Apple TV (2nd generation) vs Roku XD (2050)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

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TV (2nd generation) compared with XD (2050)

	AppleTV (2nd generation)	RokuXD (2050)
Overview
Released
Released	September 2010	September 2010
Video and audio
Resolution
Resolution	720p	1080p (better)
HDR
HDR	None	None
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos	No	–
Video
Video	H.264 up to 720p at 30 fps, Main Profile level 3.1; MPEG-4 up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 × 480 at 30 fps; Motion JPEG up to 35 Mbps, 1280 × 720 at 30 fps. Protected content requires HDCP	1080p through HDMI; standard-definition composite output. AnandTech reports 1080p24 and 1080p30, without 1080p60
Audio
Audio	HE-AAC (V1), AAC, protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 pass-through	Analogue stereo through RCA; HDMI supports 5.1 surround sound where available according to the original maker guide
Performance
Software
Software	Apple TV Software	Roku OS
Chip details
Chip details	Apple A4 chip; Apple does not publish its clock speed on the model's spec sheet	MIPS at 400 MHz in Roku's Pico/2050X developer row; NXP PNX8935 identified in AnandTech's exact XD teardown
Memory
Memory	256 MB RAM (iFixit teardown, from the A4 package marking)	256 MB in Roku's exact 2050X/2050N developer row
Storage
Storage	8GB NAND flash (iFixit teardown); used for streaming cache rather than a user-accessible library. Home Sharing replaced the original model's synchronised local media	–
Software and services
Software and services	Reviews describe historical services available at launch, including US-only Netflix and TV programme rentals. Netflix's current compatibility list requires Apple TV HD (4th generation) or later; this model is no longer supported	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
Wi-Fi	802.11a/b/g/n	Wi-Fi 4
Ethernet
Ethernet	Yes	Yes
Voice remote
Voice remote	No	No
Ports
Ports	HDMI; optical audio; 10/100BASE-T Ethernet; IR receiver; Micro-USB for service and support	HDMI, Ethernet, composite video, left/right RCA analogue audio and power; no component video, optical audio or USB media port
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	802.11a/b/g/n; wireless video streaming requires 802.11a, g or n. The maker sheet does not list Bluetooth support, although iFixit identified a combined Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chipset	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
Remote	Included seven-button aluminium Apple Remote using infrared; Apple's iOS Remote app also supported control over the network	Original infrared remote with Back, Options and Instant Replay, which replays the last seven seconds; no microphone or headphone socket
Design
Type
Type	Box	Box
Power
Power	Built-in 6 W universal power supply	–
Size
Size	98 × 98 × 23 mm (W × D × H); 0.6 lb, varying with configuration and manufacturing	–
In the box
In the box	Apple TV, aluminium Apple Remote, power cord and documentation; HDMI cable 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