Digital media player
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A digital media player (also sometimes known as a streaming device or streaming box)[1] is a type of consumer electronics device designed for the storage, playback, or viewing of digital media content. They are typically designed to be integrated into a home cinema configuration, and attached to a television or AV receiver or both.
The term is most synonymous with devices designed primarily for the consumption of content from streaming media services such as internet video, including subscription-based over-the-top content services. These devices usually have a compact form factor (either as a compact set-top box, or a dongle designed to plug into an HDMI port), and contain a 10-foot user interface with support for a remote control and, in some cases, voice commands, as control schemes. Some services may support remote control on digital media players using their respective mobile apps, while Google's Chromecast ecosystem is designed around integration with the mobile apps of content services.
A digital media player's operating system may provide a
Digital media players do not usually include a tuner for receiving terrestrial television, nor disc drives for Blu-rays or DVD. Some devices, such as standalone Blu-ray players, may include similar functions to digital media players (often in a reduced form), as well as recent generations of video game consoles, while "smart TVs" integrate similar functions into the television itself. Some TV makers have, in turn, licensed operating system platforms from digital media players as middleware for their smart TVs—such as Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku—which typically provide a similar user experience to their standalone counterparts, but with TV-specific features and settings reflected in their user interface.
Overview
In the 2010s, with the popularity of
Media players are often designed for compactness and affordability, and tend to have small or non-existent hardware displays other than simple
Terminology
Digital media players are also commonly referred to as a digital media extender, digital media streamer, digital media hub, digital media adapter, or digital media receiver (which should not be confused with AV receiver).[4][5]
Digital media player manufacturers use a variety of names to describe their devices. Some more commonly used alternative names include:
- Connected DVD
- Connected media player
- Digital audio receiver
- Digital media adapter
- Digital media connect
- Digital media extender
- Digital media hub
- Digital media player
- Digital media streamer
- Digital media receiver
- Digital media renderer
- Digital video receiver
- Digital video streamer
- HD Media Player
- HDD media player
- Media Extender
- Media Regulator
- Net connected media player
- Network connected media player
- Network media player
- Networked Digital Video Disc
- Networked entertainment gateway
- OTT player
- Over-the-Top player
- Smart Television media player
- Smart Television player
- Streaming media box
- Streaming media player
- Streaming video player
- Wireless Media Adapter
- YouTube Player Support
History
By November 2000, an audio-only digital media player was demonstrated by a company called SimpleDevices, which was awarded two patents covering this invention in 2006.[6][7] Developed under the SimpleFi name by Motorola in late 2001, the design was based on a Cirrus Arm-7 processor and the wireless HomeRF networking standard which pre-dated 802.11b in the residential markets.[8] Other early market entrants in 2001 included the Turtle Beach AudioTron, Rio Receiver and SliMP3 digital media players. An early version of a video-capable digital media player was presented by F.C. Jeng et al. in the International Conf. on Consumer Electronics in 2002.[9] It included a network interface card, a media processor for audio and video decoding, an analog video encoder (for video playback to a TV), an audio digital to analog converter for audio playback, and an IR (infrared receiver) for remote-control-interface.
A concept of a digital media player was also introduced by Intel in 2002 at the
Typical features
A digital media player can connect to the home network using either a wireless (IEEE 802.11a, b, g, and n) or wired Ethernet connection. Digital media players includes a user interface that allows users to navigate through their digital media library, search for, and play back media files. Some digital media players only handle music; some handle music and pictures; some handle music, pictures, and video; while others go further to allow internet browsing or controlling Live TV from a PC with a TV tuner.
Some other capabilities which are accomplished by digital media players include:
- Play, catalog, and store local or other videos.
- Stream movies, music, photos (media) over the wired or wireless network[10]
- View digital pictures (one by one or as picture slideshows)
- Stream online video to a TV from services such as Netflix and YouTube.[11]
- Play video games.
- Browse the Internet, check email and access social networking services through downloadable applications.
- Video conference by connecting a webcam and microphone.[12]
In the 2010s, there were stand-alone digital media players on the market from AC Ryan, Asus, Apple (e.g.,
just to name a few. The models change frequently, so it is advisable to visit their web sites for current model names.Processors
These devices come with low power consumption processors or
Internal hard-drive capabilities
HD media player or HDD media player (HDMP) is a consumer product that combines digital media player with a
Formats, resolutions and file systems
Digital media players can usually play
).Operating system
While most media players have traditionally been running
Connections
There are two ways to connect an extender to its central
Streaming and communication protocols
While early digital media players used proprietary communication protocols to interface with media servers, today most digital media players either use standard-based protocols such
Media server
Some digital media players will only connect to specific media server software installed on a PC to stream music, pictures and recorded or live TV originating from the computer. Apple iTunes can, for example, be used this way with the Apple TV hardware that connects to a TV. Apple has developed a tightly integrated device and content management ecosystem with their
Connection ports
Television connection is usually done via; composite,
Use
Market impact on traditional television services
The convergence of content, technology, and broadband access allows consumers to stream television shows and movies to their high-definition television in competition with
According to a report from the researcher NPD In-Stat, only about 12 million U.S. households have their either Web-capable TVs or digital media players connected to the Internet, although In-Stat estimates about 25 million U.S. TV households own a set with the built-in network capability. Also, In-Stat predicts that 100 million homes in North America and western Europe will own digital media players and television sets that blend traditional programs with Internet content by 2016.[29]
Use for illegal streaming
Since at least 2015,
"Fully-loaded" set-top boxes have been subject to legal controversies, especially noting that their user experiences made them accessible to end-users who may not always realize that they are actually streaming pirated content.
In Canada, it was initially believed that these set-top boxes fell within a legal grey area, as the transient nature of streaming content did not necessarily mean that the content was being downloaded in violation of
Although the software is free to use, the developers of Kodi have not endorsed any add-on or Kodi-powered device intended for facilitating copyright infringement. Nathan Betzen, president of the XBMC Foundation (the non-profit organization which oversees the development of the Kodi software), argued that the reputation of Kodi had been harmed by third-party retailers who "make a quick buck modifying Kodi, installing broken piracy add-ons, advertising that Kodi lets you watch free movies and TV, and then vanishing when the user buys the box and finds out that the add-on they were sold on was a crummy, constantly breaking mess." Betzen stated that the XBMC Foundation was willing to enforce its trademarks against those who use them to promote Kodi-based products which facilitate copyright infringement.[46][30]
Following a lawsuit by
In June 2017, Televisa was granted a court order banning the sale of all Roku products in Mexico, as it was alleged that third-parties had been operating subscription television services for the devices that contain unlicensed content. The content is streamed through unofficial apps that are added to the devices through hacking. Roku objected to the allegations, stating that these services were not certified by the company or part of its official Channels platform, whose terms of service require that they have rights to stream the content that they offer. Roku also stated that it actively cooperates with reports of channels that infringe copyrights.[49] The ruling was overturned in October 2018 after Roku took additional steps to remove channels with unauthorized content from the platform.[50]
In May 2018, the
In Saudi Arabia, the practice of using digital media players for pirated television content first became popular during the Qatar diplomatic crisis, after Qatari pay television network beIN Sports was banned from doing business in the country. The pirate subscription television service BeoutQ operated a satellite television service featuring repackaged versions of the beIN Sports channels, but its Android-based satellite boxes also included a pre-loaded app store offering apps for multiple streaming and subscription services dealing primarily in copyrighted media.[52][53][54]
See also
- Comparison of digital media players
- Cord-cutting
- Digital Living Network Alliance
- Digital video recorder
- List of smart TV platforms
- Second screen
- Streaming media
- System on a chip
- Tivoization
- Tekpix
References
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- ^ Narcisse, Evan (25 April 2011). "Netflix Becoming Largest Subscription Entertainment Company". Time. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
- ^ Liedtke, Michael (22 November 2010). "Netflix expects video streaming to drown out DVDs". Associated Press. Retrieved 7 February 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ https://us.en.kb.sony.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/35234 Archived 7 November 2013 at archive.today What are the differences in DLNA device classes?
- ^ http://hometheater.about.com/od/interactivetelevision/a/Dlna-Certifications-The-Role-Of-Each-Network-Media-Component-In-Media-Sharing.htm Archived 19 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine DLNA Certifications - The Role of Each Network Media Component in Media Sharing
- ^ US 6993289, Janik, Craig M., "System including a wall switch device and a system including a power outlet device and methods for using the same", published 2006-01-31, assigned to Simple Devices
- ^ US 7130616, Janik, Craig M., "System and method for providing content, management, and interactivity for client devices", published 2006-10-31, assigned to Simple Devices
- ^ "Motorola Simplefi review". CNet. 16 August 2002. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ F.C. Jeng, M. Jeanson, S-Y Zhu, and K. Konstantinides, "Design of a home media center with network and streaming capabilities", IEEE Intern. Conf. on Consumer Electronics, 2002, pp. 102-103.
- ^ "Airplay". apple.com.
- ^ "Google TV". Retrieved 17 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Amkette". Amkette. Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
- ^ Barlow, Graham. "Apple TV review". techradar.com. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
- ^ Almeida, Aaron. "Amkette EvoTV Review". tech2.in.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
- ^ Greenwald, Will. "Sony Internet Player With Google TV (NSZ-GS7)". pcmag.com. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
- ^ Biddle, Sam (22 March 2013). "Roku 3 Review: The New Best Streaming Box". gizmodo.com. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
- ^ "Cortex-A9 Processor". arm.com.
- ^ Devindra Hardawar (8 December 2010). "Why your TV is the new app battleground". Venturebeat.com. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- ^ BBC News – Google launches smart TV service. bbc.co.uk (20 May 2010). Retrieved on 11 November 2010.
- ^ Stan Schroeder 230 (17 May 2010). "Google, Intel and Sony to Introduce Smart TV". Mashable.com. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Opinion: Will Google's Smart TV Finally Bring Apps and Web Browsing to the Living Room?". Socialtimes.com. 17 May 2010. Archived from the original on 6 January 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- ^ "Google launches smart TV service". BBC. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- ^ "Audio Relay" Retrieved 11 October 2012
- ^ "How Apple took the high ground in the battle for the global digital living room". Kitcast. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ Lynch, Brendan (24 January 2011). "Apple's Web TV packs big bang for the buck". Boston Herald. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
- ^ "12 Million Households Expected to Cut the Cord By 2015". Forbes. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
- ^ "Nearly 1.3 Million Add Broadband in the First Quarter of 2011". Leichtman Research Group. 17 May 2011. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
- ^ a b McQuivey, PhD, James L. (14 March 2011). "Online Video On TV Leads To Cord-Cutting By 2012". Forrester Research. Archived from the original on 17 March 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
- ^ "100 million TVs will be Internet-connected by 2016". Los Angeles Times. 21 March 2012.
- ^ a b "Kodi takes the fight to sellers of pirate TV boxes". Engadget. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Amazon Bans Kodi/XBMC App Over Piracy Concerns". TorrentFreak. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Amazon pulls popular video app Kodi from its store, blames piracy". TechHive. IDG. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Did Pirates Clean Out Amazon Fire TV Stock in the UK?". TorrentFreak. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ a b c "Free TV for life? It's here, and it may even be legal". CBC News. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Kodi: Open source TV app inspires full-blown copyright panic in the UK". Ars Technica. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ a b "'Free TV' Android boxes finding their way into many Canadian households, study says". CBC News. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ "Not guilty plea in landmark Kodi box trial". BBC News. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ "Sale of Kodi 'fully-loaded' streaming boxes faces legal test". BBC News. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ "Five suspects arrested for sale of "fully loaded" Kodi streaming boxes". Ars Technica UK. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ "Kodi crackdown: Premier League wins High Court order to block illegal streams". Ars Technica UK. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ "Amazon bans "certain" media streamers, but are Kodi-loaded boxes barred?". Ars Technica UK. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ Osborne, Charlie. "Landmark loaded Kodi box trial dissolves with guilty plea". ZDNet. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- ^ "Cable companies launch court battle against 'free TV' Android box vendors". CBC News. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ "Cable companies take more Android box dealers to court to stamp out 'free TV'". CBC News. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ "'Free TV' Android box dealers lose court appeal to lift sales ban". CBC News. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ "Kodi Announces Legal Action to Smash Piracy Links". TorrentFreak. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Streaming apps for 'free TV' Android box disappear following U.S. lawsuit threat". CBC News. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
- ^ "TVAddons Returns, But in Ugly War With Canadian Telcos Over Kodi Addons - TorrentFreak". TorrentFreak. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (30 June 2017). "Roku Device Sales Banned in Mexico Over Piracy". Variety. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ^ Gartenberg, Chaim (17 October 2018). "Roku devices are coming back to Mexico after court ruling". The Verge. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
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- ^ Hawley, Steven (19 September 2019). "MarkMonitor research released by UEFA & European football leagues traces beoutQ piracy - Piracy Monitor". PiracyMonitor. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Could This Be the World's Biggest State-Sponsored Piracy Operation?". The Hollywood Reporter. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- ^ "beoutQ Investigation" (PDF). MarkMonitor. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
External links
- HP MediaSmart Connect Wins Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice Award at CES 2008
- CNET Editors' Best Network Music Players
- Universal remote codes
- IPTV Smarters
- PC Magazine Media Hub & Receiver Finder Archived 17 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- AudioFi Reviews of wireless players
- PC World's Future Gear: PC on the HiFi, and the TV