Roku is a side-chain business unit that comes under the umbrella branch of an American company Roku Inc.
It is a major digital media equipment manufacturing company such as Roku XS, XD, 2XS, HD, etc.
Their products range from live steamers that could be connected via HDMI to game controllers.
Key Takeaways
- The Roku XD has a lower price point than the Roku XS.
- The Roku XS has a motion-sensing remote control and an Ethernet port, while the Roku XD does not.
- The Roku XS and XD can stream content in 1080p, but the Roku XS provides better performance and faster streaming speeds.
Roku XS vs XD
The Roku XD was released in 2010, while the Roku XS was released in 2011. The Roku XS has a motion-sensing remote control that allows you to play games and navigate the interface by moving the remote around. The Roku XD has a standard remote control without motion-sensing capabilities.
Roku XS is a streaming device that also has an inbuilt game system that could come in handy for gamers.
It has a memory expansion option due to the micro SD card slot, but given the fact that in the older version, the SD card might not have a slot, older files could be deleted to clear space.
Roku XD is also a streaming device that falls in the second generation of Roku streaming devices. Even though it is a newer version of the Roku streamers, it has a few new upgraded features that the Roku series follows.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Roku XS | Roku XD |
|---|---|---|
| In-built Games | Present | Absent |
| Bluetooth Game Remote | Available with the XS | Not available, but could be purchased separately |
| Wireless or not | Is not wireless and has USB ports | Has both a wired connection and wireless ones |
| Features | Has more advanced features | Fewer latest features available |
| Remote flexibility | Could be used by any remote | Needs the specific remote to work |
What is Roku XS?
Roku XS is a streaming device released by the American digital media manufacturing company Roku Inc.
Roku XS comes equipped with a remote-controlled unit that is incorporated with multiple features upgraded for the new series.
Even though the remote has multiple features, it is still compatible with many other devices.
This compatibility with multiple devices gives the user no limitation if he/she decides to upgrade to another streaming device, be it Roku or another manufacturer.
Roku XS comes with a group of games that are freely uploaded onto the streamer, thus giving it a multipurpose use and helping users who are gamers too.
It has the highest price when compared to all of the Roku streamers available, even though there are better ones available.
Roku XS can be connected to Wi-Fi, giving the streaming option a wide collection. It offers a 10/100 base T Ethernet which is available only in Roku XS.
It has a 1080-pixel HD viewing capacity.
It also comes with a Bluetooth game remote accompanied by a motion sensor that helps the user get a simulator experience.
It is not wireless and therefore has USB ports, thus, unable to satisfy the wireless up gradation in the new world.
The XS type has not had much great size difference when compares to the others in the same series. The dimensions of the XS prototype are 84mm x 84mm and with a height of 23mm.
A micro SD card slot is also present in the XS type, giving the user ample data storage space. This comes into use when a gamer needs additional space to store downloaded games.
What is Roku XD?
Roku XD is another streaming device that is manufactured and released by the American manufacturer Roku Inc.
Even though it came a bit later as compared to the other device types, it lacks a few features upgraded onto the older versions.
The remote that comes along with the Roku XD type lacks many added features, even though it is expected to have newer upgraded ones.
It has no games already uploaded onto the system controls, giving it a major drawback when used by gamers. And gamers are the most common purchasers of the Roku series.
It has both USB ports and also a manual wire connection portal, thus giving it a major attractive factor enabling both options.
The Roku XD type comes with a lower price element compared to many others in the series.
It has a streaming quality of 1080 pixels and also an HD capacity streaming capability.
Bluetooth remote controller can always be bought separately to be attached to the Roku XD and used as a regular Bluetooth game remote.
A micro SD card can be inserted into the XD type owing to the slots provided, enhancing the storage capacity.
Again a major attractive element for gamers and other users is to store non-pre-uploaded games.
Main Differences Between Roku XS and XD
- While Roku XS comes with a remote with a greater feature up-gradation when compared to the Roku XD type, which barely has any new up-gradation feature installed into the remote.
- The Roku XD type is more pocket-friendly due to its lower price value, whereas Roku XS is one of the most expensive streamers available in the second generation series.
- Roku XS streamer can be used with any remote irrespective of the device and hence is not limited whereas the Roku XD streamer is restricted to its own remote, not accepting other remote devices.
- While the Roku XS type has a few numbers of already uploaded games available, the Roku XD type comes with no uploaded games.
- The Roku XD has no Bluetooth game remote accompanying the package set, while the Roku XS has a Bluetooth game remote simulation set.
- http://www.dblums.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/daniel_blumberg_writing_sample_Boxee2.pdf
- https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/2492690
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The Roku XS and XD comparison has been presented clearly, highlighting the differences between the two models.
The Roku XS has a significant price difference compared to the Roku XD. Furthermore, the Roku XS has more advanced features compared to the XD.
The Roku XD has indeed a lower price point than the Roku XS and lacks several features as compared to the Roku XS.
The Roku XS has a greater number of already uploaded games in comparison to the Roku XD.
The comparisons between the Roku XS and XD have highlighted the key differences, making it easier for users to identify the suitable device for their needs.
The Roku XS’s Bluetooth game remote and motion-sensing capabilities provide users with enhanced functionality.
The Roku XD’s lower price makes it more budget-friendly, but not having pre-uploaded games is a drawback.
Both the Roku XS and XD have distinct advantages and drawbacks, which should be considered according to individual preferences and needs.
The Roku XS offers a broad range of features with significant advancements compared to the Roku XD.
The Roku XS’s game remote is a notable feature, especially for gamers.
The Roku XD’s lower price point might attract users looking for an affordable option, despite the feature differences.