Apple TV (3rd generation) vs Roku 3 (4200)

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

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TV (3rd generation) compared with 3 (4200)

	AppleTV (3rd generation)	Roku3 (4200)
Overview
Released
Released	March 2012	March 2013
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	Up to 1080p HD (original Roku announcement); HDMI only, with no analogue A/V output
Audio
Audio	HE-AAC (V1), AAC, protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 pass-through	–
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	Arm Cortex-A9 dual-core at 1 GHz; OpenGL ES 2.0 (Roku's exact Austin/4200X developer row)
Memory
Memory	512 MB RAM (AppleInsider review); Apple does not publish RAM on the model's spec sheet	512 MB (Roku's exact Austin/4200X 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 channel/app storage; local media uses the USB port
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 OS; apps and services vary by region and software version. Maker developer row lists release year 2014, conflicting with the original March 6, 2013 release announcement used here
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, not external media playback	HDMI, Ethernet, USB media playback, microSD channel-storage slot and power
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	Dual-band Wi-Fi (Roku launch release); 2.4/5 GHz confirmed by SmallNetBuilder. Original remote uses Wi-Fi Direct rather than Bluetooth
Remote
Remote	Included aluminium Apple Remote using infrared; Apple's iOS Remote app also supported network control	Original enhanced motion remote with headphone socket and A/B game controls. Side volume buttons control headphones only; no microphone or television power controls. Distinct from the 2015 voice-remote bundle
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, Apple Remote, power cord and documentation; HDMI cable sold separately	Player, enhanced remote and in-ear headphones; HDMI cable not supplied (SmallNetBuilder)