Media Player

What’s the difference between the Fire TV Stick 4K and 4K Max?

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The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a new streaming stick released by Amazon in 2021. So, how does the new product compare against the similar Fire TV Stick 4K, which was released in 2018?

You can find out in this comparison guide between these two media playing sticks.

Quick Summary

When compared to the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, the newer Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max adds support for HDMI ARC, Wi-Fi 6, Live View Picture-in-Picture and Auto Low Latency Mode.

The Max version also comes with an updated remote that adds a guide button in addition to shortcuts to several streaming services.

So, if you want to use any or all of the aforementioned features, then you should get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max.

If you don’t mind missing out on the new features, then the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is the more affordable option.

Fire TV Stick 4K vs. Fire TV Stick 4K Max Comparison Chart

You can take a look at Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max below.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4KAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
What’s in the BoxFire TV Stick 4K

2nd Generation Alexa Voice Remote

USB cable and power adapter

HDMI extender cable

2 AAA batteries

Quick Start Guide		Fire TV Stick 4K Max

3rd Generation Alexa Voice Remote

USB cable and power adapter

HDMI extender cable

2 AAA batteries

Quick Start Guide
Remote ButtonsPower

Microphone

Voice Button

Navigation

Select

Back

Home

Menu

Fast Forward

Play/Pause

Rewind

Volume Up

Volume Down

Mute		Power

Microphone

Alexa Voice Button

Navigation

Select

Back

Home

Menu

Fast Forward

Play/Pause

Rewind

Mute

Volume Up

Volume Down

Guide

Amazon Prime Video Preset App Button

Netfilx Preset App Button

Disney+ Preset App Button

Hulu Preset App Button
Weight53.6 g48.4 g
Dimensions99 mm x 30 mm x 14 mm for only housing

108 mm x 30 mm x 14 mm with USB connector included		99 mm x 30 mm x 14 mm for only housing

108 mm x 30 mm x 14 mm with USB connector included
CPUQuad-core 1.7 GHz processorQuad-core 1.8 GHz MT8696 processor
GPUIMG GE8300IMG GE9215 at 750 MHz
RAM1.5 GB2 GB
PortsHDMI output

micro-USB for power only		HDMI ARC output

micro-USB for power only
Storage8 GB8 GB
Cloud StorageFree for contents directly purchased from AmazonFree for contents directly purchased from Amazon
Wi-Fi FeaturesDual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO)

802.11a/b/g/n/ac		Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO)

802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0 + LEBluetooth 5.0 + LE
Refresh Rates and ResolutionsUp to 60 frames per second at 720p

Up to 60 frames per second at 1080p

Up to 60 frames per second at 4K		Up to 60 frames per second at 720p

Up to 60 frames per second at 1080p

Up to 60 frames per second at 4K
HDR FeaturesDolby Vision

HDR10

HDR10+

HLG		Dolby Vision

HDR10

HDR10+

HLG
Video CodecsDolby Vision

H.263

H.264

H.265 (HEVC)

MPEG-2

MPEG-4

VP8

VP9		Dolby Vision

H.263

H.264

H.265 (HEVC)

MPEG-2

MPEG-4

VP8

VP9
Audio CodecsAAC-LC

AC3 (Dolby Digital)

AMR-NB

Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC)

eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus)

HE-AACv1 (AAC+)

HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)

FLAC

MIDI

MP3

Opus

PCM/Wave

Vorbis (Ogg and Mkv)		AAC-LC

AC3 (Dolby Digital)

AMR-NB

Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC)

eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus)

HE-AACv1 (AAC+)

HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)

FLAC

MIDI

MP3

Opus

PCM/Wave

Vorbis (Ogg and Mkv)
Image FormatsBMP

GIF

JPEG

PNG		BMP

GIF

JPEG

PNG
Voice ControlAlexa Voice Remote

Fire TV Smartphone App

Linked Echo Device		Alexa Voice Remote

Fire TV Smartphone App

Linked Echo Device
Live View Picture-in-Picture?NoYes
Miracast?YesYes
DRMHDCP 2.2

PlayReady 3.0

Widevine L1/L3		HDCP 2.2

PlayReady 3.0

Widevine L1/L3
System RequirementsHDTV or 4K TV with HDMI input

Wi-Fi internet connection		HDTV or 4K TV with HDMI input

Wi-Fi internet connection

Wi-Fi 6 router for Wi-Fi 6 connection

TV with HDMI 2.1 port for Auto-Low Latency Mode
Warranty1-year limited warranty and service

Optional 2-year or 3-year extended warranty for US customers		1-year limited warranty and service

Optional 2-year or 3-year extended warranty for US customers
PricingCheck price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)

What’s in the Box

In addition to the stick, both products also come with a HDMI extended cable, quick starter guide, two AAA batteries along with an USB cable and power adapter.

The Fire TV Stick 4K comes with a second-generation Alexa Voice Remote while the Fire TV Stick 4K Max comes with a third-generation Alexa Voice Remote.

You can check out a breakdown of the content included inside each box for both products below:

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K:

  • Fire TV Stick 4K
  • 2nd Generation Alexa Voice Remote
  • USB cable and power adapter
  • HDMI extender cable
  • 2 AAA batteries
  • Quick Start Guide

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max:

  • Fire TV Stick 4K Max
  • 3rd Generation Alexa Voice Remote
  • USB cable and power adapter
  • HDMI extender cable
  • 2 AAA batteries
  • Quick Start Guide

Remote Buttons

The 3rd Generation Alexa Voice Remote that comes with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max has an additional guide button in addition to shortcut buttons to various video streaming services.

You can check out the available buttons for both remotes below:

Fire TV Stick 4K:

  • Power
  • Microphone
  • Voice Button
  • Navigation
  • Select
  • Back
  • Home
  • Menu
  • Fast Forward
  • Play/Pause
  • Rewind
  • Volume Up
  • Volume Down
  • Mute

Fire TV Stick 4K Max:

  • Power
  • Microphone
  • Alexa Voice Button
  • Navigation
  • Select
  • Back
  • Home
  • Menu
  • Fast Forward
  • Play/Pause
  • Rewind
  • Mute
  • Volume Up
  • Volume Down
  • Guide
  • Amazon Prime Video Preset App Button
  • Netfilx Preset App Button
  • Disney+ Preset App Button
  • Hulu Preset App Button

Weight

The newer Fire TV Stick 4K Max weighs a little less than the older Fire TV Stick 4K.

You can find the weight specifications below:

  • Fire TV Stick 4K: 53.6 g
  • Fire TV Stick 4K Max: 48.4 g

Dimensions

The two streaming sticks in this comparison are the same when it comes to the physical size.

You can check out the measurements for both below

  • 99 mm x 30 mm x 14 mm for only housing
  • 108 mm x 30 mm x 14 mm with USB connector included

CPU

For the CPU, the Fire TV Stick 4K is equipped with a quad-core 1.7 GHz processor while the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is equipped with a quad-core 1.8 GHz MT8696 processor.

GPU

As for the GPU, the Fire TV Stick 4K uses IMG GE8300 while the Fire TV Stick 4K Max uses IMG GE9215 at 750 MHz.

RAM

The Fire TV Stick 4K comes with 1.5 GB of RAM while the Fire TV Stick 4K Max comes with 2 GB of RAM.

Ports

When it comes to ports, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max features a HDMI ARC output while the Fire TV Stick 4K features a regular HDMI output.

Both sticks come with a micro-USB port that is only used for power.

You can find a breakdown of the ports below:

Fire TV Stick 4K:

  • HDMI output
  • micro-USB for power only

Fire TV Stick 4K Max:

  • HDMI ARC output
  • micro-USB for power only

Storage

The two 4K streaming sticks have 8 GB of internal storage.

Cloud Storage

The cloud storage for both devices are free for contents that were directly purchased from Amazon.

Wi-Fi Features

With the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Amazon added support for 802.11 ax, which is known as Wi-Fi 6.

You can find the Wi-Fi features for both media players below:

Fire TV Stick 4K:

  • Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO)
  • 802.11a/b/g/n/ac

Fire TV Stick 4K Max:

  • Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO)
  • 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax

Bluetooth

For Bluetooth connections, both of these devices utilize Bluetooth 5.0 + LE.

Refresh Rates and Resolutions

The two sticks are capable of displaying the following refresh rates and resolutions:

  • Up to 60 frames per second at 720p
  • Up to 60 frames per second at 1080p
  • Up to 60 frames per second at 4K

HDR Features

Both also support the following HDR features:

  • Dolby Vision
  • HDR10
  • HDR10+
  • HLG

Video Codecs

The Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max are compatible with the following video codecs:

  • Dolby Vision
  • H.263
  • H.264
  • H.265 (HEVC)
  • MPEG-2
  • MPEG-4
  • VP8
  • VP9

Audio Codecs

The following audio codecs are also supported by both of the streaming devices in this comparison:

  • AAC-LC
  • AC3 (Dolby Digital)
  • AMR-NB
  • Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC)
  • eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus)
  • HE-AACv1 (AAC+)
  • HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)
  • FLAC
  • MIDI
  • MP3
  • Opus
  • PCM/Wave
  • Vorbis (Ogg and Mkv)

Image Formats

The Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max can display the following image formats:

  • BMP
  • GIF
  • JPEG
  • PNG

Voice Control

You will be able to use your voice to control both streaming media players with the following methods:

  • Alexa Voice Remote
  • Fire TV Smartphone App
  • Linked Echo Device

Live View Picture-in-Picture

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the only one to support Live View Picture-in-Picture, a feature that lets you conveniently view other video feeds without having to interrupt what you are currently viewing.

Miracast

The two sticks support Miracast, a feature that lets you mirror the screen of a compatible Amazon Fire device to your television screen.

DRM

The Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max have the following DRM protections:

  • HDCP 2.2
  • PlayReady 3.0
  • Widevine L1/L3

System Requirements

For the system requirements, you will need either a HDTV or 4K TV with HDMI input in addition to Wi-Fi internet connection.

To use Wi-Fi 6 with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, you will need a Wi-Fi 6 router. To use ALLM with the Max version of the Fire TV Stick, you need a TV with a HDMI 2.1 port.

You can find the system requirements below:

Fire TV Stick 4K:

  • HDTV or 4K TV with HDMI input
  • Wi-Fi internet connection

Fire TV Stick 4K Max:

  • HDTV or 4K TV with HDMI input
  • Wi-Fi internet connection
  • Wi-Fi 6 router for Wi-Fi 6 connection
  • TV with HDMI 2.1 port for Auto-Low Latency Mode

Warranty

The 1st Generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and 1st Generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max each comes with 1-year limited warranty and service. US customers can also purchase an optional 2-year or 3-year extended warranty for both these products.

Resources:

How to pair DualShock 4, DualSense and Xbox controllers with 2021 Apple TV

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With the 2021 Apple TV, you will be able to connect to PlayStation and Xbox wireless controller. You can follow this guide from Seeking Tech to see how you can connect these gamepads to your media player.

Supported 2021 Apple TV Models

This guide will cover the following models of the Apple TV:

  • 2021 32GB Apple TV HD (MHY93LL/A)
  • 2021 32GB Apple TV 4K (MXGY2LL/A)
  • 2021 64GB Apple TV 4K (MXH02LL/A)

How to pair DualShock 4 to 2021 Apple TV

In order to pair the DualShock 4, which is the official controller of the PlayStation 4, to a 2021 Apple TV, you need to do the following:

1. Turn on your 2021 Apple TV.

2. Press the PS and Share button at the same time until the light bar of the controller begins to flash.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions on the Apple TV to pair the DualShock 4 to media device.

How to pair DualSense to 2021 Apple TV

To pair the DualSense, which is the official controller of the PlayStation 5, you need to do the following:

1. Make sure that your 2021 Aple TV is turned on.

2. Press and hold the PS and Create button at the same time until the light indicator of the DualSense beings to flash.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions on your Apple TV to pair the DualSense.

How to pair Xbox controllers to 2021 Apple TV

You will be able to pair the following Xbox controllers to your 2021 Apple TV:

  • Xbox Wireless Controller with Bluetooth (Model Number: 1708) for Xbox One, Xbox One S and Xbox One X
  • Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
  • Xbox Adaptive Controller
  • Xbox Wireless Controller for Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X

To pair any of these Xbox controllers, you need to take the following steps:

1. Turn the Apple TV on if you haven’t done so already.

2. Press the Xbox button on the controller to turn the gamepad on.

3. With the Xbox controller turned on, press and hold the Pairing button on the gamepad for a few seconds.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions on your 2021 Apple TV to pair your Xbox controller.

How to fix PS and Xbox controller pairing issues with 2021 Apple TV

If you are experiencing issues with connecting, pairing or using a PlayStation and/or Xbox controller on your 2021 Apple TV, then you can find some possible fixes below:

1. First off, we recommend checking to see if your controller still have any battery life.

2. You should also check to see if your gamepad and 2021 Apple TV have been updated to the latest firmware.

3. Next, you can try moving your controller closer to your Apple TV.

4. You should also make sure that there aren’t any physical obstructions that may be interfering with the Bluetooth signals.

The list of objects that may weakened the signal that connects your gamepad to your media player include bricks, bulletproof glass, concrete, glass, marble, metal, plaster, water, wood as well as synthetic materials.

5. You should also avoid using your Apple TV nearby any of the following objects: cordless phones, fluorescent lights, microwave ovens, Wi-Fi router and wireless video cameras.

6. Turn off other Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices that you aren’t using.

Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi utilize the 2.4 GHz band. If your Wi-Fi router supports 5.0 GHz band as well, you can try moving some of your Wi-Fi connected devices from the 2.4 GHz band to the 5.0 GHz band so that you can get a better Bluetooth connection.

How to unpair PS and Xbox controllers on 2021 Apple TV

If you are still experiencing problems with connecting and/or using your PlayStation and/or Xbox controllers with your 2021 Apple TV, you can try unpairing the controller and then pairing it back again.

In order to unpair the controller, you need to do the following:

1. On your 2021 Apple TV, go to Settings.

2. Next, you should select Remotes and Devices.

3. Afterwards, select Bluetooth.

4. Select the controller you want to unpair from your 2021 Apple TV.

5. Select Unpair Device.

To pair your controller to your Apple TV again, you can follow the aforementioned instructions earlier in this guide.

How to fix unresponsive 2021 Apple TV remote

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With the latest Apple TV, you may experience issues where its remote controller become unresponsive. You can follow this troubleshooting guide at Seeking Tech to find some potential fixes to your remote when it is not working as intended.

Apple TV Models

This guide will cover the following Apple TV models:

  • 2021 32GB Apple TV HD (MHY93LL/A)
  • 2021 32GB Apple TV 4K (MXGY2LL/A)
  • 2021 64GB Apple TV 4K (MXH02LL/A)

The remote controller that is included with these three models is called the Siri Remote.

How to recharge the 2021 Apple TV HD and 4K Remote

There is a chance that the unresponsive remote controller for the 2021 Apple TV may be related to a depleted battery.

To recharge the Siri Remote, you need to take the following steps:

1. Use the Lightning to USB cable that came with your Apple TV and plug the Lighting end to the Lighting port of the remote controller.

2. Plug the USB end of the Lightning to USB cable into a power source, which could be a computer, power bank, power adapter and other devices.

3. The Siri Remote takes around 3 hours to fully charge.

With that said, you should be able to wait approximately 30 minutes for it to recharge enough where you will get a good amount of battery life to test whether or not the remote is working normally with your 2021 Apple TV.

How to avoid Siri Remote Interference

You should make sure that there is nothing blocking the direct line of sight between the remote and your 2021 Apple TV. Otherwise, the signal will be weak or even non-existent.

If your Apple TV is behind your television, try to relocate it upfront. You should also remove any objects that could be blocking the front side of the media player.

Last but not least, you need to make sure that you aren’t using the remote too far away from your Apple TV.

How to pair Siri Remote to 2021 Apple TV HD and 4K

If your remote is still unresponsive after recharging it and removing any connection interference, you can try pairing the controller to the Apple TV again.

In order to do so, you need to take the following steps:

1. First off, make sure that your remote controller still has some battery life left. If you believe that the battery is depleted, you should recharge it for at least 30 minutes.

2. Point the Siri Remote directly at the front side of the 2021 Apple TV. The remote and media player should be three inches away from each other.

3. With the remote pointed directly at the Apple TV, press and hold the Back (<) and Volume Up (+) buttons at the same time for at least two seconds.

4. If the Apple TV shows something on your television screen that ask you to place the remote on top of the media player, then you should follow the instructions that appear.

How to turn off the 2021 Apple TV

Your remote issues may be related to the Apple TV device instead as the media player could have crashed, frozen or encounter other errors.

If you believe that recharging, removing interference and re-pairing the remote does not fix unresponsive remote problems, then you can try turning off the Apple TV instead.

In order to shut down the 2021 Apple TV HD and 2021 Apple TV 4K, you need to do the following:

1. Unplug the Apple TV from the power outlet. The media player will lose its power source, forcing it to shut down.

2. Wait at least six seconds.

3. Plug the Apple TV back into the power outlet. The media player should automatically turn on again.

Other remote options for 2021 Apple TV HD and 4K

You can also try using other compatible remote controllers with your 2021 Apple TV.

The 2021 32GB Apple TV HD (MHY93LL/A), 2021 32GB Apple TV 4K (MXGY2LL/A) and 2021 64GB Apple TV 4K (MXH02LL/A) should work with other Apple TV remotes.

You can also use your smartphone as a remote controller for your Apple TV.

To do so, you need to do the following:

1. Download the Control Center app on a compatible iOS device.

2. Open the Control Center app.

3. Tap the Apple TV Remote option.

4. Tap your Apple TV device from the list.

5. Enter the four-digit passcode from the Control Center app to your Apple TV.

What’s the difference between the Roku Ultra 2019 (4670R) and Ultra 2020 (4800R)?

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Roku released a new Ultra streaming player in 2020 with the 4800R. So, how does the new model compare to the 2019 Roku Ultra (4670R)?

You can find out in this comparison guide between the two versions.

Quick Summary

When compared to the Roku Ultra 2019 (4670R), the Roku Ultra 2020 (4800R) comes with a high-speed HDMI cable along with the newer HDMI 2.0b port.

Roku also added Bluetooth streaming, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and HLG support in the 2020 version.

For USB playback, the new model adds support for AC-4 with Atmos, AV1, DD+ (EAC3) with Atmos, HEAAC and VP9.2 codecs.

Not to mention that the Ultra 2020 has a faster CPU and better wireless coverage.

The only advantage the 2019 version has over the newer release is that the older model comes with a microSD card slot that you can use to store more digital channels.

Roku Ultra 2019 vs. Roku Ultra 2020 Comparison Chart

You can check out Seeking Tech’s comparison table between the two Ultras below.

Roku Ultra 2019 (4670R)Roku Ultra 2020 (4800R)
What’s in the BoxRoku Ultra

Voice remote control

JBL headphones

Two AA batteries

Power adaptor		Roku Ultra

Voice remote control

Headphones

High Speed HDMI Cable

Two AA batteries

Power adaptor
Weight8.0 ounces5.9 ounces
Dimensions4.90” x 4.90” x 0.85”5.90” x 4.90” x 1.00”
CPUARM Cortex A53ARM Cortex A55
RAM2 GB2 GB
Accelerated Graphics APIOpenGL ES 2.0OpenGL ES 2.0
Supported HDTV Resolutions1080p

Upscaling from 720p		1080p

Upscaling from 720p
Supported 4K UHD TV Resolutions4K

Upscaling from 1080p

Upscaling from 720p		4K

Upscaling from 1080p

Upscaling from 720p
HDRHDR10Dolby Vision (at 60Hz)

HDR10

HLG
Copy Protection RequirementHDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Audio FeaturesDigital stereo over HDMI

Dolby Atmos HDMI pass through

Dolby Audio HDMI pass through

DTS Digital Surround HDMI pass through		Digital stereo over HDMI

Dolby Atmos over HDMI (requires Dolby Atmos compatible devices)

DTS Digital Surround HDMI pass through
Networking802.11ac MIMO dual-band Wi-Fi

10/100 Base-T Ethernet		802.11ac MIMO dual-band Wi-Fi with up to 50% more range

10/100 Base-T Ethernet
PortsPower

HDMI 2.0a

Ethernet 10/100

microSD

USB		Power

HDMI 2.0b

Ethernet 10/100

USB
USB Video Playback CodecsH.264/AVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)

H.265/HEVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)

VP9 (.MKV)		AV1 (.MP4, .MKV)

H.264/AVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)

H.265/HEVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)

VP9.2 (.MKV)
USB Audio Playback CodecsAAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)

ALAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .M4A)

AC3/EAC3 (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AC3)

DTS (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)

FLAC (.FLAC, .MKV)

MP3 (.MP3, .MKV)

PCM (.WAV, .MKV, .MP4, .MOV)

WMA (.ASF, .WMA, .MKV)		AAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)

AC3/EAC3 (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AC3)

AC-4 with Atmos (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AC4)

ALAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .M4A)

DD+ (EAC3) with Atmos (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)

DTS (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)

FLAC (.FLAC, .MKV)

HEAAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AAC)

MP3 (.MP3, .MKV)

PCM (.WAV, .MKV, .MP4, .MOV)

WMA (.ASF, .WMA, .MKV)
USB Image Playback FormatsJPG

Non-animated GIF

PNG		JPG

Non-animated GIF

PNG
Other FeaturesLost Remote Finder

Private Listening Through Remote

Voice Control

Voice Search		Bluetooth Streaming

Lost Remote Finder

Private Listening Through Remote

Voice Control

Voice Search
Compatible Virtual AssistantAlexa

Google Assistant		Alexa

Google Assistant
Power ConsumptionLess than 4.5W (typical) when streaming 4K videoLess than 4.5W (typical) when streaming 4K video
Power Input12V – 1.5A power adaptor.12V – 1.5A power adaptor.
PricingCheck price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)

What’s in the Box

With the 2020 version of the Ultra player, Roku replaced the JBL headphones from the 2019 model with generic headphones.

The newer model also comes with a high-speed HDMI cable.

You can check out what’s included in each box below:

Roku Ultra 2019 (4670R):

  • Roku Ultra
  • Voice remote control
  • JBL headphones
  • Two AA batteries
  • Power adaptor

Roku Ultra 2020 (4800R):

  • Roku Ultra
  • Voice remote control
  • Headphones
  • High Speed HDMI Cable
  • Two AA batteries
  • Power adaptor

Weight

The 2020 version weighs a lot less when compared to the 2019 release.

You can find the weight specifications below:

  • Roku Ultra 2019: 8.0 ounces
  • Roku Ultra 2020: 5.9 ounces

Dimensions

The newer model does have a larger footprint and is thicker when compared to the older model.

You can find the measurements for both media players below:

  • Roku Ultra 2019: 4.90” x 4.90” x 0.85”
  • Roku Ultra 2020: 5.90” x 4.90” x 1.00”

CPU

The Roku Ultra 2019 is equipped with the ARM Cortex A53 while the Roku Ultra 2020 is equipped with the ARM Cortex A55.

The newer ARM Cortex A55 is considered to be better performing and more power efficient than the older ARM Cortex A53.

RAM

Both streaming devices come with 2 GB of RAM.

Accelerated Graphics API

The two Roku Ultras also use OpenGL ES 2.0 for accelerated graphics API.

Supported HDTV Resolutions

When it comes to supported HDTV resolutions, both players support 1080p with upscaling from 720p.

Supported 4K UHD TV Resolutions

The two products also support 4K at 60Hz in addition to being able to upsacle from 720p and 1080p.

HDR

With the 2020 Ultra, Roku added support for Dolby Vision at 60Hz and HLG. Both the new version, as well as the 2019 model, support HDR10.

You can find the full breakdown of supported HDR features below:

Roku Ultra 2019:

  • HDR10

Roku Ultra 2020 (4800R):

  • Dolby Vision (at 60Hz)
  • HDR10
  • HLG

Copy Protection Requirement

The two streaming players require that your television set supports HDCP 2.2 copy protection.

Audio Features

The Roku Ultra 2020 is the only media player out of the two to directly support Dolby Atmos as the Roku Ultra 2019 only supports Dolby Atmos through HDMI pass through.

You can find the full lists of audio features for both products below:

Roku Ultra 2019 (4670R):

  • Digital stereo over HDMI
  • Dolby Atmos HDMI pass through
  • Dolby Audio HDMI pass through
  • DTS Digital Surround HDMI pass through

Roku Ultra 2020 (4800R):

  • Digital stereo over HDMI
  • Dolby Atmos over HDMI (requires Dolby Atmos compatible devices)
  • DTS Digital Surround HDMI pass through

Networking

When it comes to connecting to the Internet, you can use either the 802.11ac MIMO dual-band Wi-Fi or 10/100 Base-T Ethernet wired connection.

According to Roku, the 2020 version has up to 50 percent more wireless range when compared to the 2019 version.

Ports

With the Ultra 2020, Roku removed the microSD card slot that was present in the 2019 model. The slot is used to store additional channels.

The only other difference is that the Ultra 2019 comes with a HDMI 2.0a while the Ultra 2020 comes with the newer HDMI 2.0b port.

You can find the list of ports included for each media player in this versus guide below:

Roku Ultra 2019 (4670R):

  • Power
  • HDMI 2.0a
  • Ethernet 10/100
  • microSD
  • USB

Roku Ultra 2020 (4800R):

  • Power
  • HDMI 2.0b
  • Ethernet 10/100
  • USB

USB Video Playback Codecs

When it comes to video playback over the USB port, Roku added support for the AV1 and VP9.2 codecs with the 2020 version of the Ultra.

You can find the full lists for both streaming players below:

Roku Ultra 2019:

  • H.264/AVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
  • H.265/HEVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
  • VP9 (.MKV)

Roku Ultra 2020:

  • AV1 (.MP4, .MKV)
  • H.264/AVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
  • H.265/HEVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
  • VP9.2 (.MKV)

USB Audio Playback Codecs

For audio, Roku also added support for the AC-4 with Atmos, DD+ (EAC3) with Atmos and HEAAC codecs to the Ultra 2020.

You can check out the list of supported audio codecs below:

Roku Ultra 2019:

  • AAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
  • ALAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .M4A)
  • AC3/EAC3 (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AC3)
  • DTS (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
  • FLAC (.FLAC, .MKV)
  • MP3 (.MP3, .MKV)
  • PCM (.WAV, .MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
  • WMA (.ASF, .WMA, .MKV)

Roku Ultra 2020:

  • AAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
  • AC3/EAC3 (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AC3)
  • AC-4 with Atmos (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AC4)
  • ALAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .M4A)
  • DD+ (EAC3) with Atmos (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
  • DTS (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
  • FLAC (.FLAC, .MKV)
  • HEAAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AAC)
  • MP3 (.MP3, .MKV)
  • PCM (.WAV, .MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
  • WMA (.ASF, .WMA, .MKV)

USB Image Playback Formats

For viewing images over USB, both devices support JPG, PNG as well as non-animated GIF.

Other Features

When it comes to other features, both products support lost remote finder, which lets you easily locate your remote control by pressing a button on the media player.

The two products also feature voice control and voice search in addition to private listening (which means that you can plug in the included headphone into the remote control).

An exclusive feature that was added to the Roku Ultra 2020 is the ability to stream audio over a connected Bluetooth device.

You can check out the lists of features for both media players in this comparison guide below:

Roku Ultra 2019:

  • Lost Remote Finder
  • Private Listening Through Remote
  • Voice Control
  • Voice Search

Roku Ultra 2020:

  • Bluetooth Streaming
  • Lost Remote Finder
  • Private Listening Through Remote
  • Voice Control
  • Voice Search

Compatible Virtual Assistant

Both of the Roku Ultra versions are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Power Consumption

Both devices consume less than 4.5W (typical) when you are streaming a 4K video.

Power Input

The 2019 and 2020 versions of the Roku Ultra use the same 12V – 1.5A power adaptor.

Resources:

2nd Gen Fire TV Stick vs. 3rd Gen Fire TV Stick vs. Fire TV Stick Lite vs. Fire TV Stick 4K

by

Amazon recently announced the third generation Fire TV Stick and first generation Fire TV Stick Lite. So, how do these two products stack up against each other as well as the second generation Fire TV Stick and first generation Fire TV Stick 4K?

You can find out in this comparison guide between these four media players.

Quick Summary

When compared to the 2nd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick, the 1st Gen 4K Stick, 1st Gen Lite Stick and 3rd Gen Stick come with a processor that is 50% more powerful, which leads to a big performance boost.

The 2nd Gen stick does not support HDR while the other three media players do (although the Fire TV Stick 4K is the only one compatible with Dolby Vision).

If you have a 4K TV, or planning to get one in the future, then the only option you have is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K as the other media sticks support video playback at only up to 1080p.

If you only have a 1080p TV, then the 3rd generation Fire TV and 1st generation Fire TV Lite sticks are more powerful, have more audio options, come with a low power mode and include HDR support when compared to the 2nd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick.

The 3rd Gen Fire TV Stick, along with the 1st Gen Fire TV Stick 4K, are the only media players in this comparison to support Dolby Atmos.

2nd Gen Fire Stick vs. 3rd Gen Fire Stick vs. 3rd Gen Fire Stick Lite vs. Fire Stick 4K Comparison Chart

You can check out Seeking Tech’s comparison table between the Fire Sticks below.

2nd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick3rd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
What’s in the BoxFire TV Stick (2nd Gen)

Alexa Voice Remote (2nd Gen)

USB cable and power adapter

HDMI extender

2 AAA batteries

Quick Start Guide		Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen)

Alexa Voice Remote (2nd Gen)

USB cable and power adapter

HDMI extender

2 AAA batteries

Quick Start Guide		Fire TV Stick Lite (1st Gen)

Alexa Voice Remote Lite

USB cable and power adapter

HDMI extender

2 AAA batteries

Quick Start Guide		Fire TV Stick 4K (1st Gen)

Alexa Voice Remote (2nd Gen)

USB cable and power adapter

HDMI extender cable

2 AAA batteries

Quick Start Guide
Weight32.0 g32.0 g32.0 g53.6 g
Dimensions85.9 mm x 30.0 mm x 12.6 mm86.0 mm x 30.0 mm x 13.0 mm86.0 mm x 30.0 mm x 13.0 mm99.0 mm x 30.0 mm x 14.0 mm
CPUQuad-Core ARM 1.3 GHzQuad-Core 1.7 GHzQuad-Core 1.7 GHzQuad-Core 1.7 GHz
GPUMali450 MP4IMG GE8300IMG GE8300IMG GE8300
RAM1 GB1 GB DDR41 GB DDR41.5 GB DDR4
Storage8 GB8 GB8 GB8 GB
Wi-Fi FeaturesDual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO)

802.11a/b/g/n/ac support		Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO)

802.11a/b/g/n/ac support		Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO)

802.11a/b/g/n/ac support		Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO)

802.11a/b/g/n/ac support
Bluetooth4.1 + LE5.0 + LE5.0 + LE5.0 + LE
Voice ControlAlexa Voice Remote

Fire TV Smartphone App

Linked Echo Device		Alexa Voice Remote

Fire TV Smartphone App

Linked Echo Device		Alexa Voice Remote

Fire TV Smartphone App

Linked Echo Device		Alexa Voice Remote

Fire TV Smartphone App

Linked Echo Device
IR Device Control with Remote Control?YesYesNoYes
Cloud StorageFree for contents purchased from AmazonFree for contents purchased from AmazonFree for contents purchased from AmazonFree for contents purchased from Amazon
Miracast Support?YesYesYesYes
PortsHDMI output port

Micro USB port (power only)		HDMI output port

Micro USB port (power only)		HDMI output port

Micro USB port (power only)		HDMI output port

Micro USB port (power only)
Video Resolution and Frame RateUp to 60 frames per second in 720p and 1080pUp to 60 frames per second in 720p and 1080pUp to 60 frames per second in 720p and 1080pUp to 60 frames per second in 720p, 1080p and 4K
HDRNoneHDR10

HDR10+

HLG		HDR10

HDR10+

HLG		Dolby Vision

HDR10

HDR10+

HLG
Video CodecsH.263

H.264

H.265 (HEVC)

MPEG-2

MPEG-4		H.263

H.264

H.265 (HEVC)

MPEG-2

MPEG-4

VP8

VP9		H.263

H.264

H.265 (HEVC)

MPEG-2

MPEG-4

VP8

VP9		Dolby Vision

H.263

H.264

H.265 (HEVC)

MPEG-2

MPEG-4

VP8

VP9
DRMHDCP 1.4

PlayReady 2.5

Widevine L1/L3		HDCP 2.2

PlayReady 3.0

Widevine L1/L3		HDCP 2.2

PlayReady 3.0

Widevine L1/L3		HDCP 2.2

PlayReady 3.0

Widevine L1/L3
Audio CodecsAAC-LC

AC3 (Dolby Digital)

AMR-NB

eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus)

FLAC

HE-AACv1 (AAC+)

HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)

MIDI

MP3

Opus

PCM/Wave

Vorbis		AAC-LC

AC3 (Dolby Digital)

AMR-NB

Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC)

eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus)

FLAC

HE-AACv1 (AAC+)

HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)

MIDI

MP3

Opus

PCM/Wave

Vorbis passthrough		AAC-LC

AMR-NB

FLAC

HDMI Audio passthrough for Dolby Atmos

HDMI Audio passthrough for Dolby Digital

HDMI Audio passthrough for Dolby Digital+

HDMI Audio passthrough for DTS

HE-AACv1 (AAC+)

HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)

MIDI

MP3

Opus

PCM/Wave

Vorbis passthrough		AAC-LC

AC3 (Dolby Digital)

AMR-NB

Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC)

eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus)

HE-AACv1 (AAC+)

HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)

FLAC

MIDI

MP3

Opus

PCM/Wave

Vorbis up to 5.1
Low Power Mode?NoYesYesNo
System RequirementsHDTV with HDMI input

Wi-Fi internet connection

Power outlet		HDTV with HDMI input

Wi-Fi internet connection

Power outlet		HDTV with HDMI input

Wi-Fi internet connection

Power outlet		HDTV with HDMI input

Wi-Fi internet connection

Power outlet
Warranty90-day limited warranty and service

Optional 2-year or 3-year extended warranty (US Only)		90-day limited warranty and service


Optional 2-year or 3-year extended warranty (US Only)		90-day limited warranty and service


Optional 2-year or 3-year extended warranty (US Only)		1-year limited warranty and service


Optional 2-year or 3-year extended warranty (US Only)
PricingCheck price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)

What’s in the Box

In addition to the main media player unit, each product also comes with a remote control, remote control batteries, HDMI extender, quick start guide in addition to an USB cable and power adapter.

You can take a look at what’s included in each box below:

2nd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick:

  • Fire TV Stick (2nd Gen)
  • Alexa Voice Remote (2nd Gen)
  • USB cable and power adapter
  • HDMI extender
  • 2 AAA batteries
  • Quick Start Guide

3rd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick:

  • Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen)
  • Alexa Voice Remote (2nd Gen)
  • USB cable and power adapter
  • HDMI extender
  • 2 AAA batteries
  • Quick Start Guide

1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite:

  • Fire TV Stick Lite (3rd Gen)
  • Alexa Voice Remote Lite
  • USB cable and power adapter
  • HDMI extender
  • 2 AAA batteries
  • Quick Start Guide

1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K:

  • Fire TV Stick 4K
  • Alexa Voice Remote (2nd Gen)
  • USB cable and power adapter
  • HDMI extender cable
  • 2 AAA batteries
  • Quick Start Guide

Weight

The second and third generations of the Amazon Fire TV Stick, as well as the first generation of the Fire TV Stick, weigh the same amount. The Fire TV Stick 4K is a lot heavier compared to the rest of the media players in this group.

You can take a look at the weight specifications below:

  • 2nd Gen Fire TV Stick: 32.0 g
  • 3rd Gen Fire TV Stick: 32.0 g
  • 1st Gen Fire TV Stick Lite: 32.0 g
  • 1st Gen Fire TV Stick 4K: 53.6 g

Dimensions

The 3rd Gen Fire TV and 1st Gen Fire TV Lite are identical in size, which is a little bit bigger than the 2nd Gen device. The Fire TV 4K is bulkier than the other three.

You can check out the full measurements below:

  • 2nd Gen Fire TV: 85.9 mm x 30.0 mm x 12.6 mm
  • 3rd Gen Fire TV: 86.0 mm x 30.0 mm x 13.0 mm
  • 1st Gen Fire TV Lite: 86.0 mm x 30.0 mm x 13.0 mm
  • 1st Gen Fire TV 4K: 99.0 mm x 30.0 mm x 14.0 mm

CPU

The second-generation Fire TV Stick comes equipped with a Quad-Core ARM 1.3 GHz processor.

The three other sticks are equipped with a Quad-Core 1.7 GHz processor, which is 50% more powerful than the CPU from the previous generation Fire TV Stick.

GPU

The Gen 2 Fire Stick uses a Mali450 MP4 GPU while the other Fire Sticks use the IMG GE8300 GPU.

RAM

For RAM, the second-generation Fire TV Stick comes with 1 GB while the third-generation Fire TV Stick and first-generation Fire TV Stick Lite each includes 1 GB DDR4.

The first-generation Fire TV Stick 4K is equipped with 1.5 GB DDR4.

Storage

All of the media sticks in this comparison guide come with 8 GB of internal storage.

Wi-Fi Features

The Amazon Fire TV Sticks are equipped with dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO), which will help increase streaming speeds and prevent disconnects.

The media players also support the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac networks.

Bluetooth

The 2nd Gen Fire TV Stick utilizes Bluetooth 4.1 + LE while the rest of the sticks utilize Bluetooth 5.0 + LE.

Voice Control

You can use your voice to control these media players. You can do so by using the Alexa Voice Remote, free Fire TV Smartphone App or linked Echo device.

IR Device Control with Remote Control

The 2nd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick, 3rd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick and 1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K support IR device control as you can use the remote to control compatible IR-enabled devices like your television set to power on, power off, change the volume and perform other actions.

The 1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite does not support this feature.

Miracast

All four media players support Miracast, a feature that lets you mirror the screen of your Amazon Fire tablet to your TV.

Cloud Storage

All four sticks in this comparison guide use free cloud storage when it comes to digital contents that are purchased from Amazon.

Ports

The Fire TV Stick include one HDMI output port as well as a Micro USB port used for power.

Video Resolution and Frame Rate

The 2nd and 3rd generation Fire TV Sticks, as well as the Lite version, support up to 60 frames per second in 720p and 1080p resolutions.

The Fire TV Stick 4K supports up to 60 frames per second in 720p, 1080p and 2160p (also known as 4K) resolutions.

HDR

The second gen Fire TV does not support HDR at all. Both the 3rd Gen Stick and 1st Gen Stick Lite support HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG. The 4K stick supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG.

Video Codecs

When it comes to audio codecs, the second-generation Fire TV Stick is missing support for the VP8 and VP9 codecs that are supported by the other three media players.

The first-generation Fire TV Stick 4K is the only one that supports the Dolby Vision codec.

You can check out the supported video codecs for all four devices below:

2nd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick:

  • H.263
  • H.264
  • H.265 (HEVC)
  • MPEG-2
  • MPEG-4

3rd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick:

  • H.263
  • H.264
  • H.265 (HEVC)
  • MPEG-2
  • MPEG-4
  • VP8
  • VP9

1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite:

  • H.263
  • H.264
  • H.265 (HEVC)
  • MPEG-2
  • MPEG-4
  • VP8
  • VP9

1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K:

  • Dolby Vision
  • H.263
  • H.264
  • H.265 (HEVC)
  • MPEG-2
  • MPEG-4
  • VP8
  • VP9

DRM

You can take a look at the Digital Rights Management features for the media players below:

2nd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick:

  • HDCP 1.4
  • PlayReady 2.5
  • Widevine L1/L3

3rd Gen Fire TV Stick, 1st Gen Fire TV Stick Lite and 1st Gen Fire TV Stick 4K:

  • HDCP 2.2
  • PlayReady 3.0
  • Widevine L1/L3

Audio Codecs

For audio, the 3rd Gen Fire TV Stick and 1st Gen Fire TV Stick 4K are the only two media players in this versus guide to support Dolby Atmos.

You can find a full breakdown of supported audio codecs below:

2nd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick:

  • AAC-LC
  • AC3 (Dolby Digital)
  • AMR-NB
  • eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus)
  • FLAC
  • HE-AACv1 (AAC+)
  • HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)
  • MIDI
  • MP3
  • Opus
  • PCM/Wave
  • Vorbis

3rd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick:

  • AAC-LC
  • AC3 (Dolby Digital)
  • AMR-NB
  • Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC)
  • eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus)
  • FLAC
  • HE-AACv1 (AAC+)
  • HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)
  • MIDI
  • MP3
  • Opus
  • PCM/Wave
  • Vorbis

1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite:

  • AAC-LC
  • AMR-NB
  • FLAC
  • HDMI Audio passthrough for Dolby Atmos
  • HDMI Audio passthrough for Dolby Digital
  • HDMI Audio passthrough for Dolby Digital+
  • HDMI Audio passthrough for DTS
  • HE-AACv1 (AAC+)
  • HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)
  • MIDI
  • MP3
  • Opus
  • PCM/Wave
  • Vorbis

1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K:

  • AAC-LC
  • AC3 (Dolby Digital)
  • AMR-NB
  • Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC)
  • eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus)
  • HE-AACv1 (AAC+)
  • HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)
  • FLAC
  • MIDI
  • MP3
  • Opus
  • PCM/Wave
  • Vorbis

Low Power Mode

Both the 3rd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick and 1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite feature a low power mode, which will automatically activate when the devices go to sleep, resulting in lower energy consumption.

System Requirements

The system requirements are the same for all four media playing sticks. You need a HDTV with HDMI input, Wi-Fi internet connection and power outlet.

Warranty

The 2nd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick, 3rd Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick and 1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite each come with a 90-day limited warranty and service.

The 1st Gen Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K includes a 1-year limited warranty and service.

You can also purchase an optional 2-year or 3-year extended warranty if you are a U.S. customer.

Resources: