The Amazon Fire TV Stick is the cheapest streaming device made by the online retailer. It will allow you to watch all the movies and shows of television on Amazon, as well as using applications such as Netflix, HBO Now and Hulu.
What's in the box of the Amazon Fire TV?
The Amazon Fire TV Stick is delivered with the following items:
- The Amazon Fire TV Stick.
- Alexa voice remote control.
- Power adapter for Fire Stick.
- 2 AAA AmazonBasics batteries for remote control.
The HDMI extender cable is a good accessory, since the Fire TV Stick dongle is wider than the HDMI connector port. Because of this, the Stick may block other ports. However, if you use the extender cable, there should be no obstruction.
What else will you need?
Apart from what is inside the box, you will need these components for your device to function properly:
10 Mbps wireless internet
You will need an active 8 Mbps Internet connection to stream video in 1080p. You can stream 720p HD video at 4 Mbps and 480p SD video at 2 Mbps. And it must be over Wi-Fi, since Fire TV Stick doesn't have a wired Ethernet port.
An Amazon account (preferably with Amazon Prime)
Since you bought Fire TV Stick on Amazon, it is safe to assume that you have an account on this platform. In case you do not have it, you must create one before configuring and starting the device. The Fire TV Stick is also best used with Amazon Prime and its additional benefits, such as full catalogs of movies, TV shows and music.
1080p screen
The Fire TV Stick works with any TV or screen that has an HDMI port, including computer monitors. You will need one of those, and it is better if you have a 1080p Full HD TV. The normal Fire TV Stick does not support 4K output. For that, you will need the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, which works just like the device in question.
Setting up your Amazon Fire TV Stick
Once you have everything you need, the first step is quite simple. Connect your Fire TV Stick to your TV and power adapter. Turn it on and navigate to the appropriate HDMI port with your TV's remote control. If you don't have enough spare HDMI ports, disconnect a device you don't use frequently or buy an HDMI splitter.
First step: pair your remote control
Make sure Alexa Remote is charged with the batteries oriented correctly. Unlike most remote controls, both batteries look in the same direction in this case.
Keep the remote control near the Fire TV Stick (at a distance of five meters).
Now, press and hold the home button on the remote control for 10 seconds until the Fire TV Stick finds it.
Press the Play / Pause button to continue.
Second step: choose your language
The next screen will ask you to choose your preferred language.
Go up or down using the navigation trackpad to highlight the preferred language in yellow. Click Select to choose it.
Third step: connect to your network
Go left or right using the navigation panel to highlight your preferred network in gray. Click Select to choose it.
You will see a virtual keyboard on the screen, which you must use to enter the password. Again, use the touchpad to go to a letter or character, and press Select to choose it. Repeat the process until you enter your full password. Once you finish writing, press Play / Pause to connect.
Note: The "Rewind" button acts as Backspace, in case you need to use it.
Fourth step: register your Amazon Fire TV Stick
Remember when we asked you to keep an Amazon account ready? Now is when it's worth it. The next screen is about registering your Fire TV Stick with your Amazon account.
When the option to sign up or if you have an Amazon account is highlighted in gray, click Select. Enter the registered email for your account and press Play / Pause. Then, enter the password and press Play / Pause.
Fire TV Stick will recognize and register your account. There is a final confirmation screen that shows its name. If it is correct, press Select to continue.
Fifth step: save Wi-Fi passwords on Amazon
Next, a pop-up screen will ask you if you want to save the Wi-Fi password, entered into the Fire TV Stick in your Amazon cloud. This way, any other Amazon device with your account will automatically connect to that Wi-Fi network.
We recommend choosing "No" in this option. It is not a good security practice to store your Wi-Fi password online.
Sixth step: place parental controls or password protection (optional)
The following screen allows you to apply parental controls to your Fire TV Stick. This will allow you to set a 5-digit PIN password, which is required each time a user wishes to play a video qualified for teens or above, or to purchase an item.
If you do not want parental controls or password protection, select "No parental controls" and proceed to the next point.
Now, if you want to control your children's access to the streaming device, select "Enable parental controls."
Fire TV Stick will ask you to set a PIN. It is a cumbersome and confusing way to do it. The trackpad wheels are digits 1, 2, 3 and 4, in formation clockwise from the top.
Press the “Options” button of three lines on the Alexa remote control and they will become 6, 7, 8 and 9. The Select button, similarly, is 0 or 5. Set your PIN and confirm it to enable parental protection .
Press OK on the last tracking screen that says Parental Control enabled.
Seventh step: the introduction video of Amazon Fire TV Stick
The next screen will play a video that shows how to use the voice commands of the Alexa remote control with Fire TV Stick. You don't need to do anything during this video, just sit back and watch it.
Eighth step: Manage and monitor data consumption
The following screen allows you to manage and control the amount of data the Fire TV Stick can use. This is especially useful for anyone who uses a limited data plan.
If you don't care how much data the Fire TV Stick uses, select "Configure later" and jump to the next point.
If you want to impose limits on data consumption, select Enable data monitoring. Now, in the pop-up screen that follows, choose the video quality that is ideal for you.
Then, set the amount of data (in GB) that your Amazon Fire TV Stick can use in a month. And then set the date on which your ISP (Internet Service Provider) starts counting your monthly data usage.
You're done. Your options will be displayed on the screen, and Fire TV Stick will give you an on-screen alert when you reach your data limit.
Your Amazon Fire TV Stick is ready!
After a few seconds of setting everything up, the Fire TV Stick will be ready to use. It will transport you to the home screen, where all the action takes place.
What to see on your Amazon Fire TV Stick
In addition to all the major video streaming applications, Amazon has introduced several "channels" to help you fill the void that cuts the cable. The Amazon Fire TV Stick is an excellent input to make your cable cutting device. And probably better than Chromecast in that regard.
What to see on your Amazon Fire TV Stick
Now that you have the Amazon Fire TV Stick ready, along with the Alexa remote control and your Amazon Prime account, it's time to use it to stream movies and TV shows.
There are a variety of Hollywood blockbusters and popular television series to watch, but wait. Before trying them out, check out the best Amazon originals you haven't heard of. You never know, you can discover a new favorite show!