2014-04-07, 23:04
This product has generated more negativity from people who have never even used it than I've ever seen. Even before people got it the Amazon reviews were flooded by people who didn't even buy or hadn't even used the device.
I've been waiting for an good Android media center for a long time. I know this box won't do everything anyone asks of it, but it's the best experience I've had in XBMC on and Android device. The OUYA version plays 1080p content with DTS/DOLBY D pass-through very well. The only thing I've seen beat it is a real full fledged comp, but those cost way more than $99.
I keep seeing this compared to a NUC and I was definitely about to give up and pull the trigger on one. The Fire tv is sooo much better for my purposes. I don't have to worry about my daughter or mother screwing it up, the remote is perfectly simple and the interface is unified. Meaning I don't have to wake up from my precious daytime sleep to explain shit over and over and over. That was the worst part about a PC as an HTPC.
Here's what this offers me, personally, over a NUC or low-end desktop:
120 hz. My tv will not allow a PC signal to display in 120 hz. It locks to 60 hz when receiving a PC signal. I feel the refresh rate adds significantly to picture quality.
Netflix + Prime with actual real remote navigation along with 1080P and Dolby. No mouse. So easy a caveman could do it.
There are no other boxes offering that, along with the ability to sideload apps. Not for the same money.
I've been waiting for an good Android media center for a long time. I know this box won't do everything anyone asks of it, but it's the best experience I've had in XBMC on and Android device. The OUYA version plays 1080p content with DTS/DOLBY D pass-through very well. The only thing I've seen beat it is a real full fledged comp, but those cost way more than $99.
I keep seeing this compared to a NUC and I was definitely about to give up and pull the trigger on one. The Fire tv is sooo much better for my purposes. I don't have to worry about my daughter or mother screwing it up, the remote is perfectly simple and the interface is unified. Meaning I don't have to wake up from my precious daytime sleep to explain shit over and over and over. That was the worst part about a PC as an HTPC.
Here's what this offers me, personally, over a NUC or low-end desktop:
120 hz. My tv will not allow a PC signal to display in 120 hz. It locks to 60 hz when receiving a PC signal. I feel the refresh rate adds significantly to picture quality.
Netflix + Prime with actual real remote navigation along with 1080P and Dolby. No mouse. So easy a caveman could do it.
There are no other boxes offering that, along with the ability to sideload apps. Not for the same money.