Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories?
X

Chromecast Ultra streamer is just as dinky, but does 4K and HDR

Google's Chromecast Ultra is the company's first 4K streamer, and it's compatible with both current standards of HDR movies.

google-pixel-100416-google-chromecast-ultra-1324.jpg
1 of 6 James Martin/CNET

The Chromecast Ultra promises to be the most powerful Chromecast yet. It offers the ability to stream 4K and HDR video from Netflix and 4K from YouTube and Google's own Play TV and Movies store.

google-pixel-100416-google-chromecast-ultra-1326.jpg
2 of 6 James Martin/CNET

More powerful and flexible

Unlike the $35 Chromecast, the $69/£69 Ultra houses an Ethernet port within the power adapter, which will help with the higher bandwidth requirements of 4K video. The device also offers 801.11ac Wi-Fi and Google says the Ultra is 1.8 times faster at starting streams then the current version.

google-pixel-100416-google-chromecast-ultra-1345.jpg
3 of 6 James Martin/CNET

Deja vu

Apart from the Ethernet port the design is very similar to the current Chromecast, with an integrated HDMI cable that enables it to hang out of sight behind your TV. Functionality is the same too: you tap the "cast" button in supported apps to play content on your screen via the dongle.

google-pixel-100416-google-chromecast-ultra-1332.jpg
4 of 6 Jame Martin/CNET

HDR support

The Ultra is the first external streaming device to handle both HDR formats, HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Competitors such as the $200 Nvidia Shield and the $100 Roku Premiere+ are only capable of showing HDR10. According to CNET TV expert David Katzmaier, Dolby Vision gives slightly better image quality than its rival.

google-pixel-100416-google-chromecast-ultra-1346.jpg
5 of 6 James Martin/CNET

Stocking stuffer

The Chromecast Ultra will go on sale for $69 or £69 in November in the US, UK and Australia. Australian prices weren't immediately available, but the UK price converts to AU$115.

google-pixel-100416-google-chromecast-ultra-1329.jpg
6 of 6 James Martin/CNET

Google Play

Google Play will start streaming 4K movies from November, which will be compatible with the Ultra and eligible TVs.

More Galleries

3-Row VW ID Buzz Electric Microbus Is Headed to the States in 2024
Volkswagen ID Buzz three-row EV

3-Row VW ID Buzz Electric Microbus Is Headed to the States in 2024

47 Photos
Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)
yamaha01.jpg

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)

16 Photos
CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)
dia-de-los-muertos-3318-001.jpg

CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)

9 Photos
2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars
conceptss01_440.jpg

2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars

14 Photos
Best sound bars under $300
polk-magnifi-mini-15.jpg

Best sound bars under $300

18 Photos
2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke reports for diesel duty
2018 Ford F-150 diesel

2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke reports for diesel duty

22 Photos
Music-friendly cell phone accessories

Music-friendly cell phone accessories

11 Photos