Comparison of digital media players


A digital media player is a home entertainment consumer electronics device that can connect to a home network to stream digital media.

Standalone streaming players

This list does not include discontinued or legacy media players.
MakerModel Current version ConnectivityMaximum video resolutionVideo formats supportedNetworkUSBInternal media storageCard reader slotWeb browserRemote controlNetwork File clientScreen mirroringAudio output
AmazonFire TV, Fire TV Stick Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Stick 4K HDMI 4K@60fps ; 1080p H.265/HEVC, VP9, H.264, H.263, MPEG4-SP, VC1802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 10/100 Ethernet 1× Micro-USB for ethernet dongle and OTG storage, 1× Micro-USB for power and ethernet dongle 16GB, 8GB -Yes Bluetooth voice remote, Android app, iOS appUnspecifiedKindle Fire HDXHDMI
AppleApple TV 5th generation HDMI, optical audio4K@60fpsH.264, MPEG-4, Motion JPEG802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Gigabit Ethernet-32GBor 64GB NAND Flash--Siri Remote, iPhone appITunes, AirPlay,
HomeKit
iOS devices and Mac computersHDMI, Bluetooth, Optical
GoogleChromecast
Nexus Player
Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast, Nexus Player HDMI 1080p; 4K@60fps H.264, VP8
H.265 HEVC, VP9
802.11b/g/n/ac, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 1× Micro-USB for power 2 GB for buffering, 8 GB for buffering -YesNone, 5-button remote -Android and iOS devices, Macintosh, Linux and Windows-based computersHDMI
NvidiaSHIELD Console
SHIELD Android TV
SHIELD Pro
HDMI 4K@60fpsMPEG2/4, XviD, DivX, MKV, MP4, MOV, HEVC, WMV9, VC-1, VP8, VP9802.11ac
10/100/1000 Ethernet
2x USB 3.0
1x Micro-USB
16GB,
500GB
Micro SDYes IR UnspecifiedVia Google Cast3.5mm, HDMI
RokuRoku Streaming Player 7th generation
Express, Express+, Streaming Stick, Premiere, Premiere+, Ultra
HDMI
Composite video/audio
4K@60fps; 1080p on Express, Express+, and Streaming Stick; 480i Express+ CompositeH.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC ; VP9 802.11a/b/g/n
802.11ac
10/100 Ethernet
USB 2.0
1× Micro-USB for power
256MB - 512MBMicro SD -IR 12 buttons
Wi-Fi Direct
Headphone jack
Via. channelsSelect devices running Android, Windows and Windows PhoneHDMI, Optical Toslink

Gaming systems

Content agreements

Internet video services

US television services

ModelCharter SpectrumVerizon FiOSComcast XfinityWatch ABCPBSFox NowA&EBloombergDisney ChannelFX NowHistory ChannelLifetimeMTVSyFyWatch ESPNEncore PlayEPIXHBO GOHBO MaxShowtime AnytimeStarz Play
Amazon Fire TV
Apple TV
Google Chromecast
Microsoft Xbox
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.