Recently a huge number of Android TV devices from different manufacturers have literally flooded the market of hardware, which can be used as digital signage players.
So, what should the established leaders do in this situation? Well, for example, to produce the model, which is almost identical to the previous device from the line, mark it as “Lite” and decrease the price by $10. Ok, guys, let's see what the new Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite 2021 can offer.
Overview and specs
In fact, the box and its design do not differ in any way from the previous version, except for the addition of a small "Lite" badge on it. The device itself has support for Full HD resolution, Wifi of 5th generation, support for Alexa Voice Remote though also marked as "Lite".
There is 4-core 1.7GHz processor on board with 1Gb of RAM and only 8Gb of storage (the system usually takes up to half of it). This is certainly enough for a streaming device, but honestly is quite poor for professional Digital Signage.
Unboxing
Now let's unpack it and take a look at the package bundle.
Yes, everything is nicely packaged and not badly stocked. I would give it 5 out of 5 for completeness. There is an HDMI extender, which is a rarity, branded batteries from Amazon, a full-fledged power supply, although such devices can also be powered directly by the TV with "confident" USB (from 1.5 ampere).
Fire TV Stick vs. Fire TV stick Lite
So, the main question is what's the difference between new model and full version without the "Lite" prefix? Well, guys, if we plan to use the Amazon Fire TV Stick for Digital Signage, then there is absolutely no any difference. Look at the picture of the comparative characteristics. They are absolutely identical. The only change is in the stripped-down functionality of the Alexa Voice Remote and the Remote itself. But we only need it for initial setup while pairing it with the Look Digital Signage Software.
Installation and Tests
Well, yes, I need to say, that surely there is a certain discomfort when the device does not allow you to use it without logging into the service of the same name. These is couple of extra steps and as a result wasted time, because you must have or create an account on Amazon. Although who does not have one, you might think. But if your task is to create your own Digital Signage Network of, let’s say, 20 screens, it will be quite difficult to activate every device and, more than it, Amazon engines may see some suspicious activity in your actions.
Ok, once we have gone through all the stages of updating and authorizing in the Amazon service, things go on much faster. Find the Look Digital Signage application in the Amazon app store, install it and launch. Several permition agreements and the familiar 6-digit code is already on the screen.
Let's send on it something in Full HD, because, as you might remember, this is the maximum resolution, that this device supports. Certainly, we also will split the screen and will use different applications in each zone at the same time.
Overall
Well, quite a good result, I should say. Everything works without visible mistakes or interruptions. But as I said before, there are many restrictions for using this device for DS:
⁃ One thing is the difficulty of launching, especially in case you're going to power several screens;
⁃ Inability to use the screen in vertical mode, because the Fire Stick firmware does not support rotation;
⁃ Quite a small amount of internal memory and there is no slot for its expansion.
BUT! Just look at the price! Price, Carl! It's only $ 29 per device and it is definitely the first place among devices, that can be used for Digital Signage installations, albeit with reservations.
If your network is not supposed to have high resolutions and heavy content, or if you're not going to use dynamic Digital Signage apps based on online streaming, feel free to try Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite 2021 without any doubts.
