Firestick alternatives
- Thread starter Satda06
- Start date
white43
Newbie
Do any of these Firestick alternate devices support the local UK apps like iPlayer, ITV, C4 and C5?
I'm using mainly Firesticks and Firecube for Stremio - but I can't help but worry that Amazon is going to pull the rug out and stop it. However I do use all the catchup services as well.
I'm using mainly Firesticks and Firecube for Stremio - but I can't help but worry that Amazon is going to pull the rug out and stop it. However I do use all the catchup services as well.
You need a certified device for that to be simple however you can get the UK catchup apps working on none certified boxes with some trial and error on what versions to use.
afterburn
Member
even the $20 version is a cracking little box. I have a mate bringing more over for me and one of the dearer versions just to see is the price difference worth it.
Stock is a bit low in places now, not sure if i will be able to get them.
Not really, Hopefully more stock will become available, my family are going a week on Tuesday so fingers crossed lol.
afterburn
Member
I set up the 4k plus version last night and to be honest I'm not seeing any difference in performance over the €20 standard 4k. The processor is slightly more powerful and it has 16gb storage instead of 8. It also has WiFi 6, but really I didnt notice much Difference at all.
Maybe the pro version would be more noticeable.
The plus has a faster cpu than the pro. I dont know if the extra ram on the pro will level them out tho.
afterburn
Member
Either way they are all cracking value at the prices.👍
Aristotle
VIP Member
Hello Aristotle - I remember buying my firecube 3rd gen 4K, mainly on the back of this chart, and also supported Now TV Sky Sports in 4K (my beloved Shield didn't which I still miss now)
However each day I use it, I have to restart it daily, if not using any of the Sky Sports UHD channels it will glitch every 4/5 seconds, not buffering just picture will stop for a second or two then start again, sound continues without break up, however a quick restart via the select and play buttons on the remote method and its fine will play then without issue. I've tried factory reset option and still the same, its not filled with apps either currently just running Streamio, tivimate and Now plus my VPN.
Ultimately, I think they are rubbish, I'm convinced my firestick 4K max feels quicker which I have in the kitchen which surely can't be right, but ultimately this is the only device that fits my needs, as the Now TV is the irish version so can't use my LG tv with the now app built in as I can't get the PIA VPN on it.
I keep thinking it must be a RAM issue, but once I have restarted, its perfect, but I will need to restart 24 hours later before I use again otherwise the same issue will happen.
Aristotle
VIP Member
Yeah restarting a device will clear any RAM that is being used and will help with devices that don’t have much. Also force closing any apps should free up RAM.
Also making sure no other apps are running in the background hogging any resources on the device.
I always power my devices down when finished using them and never use standby and I use the app atvTools to close any third party apps running in the background that don’t need to be.
The problem with Amazon devices that they come with many applications that run in the background and is one of the reasons I prefer devices that don’t come with bloatware.
Even though the Cubes have great benchmark scores they do come with lots of bloatware that would probably hinder most devices.
silverblack
Member
Can't remember if the firesticks are the same but with the Shield if you double press the home button quickly it comes up with apps in use and you can close them down.Same as on the Apple TV but as i got rid of all the fire TVs i cannot check if it's the same.
Aristotle
VIP Member
I can do that on my android device but it does not stop them running in the background and some apps have to be forced closed. Kodi doesn’t need to be forced closed when you exit correctly but apps like Tivimate,Stremio, Smarttube etc run in the background when you exit.
silverblack
Member
I've never had any problems with the Shield Pro or Apple TV but the Shield Tube was a nightmare refused to play Netflix or Prime just froze until i rebooted it.Convinced it was the lack of ram even tho i barely had any apps on the thing.
jolly3434
Member
Id had the same problem with my fire cube for a few months now, having to clear cache and restarting fire cube and router.
Driving me mad.
I have now plugged the fire cube into a smart socket and time it to switch off the fire cube at night 12.00pm and switch on about 8 am, so far for the last 2 weeks i haven't had any problems now with it, so hopefully its solve the problem for good.
It could be trying to update itself at night and the update causes the crashing. By switching off at night you are stopping the update.
I've just got into the habit or holding down select and play to restart it as soon as I use it now, still irritates me that its required for what is supposed to be the top of the line product