Toshiba and Insignia have released their new Fire TV Edition televisions for 2020. There are 11 variations of screen size and resolution available across the US and Canada. They range from 24-inches for $149.99 and up to 55-inches for $429.99, with 32, 39, 43, and 50-inch sizes in between. There are more models this year than in previous years that support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Additionally, for the first time, there are now models that support DTS Virtual:X passthrough surround sound.
Models
Distinguishing the new 2020 models from the old 2018/2019 models can be tricky at times, since some of the older models are still being sold and often alongside each other on the same product page. The easiest way to identify the new 2020 models, for both Toshiba and Insignia, is to look for “21” at the end of the model number of the TV. A couple models are not yet available to order, namely the Insignia 32-inch and Toshiba 55-inch, but their quick setup guides are published by Best Buy, here and here, so they may be coming in the future. Here are direct links to all the new models that I could find:
- 24-inch Insignia 720p:
- 32-inch Insignia 720p:
- US – Possibly Coming
- 32-inch Toshiba 720p:
- 39-inch Insignia 720p:
- 43-inch Toshiba 1080p:
- 43-inch Insignia 4K:
- 43-inch Toshiba 4K Dolby Vision:
- 50-inch Insignia 4K:
- 50-inch Toshiba 4K Dolby Vision:
- 55-inch Insignia 4K:
- 55-inch Toshiba 4K Dolby Vision:
- US – Possibly Coming
- Canada – CDN$699.99 at BestBuy
Remote
The 2020 Fire TV Edition televisions from Toshiba and Insignia come with a different remote than the 2018/2019 TVs. It’s actually the same remote included with the TCL and Nebula Fire TV Edition sounbars. On this new remote, the Home, Back, and Menu buttons have been moved below the directional circle, to match the Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV Cube remote. There are also now dedicated Channel UP/Down buttons. The other two new buttons are a Settings button (gear icon) that opens up the quick settings overlay and a Recents button (square icon) that opens a row of recently watched content. The button between the Channel and Volume buttons, that has a TV icon on it, was also on the previous remote and opens the live TV channel guide. The four app buttons this time are for Prime Video, Netflix, HBO, and Hulu.
Specifications
The specs for the non-4K models haven’t been published, but the 2020 4K Fire TV Edition device specs can be found here for the Toshiba sets and here for the Insignia sets. For the 4K TVs, the specs haven’t changed too much from the 2018/2019 models. They still have 2GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, 802.11ac 2×2 MIMO WiFi, and a 10/100 Ethernet port. The CPU is now a MediaTek T31 ARM Cortex-A55 at 1.5GHz, versus 1.4GHz in the old models, and the GPU is bumped up to the newer Mali-G52, versus last year’s Mali-T820. I don’t know exactly how these updates translate to performance improvements, but I suspect marginally better performing than the outgoing models.
As you’d expect, these TVs are running Fire OS 7, based on Android 9, which is the latest version of Amazon’s operating system. While it doesn’t really make much of a difference today, compared to Fire OS 6 on the older models, having the newer OS could result in a longer lifespan and app compatibility. Another addition that will help the longevity of these TVs is the addition of AV1 video codec support. These are the first Fire TV devices, TV or not, to support this new open format that is expected to compete with H.265 HEVC in the coming years. Also added this year is the addition of Miracast support.
Toshiba vs Insignia
Unlike the previous models, where both the Toshiba and Insignia models were pretty comparable and the one that was more discounted at the time tended to be the deciding factor between the two, Toshiba has pulled out ahead this year with some unique features. For starters, all of the Toshiba 4K models support Dolby Vision HDR, which is not found on any of the Insignia models. Additionally, the higher end Toshiba sets support DTS Virtual-X surround sound passthrough, which, again, is not found on the Insignia models. Of course, you need a compatible soundbar or AVR to take advantage of DTS’s latest competing format to Dolby Atmos, but it’s nice to know the option is there regardless.
Looking at the 43-inch and 50-inch 4K options from each brand, the addition of Dolby Vision and DTS Virtual:X on the Toshiba comes at only a $30 price increase. That seems like a no brainer, but that’s based on list price and these TVs will constantly be discounted. Even right now, as I write this, the 43-inch Insignia 4K is already on sale for $249.99, which is $50 off of its regular price, making the price premium for Toshiba’s set $80. For the 4K sets, if both are similarly priced at the time, I’d choose the Toshiba over the Insignia, but for non-4K sets or when one is more heavily discounted, price is still the biggest differentiator.
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The legs on these newer TVs are problematic for me, as they often do not work for my current tv stands.
https://www.amazon.com/WALI-Universal-Stand-Table-Screen/dp/B0854QJ1GT
This style stand solves those factory legs that are on pushed out to the edge of the screen.
Have used them, seem very stable in the 2 use scenarios I have installed them for.
Check around on prices, I don’t recall paying more than $12 but maybe prices have increased on them.
Welcome Back Elias. I’m not in the market for a TV, but I would love the new remote. Are those sold separately?
Jason
It doesn’t look like they’re available separately yet, but there’s also no guarantee that the new 2020 remote will work on the 2018/2019 TVs. Once I can get ahold of the new remote, I’ll check to see if it works on the old TVs and post the result.
I have a Toshiba 2020 Fire TV with the new remote. My parents have a Toshiba 2019 Fire TV with the old remote. I took my new remote to their house and it works! It is designed much better than the old one for my dad as the arrow circle is raised higher and much easer for him to use. The problem is I’m out a remote. Would love to get one when they come out.
How do the processors and performance of the TVs compare to the 4K Firetv stick? I was surprised at how much nicer the 4k stick was compared to the 4K Firetv Cube… Plus the stick supports screen sharing but 1st gen cube does not which is a disappointment. Won’t be upgrading cube because of cost vs performance between stick and cube.
FWIW, the 2nd-gen Fire TV Cube is by far the best- and highest-performing streaming device in the current Amazon line-up, typically benchmarking behind only the Nvidia Shield, which is a well-known speed demon. Perhaps Elias will find time for a full review at some point in the near future.
Elias,
I was surprised they don’t have the NEW ATSC 3.0 chip inside.Have you heard or know why or if it will be in the FIRE TV RECAST?
Good point! At this point any new T.V. not offering ATSC 3.0 would be a no go for me.
Amazon hasn’t said anything about when or if ATSC 3.0 will be coming to any of their devices.
Ditto the thoughts on ATSC 3.0 compatibility, although I don’t know why I care- broadcast tv is unwatchable.
I wonder if the tuners could be updated when the spec is present in more markets.
Surprised miracast is still limping along, the lack of screen mirroring is what drove me to chromecast. Haven’t heard a peep out of amazon fling.
What phones besides LG and Samsung support miracast anymore? Pretty sure google nerfed it.
Maybe add a glossary, or quick description for the dts/dolby stuff? No idea what half of that is.
WB, and thx to liliputing for sharing your return announcement.
( keeping an eye out for the xiaomi mi stick? The 4K Mibox “s” have been adequate, especially for 30$. )
oh yeah, **** amazon. Gen1 stick shipped with 0 ads.
break up amazon after we split up google.
Thanks for the line breaks. Maybe add a formatting hint to the comment box?
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looks dumb.
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third try on this comment. Are you rate limiting? An edit option would make things simpler. I don’t know if I’m filling up a moderation queue or if I’ll have 8 copies of this comment post, but the wp submit comment page keeps timing out, so if rate limiting make it more explicit.
Add a time zone suffix, use client local time, or just show the comment age as x-many-hours ago. Currently it just looks like your clock it set wrong.
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Didn’t mean to turn this into a rant, but all these small issues add up
Sorry for all the commenting trouble. Not sure what’s going wrong.
I look forward for the Toshiba ones going out in the uk. Also welcome back
Welcome Back Elias. Does these TV’s support games? Example Minecraft, also do they support Bluetooth Game Controllers?
The TV hardware supports games fine, but it’s up to each game developer to decide which devices are compatible with their game. While most games will be marked as compatible from the start, some might not so you’ll want to check each game you’re interested in running on these TVs. Yes, they’re compatible with Bluetooth game controllers.
Thanks
First off, WELCOME BACK ELIAS!!!!
I know you loved your time at Amazon but man, have you been missed!
Sorry to dive right in but I have a question/problem that I haven’t been able to find any answer for and it’s driving me nuts.
Okay I just bought a 32” Toshiba FireTV for my sons’ bedroom room and an 32” Insignia FireTV for mine and my wife’s bedroom. I bought the different models because we needed new TVs but I also wanted to see if there was any noticeable difference between em. The Toshiba was $129 on Woot!, also it was physically made in Feb.2019 and the Insignia was only $119 on Amazon, and was physically made in March 2020! Everything is fine with them, they’re up to date, meaning with FireOS 6.2.7.2(NS6272-2663). I only side loaded em each with Xfinity Steam, HBO Max & Mouse Toggle for FireTV.
Okay to my question/problem. I’ve tried adding remotes to both to avail… I’ve tried pairing the newest Alexa fire stick remotes with volume and power buttons, to the first Alexa enabled remotes, even down to the very first fire stick remote that has no voice button. None of them would show up on the list.
Now I’ve been able to add my phone to each TV via the FireTV remote app but that’s all.
If my kids weren’t so clumsy I wouldn’t worry about it but since there’s a good possibility of them either losing or breaking a remote. So you can see how I would very much love the ability to add a new one if needed.
Now, I’ve done what the instructions say to: hold the button for 10 seconds. If it fails to show up: put in fresh batteries. If it still hasn’t shown up pull the and wait 5-10 seconds and try again.
I’ve even reset the remotes (Pressing and holding MENU + BACK + LEFT for 10 seconds) to see if that would fix the problem, which it didn’t.
I’m literally at my wits end here!
I really don’t want to factory reset the TVs, especially if that isn’t needed.
However, if it is needed, then it’ll have to be done.
If you or anyone else could help me with this I would greatly appreciate it!!!
And again, WELCOME BACK ELIAS!!!
Thanks for the welcome. Simply put, the Fire TV Edition televisions are not compatible with the Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, or Fire TV Cube remotes. There’s nothing you’re doing wrong. The remotes are just not made to be used between the boxes/sticks and the TVs. I suspect maybe a generic non-Amazon Bluetooth remote should work, but I’ve never tried one.
do you think a 4k stick remote paired to a 4k stick would be able ot at least power on this tv?
Yes, the latest Fire TV/Fire TV Stick remote can power on/off these TVs and control their volume.
ahh… This just feels right seeing articles again :)
Exactly!
I just took back a Toshiba Fire TV because it wouldn’t do stereo pair with my echo studios and had to go the cube and tv route. Will these new tvs do home theater?
In less then a year I’m getting horizontal lines on my 43 inch Toshiba fire tv. Not worth buying.
Great to Be Your Back, Things ive notices since you have been gone 2nd Gen TV, Has a new update out and has not been rooted. Plus Like Roku sticks, If you have 2nd Gen model disney plus does not work on 4k on HD, Yet states it Should work, in 4k thing it only work on 4k tv with HDR, not 4k tvs with out please help thanks..
I got the 50inch insignia 4k and I’ve not had 1 problem. I’m using IPTV on it with t*******. I paid only 220 which was a steal for a50inch. The color could be better seems that no colors pop, but then again what do u want for such a cheap price. Great for a bedroom but not good enough for the living room.
How do you think these tv’s compare to using the Nivida Shield on a non fire tv or android tv? Is the picture quality and performance greatly better by going with the Shield?
FIRE OS 6272 NS6272/2663
My Toshiba TV will not connect. It did last year, in September.
connected to Wi-fi not connected to the internet
My other devices/computers work fine. My research says I need a new driver? Reset the TV to as per manufacture and reinstalled to no avail.
I am still trying to set up my tv but it’s stuck in trying to pair the remote to the tv, despite the fact that I can use the volume up and down and power on and off the tv