such as Netflix. And while the first-generation Fire TV (2014) shipped with an older version of the Fire TV operating-system it can now be upgraded to the same new version as the second-generation Fire TV (2015), so software-wise the old and new hardware can still support the same features and functions that are not dependent on newer Android hardware (such as video codecs and resolution).
Fire TV Stick differences
In a nutshell: slower processor (which won't be a huge difference for average Kodi usage), Amazon Fire TV Stick only has 1GB of RAM, comes withoput no USB port and wired Ethernet, as it features just HDMI, power, WiFi, and Bluetooth. No versions of the Fire TV Stick supports newer video codecs (HEVC and VP9), nor does it support higher resolutions than Full HD / 1080p, (so no support for Ultra HD /2160p at up to 30 fps, which also known as "4K" resolution). All released versions of the Fire TV Stick still works pretty well from a Kodi standpoint.
Other than the new voice remote control (that has an integrated microphone) there are no differences hardware between the first-generation Fire TV Stick (released in 2014) and second-generation "new" Fire TV Stick (released in 2015). The older version of the Fire TV operating-system can be upgraded on the first-generation Fire TV Stick (released in 2014) to the same new version as the "new" second-generation Fire TV Stick (2015), so software-wise the old and new hardware can still support the same features and functions that are not dependent on newer Android hardware (such as video codecs and resolution).
installing Kodi
Kodi can be installed on any Fire TV or Fire TV Stick. Root is not required.
Bypassing Amazon Home
Launch Kodi from Recent on the FTV Home Screen
The trick to launch Kodi from the "Recent" menu is no longer possible, because Amazon decided to remove Kodi from their app store.
Launching Android apps within Kodi
Copying files
Copy userdata settings (optional)
Run Kodi at least once to initialize the userdata folder on the Fire TV
- Copying from PC to Fire TV
- Copy files to Fire TV userdata folder using
adb push <local> <remote>
- For example, to copy advancedsettings.xml from your local folder to your Fire TV Kodi userdata folder:
>adb push advancedsettings.xml /sdcard/android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/userdata
- Note: For SPMC change the path to
/sdcard/android/data/com.semperpax.spmc/files/.spmc/userdata
- For example, to copy advancedsettings.xml from your local folder to your Fire TV Kodi userdata folder:
- Copying files from Fire TV to PC
- Copy files from Fire TV userdata folder using
adb pull <remote> <local>
- For example, to copy advancedsettings.xml from your Fire TV Kodi userdata folder to your local folder:
>adb pull /sdcard/android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/userdata/advancedsettings.xml
- For example, to copy advancedsettings.xml from your Fire TV Kodi userdata folder to your local folder:
You can use adb shell
to open a remote shell on the Fire TV. Use standard Linux commands such as cd
and ls
to navigate the file structure. Type exit
to exit adb shell.
See userdata folder for more information on the contents of the userdata folder.
Update Splash Image (optional)
Run Kodi at least once to initialize the userdata folder on the Fire TV
- If the splash image file is splash.png, you can run the following command to copy the file to Fire TV (you may need to update the folder name):
For Gotham
>adb push splash.png /sdcard/Android/data/org.xbmc.xbmc/files/.xbmc/media/splash.png
Fire TV splash images:
- Non-version specific
- Created by elmerohueso: v1 v2
- Created by reaven
- Version specific
Note: The "Non-version specific" splashscreens can also be applied using elmerohueso's "XBMC Tweaks for FTV" program addon, which is available from elmerohueso's Kodi repo.
Controls
Box and Stick
Bluetooth remote
Note: For better button layouts, see Alternative keymaps for Fire TV remote.
To reboot the Fire TV with the Bluetooth remote, hold Play/Pause (8) and Select (4) for 5 seconds.
Bluetooth keyboards and gamepads
Any Bluetooth input device, such as a keyboard or gamepad, that works in general on the Fire TV will also work in Kodi.
CEC
People are reporting that the Amazon Fire TV has basic CEC support. Reported working keys are UP, DOWN, RIGHT, LEFT, SELECT, PLAY and PAUSE (depending on the TV brand).
Box only
USB
USB port allows for various additional remote types, such as FLIRC, various RF dongles, etc. Most of these devices will show up as a keyboard type input.
- USB keyboards
See keyboard controls for how to control Kodi using a keyboard.
Additional Fire TV controls goes as followed:
Key Action F11
or "browser search"
media key.Voice Search (Does not send mic audio) F12 Fire TV home screen Esc Fire TV back button Ctrl+Esc
or "Menu" (to the right of the Windows key on the right side)Fire TV menu button Alt+Tab ⇆ Recent App Ctrl+Alt+Delete System reset
USB gamepads
Any USB gamepad that works in general for the Fire TV will also work in Kodi.
- Examples
- Logitech F710 Wireless Gamepad (uses a small USB dongle)
- Xbox 360 wired gamepad
- Xbox 360 wireless gamepad works if you use the Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows
Video guide
Known issues
- VC-1 / WMV9 encoded videos is currently not hardware decoded in Kodi on the Amazon Fire TV box or stick
- Live IPTV (via multicast UDP/RTP) is currently not supported due to missing kernel support.
Random notes
Feel free to place various notes, tips, and links here. As this section of the wiki gets more organized, those notes will be properly sorted. Consider this like a dumping ground for when you're not sure where to put something.
- Debug information in the Fire TV's Netflix app can be accessed by pressing Ctrl+Alt+⇧ Shift+D.
- The FireTV will not go to 'sleep' when Kodi is the active application. In the Gotham builds, you may set the Power Saving -> Shutdown Function to Quit, and choose any time between 5-120 minutes. This will Exit the application after being idle, which allows the FireTV screensaver to run (the screensaver should pop up right when Kodi exits; test this by using the 5 minute Quit timer). This also appears to function correctly and allow the device to sleep even if you are using the Llama settings to always keep Kodi running.
- You can change the FTV to use non-US Time Zones by using TimeZone Changer.
- Micro USB port on the Amazon Fire TV Stick does not support USB host functions (no hard drives or USB input).
See also
Links
- Kodi forum threads about the Amazon Fire TV series:
- Amazon Fire TV (2015) Second-Generation: http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=239126
- Amazon Fire TV (2014) First-Generation: http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=191109
- Amazon Fire TV Stick (2014/2015): http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=207444
- Amazon Fire TV (2015) product page: http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-DV83YW-Fire-TV/dp/B00U3FPN4U/
- Amazon Fire TV (2014) product page: http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-CL1130-Fire-TV/dp/B00CX5P8FC/
- Amazon Fire TV Stick product page: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZVJAF9G/
- Amazon Fire TV Stick Device and Platform Specifications https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/devices/fire-tv/docs/device-and-platform-specifications
- iFixit teardown: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Amazon+Fire+TV+Teardown/23856
- Supported codecs: https://developer.amazon.com/sdk/asb/media-specs.html
- Wikipedia article on Amazon Fire TV: wikipedia:Amazon Fire TV
- Wikipedia article on Fire OS (Amazon's Android based OS): wikipedia:Fire OS
- Qualcomm Blog: http://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/blog/2014/04/02/new-amazon-fire-tv-powered-snapdragon-600-processor
- XDA Developers Fire TV forum: http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv
- TechRepublic teardown: http://www.techrepublic.com/pictures/cracking-open-amazon-fire-tv/18/
- AFTVnews (News and Guides): http://www.aftvnews.com/
- Amazon Fire TV Utility App: http://goo.gl/woVu0s or http://goo.gl/lUNWaT