Comparison of digital media players explained

A digital media player is a home entertainment consumer electronics device that can connect to a home network to stream digital media (such as music, pictures, or video).

Standalone streaming players

This list does not include discontinued or legacy media players.

MakerModel (Debut year)Current version (year)ConnectivityAudio outputMaximum video resolutionVideo formats supportedNetworkUSBInternal media storageCard reader slotRemote control
AmazonFire TV (2014), Fire TV Stick (2014)Fire TV Stick (third generation, 2020), Fire TV Cube (second generation, 2019), Fire TV Stick 4K (2018)HDMI (w/ CEC)HDMI4K@60fps (Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Stick 4K); 1080p (Fire TV Stick)H.265/HEVC, VP9, H.264, H.263, MPEG4-SP, VC1802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 10/100 Ethernet (via external dongle)1× micro-USB for Ethernet dongle and OTG storage (Fire TV Cube), 1× micro-USB for power and Ethernet dongle (Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K)16GB (Fire TV Cube), 8GB (Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K)NoneBluetooth/IR remote with Alexa, Android app, iOS app
AppleApple TV (2007)7th generation (2022)HDMI (w/ CEC)HDMI, Bluetooth,4K@60fps (HDR)H.265, H.264, MPEG-4, Motion JPEG802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Gigabit Ethernet, ThreadNoneUp to 128GB NAND FlashNoneSiri Remote, iPhone app
GoogleChromecast (2013)Chromecast with Google TV (CGTV; 2020 (4K) & 2022 (HD))HDMI (w/ CEC)HDMI1080p (1st, 2nd, 3rd & CGTV HD); 4K@60fps (Ultra & CGTV 4K)H.264, VP8 (Chromecast)H.263, H.264, H.265/HEVC, VP8, VP9 (Chromecast Ultra, CGTV)802.11b/g/n/ac (Chromecast), 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (Nexus Player, CGTV)1× micro-USB for power (Chromecast),1 x USB-C for power, Ethernet and peripherals (CGTV)2 GB for buffering (Chromecast), 8 GB for buffering (Nexus Player, CGTV)NoneNone (Chromecast controllable by mobile device, Google Assistant or Chrome browser);Bluetooth/IR remote with Google Assistant (CGTV)
NvidiaSHIELD Console
(2013)		Nvidia Shield TV
(third generation, 2019), Nvidia Shield TV Pro
(third generation, 2019)		HDMI (w/ CEC) 3.5mm, HDMI4K@60fpsMPEG2/4, XviD, DivX, MKV (H.264), MP4 (H.264), MOV (H.264), HEVC (H.265), WMV9, VC-1, VP8, VP9802.11ac
10/100/1000 Ethernet		2x USB 3.0
1x micro-USB		16GB,
500GB (SHIELD Pro) 		Micro SDIR remote (all models)
RokuRoku Streaming Player (2008)8th & 9th generationExpress, Express+, Streaming Stick+, Premiere, Ultra LT, Ultra(2018)HDMIHDMI (all models), Optical Toslink (Ultra)4K@60fps; 1080p on Express and Express+H.264/AVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV), H.265/HEVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV); VP9 (.MKV)802.11a/b/g/n (Express, Express+, Premiere)
802.11ac (Streaming Stick+, Ultra LT, Ultra)
10/100 Ethernet (Ultra)		1× USB 2.0 (Ultra models)
1× micro-USB for power (Streaming Stick+ Roku model)		256MB - 512MBMicro SD (Premiere+ & Ultra)IR remote (all models)
Wi-Fi Direct (Streaming Stick+, Ultra)
Headphone jack (Streaming Stick+, Ultra)

Gaming systems

ManufacturerSystem (year)ConnectivityMaximum video resolutionVideo formats supportedNetworkUSBInternal media storageCard reader slotWeb browserRemote controlNetwork file serverNetwork file client
MicrosoftXbox Series X/S (2020)HDMI4K@120fps (Xbox Series X);1440p@120fps (Xbox Series S)Many802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 10/100/1000 Ethernet3x USB 3.1512GB or 1TB SSDNoneYesIR remote sold separatelyUnspecifiedDLNA
MicrosoftXbox One (2013)HDMI, HDMI-in, optical audio1080p@60fps;4K@60fps (Xbox One S, Xbox One X)Many802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 10/100/1000 Ethernet3x USB 3.0500GB up to 2TB hard drive, not user-upgradeableNoneYesIR remote sold separatelyUnspecifiedDLNA
MicrosoftXbox 360 (2005)HDMI, component audio/video, composite audio/video, optical audio1080pMany802.11a/b/g/n, 10/100/1000 Ethernet3x USB 2.04GB up to 500GB hard drive, user-upgradeableNoneYesIR remote sold separatelyUnspecifiedDLNA
SonyPlayStation 5 (2020)HDMI4K@120fpsMany802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 10/100/1000 Ethernet2x USB 3.1, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB-C with USB 3.1825GB SSD, user-upgradeableNoneNoIR remote sold separatelyN/ADLNA
SonyPlayStation 4 (2013)HDMI, optical audio1080p@60fps;4K@60fps (PS4 Pro)Many802.11 b/g/n, 10/100/1000 Ethernet2x USB 3.0500GB or 1TB hard drive, user-upgradeableNoneYesIR remote sold separatelyNoneDLNA
SonyPlayStation 3 (2006)HDMI, composite audio/video, component audio/video, optical audio1080pMany802.11a/b/g/n, 10/100/1000 Ethernet2x USB 2.0 (4x USB 2.0)12GB[1] up to 500GB hard drive, user-upgradeableSome early models include card readers,[2] other models do not.YesBluetooth remote built into controller, IR remote sold separatelyNoneDLNA
NintendoWii U (2012)HDMI, component audio/video, composite audio/video1080pH.264 via browser[3] 802.11a/b/g/n, 10/100 Ethernet4x USB 2.08 or 32 GB NAND flash, not user-upgradeableSD cardYesIR remote built into GamePadNoneNone

Content agreements

Internet video services

ModelAmazon VideoCrackleFlixsterGoogle Play (Google TV)HuluiTunes (Apple TV)Movies AnywhereNetflixSling TV[4] VevoVimeoVuduWWE NetworkYouTubeUltraFlix
Amazon Fire TV
Apple TV (3rd generation and later)
Asus Cube
Google Chromecast/Nexus Player[5]
Hisense Pulse
Little Smart Box
Microsoft Xbox[6]
NanoTech Nuvola
Nintendo
Roku[7]
SHIELD Android TV[8] [9]
Sony PlayStation
Vizio Co-Star
Western Digital WD TV

US television services

ModelCharter SpectrumVerizon FiOSComcast XfinityWatch ABCPBSFox NowA&EBloombergDisney ChannelFX NowHistory ChannelLifetimeMTVSyFyWatch ESPNEncore PlayEPIXHBO GOHBO MaxShowtime AnytimeStarz Play
Amazon Fire TV[10] [11] [12] [13] (was unavailable until Nov. 17, 2020) [14]
Apple TV
Google Chromecast
Microsoft Xbox
Roku (was unavailable until Dec. 2020)
Sony PlayStation
NOTE: These tables are not comprehensive or all inclusive; some pay-TV services may not have contracts with certain networks or refuse to serve networks on certain platforms.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PlayStation 3 12GB Super Slim review. Richard. Leadbetter. Eurogamer. February 3, 2013.
  2. Web site: Gone baby gone: the death and afterlife of a 60GB PS3. Frank. Caron. June 4, 2008. Ars Technica.
  3. Web site: Wii U Internet Browser Specs. Nintendo.
  4. Web site: Watch Online with TV Streaming Devices. Sling TV.
  5. News: Moon . Mariella . Amazon Prime Video finally works with Chromecast and Android TV . 29 July 2019 . Engadget . 9 July 2019.
  6. Web site: Xbox Support. support.xbox.com.
  7. Bad News for Amazon: Google Play Movies and TV Are Now on Roku. Wired. Moynihan. Tim.
  8. Web site: Movies by Flixster, with Rotten Tomatoes - Apps on Google Play. play.google.com.
  9. Web site: WWE Network Help - Watching on Android TV. help.wwe.com.
  10. Web site: Watch Xfinity Stream App on Amazon Fire TV. 2 November 2021. Xfinity.
  11. Web site: WATCH ABC app arrives on the Amazon Fire TV. 5 October 2015. AFTVnews.
  12. Web site: EPIX app arrives on the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. 16 May 2017. AFTVnews.
  13. Web site: HBO available on Amazon Fire TV. Amazon.
  14. Web site: HBO Max Is Finally Coming to Amazon Fire TV. Todd. Spangler. November 16, 2020.

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