How to Watch Amazon Prime Video on Your TV: The Ultimate Guide
Are you an Amazon Prime member looking to watch movies, TV shows, and more on the big screen? Thanks to Prime Video, you can enjoy access to thousands of titles to stream directly on your television – no cable required!
This comprehensive technical guide will explain multiple methods for watching Amazon Prime Video on TVs. Whether you have a smart TV or an older model, you‘ll learn how to set up Prime Video for an exceptional viewing experience.
Overview of Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video comes included with an Amazon Prime membership, along with other perks like free shipping and access to books, music and more. The streaming video service gives you unlimited access to Prime Originals like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, plus popular movies like The Big Sick and TV series such as Jack Ryan and The Boys.
Prime Video also allows you to add premium channels like HBO, Showtime, and Starz for an extra monthly cost. You can download titles to watch offline on mobile devices, and stream on multiple devices simultaneously.
Watching Prime Video on a TV provides a more cinematic experience with a big, high-definition screen and booming audio. Your options vary depending on whether you own a smart TV or an older television model.
Watch Amazon Prime Video on a Smart TV
Modern smart TVs make watching Prime Video easier than ever thanks to built-in Wi-Fi and pre-loaded apps. But processor power, refresh rates and ports can impact your experience.
Smart TV Processor and Technical Specs
For smooth 4K streaming, your smart TV needs sufficient processing capabilities and speed. Budget models often skimp in this area.
High-end 2021/2022 smart TVs boast quad-core or 8-core processors, plus ample memory – similar to what‘s inside the Apple TV or an iPhone. This results in far superior speed launching apps like Prime Video and navigating menus. No one wants to deal with lag watching the climax of Jack Ryan!
Similarly, the best processors handle HDR formats like Dolby Vision smoothly. Entry-level chips struggle with HDR‘s expanded color and contrast. Upgrading gets you better picture quality streamed or via Blu-Ray discs and game consoles.
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Beyond the chip, RAM ranging from 2GB to 8GB helps. More memory lets you quickly switch between apps and web browsing without slowdowns. Storage is useful for DVR capabilities some smart TV platforms include.
Inspect the specs before buying! An entry-level 50" Roku smart TV with 720p or 1080p runs under $300. But the processor and memory leave much to be desired. Stepping up to TCL‘s 6000 series improves quality for under $500 in the popular 55 inch screen size.
Smart TV Refresh Rate Tips
If you watch lots of sports and action movies, a higher screen refresh is advantageous. Entry level TVs max our at 60 Hz, while top-end OLED models reach 120 Hz. That translates to smoother motion clarity.
Soap operas and sitcoms look fine at 60 Hz. But fast moving football and basketball games exhibit more blur. Evaluate sample content if possible before buying.
Gamers demand higher refresh rates to keep up with 60+ FPS from a PS5 or Xbox Series X. Combine a 120 Hz TV like LG C2 OLED with a new console and experience buttery gameplay.
Just note that maxing refresh rates requires compatible ports like HDMI 2.1 and ensuring the source app or device supports it. Stick to 60 Hz for broader compatibility.
Connecting Soundbars and Blu-Ray Players
Even premium smart TVs feature thin profiles. So you may desire an external soundbar for audio quality akin to a home theater. Modern soundbars connect via fixed digital optical audio (S/PDIF) or HDMI ARC/eARC.
HDMI ARC lets TV remote control audio volume and power state. It handles advanced Dolby Atmos soundtracks found on today‘s Blu-ray discs and some streaming content.
If your TV lacks ARC, get a soundbar with optical input. Either method sounds far better than puny built-in speakers.
You might also own a 4K Blu-ray player or game console. These hook up to available HDMI ports. Many new TVs include 4 HDMI inputs, but higher-end A/V receivers offer more.
Need more ports? Grab an HDMI switch to consolidate accessories like streaming sticks, consoles, Blu-ray players into a single input. Some even split one source to multiple TVs – great for backyard viewing!
Set Up Prime Video on Non-Smart TVs
Don‘t have a smart TV but still want to watch Prime Video in your living room? No problem! You can make virtually any TV compatible using an inexpensive streaming device.
But choosing the right model and connectivity for your technical needs is key.
Comparing Streaming Stick Specs
While Roku, Fire Stick and Chromecast all stream Prime Video, under the hood differences impact quality and features.
For example, Amazon‘s second-gen Fire Stick 4K runs FireOS based on Android 9 and packs a MediaTek MT8696 quad-core ARM processor with 750 MHz GPU.
That beats the regular HD Fire Stick‘s 1.7 GHz dual-core chip. But Chromecast with Google TV wins with a faster Amlogic S905X2 CPU plus Mali-G31 MP2 GPU.
More CPU cores and speed translates to quicker launch times for Prime Video and less lag browsing rows and sections. The microprocessors also handle video decoding – important for smooth 4K playback.
Here‘s how the most popular streaming devices compare spec-wise:
| Device | CPU / GPU | Resolution | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick 4K | MT8696 Quad Core up to 2.0 GHz / 750 MHz | 2160p 4K | HDR10 | No |
| Roku Streaming Stick+ | Quad Core / Dual-core | 2160p 4K | HDR10 | No |
| Chromecast with Google TV | Amlogic S905X2 Cortex A53 Quad Core / Mali-G31 MP2 | 2160p 4K | HDR10/HLG | Yes |
Beyond internal specs, having the latest Wi-Fi connectivity ensures reliable 4K streams without buffering. The chart below shows how the networking capabilities vary:
| Device | Wi-Fi | Ethernet |
|---|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick 4K | Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | No |
| Roku Streaming Stick+ | Dual-band 802.11ac | No |
| Chromecast w/ Google TV | Dual-band 802.11ac, Bluetooth | No |
All of the streaming devices connect via 2.4GHz and 5GHz for dual-band Wi-Fi. Roku and Chromecast match up with 802.11ac for the latest standard at the time of release.
But next-gen Wi-Fi 6E devices integrating the new 6GHz band and 802.11ax promise faster future speeds. Retail Wi-Fi 6E routers just hit the market in early 2022.
Wi-Fi Extenders For Dead Zones
Bear in mind that your home Wi-Fi network needs sufficient signal strength for smooth streaming, especially 4K video.
If you experience frequent buffering or low resolution, the streaming stick may be in a dead zone. Interference from appliances and obstructions like brick walls contribute to subpar signal.
Powerline network extenders use your home‘s internal wiring for Ethernet backhaul. Position a node by the TV to bring wired speeds for solid video performance.
Or grab a mesh network Wi-Fi system if your house is over 2,000 sq ft. Mesh kits feature dedicated backchannel communication between nodes for blanket coverage.
Wired Ethernet Options
While the latest Wi-Fi standards provide enough horsepower for most situations, power users desiring maximum throughput invest in wired Ethernet.
Run Cat 6 cables from your router or switch over to entertainment consoles. Hide them neatly inside walls or under floor trim.
Use adapter cables to plug into Ethernet ports on select TV models. For devices lacking built-in Ethernet like streaming sticks and game consoles, employ OTG network adapters.
Wired internet avoids the pitfalls of congested airwaves. Particularly useful for high bandwidth 4K/HDR content across multiple sources.
Casting Prime Video from Phones and Tablets
Don‘t forget you can cast videos from your smartphone or tablet directly onto a TV equipped with streaming capabilities or HDMI input.
Resolution Support
When casting personal mobile devices, available streaming resolution depends on TV, dongle specs and the device itself.
Roku only supports up to 1080p casting anything other than YouTube without its mobile app. Your phone may limit mirroring to 720p or its native screen resolution.
Whereas Chromecast devices can cast upscaled 1440p or 2160p 4K from recent Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy. Enable ‘Best visual quality‘ in Chromecast settings. Apple manages AirPlay casting quality to Apple TVs.
Of course your TV must also support 2160p inputs over HDMI from streaming devices. Otherwise video gets downconverted.
Internet Bandwidth Recommendations
Casting eats up home internet data bandwidth in proportion to video resolution and effects like HDR. A typical 1080p stream consumes up to 3 GB per hour. Here‘s relative usage across resolutions:
| Video Quality | Bitrate | Avg. Bandwidth per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| 480p DVD | 1.5 Mbps | 0.55 GB |
| 720p HD | 3.0 Mbps | ~1 GB |
| 1080p FHD | 5-8 Mbps | ~2-3 GB |
| 1440p | 10 Mbps | ~4 GB |
| 2160p 4K | 25+ Mbps | ~9 GB |
Your internet speeds must roughly match streaming bitrates to prevent buffering. Most homes have 15-100+ Mbps plans. Maxing them out with multiple 4K streams could lag browsing and uploads.
Adjust video settings or pause devices when congestion hits. Wired Ethernet connections help minimize competing bandwidth demands of other home gadgets on Wi-Fi.
Screen Mirroring Latency
When wirelessly casting an entire device screen, a slight lag exists sending video and inputs back over Wi-Fi to the TV.
Game mode on smart TVs minimizes display latency. Turn this on when mirroring phones or laptops to increase refresh rates and responsiveness.
Powerline Ethernet nodes positioned at your TV can provide wired backhaul for casting to reduce lag. But native apps tightly integrated into the television ecosystem perform best without mirroring overhead.
Recent Prime Video App Improvements
Amazon continually updates the Prime Video app across platforms. Recent enhancements specific to the TV experience include:
Profiles – Personalized profiles allow each family member to track their viewing history and picks. Great for customized recommendations. Work seamlessly across devices.
Parental Controls – Designate maturity ratings to restrict younger kids. Use PIN codes to prevent unwanted purchases.
Watch Party – Group streaming lets you remotely sync playback with friends. Chat while enjoying movies & shows.
IMDb Info – Additional details on actors, soundtracks, trivia, ratings, trailers and more. Offers richer context beyond just the video.
X-Ray Bonus Content – Screen overlays during playback reveal more about characters, locations, music tracks currently playing.
Live TV – New Live tab integrates live channel streams from services like discovery+. News broadcasts also populate this customized feed.
More refinements sure to come down the road. The Prime Video staff obsess over perfecting the entertainment experience.
Closing Recommendations
We‘ve covered everything you could want to know setting up and watching Amazon Prime Video on televisions.
Key takeaways include:
- Smart TV processor speeds and memory impact app performance
- Enable game mode for fluid casting mirroring responsiveness
- Soundbars dramatically improve audio over weak built-in speakers
- Mesh routers and powerline nodes eliminate wireless dead zones
- Refresh rates above 60 Hz assist sports motion clarity and gaming
- Stick 4K future proofs your TV viewing for highest quality streams
Evaluate options across streaming devices versus new televisions to align capabilities and specs with your personal needs and budget.
Whichever path you take to tapping into Prime Video on the big screen, this guide serves as your definitive reference maximizing enjoyment for years to come!
