Last Updated: May 21, 2019 (Refresh Now)
Fire TV Recast over the air DVR 500 GB 75 hours
Last Updated: May 21, 2019 (Refresh Now)
7.4
SCORE
/10
Total Reviews
187
Old Reviews
0
Unverified
2
Spam Test
PASS
Yes
WIFI
Review Analysis - 185 recent, verified reviews
Detailed Mode
Software Platform
45fire tv, interface, stick, recast, alexa
+64%
-36%
" ... Of course like some of the other reviewers said there is room for improvement in the UI. ... Also, if you install this Pluto TV app, it adds like 20 channels to your channel lineup. ... "
" ... I am not using Alexa, so I cannot rate the Alexa integration and voice recognition - but am sure it would be great also. ... "
" ... Easy to use with IOS device. ... "
" ... Easily installed (hooked up) for integration into my Fire TV cube. ... "
" ... Once I got used to the user interface, I really like my Recast. ... I am coming from a TIVO so it is the user interface differences that I notice. ... -Add channel guide to the Fire TV app so you can see what is on and schedule recordings. ... "
" ... Not perfect, but hopefully will get there soon with some interface improvements. ... "
" ... By the way I'm 73 and not what you'd consider a techie but I do love my Alexa products (7 total). ... "
" ... I found this Fire TV Recast and decided to get it. ... "
Ease of Use
36set, use, setup, recordings, easy to use
+94%
-6%
" ... The guide and dvr is easy to use and the ease of browsing live tv is great. ... "
" ... If it needs a reboot, I want it to be simple and intuitive. ... "
" ... Very easy to set up and use, could not be more happy with the Recast. ... "
" ... The setup of the device was a breeze like any amazon device. ... The UI is straight forward and easy to use. ... "
" ... It was easy to setup and the picture and sound quality is excellent. ... "
" ... Easy to use and retrieve recordings . ... "
" ... The software is easy to use & works well. ... "
" ... Set up was simple. ... "
Setup
26setup, set, instructions, took, products
+92%
-8%
" ... The set-up was easy but, I think that the navigation instructions could be a bit better but as a whole once you get that part down, the product is marvelous. ... "
" ... Simple to set up, easy and intuitive interface if you're used to the FireTV products. ... "
" ... This is one of the easiest to set up tech products I have ever purchased. ... "
" ... The set-up was srtraight forward and easy. ... "
" ... Took 5 minutes to set up, and it just worked like you would expect it to - seamless. ... "
" ... easy to install, it works, easy to use, overall less expensive than cable tv, would buy again, don't know why i didn't do this sooner ... "
" ... Works well and no monthly fees, no problems and easy to set up. ... "
" ... Easy to setup. ... "
Device Compatibility
25device, phone, fire, stick, amazon
+60%
-40%
" ... We have one ancient TV that can't connect to a fire stick, but otherwise very happy with this purchase. ... "
" ... By the way I'm 73 and not what you'd consider a techie but I do love my Alexa products (7 total). ... "
" ... Had to use my wife's smart phone to get DVR up and running. ... "
" ... They need to make the guide on your phone the same as the guide when you bring it up on your TV. ... "
" ... Also, "Alexa, turn on the TV" and "Alexa, watch ABC" suits her as well. ... "
" ... When you add the ease of using Alexa and the fact that it controls my home theater setup, it gains 5 stars from me! ... "
" ... Device is a great way to watch and record TV. ... Easy to use with IOS device. ... "
" ... Easy to connect and use. ... "
Cables
24cord, cutting, cut, would, watch
+92%
-8%
" ... Ive often thought a device like this would be great for getting rid of cable. ... If my cable company receiver's interface was as good as Amazon's I would probably still have cable (and still paying an additional $47/month) ... "
" ... Highly recommended for those operating solely on the Firestick but also for any cord cutter. ... "
" ... Great alternative to getting rid of cable and satellite systems. ... "
" ... It's the one program you can't get without cable over the air. ... "
" ... By keeping Netflix and Prime, we don't miss the $200 cable set up. ... "
" ... The huge increases in cost and reduced programming for DirecTV led me to find away to cut the cord. ... "
" ... If you want to cut the cord and do OTA this seems, to me, to be the best solution out there. ... "
" ... I cut the cable. ... "
Network
22signal, tv, router, strength, internet
+55%
-45%
" ... If you have good OTA reception, this thing is great! ... "
" ... Works great with my $20 window antenna. ... "
" ... You just need an antenna that’s got enough range to pick up channels. ... "
" ... I moved my antenna upstairs & have it stream to fire stick. ... Much better reception vs when the antenna was on main floor. ... "
" ... needed a better antenna than I had thought ... "
" ... In my opinion, the antenna is the most important thing. ... I just got a GE Ultra pro stealth antenna. ... So this antenna paired with the recast is working very well for me. ... "
" ... I have the antenna and unit in my attic. ... "
" ... I have to also say remotely locating my antenna was another great feature which has enabled me to get nearly perfect signal on almost every channel at my house without manually running a coaxial cable down from my attic. ... "
Resolution
20tv, hd, recast, fire, antenna
+80%
-20%
" ... The 1TB Recast is advertised to record 150 hours of HD recording. ... "
" ... Video is HD quality. ... "
" ... Gave Fire Tv the DVR features that I missed and local channels with antenna. ... "
" ... Perfect for streaming basic channels. ... "
" ... The part I like most is if you have more than one fire stick like I do the dvr and channels also come through to the other tv's you have hooked up with a different firestick provided it's on the same home network. ... "
" ... Found all my channels. ... "
" ... I removed the box and went to a Roku stick, without local, and the picture improved to 720 picture. ... "
" ... I am now using antenna TV via Fire TV Recast, Prime Video and streaming Sling TV for sports and Hallmark channels. ... The Fire Stick 4K is lightening fast and skipping commercials is immediate. ... "
Product Reliability
16working, since, recast, months, unit
+44%
-56%
" ... Why are you marketing a device that is not completely functional in and of itself? ... "
" ... Hard drives do get corrupted at times, but there are no utilities provided to "fix it" so I had to send it back. ... "
" ... I've had it for about 6 months. ... It's not working! ... It's just too unreliable. ... "
" ... I should note the first one of these I had died in a week. ... Sometimes it says "Deletion Failed" and other times it just acts like it worked and it didn't. ... Too big of a hurry to get new devices out instead of actually testing the ones they have released. ... "
" ... and it still fails. ... "
" ... The guide is shown for only 2 weeks. ... "
" ... I have tried to put up with it for about 3 months now trying to get used to it, but I just hate it. ... and it was junk. ... "
" ... Always end up with some type of error message 50-409 or 77-14. ... "
Apps
14tv, apps, recast, recordings, programs
+79%
-21%
" ... We use it for Netflix, Hulu, Redbull TV, YouTube, Pandora, everything - well everything but my ReCast. ... "
" ... Not only is the Recast's viewing quality is much better but it brings in additional programs from another app that I have installed on my TV. ... "
" ... Controls are fairly easy, but I'm still getting use to deleting taped programs. ... "
" ... She is great for playing a particular song, but if you want to tell her to find "blacklist on hulu" or something similar, you may be there a while . ... "
" ... Downloaded the app and followed the prompts for set up. ... "
" ... Also, if you install this Pluto TV app, it adds like 20 channels to your channel lineup. ... "
" ... Also, "Alexa, turn on the TV" and "Alexa, watch ABC" suits her as well. ... "
" ... The APP never said you must use your fire stick and to go to VCR. ... I found this on a you tube presentation since the APP was quiet. ... "
Marketplace
14since, picture, customer
+86%
-14%
" ... I am really a satisfied customer since I purchased this in Nov 2018. ... "
" ... I'm not used to this because normally Amazon products are awesome. ... "
" ... Overall I am happy, but there are a few issues I wish i had a better way to report to Amazon. ... "
" ... Works as advertised. ... "
" ... I am giving 4 stars as this can take a few more improvements which I am sure Amazon will. ... "
" ... Amazon help says they are studying it. ... "
" ... I think if Amazon fixes that, this unit will be a terrific deal. ... "
" ... Thank you Amazon. ... "
Picture Quality
10quality, good, tv, setup, recast
+100%
" ... The picture is great from the antena. ... "
" ... I removed the box and went to a Roku stick, without local, and the picture improved to 720 picture. ... "
" ... The picture is clear. ... "
" ... The picture quality i not as good as Hulu, but I'm able to get most of the shows that i use Hulu for over the air and now on the recast. ... "
" ... It was easy to setup and the picture and sound quality is excellent. ... "
" ... I'm really surprised at the picture! ... "
" ... After using it for about 3 weeks, I find it easy to navigate and the picture quality is excellent . ... "
" ... I think the picture quality is good and the streams load fairly quickly. ... "
Video Playback
5watching, live, kindle, watch, netflix
+100%
" ... If and I mean if it makes a good recording, it streams to my fire tv stick quite nicely, but the recordings are not showing up on the mobile app, sooo good and bad. ... "
" ... Plus I love all the available videos, movies, etc. ... "
" ... The amount of videos available is almost overwhelming. ... "
" ... Can watch local news and see pretty much any movie like to watch. ... "
Remote
5use, fire, stations, seconds, previous
+40%
-60%
" ... There is no separate remote and you must use your phone or tablet. ... "
" ... Even with their remote which I swear it would be easier to use if the made it out of a wet sliver of soap. ... "
" ... They give you a rather spartan remote because 'Alexa" is supposed to do everything for you, well, that is just a pain too (and you have to use the Fire TV remote, you cant program ones you already have to work with this system. ... "
Microphone
5playing, back
+20%
-80%
" ... Will not continue to play on channel so you can go to recording and come back without being live. ... "
" ... Also loses ability to delete recordings. ... "
" ... Recording deletion failed is the message. ... "
" ... And it somewhat sucks at playing back certain recordings. ... On occasion it has problems playing back recordings. ... "
Returns
5unit, replacement
-100%
" ... I hope to return them both for a full refund. ... "
" ... SO I return it . ... "
" ... I wish I could return. ... "
" ... I took it back. ... "
" ... For this reason I returned it. ... "
Product As Described
5+100%
" ... The picture is great from the antena. ... "
" ... Works as advertised. ... "
" ... this does exactly as advertised. ... "
" ... I'm really surprised at the picture! ... "
Controls
4rewind, hit, displays, button, stations
+50%
-50%
" ... Says controls up to 4 devices but only does 2 at a time. ... "
" ... Then after messing with the volume buttons, checking other channels etc it may suddenly work. ... "
Memory
4hour, 6
+100%
" ... Immediately found and integrated external storage I had added. ... "
" ... I really like being able to tape 4 shows at once (larger storage capacity 1-TB on mine). ... "
" ... I do plan on trying my usb 3.0 2tb hard drive as extended storage. ... "
" ... I purchased the 500GB system because that is all the memory I will need. ... "
Price
4+75%
-25%
" ... would definitely buy again, well worth the price ... "
Features
4recast
+100%
" ... I love the dvr features. ... "
" ... Even if you don't use the dvr function (which is a great feature!) ... "
Wifi
4stick, recast, tv, tried, signal
+50%
-50%
" ... I typically have to restart the fires stick to link to ReCast even though the app shows it connected to the same WiFi with “Strong” connection. ... "
" ... I tried to run this off of wifi (and I have the latest and greatest wifi router out there . ) ... "
Capacity
3reception
+100%
" ... The Recast records all our selected "over the air" shows and broadcasts them via our WiFi to any television in the house connected to a Fire TV Stick. ... "
" ... Much better reception vs when the antenna was on main floor. ... "
" ... Would I recommend it to friends/family … most definitely yes. ... "
Sound Quality
3easy, setup, set, quality, picture
+100%
" ... It was easy to setup and the picture and sound quality is excellent. ... "
" ... It doesn't connect to my AV receiver which distributes the sound through our Bose speakers. ... "
Overall performance
3+33%
-67%
" ... There is little to no evidence of improved performance. ... "
" ... Slow in deleting programs. ... "
Cable Length
3cutting, cut the cord, cut
+67%
-33%
" ... I cut the cable. ... "
" ... This is a must have if you are cutting the cable. ... "
Display Clarity
3viewing, recast, glitch, happy
+33%
-67%
" ... Dvr recordings lips don’t always match the movement on screen. ... "
" ... Random sudden black screen where it will not resume a recorded program unless you go back to the home screen and retry. ... "
Hair
3cutting, cut the cord, cable, want, getting
+100%
" ... If you want to cut the cord and do OTA this seems, to me, to be the best solution out there. ... "
" ... Great product, bought for purposes of cord cutting so far so good ... "
" ... Hope this helps anyone interested in getting one and cutting the cord. ... "
ISP
3router, also
+67%
-33%
" ... Get a good modem and separate router to start with. ... "
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Specifications
Connectivity
WiFi: Yes
Yes
WIFI