Toshiba has just released a new series of HD Fire TV Edition televisions that run Amazon’s Fire TV operating system. What differentiates these new TVs from the ones Toshiba released earlier this year is that these new TVs are 1080p only, so they do not support 4K Ultra HD, and they have more analog input/output capabilities. These new TVs are available in a 32-inch size for $179.99, a 43-inch size for $299.99, and a 49-inch size for $349.99.
Much like past Fire TV Edition television sets, the specs between each new TV are mostly same, apart from their screen size and the fact that the 32-inch size uses a 720p screen, while the other two sizes use a 1080p screen. They all feature 3 HDMI ports, where one of which is an HDMI ARC port, and an RF antenna connection for the built-in tuner. They also have composite video input and both digital optical audio output and analog audio output, which is a first for a Fire TV Edition television.
The TVs feature a single USB 2.0 port that lets you connect external storage, which can be used to extend how long the TV can pause and rewind live OTA video. Connectivity includes dual-band 802.11ac WiFi and a 10/100 Ethernet port. There’s also Bluetooth 4.2, which is how the remote control connects to the TV.
The included remote appears to be the same Alexa voice remote that Toshiba shipped with their 4K-capable Fire TV Edition televisions. It has the usual assortment of Fire TV buttons, as well as power, volume, mute, and channel guide buttons. There are also 4 quick launch buttons for Prime Video, Netflix, HBO, and PlayStation Vue.
Under the hood is an Amlogic T950Z CPU and Mali-450 GPU powering these TVs. There is 8GB of internal storage and 1 GB of DDR4 RAM. These TVs are running Amazon’s latest version of Fire OS 6, which is based on Android 7.1.
The price point of these TVs is peculiar because the 43-inch and 49-inch of these 1080p TVs are priced the same as Toshiba’s 4K Fire TV Edition TVs in the same sizes. Apart from some more analog ports and the availability of a 32-inch size, there doesn’t seem to be any reason to choose these new TVs over their 4K cousins. These new TVs are available now from Amazon and Best Buy.
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I wouldn’t buy a TV without 4K and HDR. This is like buying a TV 10 years ago!
I agree. TVs with those features are cheap enough that without doesn’t make much sense.
I agree and 720p for there 32″ really in 2018.
What I loved was that remote control. If only it came with the fire tv box
Control looks awesome!
1080 has its place still. With the lack of 4K content and that by the time 4K content is the norm prices will be even lower.
I also have all of my spare/kids tvs set to 720. they don’t know the difference watching Disney or SpongeBob. This change alone kept us under the bandwith cap.
Also having you significant other think its cool to stream a 4k fireplace stream for 30 plus days strait 24/7 because is looks good to those driving around the neighborhood during December is not cool. :)
My guess is that the benefit of a 1080P screen might be better brightness compared to 4K. It’s also possible that black level is better. But one would need to do a side by side comparison to check.
For a screen size smaller than 65″, the human eye would have great difficulty in resolving the difference between 4K and 1080p. However, you would be able discern the better color depth of HDR, if the quality of the LCD panel actually supports it (which it may not), AND if you actually had HDR encoded content, i.e., like 4K, advertising HDR may also be a marketing gimmick.
Second part of your post is right on. You need to sit very close even on a large screen to see the difference of 4K over 1080. And if encoded and your set has it, HDR is the difference.
But your first part is not correct. 4K TV’s now (at least the major brands can’t speak for the Amazon TV) have higher nits than the previous models and my 4K Samsung far outshines my previous TV for black level.
My comment about brightness advantage is based in the pact that each pixel on a 1080p TV should have a larger area active to inactive ratio and hence be brighter IF the backlight has the same intensity. I’m guessing that 4K TVs will achieve greater brightness, but at the expense of losing black levels. Of course, your mileage will vary.
Seems like TCL owns this space.
Just bought a TLC 55″ 4K HDR for $209, why would I buy a Fire TV???
Where did you find it for $209?
Officer Jim?
Not an officer, I just play one on TV.
Ebay, they sold out in 12 hours, all 3,400 of them. Go to slickdeals.net and watch for them!
P.S. They were refurbish but in A+ condition.
Seems like you’re paying a premium for the integration of the fire tv interface with the OTA TV stations and a unified remote while knowing that Amazon will eventually stop supporting these TVs and they will only be usable as a video monitor.
I’ve got a $160 40″ 1080P black Friday TV paired with a $20 first gen fire tv stick that I’ve been using for a few years. I don’t mind using two remotes. Can’t even see the fire tv stick and I used the USB port on the TV to power the fire tv stick.
Just like with Roku, I think the shortcut buttons are silly. How does Amazon know what I want to have shortcuts to? They know what they want me to have shortcuts to. The Roku TVs seem the same with the remote. Where are the buttons to change channels with? For the price, I don’t have issue with the 32 inch 720p screen. Larger resolutions are wasted.