 | This article needs to be updated.(October 2024) |
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).
| This article needs to be updated.(October 2024) |
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).
This list does not include discontinued or legacy media players.
| Maker | Model (Debut year) | Current version (year) | Connectivity | Audio output | Maximum video resolution | Video formats supported | Network | USB | Internal media storage | Card reader slot | Remote control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Fire 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) | HDMI | 4K@60fps (Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Stick 4K); 1080p (Fire TV Stick) | H.265/HEVC, VP9, H.264, H.263, MPEG4-SP, VC1 | 802.11a/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) | None | Bluetooth/IR remote with Alexa, Android app, iOS app |
| Apple | Apple TV (2007) | 7th generation (2022) | HDMI (w/ CEC) | HDMI, Bluetooth, | 4K@60fps (HDR) | H.265, H.264, MPEG-4, Motion JPEG | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Gigabit Ethernet, Thread | None | Up to 128GB NAND Flash | None | Siri Remote, iPhone app |
| Chromecast (2013) | Chromecast with Google TV (CGTV; 2020 (4K) & 2022 (HD)) | HDMI (w/ CEC) | HDMI | 1080p (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) | None | None (Chromecast controllable by mobile device, Google Assistant or Chrome browser); Bluetooth/IR remote with Google Assistant (CGTV) | |
| Nvidia | SHIELD Console (2013) | Nvidia Shield TV (third generation, 2019), Nvidia Shield TV Pro (third generation, 2019) | HDMI (w/ CEC) | 3.5mm, HDMI | 4K@60fps | MPEG2/4, XviD, DivX, MKV (H.264), MP4 (H.264), MOV (H.264), HEVC (H.265), WMV9, VC-1, VP8, VP9 | 802.11ac 10/100/1000 Ethernet | 2x USB 3.0 1x micro-USB | 16GB, 500GB (SHIELD Pro) | Micro SD | IR remote (all models) |
| Roku | Roku Streaming Player (2008) | 8th & 9th generation Express, Express+, Streaming Stick+, Premiere, Ultra LT, Ultra (2018) | HDMI | HDMI (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 - 512MB | Micro SD (Premiere+ & Ultra) | IR remote (all models) Wi-Fi Direct (Streaming Stick+, Ultra) Headphone jack (Streaming Stick+, Ultra) |
| Manufacturer | System (year) | Connectivity | Maximum video resolution | Video formats supported | Network | USB | Internal media storage | Card reader slot | Web browser | Remote control | Network file server | Network file client |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Xbox Series X/S (2020) | HDMI | 4K@120fps (Xbox Series X); 1440p@120fps (Xbox Series S) | Many | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 10/100/1000 Ethernet | 3x USB 3.1 | 512GB or 1TB SSD | None | Yes | IR remote sold separately | Unspecified | DLNA |
| Microsoft | Xbox One (2013) | HDMI, HDMI-in, optical audio | 1080p@60fps; 4K@60fps (Xbox One S, Xbox One X) | Many | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 10/100/1000 Ethernet | 3x USB 3.0 | 500GB up to 2TB hard drive, not user-upgradeable | None | Yes | IR remote sold separately | Unspecified | DLNA |
| Microsoft | Xbox 360 (2005) | HDMI, component audio/video, composite audio/video, optical audio | 1080p | Many | 802.11a/b/g/n, 10/100/1000 Ethernet | 3x USB 2.0 | 4GB up to 500GB hard drive, user-upgradeable | None | Yes | IR remote sold separately | Unspecified | DLNA |
| Sony | PlayStation 5 (2020) | HDMI | 4K@120fps | Many | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 10/100/1000 Ethernet | 2x USB 3.1, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB-C with USB 3.1 | 825GB SSD, user-upgradeable | None | No | IR remote sold separately | N/A | DLNA |
| Sony | PlayStation 4 (2013) | HDMI, optical audio | 1080p@60fps; 4K@60fps (PS4 Pro) | Many | 802.11 b/g/n, 10/100/1000 Ethernet | 2x USB 3.0 | 500GB or 1TB hard drive, user-upgradeable | None | Yes | IR remote sold separately | None | DLNA |
| Sony | PlayStation 3 (2006) | HDMI, composite audio/video, component audio/video, optical audio | 1080p | Many | 802.11a/b/g/n, 10/100/1000 Ethernet | 2x USB 2.0 (4x USB 2.0) | 12GB [1] up to 500GB hard drive, user-upgradeable | Some early models include card readers, [2] other models do not. | Yes | Bluetooth remote built into controller, IR remote sold separately | None | DLNA |
| Nintendo | Wii U (2012) | HDMI, component audio/video, composite audio/video | 1080p | H.264 via browser [3] | 802.11a/b/g/n, 10/100 Ethernet | 4x USB 2.0 | 8 or 32 GB NAND flash, not user-upgradeable | SD card | Yes | IR remote built into GamePad | None | None |
| Model | Amazon Video | Crackle | Flixster | Google Play (Google TV) | Hulu | iTunes (Apple TV) | Movies Anywhere | Netflix | Sling TV [4] | Vevo | Vimeo | Vudu | WWE Network | YouTube | UltraFlix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Fire TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apple TV | Yes (3rd generation and later) | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4th generation and later | Yes | with software version 7.2 and later | Yes (HD) |
| Asus Cube | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | ? | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Google Chromecast/Nexus Player | Yes [5] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hisense Pulse | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | ? | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Little Smart Box | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Microsoft Xbox | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes [6] | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NanoTech Nuvola | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | ? | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Nintendo | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | ? | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Roku | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes [7] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SHIELD Android TV | Yes | Yes | Yes [8] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes [9] | Yes | Yes |
| Sony PlayStation | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Vizio Co-Star | Yes | Yes | No | No | LT only | No | ? | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Western Digital WD TV | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | ? | Live and Play versions | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Model | Charter Spectrum | Verizon FiOS | Comcast Xfinity | Watch ABC | PBS | Fox Now | A&E | Bloomberg | Disney Channel | FX Now | History Channel | Lifetime | MTV | SyFy | Watch ESPN | Encore Play | EPIX | HBO GO | HBO Max | Showtime Anytime | Starz Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Fire TV | No | Yes | Yes [10] | Yes [11] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes [12] | Yes [13] | Yes (was unavailable until Nov. 17, 2020) [14] | Yes | Yes |
| Apple TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Google Chromecast | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Xbox | Yes | No | No | Xbox 360 only | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Xbox 360 only | Xbox One only, Xbox 360 upcoming [15] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Xbox One only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Roku | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (was unavailable until Dec. 2020) | Yes | Yes |
| Sony PlayStation | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
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.
Amazon Prime Video, or simply Prime Video, is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming and rental service of Amazon offered both as a stand-alone service and as part of Amazon's Prime subscription. The service primarily distributes films and television series produced or co-produced by Amazon MGM Studios or licensed to Amazon, as Amazon Originals, with the service also hosting content from other providers, content add-ons, live sporting events, and video rental and purchasing services.
My5 is the brand name of video-on-demand services offered by Channel 5 in the United Kingdom. The service went live on 26 June 2008. It is owned by Paramount Global and operated by their Paramount Networks UK & Australia division.
A digital media player is a type of consumer electronics device designed for the storage, playback, or viewing of digital media content. They are typically designed to be integrated into a home cinema configuration, and attached to a television or AV receiver or both.
NBA League Pass is the National Basketball Association's direct-to-consumer subscription-based product that provides live and on-demand NBA games. It is available to those in the United States and also as an international package for all other countries. TV versions can be viewed through a cable or satellite TV provider, as well as an over-the-top streaming service operated by the league.
Xumo, LLC is an American internet television and consumer electronics company. It is a joint venture of Charter Communications and Comcast that operates the free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) and advertising video on demand (AVOD) service Xumo Play, and develops digital media players and smart TVs. The Xumo Play platform's service operations are based in the Orange County suburb of Irvine, California. As of October 2020, Xumo Play has 24 million monthly active users.
Sky Go is a streaming television service from Sky Group provided free for Sky TV subscribers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It complements Sky TV by allowing subscribers to watch live and on demand Sky TV via an internet connection on the go. The Sky Go app is available on Windows and Mac computers and also on Android and iOS devices.
ITVX is a British over-the-top and ad-supported streaming service operated by ITV plc. The service offers original content from the broadcaster, livestreams of the ITV television channels, FAST channels, and exclusive and licensed programming.
A smart TV, also known as a connected TV (CTV), is a traditional television set with integrated Internet and interactive Web 2.0 features that allow users to stream music and videos, browse the internet, and view photos. Smart TVs are a technological convergence of computers, televisions, and digital media players. Besides the traditional functions of television sets provided through traditional broadcasting media, these devices can provide access to over-the-top media services such as streaming television and internet radio, along with home networking access.
HBO Go is an authenticated video-on-demand streaming service of the pay television network HBO, currently serving only the Southeast Asian region. The service originally allowed subscribers to access HBO's on-demand programming via the HBO website, mobile apps, and digital media players, among other devices, through their television providers.
Ameba is a Canadian subscription streaming video service founded in 2007 and headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The service features children's cartoons & television series, movies, and music videos.
TVPlayer is a United Kingdom Internet television service owned by international digital distribution company Alchimie. It provides access to free live television channel streams using a web browser or application software made for mobile devices.
Amazon Fire TV is a line of digital media players and microconsoles developed by Amazon since 2014. The devices are small network appliances that deliver digital audio and video content streamed via the Internet to a connected high-definition television. They also allow users to access local content and to play video games with the included remote control or another game controller, or by using a mobile app remote control on another device.
SonyLIV is an Indian subscription video-on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned by Culver Max Entertainment. SonyLIV was introduced in 2013 as the first OTT service in India. As a streaming service, it provides live sports, original titles, other content titles from its own networks and content titles in India licensed from third-parties such as Lionsgate and ITV among others. The Sony Liv content library includes films, TV shows and series, and sports.
The Nexus Player is a digital media player that was co-developed by Google, Intel and Asus. It was the second media player in the Google Nexus family of consumer devices. Originally running the Android 5.0 ("Lollipop") operating system, it was the first device to employ the Android TV platform. The Nexus player supports Google Cast, the feature for selecting and controlling media playback on a television that was first introduced by Chromecast. Sales of the Nexus Player were discontinued in May 2016, and product support ended in March 2018.
Google TV is a digital distribution service for movies and television series developed by Google. It was announced in September 2020, offering search and discovery of video titles across multiple streaming services, including rental or purchase options, alongside watchlist features for accessing titles from eligible devices and platforms. The buy, rent, or preorder options were shared with the predecessor Google Play Movies & TV, which has since moved to the newer service.
PlayStation Vue was an American streaming television service that was owned by the Sony Interactive Entertainment subdivision of the Sony Corporation of America division of Sony. Launched with a limited major-market rollout on March 18, 2015, the service – which was structured in the style of a multichannel video programming distributor – combined live TV, on-demand video, and cloud-based DVR to stream television programs, movies, and sporting events directly to a PlayStation console or other supported device – including smart TVs, digital media players and apps – without a subscription to a cable or satellite television provider. Targeting cord cutters, PlayStation Vue was designed to complement subscription video-on-demand services. As of August 26, 2018, the service had approximately 745,000 subscribers. On October 29, 2019, Sony announced PlayStation Vue would be ending service on January 30, 2020, because "the highly competitive Pay TV industry, with expensive content and network deals, has been slower to change than we expected".
HBO Now was an American subscription video on demand streaming service for premium television network HBO owned by WarnerMedia subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc. Officially unveiled on March 9 and launched on April 7, 2015, the service allowed subscribers on-demand access to HBO's library of original programs, films and other content on personal computers, smartphones, tablet devices and digital media players. Unlike HBO Go, HBO's online video on demand service for existing subscribers of the linear television channel, HBO Now was available as a standalone service and did not require a television subscription to use, targeting cord cutters who use competing services such as Netflix and Hulu. In February 2018, HBO Now had 5 million subscribers.
The Apple TV app is a line of media player software programs developed by Apple Inc. for viewing television shows and films delivered by Apple to consumer electronic devices. It can stream content from the iTunes Store, the Apple TV Channels a la carte video on demand service, and the Apple TV+ original content subscription service. On iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Vision Pro, and Apple TV devices it can also index and access content from linked apps of other video on demand services.
Xfinity Flex is an American over-the-top internet television service owned by Comcast. The service – which is structured as a virtual multichannel video programming distributor – is only available to Comcast Xfinity internet customers. It is designed as an alternative to other competing OTT skinny bundles for cord cutters, offering a selection of major cable channels and on-demand content that can be streamed through smart TVs, digital media players, and mobile apps.