Question 1

Is anyone else annoyed that cuz amazon wanted to shave $2-3 and a bit of space in new 4k firetv, now have to spend $fifteen to get wired enet?

Accepted Answer

I'm torn whether to order the new Fire TV w/ 4K Ultra HD and Alexa Voice Remote.  I already have Fire TV but thought this new one would be great to have the built in Alexa on the remote.  However, the recommendation that you also need to purchase the Ethernet Cable Adapter really confuses the issue.  First, I  have WiFi and live in a relatively small house (1500 sq.ft.) so am not sure if the WiFi will be enough without the Ethernet Adapter to get a  strong signal.  Second, my router is located at the front of the house and my Fire TV is at the back of the house - we have a great room layout so only one wall between router and Fire TV -- would I even be able to use the Ethernet Adapter since my router is not right next to my TV?  It just seems to me the old Fire TV with the wired Ethernet is a much better design.  Seems like we're going backward instead of forward?!

Question 2

What the heck is this thing and what is it for?

Accepted Answer

Wait. Folks need a reality check. This is ethernet USB adapter is only 10/100Mbs while the 802.11ac wireless protocol  can, theoretically, reach 1.3Gbs! Yes, in real life that speed is unobtainable, but 1Gbs is obtainable and amazing. More so, it is an order of magnitude FASTER than this stupid thing. Really, it isn't that hard to put a 1Gbs ethernet interface in that USB adapter in this day and age. If you feel your wireless can't handle it, but want spectacular performance with your television, get rid of any WiFi extenders you may have and replace them with WiFi routers that support 802.11ac (decent ones are here on Amazon for $60-$70 and less on Prime Day). An extender, by design, cuts the WiFi speed in half as it's sole purpose is to strengthen the signal, not push your WiFi data faster (routers do the latter as that is what their primary function). In fact, put the WiFi router near your TV to get the optimum performance to minimize interference. One caveat that wired has over wireless and don't argue with me on this: Wired is inherently more secure. I will help people secure the heck out of their Wireless, but it won't change the fact that your neighbors can attack your wireless network without being inside your house. (both wired and wireless can be hacked over the Internet as that issue is about the Internet Protocol (IP) address's reachability, not the physical implementation of the network). If your performance of the wireless is still really bad , then you highly likely need to change the WiFi channel that you are using. For instance, if all your neighborhood has the same Internet provider, you are all on the same WiFi channel. There are android apps that report what channel you and your neighbors are using, but for iPhone, you are essentially SOL on that. Ask your Internet provider for help.

Question 3

Is this GB Ethernet?

Accepted Answer

I as well can't believe Amazon is selling this antiquated hardware. All their FireTV sticks/Cubes have micro USB connectors for their ethernet adapters which cannot handle Gigabit Ethernet. What garbage for 2023. I'm dumping all Amazon streaming hardware, including these ridiculous ethernet hardwire adapters. I've got 1Gb ethernet and am stuck with 100 Mb speeds thanks to Amazon. My 8K TV needs more speed (even when it's upscaling to 4K). Get with the program Amazon!.
Bye the way, I'm canceling Prime. $130 for faster shipping isn't worth it. Plus the "free" movies are all RENT or BUY now on PRIME! It's NETFLIX from now on. Good bye Amazon. Mr. Bozos you had better read this and fix these issues or you are going to lose a large part of your revenue stream. You HAD a good system. Not anymore.

Question 4

How unreliable is the 802.11 ac going to be on the new fire tv where they recommend this ethernet adapter when i put the 3rd gen fire tv in my cart?

Accepted Answer

Speed and reliability are totally different. A regular Hulu HD 1080 p stream only needs a steady 6 Mbps data path for no glitch watching, while a 4K Ultra needs 13 Mbps . A modern router modem will provide triple the speed over its 802.11ac wifi than over its Ethernet connection, but is susceptible to interference from Wireless phones, Cell Phones, Microwave ovens etc, and also will fluctuate as other devices connect to the wifi network, and send/receive large data packets, while the Ethernet connection is considerably more stable, and reliable, regardless of wifi interference or amount of devices on network.

Micro-USB Ethernet Adapter for Amazon Fire TV Devices

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