There are two main types of Fire TV streamer: First sticks, which are essentially an extension of the HDMI cable. Some models also ask extra for Dolby Vision support, but this isn’t supported by Samsung TVs and is similar to HDR 10 anyway. Stepping up into the next quality rung you get 4K resolution, High Dynamic Range (HDR 10, usually) and Dolby Atmos (which supports height effects). Audio and videoīy default, all Fire TV streamers support Dolby Digital (5.1 surround sound) and high-definition video (1080p). If you have an older TV which lacks HDMI, you will either need to buy an HDMI-to-analogue adapter, or get a secondhand model from another brand such as the Roku 1.
This physical connection can help in homes with lots of Wi-Fi noise, such as in apartment buildings. But the Fire TV Cube also allows you to connect Ethernet. ConnectionsĪll of these devices support HDMI and Wi-Fi.
As with other streamers, the real sweet spot is $50 (in this case, the Fire TV Stick 4K) as paying more than $30 gets you more features and a bit quicker loading speed.
Prices start at $30 and top out at $60 (for the sticks) or $140 (TV Cube). At the end of the day, everyone wants to get the most bang for their buck, and the Fire TV sticks are some of the most affordable streamers out there.
