The Roku media streaming stick has been developed with high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) compatibility, thereby making the device a formidable alternative to other media streaming competitors on the market.

Packed with more than a thousand apps, the Roku media streaming stick is just the size of a thumb drive, making it apt for any contemporary TV set. It comes with a multipurpose remote control and a user-friendly interface.

Compared to the Roku stick, Apple competes with their Apple TV, a set-top box which comes with a quick processor as well as an upgraded menu system. The existing Apple TV media streaming player can play 1080p full HD movies. Below is a comparative study between the Roku streaming stick and the Apple TV media-streaming player vis-à-vis their prices and features.

Price

Compared to the Apple TV, which is priced at $99, the Roku media streaming stick comes at $48.90. In addition, the Roku stick has more apps available than the Apple TV. Although more expensive, Apple TV is able to provide top of the line stream quality.

Design & Features

Roku media streaming stick is the size of a larger thumb drive. When fitted to a grey or black TV set, the purple color of the Roku sticks out like a sore thumb. Nevertheless, the size of the device makes it virtually invisible at the rear of the TV set. The device measures 3.1 inches x 1.1 inches x 0.5 inches and weighs roughly 18 grams. It is available with a 6-foot-long micro USB cable with a power adapter. While streaming videos, the Roku media streaming stick consumes less than 2W of power. It is equipped with wireless dual band N antennas and faster Wi-Fi connectivity. Moreover, the hardware runs silently.

On the other hand, Apple TV is a small box measuring 23mm in length, 98mm in width, and 98mm thick and weighs about 0.27 kg. The device accompanies an aluminum remote which has fewer buttons than the Roku's remote. The gadget has an Ethernet port, an HDMI port, as well as the Optical Audio port. The Apple set top box runs on an A5 chipset, while the remote control functions using Infrared. Hence, the remote should always be kept in the line of sight with the gadget. In addition, an HDMI cable, which has to be bought separately, is required to connect the Apple TV with the television set.