HDR and 4K video on all of the apps I tried on multiple TVs looked as good as expected. Like most modern streaming devices, responses on all of Roku's new boxes were about the same in my testing: lightning-quick across every app I tried, and stable without major usability issues. Apple TV with Siri and Amazon Fire TV with Alexa, and even Android TV from Google, all provide more voice options than Roku's simple voice search capability. The Roku Ultra does offer voice search on the remote, but it's not as good as the competition. A similar list exists under the "4K content available" heading on Roku's app store, which shows all 17 of the 4K apps I mentioned above. There's also a row in that app that highlights 4K-capable apps. There's a separate "4K spotlight" app that surfaces individual 4K and HDR TV shows and movies across a few providers, although unfortunately Netflix isn't one of them. One big difference between Roku's 4K boxes and competitors is the emphasis on making 4K easier to find. On the other hand many other Roku apps, such as PlayStation Vue and HBO Now, have worse interfaces than on other devices, as they just use Roku's generic blocky template. Roku uses the newest Netflix interface, complete with family profiles and moving video backgrounds, as well as the updated Amazon interface. (But note that Apple TV's current hardware doesn't support 4K resolution or HDR.) No matter what, Roku still offers more TV-centric apps than either one, and unless you're a chronic Amazon or Apple buyer, it makes the best all-around choice. Competitors, namely Amazon Fire TV with its new update and Apple TV with its new TV app, could challenge Roku's interface superiority, but until I test them I can't say for sure. To go with its superior app support, Roku's interface is the best on the market, providing a simple list of apps you can add to, delete and arrange anywhere you want (just like your phone, but without folders). In my tests the Ultra's digital audio output worked as expected, delivering surround sound from sources where it was available (like videos marked "5.1" on Netflix and Amazon).ĭavid Katzmaier/CNET What else should I know? You'll still need to connect the Ultra's HDMI output directly to your 4K HDR TV, and program your receiver and/or universal remote properly, but that's cake, right?īy the way, you might be able to get away with using the Premiere+ anyway if your TV is one of the models that pass surround sound via the optical digital audio jack or ARC. That's because its digital audio output can be connected to your older receiver to deliver surround sound. If you answered "yes" to three out of those four questions, the Ultra is probably a better bet for you than the Premiere+. OR have a sound bar with a free optical digital audio input?.Have a receiver with HDMI inputs that are not 4K and HDR compatible? (typically 2015 and earlier)?.Connect your devices to your receiver or sound bar for switching, as opposed to the TV directly?.Have an audio system (typically an AV receiver or sound bar) you want to use with your Roku?.Hulu's 4K, for example, is currently restricted to the newest game consoles.ĭavid Katzmaier/CNET What's the deal with that optical output?Īs I mentioned above, it's important only to users with older (as in 2015 and earlier) AV receivers and sound bars that lack the most modern HDMI connections. Historically Roku gets 4K and HDR streams before many other devices, but there are always exceptions. Most apps, including heavy hitters like Hulu, HBO Now/Go, Watch ESPN and Sling TV don't offer 4K or HDR yet, or restrict it to certain devices. The Ultra can also serve up lower-quality streams too, and it can access all of the thousands of apps that any other Roku can. We say "promise" for a reason: often the differences are tough to discern, even for trained eyes like ours. A few of those services offer an even smaller amount of content in high dynamic range (HDR), promising even better quality - higher contrast, more realistic colors and other improvements. Many internet video services, including Netflix, Amazon Video, Vudu and YouTube, stream some of their TV shows and movies in 4K resolution, which promises higher video quality than their other streams. So what's 4K HDR streaming anyway? New here, eh? No problem. Long story short? For people with the right combination of gear, the Ultra is our top choice in 4K streamers.
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