Streaming Services.
Premium:
Vudu
Other:
None
Description. Walmart's Vudu Spark is one of the latest small (about 0.5 x 1 x 3 inches) gum pack-sized players available, which, unfortunately, connects solely to the Vudu streaming service. The Stick itself is fairly nondescript, with just the Vudu Spark logo on the top of the all black unit. Like the other stick style players, it only has the HDMI jack at one end and a mini USB port, which is used for power. Unfortunately, it does not come with a power adapter, so you can power it only by plugging the provided USB cable into a nearby USB port (presumably on the TV itself). The Spark comes with a relatively simple remote that operates via Bluetooth rather than infrared (IR). It has a circular navigation control and just seven other buttons for menu navigation, settings, search, and video controls.
Setup.This player is generally easy to set up. After plugging it into an HDMI port on your TV and connecting the power adapter an onscreen setup guide comes up, which syncs the Bluetooth remote and then automatically scans for available WiFi networks, but it doesn't support WPS connections that let you pair the device without entering a password.
Ease of use. For everyday use the box is easy to use:
Interface. Since it only supports Vudu, the player's main home screen is Vudu's content page. In order to get to the device's settings menu (for network, video and audio settings) you have to hit the button on the remote, because the setting tab on the main screen is for your Vudu account settings only.
Remote control. The provided remote is very simple, with few buttons. The buttons' size and labeling is good, with high enough contrast that they can still be seen in a room with low light conditions. The remote uses a Bluetooth connection so it doesn't require line of sight to control the box.
Picture quality. This player supports 1080p output. In general we found the streaming picture quality to be very good, better than standard DVDs but not quite as sharp or detailed as from a Blu-ray disc. However, the quality of the video that you'll get is largely dependent on the speed of your wired or wireless network. Since this player has no Ethernet port we had to test it using a wireless connection.
Audio. This player will output multichannel digital audio via its HDMI output.
Connections. Expected from its design, this player has a very limited number of connections, namely an HDMI output. It has built in WiFi, but lacks support for dual-band 5GHz networks and lacks an Ethernet port. It lacks a USB or memory card slot and DLNA support, so you can't play any personal pictures, videos or music.
Miscellaneous. This player does not have any form of a sleep or standby mode, so it always consumes the same amount of power (about 2.5 Watts), but if it is plugged into your TV's USB port it will not draw any power when the TV is off.
Firmware Version. All players are evaluated using the latest firmware version available at the time of testing.
Firmware version for the Vudu Spark is: 3.0.148765
About Firmware Version. Our test results are valid for the version of firmware indicated above. If your player's firmware differs from the one shown you either have an older or a newer version of firmware. Manufacturers may periodically upgrade the players’s firmware to enhance operation, fix bugs, or add features. Firmware upgrades may be downloadable directly to your player via a wired or wireless network, USB port, or memory card, depending on your player’s capability. You can check your player’s firmware version, or upgrade to the latest firmware by pressing the menu button on your remote and navigating to the appropriate submenu, typically under settings. Consult the user manual or manufacturer’s website if further guidance is needed.
