Amazon Fire TV’s

Natureluvr · ‎06-14-2018

I know this has been discussed in numerous threads, but I am still confused about a couple of things. I need a new TV and I’m going to ditch cable. With all of the options, it seems as though the Amazon Fire TV is the best because it includes so many free apps that you don’t have to pay an additional monthly fee for. YouTube is one of them so why would I pay for YouTube TV monthly when it’s already included on the Amazon TV? This may be an obvious answer but I am a tech dummy. I’m trying to make a decision before prime days.

blondegirl · ‎03-10-2010

the app is included. WIthout a subscription you cannot watch youtubeTV - that's the case for all of the apps that cost money. With the firestick you get access to Amazon's TV shows and movies and some free stations. The premium paid ones only work if you have paid for them.

Etoile308 · ‎01-04-2014

While apps are offered, there is still a fee to use them and stream.

For example, there may be an app for Netflix, Hulu, or Apple TV, but you still need to sign in and pay for the streaming service.

There are some apps that provide free streaming. Most of those have old time programs and movies.

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

@Natureluvr any smart TV, no matter the brand, will offer the same apps for the most part. For example, we have Samsung TV's and can go to the app section of the menu to add any apps we want to the "tray" which is the lower part of the screen where the apps are stored. LG, Sony, Onn (from Walmart), Sharp, Vizio, and Roku TV's...among others...have the apps. So don't choose a Fire TV based on that. Like someone else said, some of the apps will offer free content and others will only offer a paid subscription. So just because an app is listed as being on the TV, it doesn't mean that it is free. It means that it's available.

YouTube and YouTubeTV are completely different things. YouTube has content-created videos on a variety of subjects you can watch. There is a free version and a paid version. It is the same app, but if you pay for it, you can get the videos without commercials plus get YouTube music. But the basic app and its content are free. YouTubeTV is a premium subscription service that is one of only a few that offers live network TV besides a plethora of other channels. While not the same format, it is very much like having cable or satellite.

Wal-Mart and Best Buy...as well as Amazon...will have lots of good deals during Prime Days and actually already are. My advice would be to decide what size of TV you want, and then go to YouTube and search "best 43-inch tv" or whatever size you're wanting. Watch the videos. You can also go to wirecutter. com, tom's guide. com, RTINGS. com, and CNET. com and put in the same search to get fabulous advice.

Once you choose a TV, go to YouTube and watch videos on how to operate it. That will really help as most TV's don't have an instruction manual worth a hoot (if at all), and you have to look up most everything online. Which...if you find you can't figure out how to do something on your new TV, just google it, and you should find an answer PDQ. Good luck, and enjoy your new streaming TV!

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

@Natureluvr

Please note YouTube & YouTube TV are NOT the same.

YouTube = videos = FREE

YouTube TV = TV grid so you can watch TV as if you had cable = PAID SUBSCRIPTION plus ANOTHER SUBSCRIPTION for premium stations & programs.

Most if not all subscription apps have FREE trials. Amazon fire TVs currently includes FREE 6 months subscription to I believe MAX+.

Personally, I only take advantage of the FREE trials if they are 2 weeks+. I mark on my calandar the expiration date so I can cancel 2 days ahead. Under 2 weeks I do not bother.

I have a Toshiba Fire TV & YouTube TV.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

Natureluvr · ‎06-14-2018

Wow, glad I asked!! Thanks so much for the clarification!

Etoile308 · ‎01-04-2014

@Mz iMac, I don't know if you noticed but Prime has some streaming deals already available in the Prime store. Some are 99 cents a month for two months. That's enough time for me to catch up on the Acorn shows I'm interested in.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Natureluvr Does this TV include YouTube or YouTubeTV? Big difference.

I have two TVs, one with Amazon Fire and one with Roku, which both do the same thing and both have plenty of free content. I much prefer the content and ease of use with the Roku. You can also buy TVs equipped with Roku.

Free apps are not much of an enticement as there are millions free at app stores. It just depends on what they are. A lot of free content are old movies and sitcoms.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

AZfem · ‎04-13-2016

The Samsung smart TVs come with a lot of free Samsung channels including QVC & HSN. Most of them are dedicated to ine tv show & just show reruns of it. There are western channels, movie channels, anumal/nature things.

It has all the apps but you have to pay for most.