Mobile Technology

How to stream video from Kindle Fire HDX to Chromecast and more

How to stream video from Kindle Fire HDX to Chromecast and more
Here's how to stream video, music, and pictures to Chromecast, Xbox, and a lot more
Here's how to stream video, music, and pictures to Chromecast, Xbox, and a lot more
View 10 Images
Long tap movies and music to get a menu with the download option
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Long tap movies and music to get a menu with the download option
Check individual files as they download from Amazon servers to your tablet
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Check individual files as they download from Amazon servers to your tablet
Display Mirroring allows you to stream your display to qualifying Miracast TVs and devices
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Display Mirroring allows you to stream your display to qualifying Miracast TVs and devices
Transferring video and audio files to your Kindle Fire
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Transferring video and audio files to your Kindle Fire
Chromecast support will cost an extra US$2.99
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Chromecast support will cost an extra US$2.99
The user interface of Avia is simple and easy to use
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The user interface of Avia is simple and easy to use
The "cast" button send video to your Chromecast or other DLNA device
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The "cast" button send video to your Chromecast or other DLNA device
Select the device you want to watch your video on
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Select the device you want to watch your video on
The Avia app is streaming video to Chromecast
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The Avia app is streaming video to Chromecast
Here's how to stream video, music, and pictures to Chromecast, Xbox, and a lot more
10/10
Here's how to stream video, music, and pictures to Chromecast, Xbox, and a lot more
View gallery - 10 images

The Kindle Fire HDX doesn't allow AirPlay-like wireless streaming of music, photos, and video like an iPad. Of course, you can always display videos by connecting the micro-HDMI cable to your HDTV, but that can be a hassle depending on your home theater set up. Luckily a little app called Avia allows users to stream content from Amazon's tablet to devices that include the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standard.

The DLNA standard was developed by Sony, so if you have any modern Sony home theater device, it's probably DLNA certified. Without going into the logistics of DLNA and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocols, here's what you need to know. Avia will stream music, videos, and photos from your Kindle Fire HD or HDX to Xbox, PlayStation and other Sony devices, Google TV, and even a Chromecast.

Kindle Fire HDX Mirroring

The Kindle Fire HDX does have a new feature that allows you to "mirror" your screen to a select few Miracast-compatible Smart TVs. If you do have a qualifying Miracast-compatible TV or device, go to Settings > Display & Sounds and tap Display Mirroring. The Kindle Fire will search for the devices within range and then alert you to tap Connect.

Display Mirroring allows you to stream your display to qualifying Miracast TVs and devices
Display Mirroring allows you to stream your display to qualifying Miracast TVs and devices

But Miracast devices are limited at the moment and you may be more likely to have another DLNA-certified device, such as Google TV, or Chromecast. So to kick things off download Avia. It has a free ad-supported version that allows you to stream content stored locally on the tablet and Windows Home Server if you have one. For all features, including support for Facebook and Dropbox, and beaming to a Chromecast, you need to do an in-app purchase for US$2.99 – that also removes the ads.

Chromecast support will cost an extra US$2.99
Chromecast support will cost an extra US$2.99

Add Content to Kindle Fire

After installing the app, you'll need to download any music or movies you've purchased from Amazon to the device. Your content that's stored in the cloud won't stream. That means you'll need to be selective about what you download if you have a Kindle Fire with 8 GB of storage.

To download your music or videos from Amazon, tap and hold on the respective media icon and select Download from the pop-up menu.

Long tap movies and music to get a menu with the download option
Long tap movies and music to get a menu with the download option

If you want to check the status of the individual files of an album or TV series, just tap the album or video icon again to see the progress as in the screenshot below.

Check individual files as they download from Amazon servers to your tablet
Check individual files as they download from Amazon servers to your tablet

You can also manually transfer your digital content directly from your computer by plugging in your Fire via the included micro-USB cable. Then for convenience sake, I stick the files in the Download folder. That makes them easier to access with Avia and while on the go using the free ES File Explorer.

Transferring video and audio files to your Kindle Fire
Transferring video and audio files to your Kindle Fire

Stream with the Avia app

The Avia app interface is straight-forward and easy to use. Once you have videos and music on your tablet that you want to stream, you'll find accessing them is easy, either from the slide-in menu from the left or drilling down in to individual folders.When you find what you want to stream, tap the screen and then tap the "cast" button found in the upper left corner of the screen. Then select the supported DLNA device that's connected to your HDTV, or the TV itself if appropriate.

Select the device you want to watch your video on
Select the device you want to watch your video on

Once the connection is established (it just takes a second) you'll see the app is sending your video to the device you chose.

The Avia app is streaming video to Chromecast
The Avia app is streaming video to Chromecast

The content you're streaming will be displayed in the lower left corner with onscreen controls for playback. Also, while something is streaming to the big screen, you're able continue to browse through your music, videos, and photos on the Kindle Fire.

The user interface of Avia is simple and easy to use
The user interface of Avia is simple and easy to use

Summing Up

I've been happy with this app overall, and it's a nice treat that it supports Windows Home Server, where most of my digital content is stored anyway. Another benefit Avia has is support for your Facebook and Google+ Photos (formerly Picasa) for easy access to photos and video.

I tested it with Chromecast, Xbox 360, and a Sony Blu-ray player. I found the video and sound quality of the stream was just fine for wireless streaming. There were a few hiccups when I streamed to the Chromecast, but hopefully that will be addressed in future updates.

Whether you pay the extra money for the app depends on what you need. If you have a Chromecast you'll want to invest in it. But for simple streaming straight from your tablet to the TV, the free version is all you need.

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1 comment
1 comment
warren52nz
I've been using Twonky BeamIt for a few months on my Android and it works fine through my Panasonic DLNA compatible Blueray PVR.