Definition: digital media hub terminology

When a new product emerges in the tech world, it is not uncommon to have multiple names for it. This is an extreme example of the lack of standard naming. Gotta love free enterprise!

Hub or Server
When streaming became popular in the early 2000s, a huge number of names were applied to the device that connected the Internet to the TV or stereo. Products with the following descriptions may also be "digital media servers." A media server provides the same functions of a media hub but with local storage for content. The songs and videos are copied to the server's storage from a USB drive, external drive or from a computer via the home network. See digital media hub, digital media server and set-top box.

   MEDIA HUBS BY BRAND

   See Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV and Chromecast.


   VIDEO HUBS BY GENERIC NAMES

   digital media player
   digital media receiver
   digital streamer
   digital video player

   wireless media adapter
   wireless media player

   media box
   streaming box
   TV box

   media hub
   home media hub
   media center
   Media Center Extender
   media extender
   media adapter
   media receiver
   media streamer

   set-top player
   set-top streamer

   streaming device
   streaming player
   streaming media player
   streaming movie box
   streaming TV box
   streaming video box
   streamer

   video hub
   video media hub
   video streaming box
   video streaming hub

   entertainment gateway
   entertainment router

   network media player


   AUDIO HUBS BY GENERIC NAMES

   wireless music system

   audio hub
   audio media hub

   music hub
   music server
   music streamer
   music receiver

   network audio receiver
   network music player

A Media Hub Tower of Babel