Blaster is easy to connect to TV (mine is not the newest model), and integrate with Alexa. To set up the TV, took a bit of fiddling and trial & error. But not too bad. It might be frustrating for some that don't have experience or patience to tweak settings such as these. The settings are somewhat intuitive if you have some understanding of the items you are adjusting. For example, it is very easy to set up the TV so that volume and on/off are controlled with voice with Alexa, but to set up voice commands to switch TV inputs between FireTV, Cable, or other electronics such as DVD, computer, etc, takes time to figure out how to tweak the settings. I assume there are many similarities in the IR remote control technology that allow aspects of the Blaster to work with minimal effort, but the differences in manufacturers of TVs make it necessary for you to adjust a number of settings to your own situation. Help in set up is minimal. You get some feedback, but you might need to contact Amazon for further assistance. I recommend you play with the settings and familiarize yourself with the functions. You can always reset the device and start over.
My TV set up easy and I am able to use Alexa to turn it on and off, and to voice control my TV and FireTV 4K Stick with Alexa. But when it comes to switching the TV input back to cable from FireTV, other settings need to be adjusted. Imagine trying to build a device compatible with the great number of TV manufacturers and models available. Alexa did a good job incorporating what they could at set up, and then providing the settings adjustment tools in a simplified manner that will allow you to have more voice control of your TV functions. It takes some tweaking to get this feature working. TV menus switch differently, so you need to know how your TV menu responds to commands. For example, I wanted to simply switch between cable and FireTV. Even though I have other components connected to my TV, I wanted Alexa to only switch between Cable and FireTV. Settings allow you to specify a number of steps below and above the menu items to skip. Thus, I can ask Alexa to simply “switch input” to change back to tv. It will take trial and error. My purpose required simplification.
My mother is 93 and has advanced macular degeneration. She can’t see to operate remotes and channels. She needs to use her voice, and that needs to be simple. With my TV, I can change input labels to some degree, but not enough. So, my command is “switch input”, for the TV to change between cable and FireTV. I can specify that the HDMI label is for cable, but Alexa doesn’t recognize this sub label, “Cable TV”, instead, it recognizes the main label, “HDMI1”. This is a little too confusing for a 93 year old to remember. If I program the Blaster to skip all inputs but the cable tv and FireTV, I can simply say “change input”, a much simpler, but not completely optimal solution for a blind, 93 year old, who has difficulty remembering new things such as this. She can use voice to ask for programs available through FireTV and Prime, and hopefully switch back to cable when she wants. For me, I can switch by voice to whichever input I want by name, such as "DVD", etc.
Bottom line, this little Blaster device seems worth the $20 cost when it first came out. I plan to try it on another TV that is in the 15-20 year old range to see if it is compatible. If so, I’ll buy another Blaster. Simple. Effective. Inexpensive. I recommend the Blaster.
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Required Amazon devices
Fire TV Blaster requires both a compatible Fire TV streaming device and any Echo smart speaker or smart display to add hands-free voice control to TVs, soundbars, satellite and cable boxes, and receivers. Not sure you have what you need? Check the devices registered to your account.
How to set up
Before you begin: Make sure your compatible Fire TV and Echo devices are already set up and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. You must be signed-in using the same Amazon account for all devices and apps. Learn more here.
Step 1
Download the latest Fire TV and Alexa apps on your mobile phone or tablet and sign in using the same Amazon account. Download the latest Fire TV software version on your Fire TV device. Learn more here.
Step 2
Sign into the Fire TV app with the same Amazon account and select +New Device > Fire TV Blaster and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 3
Make sure to link your Fire TV and Echo devices then connect your Fire TV Blaster to your Wi-Fi network. Learn more here.
Step 4
Continue to follow the Fire TV app instructions and turn on your TV then go to the Fire TV Home screen.
Step 5
Use your Fire TV remote and go to Settings > Equipment Control > Manage Equipment to continue setup. Learn more here.
Step 6
If you have more than one TV on your Alexa account go to the Alexa App to give your TV a unique name.
Once set up is complete, try saying 'Alexa, turn off my TV' without your Fire TV remote. Visit Fire TV Blaster and Alexa for help.
Watch set up video
Place your Fire TV Blaster 1 to 2 feet away from devices you would like to control, positioned so that it has line of sight to those devices. The LED should also be facing where you usually sit. Voice control will work from across the room.
Need more assistance? Visit our Help & Customer Service page.
How does Fire TV Blaster work?
At just over 2” tall, Fire TV Blaster connects your compatible IR-controlled devices to control power, volume, and switch inputs hands-free, so you can get to your content faster.
- Use your Echo smart speaker or smart display with Alexa to communicate with your compatible Fire TV device and Fire TV Blaster using your voice.
- Use compatible Fire TV devices for instant access to launch and control your favorite streaming TV shows, movies, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fire TV Blaster?
Fire TV Blaster uses infrared (IR) to help TVs, soundbars, satellite and cable boxes, and A/V receivers work together wirelessly.
Can I use Fire TV Blaster on its own?
No, Fire TV Blaster is a companion device that requires both a compatible Fire TV streaming device and any Echo smart speaker or smart display. Together these three devices bring hands-free voice control to TVs, soundbars, satellite and cable boxes, and A/V receivers.
Why is a Fire TV streaming media player required for Fire TV Blaster?
A compatible Fire TV device is required to access streaming content and complete set up of your compatible TV, audio/video receivers, satellite and cable boxes, and soundbars. Fire TV Blaster will only work when paired with your compatible Fire TV and Echo devices.
Why is an Echo device required for Fire TV Blaster?
Fire TV Blaster doesn't have a speaker - instead, it uses your existing Echo smart speaker or smart display with Alexa to add hands-free voice control.
Will this work with my Fire TV Edition television or soundbar?
No, Fire TV Blaster isn’t compatible with Fire TV Edition televisions or soundbars.
Does Fire TV Blaster have a speaker/microphone?
No, you will hear Alexa responses through a linked Echo smart speaker or smart display.
How can I control my compatible devices with Alexa?
From across the room, ask Alexa to control your entertainment experience. Here are a few examples of what you can tell Alexa to do:
“Alexa, turn on the TV.“
“Alexa, turn off the TV.“
“Alexa, volume up on receiver.“
“Alexa, volume down on receiver.“
“Alexa, tune to ESPN on cable/satellite.“
Do I need a smart TV to use Fire TV Blaster?
No. Fire TV Blaster works with compatible IR-controlled TVs, regardless of whether or not they are a smart TV. Learn more here about Fire TV Blaster compatibility.
Do I need Fire TV Blaster to voice control my entertainment?
If you already own both a compatible Fire TV streaming device and compatible Echo device, then Fire TV Blaster will add hands-free voice control to what you can already do with the Alexa Voice Remote.
Can I use Fire TV Blaster to control my ceiling fan, lights, or other home equipment?
No. Fire TV Blaster adds hands-free voice control to your existing entertainment setup, and will only work with your compatible Fire TV and Echo devices, and compatible TV, soundbar, cable or satellite box, and receiver.
What's in the box
Reviews with images
Great product after you get past the setup
Works like a charm once fully setup, ignore folks saying it does not work however the instructions and ease of setup could be improved a bit.For folks saying they can’t get the setup screen to display in the fire app, make sure you are logged into your amazon app on the fire tv app and then go to device selection, then select the gear icon in the upper right hand corner. From there you should see ‘fire tv blaster’ as an option. Also make sure that your echo and fire tv are linked. Separately, go into Alexa app and ‘settings’ and ‘tv and video’ and then link the fire tv attached to your tv from there. Once linked you should be able to go back and setup the blaster from the fire tv app.After setup, the blaster is pretty great, it seems to shoot ir beams everywhere, up down, back front, both sides. I was worried because I have a Comcast box in a TV cabinet and a elevated wall mounted tv with sound bar that sits above the blaster. The blaster is able to send a signal to all devices just fine. You can even go in and customize the internal, length of ir signal sent and other advanced power settings.Another big question for me was whether or not you can create a group for multiple tv devices Into one. The instructions advertise the ability of the individual voice commands Like ‘Alexa turn the tv on’ or ‘Alexa turn on the sound bar’ but these individual commands aren’t as interesting if you have 3 individual components to your tv setup as I do (tv, soundbar, cable box) . The answer is yes, you can. Alexa recognizes each device you setup from the blaster as a separate individual device and adds them in your Alexa app. You can then create a device group, just as you would for a room like ‘living room’ with smart lights, you can create a group called ‘tv’ and then add each component you setup with the blaster to that group and then address the whole setup with a single command such as ‘Alexa turn on the tv’ which is then addressing and turning on all devices for the group ‘tv’ rather than just your tv.Great product overall tho after you get past the setup.
