The Roku Ultra Streaming Player is currently the best on the market

Think there'll be support for imax enhanced content in the ones this year? I guess the question then also becomes how much imax enhanced content will we even get to begin with? I mean it seems interesting, but as long as there's Hdr10+ and Dolby vision support then I'll be happy honestly. Whether that screenshot happens remains to be seen I suppose.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Leanjeans67

Think there'll be support for imax enhanced content in the ones this year? I guess the question then also becomes how much imax enhanced content will we even get to begin with? I mean it seems interesting, but as long as there's Hdr10+ and Dolby vision support then I'll be happy honestly. Whether that screenshot happens remains to be seen I suppose.

Imax enhanced is both a quality certification of hardware video/audio and select 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs might be encoded with the IMAX enhanced flag to improve the audio quality a little bit. I do not see IMAX enhanced as a major improvement but a smaller audio improvement with a certification. Those that own existing 2016 model A/V receivers from Pioneer like the SC-901 might decide not to upgrade to the 2019 SC-904 because the only major difference is the IMAX enhanced feature. IMAX enhanced content might end up being limited to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs and might not make it to streaming. Just like PCM and lossless audio only exists on optical disc and has not yet made it to streaming.

Now the best way to watch Roku is with a built in Roku interface on an OLED screen that has Dolby Vision HDR. Consumers are still waiting to see if one day the Roku Ultra will get a firmware update to offer Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+. At this time the 2016,2017,2018, and 2019 Roku Ultra models have HDR10 only with no known plans to add any other HDR formats with a firmware update.

Quote:

“IMAX Enhanced A/V receivers provide consumers a pre-set, IMAX Mode that will reproduce audio at the highest levels in the home from both a performance and quality standpoint. In addition, IMAX Enhanced content provides guidance on the reference volume levels that the filmmaker released originally in IMAX theatres.”

https://www.imaxenhanced.com/

[voltz]

Can separate apps be added to Roku yet, or are they still running a list on approved licenses?

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by voltz

Can separate apps be added to Roku yet, or are they still running a list on approved licenses?

don't know what those are. can you give some examples of these "separate apps?"

[voltz]

Any streaming app that isn't part of the package.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by voltz

Any streaming app that isn't part of the package.

what package? i own 3 Roku tv's and a standlone Roku Ultra and i don't know what package your referring to.

[voltz]

Well can I add any additional streaming services to the list?

[kannibaliztik]

Originally Posted by voltz

Well can I add any additional streaming services to the list?

what are you wanting to add

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by voltz

Well can I add any additional streaming services to the list?

of course you can, i still don't understand what your asking. please give us examples of services/apps your referring to.

[HDTV1080P]

Budget Smart TV's are using the Andriod operating system instead of the more expensive Roku operating system.

"TCL has launched its first smart TVs powered by Android in the US. The new budget 3-Series Full HD TVs are the Chinese brand’s first smart TVs on sale in the US to not use the Roku operating system. "

https://www.twice.com/product/video/...rt-at-just-130

[HDTV1080P]

The new 2020 version of the Roku Ultra according to the specs no longer has the microSD slot which was used by some consumers to insert a microSD card to increase storage capacity for many streaming channels, etc (some people used 64GB or larger microSDXC cards). The microSD slot can be found on the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Roku Ultra. But was dropped on the 2020 Roku Ultra model most likely as a cost cutting measure during the manufacturing process.

However, the advantage of the new 2020 Roku Ultra is that it offers true HDMI 2.0b technology with both Dolby Vision HDR and lossy Dolby Atmos streaming. It is my understanding that these improvements were because of hardware improvements in the new 2020 Roku Ultra. Therefore, the existing old 2016,2017,2018, and 2019 Roku Ultra might not be firmware upgradable from HDMI 2.0a to HDMI 2.0b because of hardware limitations for those models. While its awesome that the new 2020 Roku Ultra has HDMI 2.0b with Dolby Vision HDR (also legacy HDR10, HLG support) and lossy Dolby ATMOS, it is disappointing that the 2020 Roku Ultra does not support HDR10+. HDR10+ requires the use of HDMI 2.1 or higher hardware to be used. Also, the 2020 Roku Ultra only supports up to 100Mbps Ethernet, and does not offer 1Gbps ethernet. In the future to stream a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray image it requires a minimum of 128Mbps to 150Mbps connection, that is if any company plans on making a 4K Blu-ray streaming app in the future. Those consumers that are not wired for ethernet in their homes using CAT8, CAT7A, or CAT6A, will be happy to know that the 2020 Roku Ultra model claims to offer up to 50% more range for those with wireless access points in their home.

In the ideal world I would like to see a 2021 version of the Roku Ultra be created that uses HDMI 2.1 technology with HDR10+ support, 1Gbps ethernet, and bringing back the microSD storage slot. Maybe that will never happen, but for now people will be happy that the new 2020 Roku Ultra has HDMI 2.0b with full support for Dolby Vision HDR and lossy Dolby ATMOS.

Select quotes from article

“While the new Roku Ultra looks like its predecessor on the outside, hardware improvements and enhanced format compatibility make this a solid choice as the main streaming player for a home theater. It will now play 4K content with Dolby Vision high dynamic range as well as HDR10, and is also compatible with Dolby Atmos soundtracks.”

“Roku has improved the Ultra’s wireless reception for up to 50% more range.”

https://www.soundandvision.com/conte...pdates-roku-os

https://www.roku.com/products/roku-ultra


Update: With a firmware update according to the specs the 2020 Roku Ultra now supports HDR10+ streaming using the existing HDMI 2.0b port. No HDMI 2.1 port is required for HDR10+.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=139

[PeterTHX]

HDR10+ is used by how many streaming services?

Not needed IMO. Samsung's patent grab needs to die.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

HDR10+ is used by how many streaming services?

Amazon Prime

https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/s...by-atmos/42831

Not needed IMO. Samsung's patent grab needs to die.

Not a patent grab - a royalties/license fee avoidance (Dolby Vision).

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Amazon Prime

https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/s...by-atmos/42831

And Amazon supports Dolby Vision as well.
The 800-lb gorillas - Netflix and Disney+ & AppleTV+ - also support DV and NOT 10+
As does Vudu, CBS All Access, Movies Anywhere and others.

Not a patent grab - a royalties/license fee avoidance (Dolby Vision).

You realize HDR10 was developed and released to the market by Dolby. Samsung is building their own HDR off Dolby tech (free or not). It's most certainly a patent grab. Not to mention as part of being in the HDR10+ group you have to share IP with Samsung. Which is why companies like Sony and LG will more than likely never bite.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

And Amazon supports Dolby Vision as well.
The 800-lb gorillas - Netflix and Disney+ & AppleTV+ - also support DV and NOT 10+
As does Vudu, CBS All Access, Movies Anywhere and others.

Like I said: Amazon Prime offers HDR10+. They are the only streaming service to do so. THAT was my point.

You realize HDR10 was developed and released to the market by Dolby. Samsung is building their own HDR off Dolby tech (free or not). It's most certainly a patent grab. Not to mention as part of being in the HDR10+ group you have to share IP with Samsung. Which is why companies like Sony and LG will more than likely never bite.

There are no license fees or royalties for using HDR10 or HDR10+. Both are present when you add Dolby Vision to your product. That was the purpose of HDR10+: Dynamic HDR (like Dolby Vision) as opposed to static HDR (HDR10)

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

There are no license fees or royalties for using HDR10 or HDR10+. Both are present when you add Dolby Vision to your product. That was the purpose of HDR10+: Dynamic HDR (like Dolby Vision) as opposed to static HDR (HDR10)

There is a license fee for HDR10+ - except it's a subscription model and as I said you have to share IP.

[HDTV1080P]

Dolby Vision HDR came out on the market first, and then later HDR10+ came out. Some 4K Blu-ray players, 4K displays, and 4K streaming devices now have Dolby Vision HDR which is awesome. Some 4K Blu-ray players, and 4K displays now have both Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+. Give it some more time and most likely Roku and other streaming providers will one day offer both Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+.

Now we just need companies to start releasing some high-end 4K LCOS and 4K DLP projectors that offer Dolby Vision HDR for the consumer market. Last time I checked the latest consumer 4K projectors just started adding standard HDR10. With the new 2020 Roku Ultra it will pass Dolby Vision HDR to a projector if some projector company would spend the money to do research and development to add Dolby Vision HDR to projectors. Dolby Vision HDR exists on high-end 4K DLP projectors that costs $85,000+ in the commercial movie theaters, there just needs to be a consumer version made also. Streaming 4K still uses low video bit rates with lossy Dolby ATMOS. The advantage of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is that it offers high bit rate 128Mbps video with lossless Dolby ATMOS and lossless DTS: X.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Dolby Vision HDR came out on the market first, and then later HDR10+ came out. Some 4K Blu-ray players, 4K displays, and 4K streaming devices now have Dolby Vision HDR which is awesome. Some 4K Blu-ray players, and 4K displays now have both Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+. Give it some more time and most likely Roku and other streaming providers will one day offer both Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+.

Now we just need companies to start releasing some high-end 4K LCOS and 4K DLP projectors that offer Dolby Vision HDR for the consumer market. Last time I checked the latest consumer 4K projectors just started adding standard HDR10. With the new 2020 Roku Ultra it will pass Dolby Vision HDR to a projector if some projector company would spend the money to do research and development to add Dolby Vision HDR to projectors. Dolby Vision HDR exists on high-end 4K DLP projectors that costs $85,000+ in the commercial movie theaters, there just needs to be a consumer version made also. Streaming 4K still uses low video bit rates with lossy Dolby ATMOS. The advantage of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is that it offers high bit rate 128Mbps video with lossless Dolby ATMOS and lossless DTS: X.

Please explain how a consumer projector is going to go from 200 nits to 1000 nits. Good consumer projectors hit 6000 lumens. All get reviewed poorly when it comes to HDR. They just can't do it like a display can

Dolby Cinemas use twin high end laser Christie Digital projectors putting out 28,000 lumens each.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Last time I checked the latest consumer 4K projectors just started adding standard HDR10.

Consumer projectors have supported HDR10 for years.

It's the fixed tone mapping metadata that hasn't been supported until recently, so getting "set & forget" levels to match from title to title was a crapshoot, a title mastered to 1000 nits would be a lot different than one mastered to 4000 nits.

[HDTV1080P]

Normally around the holiday and Christmas season the Roku Ultra is half price at $49.99. However, this year the new 2020 Roku Ultra is only $30 off at a price of $69.99 until 11-30-20 or until supplies last (limit 3 per customer). Since more people are spending time inside their homes in 2020 when compared to prior years, the demand for the Roku Ultra and similar devices are higher than normal, and that might be the reason this years discounted price is $20 more when compared to prior years.

https://www.roku.com/products/roku-ultra

Personally, I have decided to pass on purchasing a 2020 Roku Ultra edition. The Roku Ultra 2016 through 2019 models offer the microSD card slot which was dropped on the 2020 model (this increased channel storage capacity). Those that have a Dolby Vision HDR and/or a Dolby ATMOS setup should strongly consider upgrading their Roku Ultra to the new 2020 model (plus there is up to 50% more coverage in regards to the wireless range). The model 2020 Roku Ultra USB port is version 3.0 and the HDMI port is version 2.0b according to the official spec sheet.