Fire Stick or Chromecast

tech740 · 05-19-2018, 05:09 PM

I am just wondering what others on here use, if either of these or something else? I am looking for something that I can use the either my amazon prime video or Dish anywhere app on. I know that both will support them but that Chromecast works based off what is on your phone screen, and fire stick uses wi-fi or must be tethered to your phone via hot-spot. I do have unlimited data and usually good cell service just curious if others have used these and what made them lean one way or another

captcolour · 05-19-2018, 05:42 PM

I've tried the ChromeCast at campgrounds, but it needs to be on the same WiFi as the phone. The ChromeCast can find the network, but I can't figure out how to enter the password to actually connect it. So it has never worked.

I've used the ChromeCast out in my shop paired to the phone no problem.

Fishsizzle · 05-19-2018, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tech740

I am just wondering what others on here use, if either of these or something else? I am looking for something that I can use the either my amazon prime video or Dish anywhere app on. I know that both will support them but that Chromecast works based off what is on your phone screen, and fire stick uses wi-fi or must be tethered to your phone via hot-spot. I do have unlimited data and usually good cell service just curious if others have used these and what made them lean one way or another

I never liked chrome cast, was just a funky way to work.

I have 2 roku sticks and an Apple TV and both work great with Prime. We watch Psych all the time, and a little Monk

tech740 · 05-19-2018, 08:09 PM

Does it buffer frequently when hooked to your phone? I am wondering if the cell internet is a fast enough connection. I am also thinking that maybe we just upgrade to a smart tv and dont have to worry about the which dongle is better scenarios.

Fishsizzle · 05-20-2018, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tech740

Does it buffer frequently when hooked t
o your phone? I am wondering if the cell internet is a fast enough connection. I am also thinking that maybe we just upgrade to a smart tv and dont have to worry about the which dongle is better scenarios.

Works great with the Apple TV since I have an iPhone. Works good with roku as well. Your cell signal strength is always a factor. More bars the better.

Make sure your “unlimited data” really is unlimited. You can chew through GB quick streaming movies and many plans reduce your speed after so much use. Your still getting data, just much much slower.

Lambadger · 05-27-2018, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tech740

Does it buffer frequently when hooked to your phone? I am wondering if the cell internet is a fast enough connection. I am also thinking that maybe we just upgrade to a smart tv and dont have to worry about the which dongle is better scenarios.

A smart TV is ok to try as a solution but, remember, some tv's depending on the brand will have a limited amount of tv apps you can use or download. If you only need Netflix, or Hulu, YouTube, etc. then that's ok.
I use Apple products, so for me a favorite is my Apple TV which now accepts amazon prime video app. I used to use both Roku and Apple because I couldn't get Amazon Prime Video on my Apple TV. Now it doesn't matter and I use my AT because it syncs better and faster connecting to all my devices.
Roku makes a good stick, and also Firestick is pretty too.

Frank G · 05-27-2018, 04:31 PM

Will a external High Gain wifi antenna combined with a Alfa R-36 help in a poor wifi park?

**JRTJH** · 05-27-2018, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank G

Will a external High Gain wifi antenna combined with a Alfa R-36 help in a poor wifi park?

There are two distinctly different problems with park wifi. First is signal strength. Yes a booster/external antenna will help receive the park wifi signal, even if you're on the "fringe" of no service.

The second, and more limiting factor is bandwidth. When the park wifi is capable of transmitting 800 megs of data per second and there are 30 campers, all connected to the park wifi system, each pulling 100 megs of data while streaming cartoons for the kids, there's simply not enough bandwidth to support the demand and no matter how strong your signal, you can't stay connected. It's not because of poor signal, it's because there's no capability for the system to send/receive from your antenna/booster.

We've been in a number of campgrounds where there is excellent signal strength, but simply no way to get any data flow because everyone else is "bogging down" the system.....

So, a booster/external antenna "might" help or it "might not" help, depending on how much capacity the park's wifi can support.

Path2ground · 05-27-2018, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank G

Will a external High Gain wifi antenna combined with a Alfa R-36 help in a poor wifi park?

There is a thread about “WiFi repeater” you can search for. We have good success using an ubiquity M5 that has allowed us to stream Amazon video on busy CGs networks

DMK · 05-19-2018, 08:32 PM

I do use a chromecast dongle and it works great for certain things. I have a wi-fi ranger go AC router that handles my internet connections, so I can use my computer or phone to operate it.

bfisher003 · 05-20-2018, 05:19 AM

We’ve used the Fire Stick both at home and in our trailer when traveling. When traveling we pair it with our Mobley AT&T device or our Verizon Jet Pack, depending on signal quality. This has worked quite well for us for the past year or so.

Barbell · 05-20-2018, 06:31 AM

We have used a Roku with our ATT Unlimited plan and it works well in some places and not at all other places. Don't know if it is a problem with the Roku or the phone. It works at home just fine but not in the RV even when it is parked nearby. Also have a Firestick that will try next in the rv.

bill-e · 05-20-2018, 11:06 AM

I'd vote for the Fire Stick and if you can, a Dish Tailgater. The first gen Tailgater's can be had for under $320 including the receiver and the monthly cost is $7 if you already have a Dish account. Turn it on and off as much as you want and it will be a prorated charge and no fees.

Where I live and camp the cell coverage is very poor so often the Dish is the only thing we can get.

bill-e · 05-20-2018, 11:11 AM

Another inexpensive way to get music (other than having it already on your phone or USB stick) is to puck up a used portable Sirius/XM receiver and speaker or Line-out bluetooth adapter and call XM and get 5 months for $30.

Sunfishin · 05-27-2018, 08:39 AM

I found a Belkin "Miracast" video adapter, $29 on Amazon. Receives the wifi signal from my phone and it's plugged into the HDMI port on TV.
I have a Samsung Tv, HTC M8 Android and Samsung S7 phones. It will work with dumb tvs, and most smart phones with "mirror" type functions.
I can project anything on my phone, to the TV. If I have a cell signal I can stream videos, using Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. The better the cell signal, the better the picture. Very little buffering, usually no buffering.
Dennis

tech740 · 05-20-2018, 01:29 PM

Thanks guys. I am leaning towards a fire TV 3rd gen. I want to be able to access my dish anywhere app, Amazon prime video, and Netflix. I just have to make sure I won't get my data throttled when I use it by Verizon.

Frank G · 05-20-2018, 02:05 PM

Firestick & Roku paired up with the Spectrum $21.00 plan.

Many options out there, we all have different needs and wants. Most campgrounds have crappy WIFI and some have more trees than Dish or DirecTV can deal with.

Bnrc73 · 05-28-2018, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tech740

Thanks guys. I am leaning towards a fire TV 3rd gen. I want to be able to access my dish anywhere app, Amazon prime video, and Netflix. I just have to make sure I won't get my data throttled when I use it by Verizon.

Even the top plan with Verizon , I believe it's the Ultimate Unlimited, will throttle to 600 after 15 gigs in the billing cycle. Before that my Firestick works great with my Hot Spot. Not so much on campground WiFi.

tech740 · 05-28-2018, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bnrc73

Even the top plan with Verizon , I believe it's the Ultimate Unlimited, will throttle to 600 after 15 gigs in the billing cycle. Before that my Firestick works great with my Hot Spot. Not so much on campground WiFi.

That's what we have and that is true. I am thinking of trying a fire stick. Fire TV does not allow mirroring. There is also a cable that hooks the phone directly to the TV. Thinking of maybe trying o e of those for the wife's Iphone. My phone doesn't support anything other that hot spot option unless I get chrome cast. Never go with a MotoZ force or any Moto phone for that matter. Very restrictive.

bill-e · 05-20-2018, 03:02 PM

The $39 FireTV stick will load the Dishanywhere app. I have both the Fire Stick and the 3rd Gen FireTV (which I bought for $49). I would not and did not buy it for full price, I waited for it to go on sale, right now on Amazon FireTV is $69...not worth it unless your camper is streaming 4K to a 4K TV.

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