When comparing Chromecast (2015) vs Amazon Fire TV, the Slant community recommends Chromecast (2015) for most people. In the question“What are the best set-top boxes?” Chromecast (2015) is ranked 2nd while Amazon Fire TV is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose Chromecast (2015) is:
Chromecast costs only $35 which makes the overhead to jump into the ecosystem pretty minimal on the consumer's part.
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Pros
Pro Pretty cheap for what is on offer
Chromecast costs only $35 which makes the overhead to jump into the ecosystem pretty minimal on the consumer's part.
Pro Can be powered using TVs USB port
If you have a USB port on your TV, you can use that to power the Chromecast. The Chromecast is powered through a standard micro USB port.
Pro Does the processing on a different device
Unlike other set top boxes, the Chromecast just takes in a video stream in VP8 or H.264 format, and can stream that content either directly from the provider, or through a device that processes video to those formats. Because everything is done on a different device, you wont need to upgrade the Chromecast as often as other set top boxes, and anyone can play content from their phones, tablets, or computers.
Pro Available SDK means any app can utilize chromecast
With the amount of apps available on the Play Store, seeing that an SDK is available for any of them to use means that a large swath of apps can and do use Chromecast making for a very large ecosystem for what is a pretty cheap streaming device.
Pro Easily support multiple bands of Wi-Fi
Dual-band Wi-Fi support with 2.4GHz and 5GHz allows for easy connection to multiple different routers, this way no one is left out with a non compatible device as well as support for faster speeds which is helpful with HD content.
Pro Color choices available for easy matching or preferences
The device has red, yellow and black options which allows for one to match some of their other devices in their living room as well as offers a choice to be more of an individual through a color option.
Pro Simple to use once setup
Once the device is set up, using Chromecast is straightforward. Just click the the cast icon from within apps or programs to stream it to your TV.
Pro Voice search
There is a dedicated voice search button on the remote so you can quickly bring up the voice search prompt from any app that works fast and accurately.
Pro Has support for tons of media service integrations
The Fire TV has support of the following of services: Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, ESPN, Pandora, Showtime, MLB, iHeart Radio, Vevo, Vimeo, Crackle, Bloomberg, Twitch, NBA, Amazon Music, Plex, YouTube, Tune In, Flixster, Quello, AOL on, WWE, HuffPost Live, Frequency, Red Bull TV, and Smithsonian Channel.
Pro Has a simplified kids mode
There is a mode called "freetime" that lets you whitelist specific apps and set watch time limits for kids, or for a simplified interface with only certain apps.
Pro Most powerful set top box
Even though it's only $99, it's far more powerful than its competitors, with a quad core processor and 2GB of ram, and that power really shows in the fluidity of the UI.
Pro Bluetooth Remote
The Fire TV remote doesn't require line of sight, and has a microphone for voice search, thanks to bluetooth support.
Cons
Con Limited OS support
The device is designed for Windows, OSX, Android and iOS. Linux support is limited and Windows Phone support is nonexistant.
Con Somewhat lengthy setup process
To set up Chromecast, attach it to your TV, download the Chromecast app on your host device, pair it, connect the Chromecast to your Wi-Fi, wait for the updates to download and from there you are ready to cast.
Con Lots of Amazon advertisement
The Fire TV prefers Amazon services, and is tailored to purchasing shows and movies through Amazon. The voice search does not clearly expose if it's already available on a non amazon service.
Con Inconsistent UI between apps
Each app has a unique UI making it harder to jump between each app, and requires you to learn a slightly different UI for every app.