Definition: digital media hub

A set-top box that switches content from the Internet to a stereo, TV or home theater system. Also called a "digital media player," a digital media hub contains built-in apps for various streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. Like a smart TV, apps for additional services may be downloaded and installed.

Apple TV and Roku are the most widely known media hubs; however, this function is also built into smart TVs, smart monitors, Blu-ray players and A/V receivers. See digital media hub terminology.

Servers Are Hubs with Storage
A media "server" is a hub that also stores content (see digital media server).

Stream from the Local Network
Although hubs are popular for accessing streaming services over the Internet, they can also stream photos, music and videos from computers in a home network.

For the Apple TV media hub, Mac users run a media-sharing app such as iTunes or the Apple TV app, and Windows users run the Windows versions. Roku media hubs require the Plex server (see Apple TV, iTunes, Roku and Plex). See smart TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Media Center Extender, A/V receiver and digital convergence.

Media Hub Connections

Digital media hubs hook into the network over Wi-Fi or Ethernet and to the A/V equipment via HDMI. Earlier hubs had analog outputs for old TVs. Music-only hubs connect to the audio inputs on a sound system (see A/V ports).

The Roku Home Screen

Digital media hubs such as this Roku unit display available streaming services like apps on a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Blu-ray Players May Also Be Hubs

This earlier Oppo BDP-103 streams video from Netflix, YouTube and other networks. It plays SACD and DVD-Audio discs and also streams Pandora. (Images courtesy of Oppo Digital, Inc.)

Clever, But No Longer

One of the few non-Apple products that supported Apple's iTunes, this Roku SoundBridge hub (top of cabinet) was the only music hub with a display large enough to read from a distance. See Roku.