Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsThink twice especially if you have Virgin Media.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 21 November 2022
December 2022 update: A customer service rep from Amazon called me having seen my review. We tried on the phone to sort the Virgin Media issue out. We came to the conclusion that the Cube can switch HDMI to Virgin via Alexa- but ONLY if the HDMI cable from the Virgin Media box is connected to the TV directly. However, with the HDMI cable from the Virgin Box in to the Cube, Alexa does not know how to switch to Virgin. You have to manually scroll across to the Input setting and a preview of Virgin TV comes up before you select it. The Customer service rep has assured me that the issue will be passed on to their technical team. So hopefully there is an update in regards to this. Other than this- the Cube has been working brilliantly.
As this was reduced to £119 on the Black Friday deal, I upgraded from the 4K Max Fire Stick. Having said that I sold my 4K Max Firestick for £21 and a Google Chromecast 4K for £20 (which Google sold for £10 to me). So essentially, I guess I only paid £78. I doubt I would pay £119 for this let alone £139!
It is undoubtedly faster and smoother. The difference in terms of speed from the 4K Max is probably a couple of seconds. If saving a couple of seconds loading/scrolling time improves your life in anyway, then yeah- go for it!
However, is it worth upgrading from the 4K Max Fire Stick? I would say no. So why did I? This is where I am 'sitting on the fence' (at present)
The product description says that the Fire TV Cube is compatible with Virgin Media. I think this is a half baked truth. When you want to set up cable or satellite, the only options at first are Sky. You cannot select Virgin Media. It is only when you go in to the Add Equipment setting on the Cube that a whole list of other providers show up including Virgin Media. You can then set it so you can change to Virgin Media via the home screen HDMI option but not via Alexa. You also cannot change the Virgin Media channels with either the remote or via Alexa. When I read that this Cube is compatible with Virgin Media, I thought it would control it too. It does however seem to be able to control Sky TV channels but not Virgin Media. So technically, the product description is not fully accurate.
Even when I do change to Virgin Media, it sometimes takes about 10 seconds for the sound to kick in. I spoke to 4 agents via chat, and 3 via phone, with the 3rd one confirming at present the Cube cannot control channels for Virgin yet.
Amazon says: "Fire TV Cube lets you control your compatible cable and satellite set top box with your voice and Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote" Any person reading this, incuding myself would assume this works with Virgin Media (especially when u click the link after that quote and see Virgin Media listed. The fact it doesn't, I think this is a bit misleading.
Apart from the above, the sound and picture quality is amazing and crystal clear.
Streaming quality (Netflix, Disney etc)- excellent and very fast. Basic remote is included but no HDMI cable. I purchased a 2.1 HDMI cable which gives a stunning picture on both Virgin and the Cube. I have also two echo 5th Gen dots as my speakers. It also works flawlessly with my Ring Doorbell Pro 2.
If you have a 4K Fire Stick already and are not fussed about connecting your sky or virgin, then no need to upgrade at all. If you just need the latest tech or want to connect sky/virgin, then get this while it is £119. I would not have got this at full price. If you want to get it to connect your PlayStation or Xbox, then don't - lags terribly. I think with a few software updates it will get better.
