Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
Amazon has, in the UK at least, streamlined its video streamer selection to just two sticks: the original Fire TV Stick and this, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K.
The difference is support for 4K video, of course, with HDR – not just in standard HDR10 form, but also HLG, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making this the most format-friendly high-dynamic range video streamer currently available.
Compared with a more traditionally shaped streamer such as the Apple TV 4K (see right), this 10cm-long device is a far more compact design. We had no issues with wi-fi, but you can hardwire the Fire TV Stick 4K to your router by adding the optional ethernet adapter.
As well as being physically bigger than most sticks, the Fire TV Stick 4K also draws more power, to the extent that you should use the USB wall plug that comes in the box rather than running the cable into one of your TV’S own sockets.
User-friendly design
First-time set-up is pleasantly slick. The Stick automatically installs any available software updates and, predictably, links to your Amazon account. Home screens are bright and colourful, and feature artwork advertising Amazon’s latest content. Menus are bold, sharp and clear, and operation is snappy and smooth. And while the Prime Video app on other devices is a nightmare when it comes to finding Ultra HD content, it’s given a little more prominence here and is actually presented in search results. Hallelujah!
Adding a further dimension to operability is Alexa voice control. Simply press the voice-control button on the remote and speak into the integrated microphone; your commands are swiftly executed, even if Alexa is slightly hampered by a patchy search function. It’s not universal, for a start, so iplayer, for example, isn’t included in results.
At front and centre of the app selection is Amazon Prime Video, here available in 4K with standard HDR, HDR10+ (a one-up on the Apple TV 4K ) and Dolby Vision – and with Dolby Atmos sound, which sounds great. Netflix is here, too, also in 4K with HDR and Dolby Vision. As well as BBC iplayer you also get ITV Hub, All4 and Demand 5, while for local streaming there’s Plex and VLC, and for music you get Spotify, Deezer and Tidal.
Playing The Grand Tour produces a really sharp and detailed image, possibly to the detriment of the increasingly saggy presenters, but to the benefit of the four-wheeled beauties on show. It’s terrifically bright and vibrant, too. Marco Polo on Netflix continues the fine form, with impressive nuance as well as dramatic contrast.
You won’t be watching 4K HDR all the time, of course, and Informer on BBC iplayer proves that the Fire TV Stick 4K is a dab hand at 1080p, too. It’s detailed and clear, and has subtle, balanced colour.
For such a low price, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has all the apps you need, supports all current HDR formats and throws in Dolby Atmos. That’s an astonishingly good deal, particularly when you factor in the all-round quality of the performance and excellent user-friendliness.
“It has all the apps you need, supports all HDR formats and throws in Dolby Atmos”