A few years ago, Amazon released a media set-top box called the Amazon Fire TV and a streaming stick called the Fire TV Stick. This video streaming box is an Internet-connected device that lets you watch video from services via an internet connection, on your TV.

Definition of a Complete Cable TV Alternative

Before we start dissecting Amazon Fire TV and Stick, let’s talk about what a cable TV alternative is, and or should be.

The greatest weapon in a cord cutter’s arsenal is a video streaming device. For those of you that don’t know;  a video streaming device enables you to watch video streaming services like Amazon Prime, DirecTV Now, Sling TV, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO GO and of course from Amazon Instant Video on your TV.

A Video Streaming box (media set-top box) that aims to be a complete cable TV alternative, should provide:

1. STREAMING SERVICES – Access to video content from sources as possible. The more options you have, the better chance you have of taking advantage of low prices and new content.
2. USER INTERFACE – A user-friendly interface for easy searching and navigation. Jumping from show to show or movie to movie, should be as easy as changing channels on a standard Cable TV remote control.
3. OTA INTEGRATION – Most importantly, and notably ignored by most, a set-top box with this goal integrate broadcast TV into their interface and offer a way to record it via a DVR.

In short, you need a solution that can act as the foundation in which you build upon with streaming services and access to free broadcast television. Let’s look at Amazon’s Fire TV video streamer and see how it matches up to these requirements.