Use of amazon fire stick at MVC?

[dneveu]

Has anyone successfully used an Amazon fire stick voice at a Marriott vacation club? We are at Desert Springs II and can't seem to connect it. The problem is not with the captive portal authentication, The screen is black and the TV says no signal. Amazon documentation says the device should work at hotels. But we can't get to the point where it will load on the screen nor authenticate.

We have gotten mixed signals when speaking with staff. The last person we spoke with, an engineer said they are restricted at the resort. There is another TUG thread where folks got a fire stick and roku to work at a non Marriott timeshare, but unfortunately that thread did not help us.

Thank you.

 

[bazzap]

Has anyone successfully used an Amazon fire stick voice at a Marriott vacation club? We are at Desert Springs II and can't seem to connect it. The problem is not with the captive portal authentication, The screen is black and the TV says no signal. Amazon documentation says the device should work at hotels. But we can't get to the point where it will load on the screen nor authenticate.

We have gotten mixed signals when speaking with staff. The last person we spoke with, an engineer said they are restricted at the resort. There is another TUG thread where folks got a fire stick and roku to work at a non Marriott timeshare, but unfortunately that thread did not help us.

Thank you.

I have used Apple TV and Android TV boxes, as well as a Google Chromecast stick successfully at several MVC resorts and friends have used Roku OK too.
The first time, I did end up asking the local IT guys to come to the room to help me set it up. Since then I connect them simply and quickly.
I would have though it should be the same with the Amazon Fire Stick, but hopefully someone can give you a specific comment on this.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

I am at DSV2 right now and have okay access with the internet. But it seems a little slow. I just checked and got 4.7 Mbps upload and download speed. I suggest going to the 8 am owners meeting in the Hummingbird and complaining to Engineering (Glenn - a good guy).

 

[Pompey Family]

I've used my FireTV stick at Son Antem, Manor Club and King's Creek Plantation with no problems.

Have you changed the input selection to the relevant HDMI port? That would suggest to me why there is a blank screen and a 'no signal' message.

I don't know what the engineer means by stating that they are restricted. How can they be? Unless you are physically unable to access the HDMI ports there is no way that you can be prevented from connecting anything to the HDMI port and using it as a video source. They could also have bespoke controllers that prevent access to the TV settings however it's not something that I've ever seen at an MVCI property and I'm not sure why they would go to the expense of doing so.

I can only assume that the reason people are giving you the brush off is because they don't want to encourage the use of video streaming devices due to the pressure on the overall bandwidth.

 

[bazzap]

Very reasonable broadband performance here at Phuket Beach Club.
Even at the poolside, this was the speed I was getting.

 

[taterhed]

Hmm. They do work at MVC.

1. Is it plugged into a USB adapter with adequate power? Some TV USB ports will not provide enough power for the stick.
2. Have you tried both (or other) HDMI ports on the TV? Normally, any HDMI port will work, but some TV's do allow certain functions over 1 specific HDMI port vs another. This could be confusing the TV I suppose (not likely). If the TV is VERY old, it could be a handshake issue. Again, very old and unlikely.
3. Was the stick working and fully updated before you left home; when was the last time you saw the stick function normally? Reset the stick.
4. Here is the link to common Fire TV issues: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201612210

good luck

 

[dneveu]

Fire Stick Problem Solved

Thanks to taterhed for proving us with the solution to get our Fire Stick working at DSV2. We plugged a USB power cable into the Fire Stick and its onscreen menu activated, then connected just fine with its browser-based captive portal authentication.

Also, at BJRSanDiego's suggestion, we spoke to Engineering Supervisor Glenn Knorr and found him to be a smart, helpful guy. Be sure to contact Glenn if you have any issues with streaming devices at DSV.

Glenn confirmed that the Fire Stick, Roku Stick and some other similar devices can work with Marriott's LG TVs at DSV2. He explained that since this is new technology, many of the staff do not know about it yet and may tell guests that they can't help them set up the devices, but Glenn is knowledgeable and is always willing to support the use of these devices when a guest asks him.

He is working toward a tiered internet speed offer at DSV that will allow guests to get significantly more speed for a fee.

He was aware that the LG TVs here at DSV2 do not produce enough voltage to activate devices that can run on HDMI power alone, which was our problem when trying to use the Fire Stick without its USB power cable.

In fact, he was already working with LG on the HDMI port voltage problem since it prevents him from running a trial program using the HD Boomerang automatic source switcher, which would be a great boon to guests using the Marriott LG Blu-Ray player or their own media devices. If you're interested, you can read more about it at:

http://www.hdboomerang.com/home.html

 

[taterhed]

Yeah!

sent from my cell phone...

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Thanks to taterhed for proving us with the solution to get our Fire Stick working at DSV2. We plugged a USB power cable into the Fire Stick and its onscreen menu activated, then connected just fine with its browser-based captive portal authentication.

Also, at BJRSanDiego's suggestion, we spoke to Engineering Supervisor Glenn Knorr and found him to be a smart, helpful guy. Be sure to contact Glenn if you have any issues with streaming devices at DSV.

Glenn confirmed that the Fire Stick, Roku Stick and some other similar devices can work with Marriott's LG TVs at DSV2. He explained that since this is new technology, many of the staff do not know about it yet and may tell guests that they can't help them set up the devices, but Glenn is knowledgeable and is always willing to support the use of these devices when a guest asks him.

He is working toward a tiered internet speed offer at DSV that will allow guests to get significantly more speed for a fee.

He was aware that the LG TVs here at DSV2 do not produce enough voltage to activate devices that can run on HDMI power alone, which was our problem when trying to use the Fire Stick without its USB power cable.

In fact, he was already working with LG on the HDMI port voltage problem since it prevents him from running a trial program using the HD Boomerang automatic source switcher, which would be a great boon to guests using the Marriott LG Blu-Ray player or their own media devices. If you're interested, you can read more about it at:

http://www.hdboomerang.com/home.html

BTW, we saw you at this morning's owner's meeting. You were sitting in the front/center and we were in the back/left. My wife was the one who suggested complimenting the workers around Marriott on the good job that they were doing. I'm Glad that Glenn could help you. He is a very sharp person with (IIRC) an engineering degree.

My problem is that I brought a bluetooth interface device to play Pandora music through the TV. The interface device output is either RCA plugs or a small (6.5mm?) connector. But our TV setup wasn't yet updated and I can only feel the connections on the back via the braille method. If I brought a flashlight and mirror maybe I could see the markings. Glenn mentioned something about an interconnect device below the TV, but ours wasn't updated yet. Life's little problems - - thank goodness that they are all little problems.

 

[dneveu]

Interconnection panel at DSV2

BJRSanDiego,
Attached is a picture of the interconnection panel under the TV in our renovated unit. It has a stereo audio micro plug and a Bluetooth symbol with a button next to it. I can't get the Bluetooth to activate on my phone or iPad even after pressing the button, but Glenn may know how to make it work.

I suspect that if you plugged your device into the audio jack that it would be able to play through the TV assuming you were able to get Glenn to help you find the right setting in the HDMI ports. I plugged my phone into the audio jack but I can't find the TV HDMI input setting that allows it to play through the TV, so we would definitely need Glenn's help on this too.

By the way it was great seeing you and the owners meeting yesterday. If you have time and want to get together please let us know. We are here till Sunday

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Our DSV2 unit hasn't been refurbed yet (although it does have a bigger wide-screen). We don't have the interconnection box. But I brought along a blue-tooth sound bar, so we don't need to use the TV speakers. I was just looking forward to trying that though.

We might be going to the Jenga social this evening at the Shade. Not positive though....

 

[dneveu]

Have fun you go. We have another engagement tonight and won't be able to make it.

 

[Quiet Pine]

We plugged a USB power cable into the Fire Stick and its onscreen menu activated, then connected just fine with its browser-based captive portal authenticationl

I'll be spending a week at Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II and plan to take my Roku Streaming Stick. This thread has been helpful--thank you! However, I don't know what a USB power cable is. The Roku plugs into an HDMI port and the cord plugs into a socket. What else do I need?

 

[taterhed]

I'll be spending a week at Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II and plan to take my Roku Streaming Stick. This thread has been helpful--thank you! However, I don't know what a USB power cable is. The Roku plugs into an HDMI port and the cord plugs into a socket. What else do I need?

Here is the link to 'setup' your Roku. That should explain your questions. https://support.roku.com/article/21...ck-2016-edition-model-3600-setup-instructions

The stick plugs into the TV directly or--if so equipped--plugs into the interconnection panel mentioned above. that's the HDMI port or HDMI port on the interconnection panel.
The power cord that comes with the Roku (just the cord, not the part that plugs into the wall) is a USB power cord.
The black cube that plugs into the electrical wall socket is a USB power supply or transformer.
The Roku power cord (USB power cord) plugs into the Roku on one end and, on the other, into the TV USB port or the interconnection panel USB port or the USB power supply given to you by Roku. Keep in mind: some TV USB ports (or interconnection panel USB ports) may not have enough amperage (or oomph!) to properly power the Roku. Usually Yes.
The Roku also comes with a small HDMI flexible extension cable. This allows you to plug the Roku into the HDMI flexible cable and then into the TV (or panel) in cases where plugging the Roku directly into the TV/panel HDMI port would not be practicable or possible.

 

[Quiet Pine]

So I have a USB power cord--just didn't realize what it was. Not sure about the HDMI extension; must have put it somewhere. Now, the Roku is in the guest room (paid for itself by saving $10 a month not connecting to cable provider). I'd hoped to duplicate the setup at MDSV. If it's difficult, I'll try to contact Glenn. Thanks again.

 

[taterhed]

No problem. Easy peasy. The HDMI extension dongle-cord is normally not needed. Especially with the interconnection panel. You just plug the Roku into the HDMI on the panel and plug the cord into the Roku and the usb port on the panel.
Very easy.

 

[Tommyhob]

Absolutely, we take and use the Firestick at MVC properties. Especially nice to have during football season to bring the NFL Sunday Ticket along on vacation!

 

[GreenTea]

I took Apple TV to Grande Ocean. We couldn't get it working and called the desk. They said it won't work but they get a lot of calls.

I'll get an HDMI for my laptop for next trip

 

[dualrated2]

So I have a USB power cord--just didn't realize what it was. Not sure about the HDMI extension; must have put it somewhere. Now, the Roku is in the guest room (paid for itself by saving $10 a month not connecting to cable provider). I'd hoped to duplicate the setup at MDSV. If it's difficult, I'll try to contact Glenn. Thanks again.

Find the TV channel lineup card and on the reverse side is a guide to change the input. The * and # sign on the remote should get you hooked up without contacting Glenn.