DON'T BUY THE 3RD GEN FIRE TV CUBE - Explained

[@ronfuse6993]

I got my cube a week ago and it is freaking amazing! I got mine hardwired, ether in and hdmi out. I use nord vpn with gigabit internet. Lightning fast with no buffering ever

[@jordankenney6943]

I am getting one. I hope that’s what mine is no buffering cause I got a fire stick and it buffers and it pisses me off.

[@zakapholiac9377]

@@jordankenney6943if you have good internet then the firecube will never buffer. The firecube is crazy powerful for a streaming device, tbh if you could repurpose the whole thing you could probably game on it 😂

[@doncampbell1560]

You complained that the USB 2 port would only support 4GB files because it only supports FAT32. That's wrong but the confusion is understandable. As delivered to me it seemed as if it only supported FAT32 because the "storage capacity" link under MyFireTV didn't see NTFS files. Apparently File Manager could see it and mount the NTFS devices but I never tried because it was easy to find in a google search that full NTFS compatibility was fixed with the system upgrade. That upgrade was released about a week after the Cube was shipped. Now any app can see NTFS files and the FAT32 limitation doesn't actually exist. I have an 8GB movie ripped from a DVD to an NTFS file format and it plays wonderfully from the 3rd Gen Cube USB 2 port using "media player" or "VLC." I have a 64GB NTFS flash drive which works fine in the USB port. I think my 1 TB drive will likely need a USB hub to provide enough power to spin the disk but I haven't tried it either way. I don't have use for that amount of storage. My Internet service from the ISP is 320 Mb/s downloading. I do not have ethernet connection near my TV or the 3rd Gen Cube but I get 220 Mb/s WIFI download speed to the Cube from the Internet via my router and I'm quite certain if I set up my VPN for the cube that the only limitation of the VPN speed will be from the VPN and not my Internet connection via WIFI. As I have said before, I find the streaming video quality I get is consistently good, rarely requiring tweaking of the TV's colors, contrast, brightness, etc. settings. That's not true for my other four streaming devices (all 4K, HDR). I haven't pinned down the source of that quality but it is excellent at displaying quality 720p, 1080p, 2160p and quite good even with 480p. Your mileage may vary as they say in the car ads, but for me the Cube 3 is great and better than my other devices.

[@anitalmid]

Just a question of curiosity. If the 3RD Gen is the same specs as the 2ND Gen, why did you buy it? and not a 2ND Gen for cheaper?

[@doncampbell1560]

@@anitalmid For starters, you're wrong: the specs are not the same. You should start your search on google and you'll find a lot more differences than the original reviewers cared to find out about. I'll start you off: G3 20% faster; G3 more ports--best for me is usb that can take keyboard and mouse; AI upscaling of 1080p or below to 4K--it works and the G2 hasn't got it. My AVR also upscales via AI so it's also such a solution but my feeling is that the newer G3 is slightly better than the AVR although both are so good the there is no need for 4K input for my eyes in my livingroom. You can take it from there. There are several refinements in wifi, things you can do with the HDMI input port and so on. Be adventuresome and find that stuff out yourself. BTW I bought my G3 at $100 introductory price instead of the list of $140. Get it yet?

[@anitalmid]

@@doncampbell1560 I think I will get one, I thank you for your input!

[@simonpreston]

I'm not quite sure what you are suggesting, when it comes to the talk about a VPN. Are you suggesting that, because a VPN has reduced your speed by a factor of 3x, the 100mbs port would also be reduced by a factor of 3x, down to something like 30mbs? Because that would not be the case. The reduced speed of the VPN simply means that's all the bandwidth they can give you. The Cube will still be able to use 100mbs of that. If you have a VPN on your router, and it's diminishing your speed like that, then you should probably think about turning it off, and having it per device instead. If it is per device, then it's up to whatever use-case you have for it, whether you want it on or off. Of course, it doesn't matter if you have a VPN or not, you'll always have devices fighting for bandwidth. A 1gb port wouldn't guarantee those sorts of speeds in those instances. I do agree that a 1Gb port would be a nice to have (and for future proofing), but you're not going to notice not having it, at the moment. Maybe when 8K comes along. But you'll probably need to buy a new device to play that anyway.

[@richardvacanti9428]

Then just use the Wi-Fi six duh

[@DocSquiffy]

have you used one yet? You can use NFTS External usb drives so not caped at 4gb

[@StuTech]

Did you leave a like Dr Squiffy?

[@DocSquiffy]

@@StuTech always 👍👍

[@StuTech]

Lol Thank you. Top guy

[@joec6901]

Would you recommend the Firecube 2 on sale for Black Friday @ $59?

[@mikeellis5801]

yes..but i also found the 3 gen shit compared to the 2nd gen

[@TorqueFormulaWon]

Spot on here mate. They could have made a future proofed device and chose not to. For the price the apple tv I think has better specs and may be the better buy if a locked eco system is acceptable. I have the second gen cube and thought about upgrading but there doesn't seem much point. I'm glad to ha e two of them for £55 and £59 but they don't sell them new any more so looks like we're stuck with this half baked product. Another reason they should have given more is they raised the price. Out of all of the fire devices it seems the fire stick 4k max may be the best but as its 90% as good as this one already. They didn't even upgrade the ram it just isn't good enough and insulting frankly.

[@avilesjexiel]

100 mbps is more than enough for 4k for Netflix HBO max ect. For plex remuxes nope.

[@KungFuMojo]

Attached USB hard drive for movies feels so 2010. LOL! That was the rage for me back then. If you run a plex server from your pc, your nas, etc., this 4gb limit size is a non-issue. But I understand, not everyone runs a plex server. The USB ports have always been about keyboards, game controllers, mouse, etc. for me. They are hardly ever used. But if you tinker around with apps, or sideload apps that are made for touch tablets, then you'd use the USB for a mouse or something. But wow, I can't believe this is 2015 hardware. I still have my Fire TV 2nd gen somewhere in the drawer. I would be so ecstatic of the HDMI IN five yrs ago. The XBOX ONE had the HDMI IN, and I used it for my Tivo. So you feel like you have one central location for your home's entertainment. But man, I've ditched cable and tivo for a few yrs now. KZbin TV and haven't looked back. I wouldn't know what to do wit that HDMI IN now.

[@bryandezso8447]

This was their opportunity to be king and they chose to be average. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@patrickmason7205]

The problem that I have with this cube is it doesn't have USB 3.0 why!!!!

[@FQ8]

All great points but got it on Prime Day mostly for the storage upgrade.

[@timwindsor03]

Awesome video brother. Thanks for sharing. Keep the content coming. Hope you have an incredible weekend. Much love and RESPECT

[@JimPNY55]

I made a decision to never buy another Amazon hardware product, I broke that decision with the 3rd Gen Fire Cube. I regret it already. Tablets with a bastardized OS, Fire Recast no longer supported, the Recast never played on my Android phone and the Fire Cubes were useless. Did Alexa prove to be as life changing as promised? No way. Never again will I buy Amazon hardware.

[@glitch10]

I have a self powered 4 port USB hub with 3 drives connected and formatted in NTFS, I use kodi to handle and manage my media with no issues.

[@leomobile86]

Thank you for your knowledge. I was leaning to buy this but those specs are dismal. You opened my eyes and I will stay away from this line of products until Amazon gets serious about their specs.

[@scotty2167]

Great video great info mate thanks ❤️

[@rosschannells5407]

Great Info changed my mind

[@michaelbowler565]

So I see this and thought ok makes sense. I’ll go see the video where he mentions the other devices worth the money. But I can’t find any video of you rating android boxes or advising one? Can’t really find validation in someone knocking a product if they don’t make a video to advise the good ones

[@lyonscultivars]

One of my main gripes was the lack og 1gig lan options

[@DenzelGee33]

Hi Stutech, excellent video. Have you or anyone watching tried connecting a Dolby digital signal into the fire Cube 3 HDMI input and discovered that it will only pass through a stereo PCM signal? I spoke with Amazon support over a month ago about this and still no response from there customer support or complaints department. I’m really disappointed in the contempt and lack of respect that Amazon have for their customers. Just unbelievable and unacceptable. If anyone has the same issues. Please reply. Thanks Tim.

[@TheHandsomeman]

I think your right, nice on the outside, but cost cutting on the inside.

[@sdc9593]

Netflix states you need 15mb speeds for 4k Prime states 25mbps speed for 4 k100mbps is more than enough for any streaming service you might want more for gaming but who currently wants to take on these devices

[@rmorris003]

The cube does hdmi 2.1 and 4k60 on h265

[@chanscott8968]

The 3rd gen cube price is between the prices of both apple tv boxes the cube should be cheaper than both of them

[@darrell4328]

Thank you very honest "iron man"

[@TioChivy]

I don’t hard wire my devices anyway.

[@Mr01dschool]

I do, as wired is more reliable with less latency. So I would get more use out of a Gigabit port than WiFi 6e. Amazon could have included both plus a USB C 3.2 port but went the cheap route. So they won't be getting my money. Try better next time, Amazon. So I will keep using my Shield TV Pro 2019 on main TV until Nvidia releases a new version.

[@markcastagna6704]

Thanks for the great info on the new cube. The cube 3 will not be purchased by me. What a joke Amazon!!!

[@GDBAKED81]

They have videos showing the cube is faster in every way from the fire stick 4K Maxx 🤷🏾

[@speedracer9132]

Maybe actually put the specs on screen

[@norlo44]

watched other vids about pro & cons but i think you got it spot on Stu, why buy something that has no real improvments to it?

[@controlfreak2444]

So clearly this guy has ripped every video he owns on hard drive to zero compression. In which case I would say he would have issues. However every streaming service I know uses compression during streaming and every video ripped to a hard drive is usually less than 4 gigs. So the ports would be more than adequate. Please let us know what streaming services you're using, and how large your Blu-rays usually are on disk?

[@controlfreak2444]

Regarding your 7-year-old Tech comment. No one streams more than 100 Mbs per second video files anyways. That's the limit of the hardwired ethernet port. So that part is up to date if you ask me. If you use the USB port adapter to a gigabit port, you then have a theoretical max of 400 Mbps through a gigabit port via USB. If you use the Wi-Fi 6E feature you then have even more throughput. Based on Modern streaming standards I consider this Cube and the previous Cube to be entirely sufficient for all current streaming services. This is sold as a streaming device and not a Plex server. Gen 2 and gen 3 cubes also are game emulator sufficient devices. If your main goal is to own a Plex server then get the Nvidia Shield.

[@StuTech]

Sufficient yes but hardly future proofed. It’s using the same parts from the Amazon tv 2nd gen and you are happy with that? As a consumer why aren’t you demanding a cheaper price?

[@controlfreak2444]

@@StuTech Because Amazon is very clear regarding their improvements. (And lack there of) Besides it's only 20 bucks more then the previous gen. You are getting almost the fastest octacore for this form factor. Improved sound, video up scaling and- that's about it. I'm sure game emulation will benefit from the new cpu. Again, a gigabit port isn't going to help streaming in it's current form. A USB 3.0 port would be nice, but like the video states, extremely fast file transfer speeds aren't going to make a difference to a limited file size anyways.

[@StuTech]

I get it, consumers are very protective of their purchases, maybe in time you will realise Amazon have tricked you. I guarantee the next gen Amazon streaming device will probably still not even do usb C and stick with micro usb.

[@Mr01dschool]

No thanks I am not going to do some workaround because Amazon decided to skimp with the hardware on their premium/flagship device. That is something I may expect to do with a $40 dongle but not a $140 premium box. Sorry but using 20+ year old port standards is a joke on what is supposed to be a company's flagship device. I will keep my money while I continue to use my Nvidia Shield Pro 2019 until a new model is released or another device with up to date specs is available. Amazon failed with their 3rd generation Cube IMO.

[@davecurtis86]

It's not shit for me, doesn't everything I want, fast and snappy

[@ashliemorrison1665]

Fire 3rd gen cube gets 400mbps with amazon's gigabit ethernet adapter

[@bobsherman6790]

I know this video was a while ago but I have to comment. Sorry, but you’re so wrong on many levels. It is true that the second versus the third is not much of a difference and actual usage but they’re both pretty good actually the best streamer that I’ve been using if you actually stream something have you tried it? if you want faster ethernet use the USB adapter which can give you maybe 400 max of the USB. second what is important is the CPU power and the GPU which is better than most and will allow you to stream, giant, blue ray, rips without a problem. Other streamers actually choke on them. Even the shield can have issues, so please tell us what’s your best streamer thank you. Happy holidays. Cheers.

[@StuTech]

That’s a fair comment. I would now go for a decent spec android box over a firestick or cube as it’s cheaper. If I’m totally honest If the Apple TV did the apps outwith the Apple App Store id buy that. Maybe the cube is the best buy?

[@zeeraspeaker8715]

Nice video, Stu☺

[@dallase1]

Great System you are "talking shit".

[@StuTech]

Great system (comma) you are talking shit. You only use inverted commas if you are quoting. I never said talking shit. I hate poor punctuation when I’m being insulted.

[@bdziver12]

Complete bullshit! I have 1050mbps internet connection and using proton VPN i get 980mbps!! Your home VPN speed depends on the quality of your router. Also no one uses a USB port on a damn streaming box. Use a goddamn NAS ffs

[@Irishking0101]

It's also based on android 9 which is an outdated version of android And we know Amazon does not update their android version so it's not gonna get any of those improvements That you would see from new versions of android And before anyone comments I know android 9 still works but it's not gonna work forever So I'm in agreement with you it's shit

[@TonyRome402]

I have 2 and they are awesome!

[@TioChivy]

Sorry 6E though. That’s why I’m gonna buy it.

[@Logan800]

what happens to men when they don't learn how to talk to women this video 🤦

[@Carolinakid1984]

I wish I would've watched this before buying one. I'm back using my 4k Max

[@GGGtube]

Beam me up Scottie!

[@player18renacido]

who cares about ethernet, it has Wifi6 thats allows more de 400mb/s

[@thatstreamingfella7298]

Thanks Stu that’s the reason I will not upgrade no point

[@badbonzai1]

Can't understand your english. Thank goodness we fixed that! 😀😀😀😀

[@bluedoggum8373]

It’s way too expensive

[@Smokinroco]

It's shite but you didn't have one..... OK.