Amazon Prime Video Review
Quality originals, streaming movies, and live sports
Ive been writing and editing technology content for over five years, most recently as part of PCMag’s consumer electronics team, though I also spent several years on the software team. Before PCMag, I worked at Neowin.net, Toms Guide, and Laptop Mag. I spend too much of my free time reading forums and blogs about audio and photography.
In 2013, I started my Ziff Davis career as an intern on PCMag’s Software team. Now, Im an Analyst on the Apps and Gaming team, and I really just want to use my fancy Northwestern University journalism degree to write about video games. I host The Pop-Off, PCMag‘s video game show. I was previously the Senior Editor for Geek.com. Ive also written for The A.V. Club, Kotaku, and Paste Magazine. Im currently working on a book about the history of video games, and Im the reason everything you think you know about Street Sharks is a lie.
Which TV’s Can Stream Prime Video
There is no official list of TVs compatible with Amazon Prime Video. However, the user can check with site of their TV’s brand to find out whether or not it is compatible with the app. It’s important to note that some Samsung smart TVs manufactured before 2012 are not compatible with Prime Video. The same applied to some LG, Sony, Philips, and Panasonic TVs produced before 2014.
How To Watch Amazon Prime Video On A Set
Amazon Video apps are also available for a selection of set-top boxes and this is generally the cheapest an easiest way to watch Amazon Video on your TV.
Amazon’s own streaming devices – the – have access hardbaked into their operating systems, so you see the content as part of the home screen menus and search results. They are compatible with Alexa and offer a direct route to Amazon content.
Amazon Prime Video is also available on common streaming sticks and boxes:
- Virgin Media TiVO
- Many Blu-ray players
4K Ultra HD and HDR support is available through the latest Amazon Fire TV set-top-box, along with Dolby Atmos sound. Some other devices only support sound up to 5.1 surround sound. It requires a HDMI 2.0 port with HDCP 2.2 copy protection enabled on your TV to work.
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The Game Between The Dolphins And Bengals Will Only Be On Amazon
If you want to watch the AFC showdown between the Dolphins and Bengals tonight, you’re going to need an internet connection.
Although most games throughout NFL history have been available on television, the NFL decided to take a step into the world of streaming this season by selling the Thursday night package to Amazon. What this means for fans is that you’ll only have two options for watching the game: You and stream the game on Amazon or you can subscribe to NFL+ and stream the game there.
The only way fans will be able to watch tonight’s game on regular over-the-air television is if they live in either Cincinnati or Miami .
Since this is the first season ever that Amazon will be exclusively streaming a game, now seems like a good time to give you a primer on how we got here and what they’ll be offering.
Here’s everything you need to know:
One thing you’ll notice about “Thursday Night Football” this year is that the NFL loaded up the schedule. For a look at the entire Thursday night schedule, be sure to click here.
How To Watch Amazon Prime Video On A Games Console
There are Amazon Prime Video apps for all the major consoles: PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
On the Xbox One S, One X, Series X/S are capable of streaming Prime Video in 4K HDR.
On all devices, you just need to navigate using a gamepad or optional dedicated remote control. There is no support on Nintendo Switch.
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Are There Commercials On Amazon Prime Video Or Is It Ad
Amazon Prime Video isn’t an ad-free service. However, the pre-roll ads, aka the commercials that play before the start of a video, only run occasionally and typically advertise other Prime Video titles. Plus, you can skip them as well, so it doesn’t have too much of a negative impact on your streaming experience.
While you don’t have the option to get an ad-free version of Amazon Prime Video, some of the third-party channels it offers will have premium streaming capabilities. For instance, channels like SHOWTIME and STARZ will offer an ad-free experience. And Paramount+ will give you an option to either get a limited commercial or a commercial free plan. So if you don’t like ad disruptions, you could also add these channels to your Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Some free channels available with Amazon Prime Video, like IMDb TV, require you to watch regular commercial breaks to access their otherwise free content. This experience is similar to watching a show or movie on traditional cable. The good news is that these channels are clearly labeled within the Amazon Prime Video interface, so you know you’re about to watch something that is “Free with commercials.” If that’s a dealbreaker, you can keep scrolling.
Can I Watch Live Sports On Amazon Prime Video
While it is not a primary selling point of the platform, Amazon Prime Video has increasingly started to expand its offering for live sports, while it came to an agreement to broadcast some WNBA games. Those games include the Commissioner’s Cup, an in-season tournament that the league is hosting.
In addition to WNBA games, Amazon Prime Video offers the ability to subscribe to some premium sports channels that provide access to live sporting events. This includes NBA League Pass, which includes full access to every game of your favorite NBA team or every game in the entire league, depending on your package.
Users can also catch Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video, thanks to an agreement with the NFL. As of 2022, Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive home of Thursday night games. Viewers can access all 15 of these games for the 2022-2023 season as a part of their Prime Video subscription. This includes the live game and commentary, as well as pre-game and post-game analysis and a half-time show.
If you’re a fan of America’s favorite pastime, you can subscribe to MLB.TV through Amazon Prime Video. This gives you full access to all the regular season games of your favorite MLB team. Additionally, Amazon has the broadcast rights to some regular-season games that you can watch without a subscription.
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How To Watch Amazon Prime Video With A Vpn
Using a VPN to watch Amazon Prime is fairly easy. You can get into any countrys content library simply by connecting to the appropriate VPN server.
For example, if you want to view Amazon Prime Video U.S., you connect to a U.S. server. The VPN assigns you a U.S.-based IP address. When you go to Amazon Prime Video, it will see you as physically located in the U.S. and provide access to the U.S. content library.
You might want to consider using ExpressVPN, given its our best VPN for streaming. However, you may also select a service from our list of the best VPNs to make sure you pick one of the best VPN services on the market. Below, we walk you through the process of using a VPN to watch Amazon Prime Video from anywhere.
Start by downloading a VPN app we recommend ExpressVPN and install the VPN on your device. You can install ExpressVPN on almost any device such as a smartphone, computer, smart TV, game console and router, among others.
Youll see a list of servers in the VPN app after youve installed it. Select a server based on the library you want to access. For example, if you want to access the U.S. content library, connect to a server in the U.S.
Access Amazon Prime Video via the app or the browser once youve connected to a VPN server. You should be able to access the appropriate content library.
How To Watch Amazon Prime Video On A Smartphone
Watching Prime Video content on a mobile device helps you stream your favorite movies and TV shows on a smaller screen. The process to set up Amazon Prime Video on Android and iOS devices is pretty much the same, except for downloading the app from the relevant app store.
Here is how you can get Amazon Prime Video access on a smartphone:
Start by on your phone. You can do this by visiting the Google Play Store or the app store , searching for Amazon Prime Video and installing the app.
Launch the app on your smartphone and sign into your Amazon account .
Youll see the content available on Amazon Prime Video once youve signed in. At this point, you can start streaming content on your smartphone.
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How To Watch Amazon Prime Video On Your Apple TV Using The Prime Video Apple TV App
If you have the Apple TV 2 or 3, Apple added the Prime Video app to the home page, so all you have to do is simply click on it and authorize your account.
If you have the first generation Apple TV or the Apple TV 4 or newer, go to the App Store on your Apple TV. Amazon Prime is usually one of the recommended apps in the first submenu, under “Now Streaming.” If not, you can search for it in the search box and download it.
Once downloaded, the app will ask you to enter your Amazon sign-in info.
While you can rent or purchase other content, Amazon Prime Video content requires no further payment.
How To Watch Amazon Prime Without A Smart TV
If your home entertainment system is a little out of date and in need of some serious sprucing, fret not, Amazon has got your back with a couple of affordable own-brand, internet-connected hardware additions to give you instant Prime access.
The Fire TV stick with all-new Alexa Voice Remote is only £39.99 right now. It will also give you access to the free 30-day Prime trial, and you’re not going to be locked down to just Amazon’s content services. The connected tools let you download and enjoy services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Vevo and My5.
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How To Watch Prime Video On Laptop
Streaming on laptops is generally more comfortable than smartphones. If youre home and in front of the laptop, you can either use the Prime Video app or the Amazon website to stream content.
Youll need to start by installing the app or visiting the . The apps for Windows and Mac are available in their respective stores.
Whether youre using the app or the website, youll need to sign in to your Amazon Prime account. Once you sign in, youll see all the content Amazon offers in your region.
You should be able to watch Amazon Prime Videos content library once youve signed in. Youre all set at this point and can start watching content.
What Feature Sets Amazon Prime Video Apart
One of the best features of Amazon Prime Video is X-Ray. This allows you to see who is on screen simply by pausing. Amazon’s X-Ray technology will identify the actors on screen and allow you to explore other films and shows that they have been in. You can also access biographies, trivia, and bonus video content, all powered by IMDb. It’s a handy feature that makes it easy to see who is involved in a show without requiring you to look away from the screen or get out your phone.
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What Football Matches Can You Watch On Amazon Prime
Amazon put their mark on UK sport streaming back for the 2019 season onwards by making a deal to broadcast 20 games for the next three seasons.
This is competing with Sky and BT that have dominated the football rights for years.
Now while Amazon wont be showing the number of games of the other competitors, you will be able to watch 20 premier league games exclusively through their service.
As for the types of games, you can expect some top games to be on here.
Since Amazon Prime came on board, they have had mouthwatering ties in Liverpool vs Tottenham, Wolves vs Chelsea, Liverpool vs Everton and more.
So if you dont have Amazon Prime, you will likely be missing out on some big fixtures.
Watch Prime Video On Apple TV From An Ios Device
When you want to play your movies on the Apple TV instead of your iOS device, use the AirPlay feature on your iPhone or iPad to direct the videos to the Apple TV.
Ensure your iOS device is on the same Wi-Fi network as the Apple TV.
Launch the Prime Video app and log in to your account on your mobile device.
Choose the movie you want to watch and press Play on the app.
Tap once on the playing video, and you will see the AirPlay icon in the upper right corner.
Swipe upward from the bottom of your iPad screen in earlier versions of iOS to display the Control Center, where you can also find the AirPlay control.
Tap the AirPlay button, which resembles an upward-pointing triangle with a rectangle that looks like a television.
If you don’t see the AirPlay button, enable it first and then try again. The steps for turning on AirPlay are similar on the iPhone and on the iPad.
Choose the Apple TV you want to stream the movie to and tap its name in the dialog box.
The Amazon Prime movie or TV show should now be playing on your Apple TV.
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Exclusive Access To Top Deals & Coupons
As a Prime member, you get access to exclusive deals across categories. Be among the first to decide what’s hot and what’s not, and get 30-minute early access to top Lightning Deals every day. Choose the Prime Early Access filter when you search, to see the days selected deals. With Amazon Family, Prime members save an additional 15% on diaper subscriptions and get exclusive discounts and recommendations, all tailored for their family.
Can You Watch Amazon Prime Instant Video On TV
As a matter of fact, you can! There are two ways to do it. The first is the old-fashioned way: use cables to connect your computer to your TV and mirror your computers screen onto your TV. The other way is to install the application on your smart TV, or a digital media player or video game console connected to your TV. Then, launch this application, log into your Amazon Prime account, and away you go!
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How To Watch Amazon Prime Video On Mobile Devices
You can also stream movies and television shows through Prime Video using the Prime Video app. There are a few cosmetic changes from the web version and between devices, and there’s no preview window. You just tap the movie or show icon to go to its page. The Prime banner isn’t blue in the app, but there is a banner.
This is how the Prime Video app looks on an iPad:
Here’s where you can get the free Prime Video app:
- Fire: Prime Video is included by default on Kindle Fire and Fire TV devices.
How Much Does It Cost
The last part of setting up Amazon Prime so you can watch your football is paying the subscription.
Now, of the three competitors, Amazons prices are the cheapest.
This is to be expected as they offer the least amount of football matches, but you still get many other perks, as I said earlier.
Now there are two ways to pay. You can pay on either a monthly or yearly basis. The monthly cost is £7.99, and the yearly subscription is £79.
These will automatically renew, so if you want to try out just one year or a month, then you can go into your settings within your account and turn off auto renew.
I wouldnt be surprised, though, if Amazon got more rights to the sports, the prices go up.
At the moment Skys has a similar sports streaming platform, Now TV, sets customers back £33.99 for unlimited use of 6 channels.
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Is There Any Way Of Getting Amazon Prime For Free
Now you might be wondering is there any way to try out Amazon Prime for free.
Or with some midweek fixtures, you want to watch some games without paying, so you know what youre getting into.
Well, unlike Sky and BT, there is a free trial of 30 days that first-time users can get, which includes access to all the Amazon perks.
If you go to Amazons main website, you should see a banner showing Amazon Prime 30 day free trial.
If you click on this and create an account, you will be eligible for this promo.
You do have to put your card details on the system. That is because, after the first month, you will be charged.
However, the first month is completely free, and if you dont want to pay any money to keep the service, you can simply change the account settings so that it doesnt renew.