16 Amazon Prime Video Hacks you need to know

What is Amazon Prime Video? 

Amazon Prime Video, or just Prime Video, is Amazon’s streaming service. Although it was launched in 2006, it only became available worldwide in 2016, arriving in the UK at the same time. Prime Video works pretty similar to Netflix and you have access to movies and TV shows both original and not. This streaming service has become popular due to Amazon Prime Subscription.

How much is Amazon Prime Video in the UK?

You have more than one option to choose from. If you get an Amazon Prime membership that includes more advantages than Prime Video, you will pay £7.99 monthly or £79 yearly. 

If you get a Prime Video only membership, you will pay £5.99 monthly. This is only for new subscribers. 

If you are a student, you can get a Prime Student which includes Prime Video, and only pay £7.99 after six months of the free trial. Amazon also gives a 30-day-trial for free. 

EXTRA: Unlike Netflix, you will get the same features with different plans. And, you will be able to stream on two screens at the same time, download on two devices at the same time and create a maximum of six profiles per account. 

How do I get Amazon Prime Video? 

Sign up for Amazon Prime Video here. It’s free for 30 days. Create an account with your email address and password. After that, you can decide which plan is best for you and the payment method. With the payment confirmation, you are ready to start watching and downloading movies and TV shows. You will start your 30-day-trial for free initially. You can cancel it at any time during these 30 days if you don't want to be charged after the trial period is over.

What do you get with Amazon Prime Video? 

Amazon Prime Video has a much smaller selection of movies and TV shows when compared to Netflix. There you will find thousands of movies and TV shows. Like Netflix, some of its content is original, so you can only have access to them with the platform.

What should I watch on Amazon Prime Video? 

If you are not sure what to watch on Amazon Prime Video, you can start with its original content. Some of the top TV shows are: 

• The Marvelous Mrs Maisel
• Man in the High Castle
• Sneaky Pete
• Bosh
• The Tick
• Homecoming
• And much more. 

Some of the top movies are: 

• Brittany Runs a Marathon
• Late Night
• The Report
• Paterson
• Cold War
• The Big Sick
• And much more. 

Amazon Prime Video also has some exclusive content, such as Mr. Robot and Outlander. Click here for all Amazon Studios Productions, where you can find their original content. 

What broadband speed do I need for Amazon Prime Video?

When compared to Netflix, it requires a much slower broadband speed to watch Amazon Prime Video. For SD, just 900 Kbps, for HD, 3.5 Mbps and for Ultra HD (4k), 15 Mbps.

How do I cancel Amazon Prime Video? 

You can cancel your Amazon Prime Video at any time by accessing your account and simply cancelling your subscription. Unfortunately, it will be cancelled right away, so it's better to wait until just before the renewal date to cancel. 

How to watch Amazon Prime Video?

You can watch Amazon Prime Video on your computer by accessing the official website. You can also download the app on your phone, tablet or smart TV. If you don’t have a smart TV, you can watch Amazon Prime Video on your television set by connecting it with a HDMI cable to your computer, phone or tablet. You can also get buy a device that can turn your television set into a smart TV. Lastly, you can use a gaming console. 

16 Amazon Prime Video Hacks 

1. Get a VPN to be able to access Amazon Prime Video from anywhere

Like Netflix, every country that Amazon Prime Video is available in has its own catalogue of movies and TV shows. Once you get a VPN, you will be able to access Amazon Prime Video from different countries and make even more use of your subscription. In this case, the US content availability is much larger than the UK one. 

• See all the best VPN deals here.

2. Use Amazon Prime Video Roulette to decide what you should watch next

You can use this roulette tool to decide what to watch next on Prime Video. Simply access this page and select the genre, if you want a movie or a TV show and IMDb ratings. Then click on spin and start spinning for all the different suggestions.  

3. Use keyboard shortcuts 

Amazon Prime Video takes the keyboard shortcuts really seriously and wants to help you out with functionality. You can even find a guide with all of them on Amazon Prime Video. We have selected the most common ones that you can also find in other streaming services, like Netflix: 

• Press space to play or to pause. 
• Press F to enter or exit the  full screen. 
• Press the right arrow to fast-forward 10 seconds. 
• Press the left arrow to rewind for 10 seconds. 
• Press M to mute. 

4. Learn how HD and Ultra HD (4k) work at Prime Video to make the most of it

To have access to HD and Ultra HD (4k) content on Netflix, you need to pay more. At Prime Video things are a bit different. Since you only pay for the standard fee, you already have HD and Ultra HD (4k) content available to you which you can make use of anytime. To have access to this you just need to make sure you have a good internet connection and a device that can stream HD and Ultra HD (4k) quality. Unlike Netflix, Amazon Prime Video will adapt the streaming quality to the speed and device available.  

5. Use “Watch Party” to watch the same thing with other people no matter how far apart you are

With Amazon Prime Video, you can throw parties and watch movies and TV shows together with people that are apart. Prime Video has created a new feature called “Watch Party”. Just select this option and start inviting people to watch with you. Everyone needs to be a subscriber to be able to join the party. 

6. If you have kids, set-up parental control or it could cost you money 

On Prime Video, if you don't set-up parental controls, you might see some extra charges on your bank card. Prime Video mixes purchasable content with free ones, so your children can potentially buy movies and TV shows that aren't for free. In settings and Parental Controls, you can block their access to any purchasable content, as well as other restrictions. 

7. Use the download option when you are on the go

Amazon Prime Video has a download option, so make sure you use it to save on data when you are on the go and to avoid any disconnection issues. With downloads, you make sure you have your favourite TV shows or movies to watch anytime and anywhere. If you are not used to downloading videos on Prime Video, here is a step-by-step guide. Keep in mind that at Prime Video you can’t download content on computers, only on smartphones and tablets. 

8. Keep your viewing history “clean”

If you want to keep your Amazon Prime Video history clean, you can do so. You can find your “Watch History” in the settings and start deleting all the views that aren't interesting to keep. You need to click on the option “I prefer not to use this for recommendations” and that content will be deleted. 

9. Use IMDb ratings to decide what to watch (X-Ray) 

IMDb content is available on Amazon Prime Video because Amazon owns IMDb! You can get many details about the content you are streaming and also find something else to watch based on the actors or the directors. This feature is called X-Ray and it's available on all devices. Unlike Netflix, you don't need a Chrome Plugin to use it.

10. Use the “Free for Me” Option to find out what you are looking for

Amazon Prime Video’s homepage mixes free content with paid, so if you are not careful, you could select something you need to pay extra for. To avoid this, always search with the Prime Included Option ON, or “Free for Me”, then you'll know for sure it’s included in your membership. 

11. Change your subtitle settings 

You can change your subtitle settings on Prime Video. Access your account > then go to settings > subtitles: you will be able to change colours, fonts, size, edges and opacity. 

12. Get alerts for when shows join and leave Prime Video 

Prime Video purchasable content can become free and vice-versa, so to make the most of your money get alerts for when shows join and leave Prime Video. You can also read online about what is leaving and what is coming soon to the platform. Here is what is leaving Prime Video and here is what is coming soon to Prime Video. 

13. Turn your favourite TV shows and movies into audiobooks

Audio descriptions are available at Prime Video, so you can turn some of your favourite TV shows and movies into audiobooks there as well. Enjoy! 

14. Use the multiple profiles feature even if you are the only one accessing your account 

Amazon Prime Video has recently updated its profile creation and management.  Now it's much easier to create and manage different profiles. You can create profiles, especially for kids with different settings. In total, you can have one default profile and five additional profiles. This feature is interesting if you want “to edit” your recommendations. 

15. Rate the movies and TV shows you watch on Prime Video 

If you go to settings and select “Watch History”, you can rate the content you have watched. You can give up to five stars and this rating will be accountable for the overall rating of that piece of content on the platform.

16. Add channels to your subscription 

A huge advantage of Amazon Prime Video is that you can add channels to your subscription. They will be charged extra but usually come with a free trial. You can get MTV Play, Hallmark TV, Starz Play, some sports channels, Hayu and much more. 

How to save money on your Amazon Prime Video account 

Share your account with family and friends in the same household or not 

You can also share your Amazon Prime Video account with family and friends living in the same household or not. You will be able to save and everyone will be happy. Just like Netflix, each person will be able to create their own profile. Just make sure you choose reliable friends to share the account with! 

Look for deals that give Amazon Prime Video for free 

You can potentially get Amazon Prime Video for free if you get a new mobile phone, internet or TV plan. Many providers are often giving Prime Video for free for a period of time. It’s worth keeping it in mind.

Amazon Prime Video gift cards can be cheaper than monthly payments 

One way to save money on Amazon Prime Video is to look for gift cards. Most of the time they are an excellent option to pay less. 

You don't need a TV Licence to use Amazon Prime Video

You only need a TV Licence in the UK if you are watching Live TV or if you are using BBC iPlayer. If you are only using Amazon Prime Video, you don't need to pay for a TV Licence. Understand more about TV Licences here. 

FAQ 

Summary 

Use all these 16  hacks to make the most of your monthly Amazon Prime Video subscription.  Just applying some quick changes, you will be able to maximize the use of Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Prime Video has great content and can be an amazing addition to your life. Your entertainment is guaranteed!