Google's biggest event of 2016 focused on the company's new line of hardware. Along with the new Pixel phones and Daydream View VR headset, Google is introducing new Pixel phones, Chromecast Ultra and more… Google is introducing new Pixel phones, Chromecast Ultra and more… Google has introduced a lot of new hardware including the new Pixel phones, the Chromecast Ultra, The Daydream View, Google Home and Google Wifi. Read More This is the Chromecast Ultra, a new Chromecast that is better than any Chromecast released so far.
Google calls it Chromecast Ultra because it now supports 4K resolution video. But aside from the resolution boost, the Chromecast Ultra has a few other improvements that make it worth considering.
So what's new in the Chromecast Ultra? And should you buy one if you already have a regular Chromecast? Read on to find out.
The “Ultra” in the name comes the new Chromecast that supports 4K video. Remember, 4K is not always the same as Ultra HD. What is the difference between 4K and Ultra HD? What is the difference between 4K and Ultra HD? Thinking of buying a new TV or monitor but feeling lost with all the terminology like 4K and Ultra HD? Here's everything you need to know about it. Read More
The extra resolution is useful only if you have a 4K TV. 4K TVs are getting cheaper than ever, so if you already have one, the Chromecast Ultra might be right for you.
Of course, it's as much about what you can watch on a 4K TV. Google says Chromecast Ultra supports 4K video from Netflix, among other services. Various Netflix Originals of 2016 13 New Netflix Originals You'll Watch in 2016 13 New Netflix Originals You'll Watch in 2016 Netflix has released a ton of original content, including House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, Narcos, and Master of None. , but 2016 is set to be Netflix's most exciting year to date. You can read more information in 4K, but the range of options you have is still quite limited.
Even if your TV doesn't support 4K resolution, this new Chromecast has a couple of other tricks up its sleeve. For starters, this is the first Chromecast to support Full HD 1080p video at 60fps (frames per second). That means better quality video, especially for the stuff you shoot on your phone.
Also, the Chromecast Ultra has a better processor than its predecessor. The chipset will decode videos for lower resolution without sacrificing quality. This means you'll get better pictures than you could on the Chromecast 2.
The other interesting addition for streaming video is support for HDR or High Dynamic Range. HDR Is a Hot Tech in 2016 HDR TV:What It Is and Why You'll Need It in 2016 HDR TV:What It Is and Why You'll Need It in 2016 High Dynamic Range, or HDR, is shaping up to be the big TV buzzword. for 2016. But what is it? Will it live up to the hype? Here is everything you need to know. Read More
Just as your TV needs to support 4K resolution to take advantage of Chromecast Ultra, your TV needs to support HDR to take advantage of Ultra's support for this technology. Basically, if you're trying to watch a 4K + HDR show like the new Luke Cage , a 4K TV without HDR will only show you 4K resolution. You won't get the benefits of HDR.
Currently, there is a war format in HDR. Two teams are pushing for two types of HDR:HDR 10 and Dolby Vision. For the consumer, fortunately, this does not matter so much. The Chromecast Ultra supports both standards. So as long as your TV supports HDR, it doesn't matter if the video is in HDR 10 or Dolby Vision, you'll still get the benefits.
Google knows what you're thinking. There is no way that 4K video with HDR will stream well over your poor Wi-Fi connection. Services like Netflix require a minimum speed of 25 Mbps to stream 4K. If your Chromecast is far away from your router, you'll probably see the buffering screen longer than the video itself.
To fix this problem, the new Chromecast Ultra comes with an Ethernet port. Wired Connection Makes Ethernet Faster Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet:Which Should You Use and Why? WiFi vs. Ethernet:What Should You Use and Why? The world is going wireless. Does that mean it's all over for Ethernet? Read More
Google has made sure that the Ethernet port doesn't make the Chromecast Ultra bulky. The port is located on the adapter rather than on the Chromecast itself. It's probably not much different than the Ethernet adapter for older Chromecasts.
However, it's not just about Ethernet. Google has also improved the Wi-Fi capabilities on the Chromecast Ultra, making it 1.8x faster when uploading videos than the Chromecast 2.
You'll notice some differences in things other than videos. For example, since data can travel faster now, you'll enjoy a better experience when casting your mobile screen to the TV 8 Creative Uses for the Google Chromecast 8 Creative Uses for the Google Chromecast We've found 8 unique uses for the Google Chrome cast. Read on to learn how you can make even more use of your Chromecast. Read more.
Google has not yet indicated what has caused this change. The antenna specifications of the Chromecast Ultra are identical to those of its predecessor. So our best guess is that it's simply a better quality antenna.
One of the reasons we love Chromecast Google Chromecast Review and Giveaway Google Chromecast Review and Giveaway we're giving ourselves a Google Chromecast, so read our review and join the competition to win. Read More For $35, you can turn any TV into a smart TV. That's a big deal, especially since most people don't change their TVs very often.
But the new Chromecast Ultra is priced at $69, twice what you'd pay for the Chromecast 2. Yes, there's a better chipset, better performance, and better connectivity, but the Chromecast Ultra is worth twice the price. /P>
The Chromecast Ultra stacks on you since you have a smart TV. None of the 4K TVs you can buy today come without smart features. They all include at least basic web browsing and apps like Netflix. If you don't have a 4K or HDR TV, then you need to buy a smart TV to get started. And before you do that, you need to find out what a smart TV actually is. What is a smart TV? 6 of the best on the market today What is a Smart TV? 6 of the best on the market today Most of the TVs you look at right now are smart TVs, but what is a smart TV and which ones are the best on the market right now? Read more.
With the Chromecast Ultra, Google seems to have lost sight of what made the original Chromecast so successful:its low, low price. Comparatively speaking, the Chromecast Ultra is an expensive product for people who already have expensive TVs.
So the big question is, should you buy a Chromecast Ultra? Let's break it down.
If you already have a Chromecast, you must have a 4K TV with HDR support to justify the purchase of the Chromecast Ultra. The Chromecast Ultra's built-in processor promises better video decoding than what most TVs come with.
If you don't already have a Chromecast, then it all comes down to the type of TV you have. You should definitely buy a Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra, but which one is right for you depends on your TV.
If you don't have a 4K TV and aren't planning on buying one in the future, get the Chromecast 2. Cheaper. If you're planning to buy a 4K TV in the near future, you can also get a Chromecast Ultra now. and future-proof your media setup.
The Chromecast Ultra will go on sale in November for $69 on the Google Store.
Overall, the Chromecast Ultra doesn't look as impressive as the Chromecast 2. It already requires you to own expensive hardware, and it doesn't make your TV nearly as smart as it makes it easier to play things on it. The hook here is to use your phone as a remote, but that's about it.
What do you think of the Chromecast Ultra? Will you be upgrading from your existing Chromecast to a Chromecast Ultra anytime soon? Is the Chromecast Ultra the streaming device you've been waiting for all these years? Please let us know in the comments below!
