Apple TV (3rd generation) vs Roku 2 XD (3050)

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

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TV (3rd generation) compared with 2 XD (3050)

	AppleTV (3rd generation)	Roku2 XD (3050)
Overview
Released
Released	March 2012	July 2011
Video and audio
Resolution
Resolution	1080p	1080p
HDR
HDR	None	None
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos	No	–
Video
Video	H.264 up to 1080p at 30 fps, High or Main Profile level 4.0 or lower, Baseline Profile level 3.0 or lower; 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, 720p or 480p through HDMI; 480i composite video through the included custom A/V cable (The Gadgeteer)
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 the A/V cable; HDMI digital audio with 5.1 passthrough where available. The maker's original Netflix implementation supported Dolby Digital Plus
Performance
Software
Software	Apple TV Software	Roku OS
Chip details
Chip details	Apple single-core A5; maker model numbers A1427 and A1469 (Rev A) are both third-generation Apple TVs	ARM11 at 600 MHz in Roku's exact Giga/3050X developer row
Memory
Memory	512 MB RAM (AppleInsider review); Apple does not publish RAM on the model's spec sheet	256 MB in Roku's exact 3050X developer row
Storage
Storage	Streaming device with flash storage for caching rather than a synchronised local media library; maker does not publish its capacity. Home Sharing supported streaming from a Mac or PC running iTunes	microSD expands storage for Roku channels and games, rather than playing personal files from the card; no published aggregate user capacity
Software and services
Software and services	Legacy Apple TV Software, with built-in channels rather than a third-party App Store. Reviews describe services available in 2012–2017. Netflix's current compatibility list requires Apple TV HD (4th generation) or later; this model is no longer supported	Roku lists OS 9.1 as the last compatible version for 3050X. Channels and services depend on region and software; this is the 2011 Roku 2 XD rather than the original 2010 XD
Connections
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	802.11a/b/g/n	Wi-Fi 4
Ethernet
Ethernet	Yes	No
Voice remote
Voice remote	No	No
Ports
Ports	HDMI; optical audio; 10/100BASE-T Ethernet; IR receiver; Micro-USB for service and support, not external media playback	HDMI, microSD channel-storage slot, 3.5 mm composite/stereo A/V, power and reset; no Ethernet 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. Bluetooth support for Apple Wireless Keyboard requires Apple TV Software 5.2 or later	802.11n Wi-Fi, compatible with b/g; Bluetooth 3.0 for the optional gaming remote (The Gadgeteer)
Remote
Remote	Included aluminium Apple Remote using infrared; Apple's iOS Remote app also supported network control	Original standard infrared remote with Back, Home, Options and Instant Replay; no microphone, headphone socket or motion control. Bluetooth gaming remote sold separately
Design
Type
Type	Box	Box
Power
Power	Built-in 6 W universal power supply	Less than 2 W stated in the original maker announcement; 5.2 V / 1.0 A power adaptor identified in The Gadgeteer's XD test
Size
Size	98 × 98 × 23 mm (W × D × H); 0.6 lb, varying with configuration and manufacturing	3.3 × 3.3 × 0.9 inches (The Gadgeteer)
In the box
In the box	Apple TV, Apple Remote, power cord and documentation; HDMI cable sold separately	Player, infrared remote, two AAA batteries, custom RCA-to-3.5 mm composite/stereo cable, mains power adaptor and setup guide; HDMI cable and microSD card sold separately