Amazon Hearth TV Dice (Gen 3)
For
- Devoted Ethernet and USB-A ports
- HDMI enter permits for controlling third-party gear
- Helps as much as 4K HDR10+ streaming with Dolby Atmos
- Improved microphones for hands-free Alexa
- Material-wrapped design is a welcome change
- Efficiency has been improved by 20%
In opposition to
- Alexa Voice Distant Professional bought individually
- Far too many advertisements to take care of
Amazon Hearth TV Dice (2nd Gen)
For
- Helps as much as 4K HDR10+ streaming with Dolby Atmos
- Included distant helps IR and Bluetooth
- Loads of microphones to make use of Alexa hands-free
- Nonetheless highly effective sufficient to your streaming wants
In opposition to
- Now not being bought
- The shiny design is a fingerprint magnet
- Far too many advertisements to take care of
On one hand, the marketplace for the finest streaming units might be a bit overwhelming for some. However on the opposite, there’s at all times room for enchancment, so when Amazon introduced the Hearth TV Dice (Third Gen), we have been naturally excited.
Its predecessor was launched again in 2019, and Amazon’s huge array of sensible dwelling units has modified dramatically since then. So whether or not you are deciding if you happen to ought to improve, or simply need to know which is best between the Amazon Hearth TV Dice (Gen 3) vs. (Gen 2), we’re right here to assist.
Amazon Hearth TV Dice (Gen 3) vs. (Gen 2): Spec comparability
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| Header Cell – Column 0 | Amazon Hearth TV Dice (Gen 3) | Amazon Hearth TV Dice (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 86 x 86 x 77mm | 86.1 x 86.1 x 76.9mm |
| Processor | Amlogic POP1-G | Amlogic S922z |
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB |
| Storage | 16GB | 16GB |
| Image High quality | As much as 4K UHD (3840×2160) | As much as 4K UHD (3840×2160) |
| Dolby Imaginative and prescient | Sure | Sure |
| HDR | HDR10 / HDR10+ / HLG | HDR10 / HDR10+ / HLG |
| Distant | Third-Gen Alexa Voice Distant | Third-Gen Alexa Voice Distant |
| Wi-Fi 6E | Sure | No |
| Reside View Image-in-Image | Sure | Sure |
| Ports | HDMI 2.1 Enter, HDMI 2.1 Output, IR Extender, Energy, USB-A 2.0, Ethernet port 10/100Mbps | HDMI, energy, micro-USB, wired infrared help |
Amazon Hearth TV Dice (Gen 3) vs. (Gen 2): What’s new?
In contrast to evaluating the Hearth TV Dice vs. Hearth TV Dice (2nd Gen) the variations this time round are extra instantly obvious. So obvious, the truth is, that every one you’ll want to do is to have a look at them. The Hearth TV Dice (Third Gen) is wrapped in the identical material materials that you will discover on most of the finest Alexa audio system, ditching the shiny and fingerprint-magnet end discovered on the primary two iterations.
Holding with the aesthetics, if you happen to flip the Hearth TV Dice (Third Gen) round, you will instantly discover fairly a distinction within the variety of ports which can be obtainable. In a world the place plainly producers are eradicating ports only for the sake of it, Amazon took a distinct strategy.
You will discover a whole of six ports on the again of the brand new Hearth TV Dice, versus the 4 ports obtainable on its predecessor. One other shocking transfer was that Amazon launched an “HDMI In” port, permitting you to plug in your cable field or gaming console, and management every thing immediately from the Hearth TV Dice itself. There’s even a USB-A port on the again, making it straightforward to plug in a webcam if you wish to flip your TV right into a super-sized Echo Present of types.
Underneath the hood, there are much more variations, as Amazon guarantees a 20% enhance in efficiency in comparison with the earlier mannequin. Different adjustments embody help for Wi-Fi 6E, along with an improved array of microphones. So whereas you’ll get pleasure from hands-free Alexa on both the Hearth TV Dice (Third Gen) vs. Hearth TV Dice (2nd Gen), Alexa may be a bit extra responsive with the newer mannequin.
One different distinction value declaring comes all the way down to the included distant. The Third Gen Hearth TV Dice ships with a barely up to date Alexa Voice Distant in comparison with its predecessor. With this, you will solely be capable to depend on pairing the distant together with your TV Dice by way of Bluetooth out of the field, whereas the earlier mannequin additionally supported an IR blaster.
It doesn’t matter what Hearth TV Dice you find yourself with, you will need to spring for a number of further bucks if you need the brand new Alexa Voice Distant Professional. This was introduced alongside the Hearth TV Dice (Third Gen), however is not bundled with Amazon’s most costly streaming machine. On the brilliant facet, even if you happen to personal or choose up a preowned Hearth TV Dice (2nd Gen), the brand new Voice Distant Professional will work with it.
Amazon Hearth TV Dice (Gen 3) vs. (Gen 2): What’s the identical?
When it comes to general performance, you are not going to actually discover a lot of a distinction right here. Each of those Cubes are able to streaming as much as 4K UHD and HDR10+ content material, whereas additionally together with help for Dolby Atmos, 7.1 encompass sound, and HDMI audio passthrough. Regardless of the inclusion of an HDMI 2.1 port on the Hearth TV Dice (Third Gen), it is nonetheless restricted to the identical 60fps as its predecessor.
As we talked about beforehand, you’ll ask Alexa to activate a film for you, because of the built-in microphone array on both machine. If you happen to do not need to scream throughout the room, there is a devoted Alexa button discovered atop the Alexa Voice Distant.
The obvious similarity between the Amazon Hearth TV Dice (Gen 3) vs. (Gen 2) is the interface itself. It is the identical throughout the board, and your entire favourite streaming apps or companies are nonetheless obtainable, no matter which model you personal. Nevertheless, this additionally means that you will have to take care of the identical stage of advertisements, corresponding to being unable to take away promoted sections for a service that you just aren’t even subscribed to.
Amazon Hearth TV Dice (Gen 3) vs. (Gen 2): Which TV Dice is finest?
If you happen to’re seeking to improve from the Hearth TV Dice (2nd Gen), we’d argue that it isn’t an absolute necessity, but. There are loads of figuring out components that go into making that call, corresponding to how lengthy have you ever owned your present Hearth TV Dice.
Nevertheless, we should admit that having the extra ports without having to make use of a dongle is a stage of comfort we weren’t anticipating. Plus, the power to attach different units to your Hearth TV Dice (Third Gen) and management it from a single distant can be fairly a superb expertise.
Sadly, those that have been excited to see HDMI 2.1 and pass-through help, may be disillusioned if the plans have been to attach both a PS5 or Xbox Sequence X. The choice to restrict the output to 60fps is a little bit of a head-scratcher, as we really feel like this was a missed alternative for Amazon.
However, if you need the perfect streaming machine powered by Alexa, it would not get any higher than the Hearth TV Dice (Third Gen). These hanging onto the final iteration might want to resolve whether or not the enhancements are well worth the improve.
Amazon Hearth TV Dice (Third Gen)
Mixing in
The Hearth TV Dice (Third Gen) is Amazon’s finest and strongest streaming machine. And the design overhaul now supplies a cohesive look with Amazon’s Echo audio system.
Amazon Hearth TV Dice (2nd Gen)
Getting lengthy within the tooth
The Hearth TV Dice (2nd Gen) may not be the perfect from Amazon, however that does not imply it isn’t nice. You will nonetheless be capable to entry your entire streaming companies, whereas having fun with a hands-free Alexa expertise.
