Apple TV (1st generation) vs Roku XD (2050)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AppleTV (1st generation) | RokuXD (2050) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | March 2007 | September 2010 |
| Video and audio | ||
| Resolution | 720p | 1080p (better) |
| HDR | None | None |
| Dolby Atmos | No | – |
| Video | H.264 up to 5 Mbps, Progressive Main Profile (CAVLC), 1280 × 720 at 24 fps or 960 × 540 at 30 fps; MPEG-4 up to 3 Mbps, 720 × 432 at 30 fps; .m4v, .mp4 and .mov files. Maker lists compatible TV timings up to 1080p/1080i, which are distinct from its maximum decoded video resolution | 1080p through HDMI; standard-definition composite output. AnandTech reports 1080p24 and 1080p30, without 1080p60 |
| Audio | AAC, protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 pass-through on the retained maker sheet, reflecting software added after the launch reviews | Analogue stereo through RCA; HDMI supports 5.1 surround sound where available according to the original maker guide |
| Performance | ||
| Software | Apple TV Software | Roku OS |
| Storage | 160 GB | – |
| Chip details | Intel processor (Apple); 1 GHz Pentium M with Dothan core and NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 graphics with 64 MB VRAM (Ars Technica teardown) | MIPS at 400 MHz in Roku's Pico/2050X developer row; NXP PNX8935 identified in AnandTech's exact XD teardown |
| Memory | 256 MB DDR2 (Ars Technica teardown) | 256 MB in Roku's exact 2050X/2050N developer row |
| Storage | 40GB or 160GB hard drive; 160GB option first sold in the US on 31 May 2007 and in the UK on 1 June. Originally synchronised with one iTunes computer and streamed from up to five additional computers | – |
| Software and services | Apple withdrew iTunes Store access from 25 May 2018 (MacRumors, quoting Apple's notice); the retained spec sheet and launch reviews describe historical services | Roku lists OS 3.1 as the last compatible version for 2050X and 2050N. Service support depends on region and software; this is the original XD rather than the later Roku 2 XD |
| Connections | ||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n (draft), 802.11b/g | Wi-Fi 4 |
| Ethernet | Yes | Yes |
| Voice remote | No | No |
| Ports | HDMI video and audio; component video; optical audio; analogue RCA stereo audio; 10/100BASE-T Ethernet; USB 2.0; IR receiver | HDMI, Ethernet, composite video, left/right RCA analogue audio and power; no component video, optical audio or USB media port |
| Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | IEEE 802.11n draft specification, compatible with 802.11b/g; wireless video streaming requires 802.11g or 802.11n | Extended-range wireless-N; 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n verified in the exact-model reviews, without the XDS model's dual-band radio |
| Remote | Included Apple Remote, using infrared | Original infrared remote with Back, Options and Instant Replay, which replays the last seven seconds; no microphone or headphone socket |
| Design | ||
| Type | Box | Box |
| Power | Built-in 48 W universal power supply | – |
| Size | 197 × 197 × 28 mm (W × D × H); 1.09 kg, varying with configuration and manufacturing | – |
| In the box | Apple TV, Apple Remote, power cord and Quick Start guide; video and audio cables sold separately | Player, infrared remote, two AAA batteries, power adaptor, RCA video/stereo cable, Getting Started Guide and Important Product Information; HDMI and Ethernet cables sold separately |
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