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

[HDTV1080P]

Since the year 2016 the Roku Ultra has been the best flagship streaming player on the market for video and audio movie type watching. Every year since 2016 a new Roku Ultra is introduced. The 2016, 2017, 2018, and coming soon October 2019 Roku Ultra are almost exactly the same (most likely every year sees more integrated electronic circuit boards internally to reduce manufacturer costs in theory).



On October 13th 2019 the new Roku Ultra is scheduled to be released. However, no major changes when compared to the 2017 and 2018 models. Which is a disappointment since in the ideal world the Roku Ultra should offer Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+ instead of just standard HDR10. Also, in an ideal world the Roku Ultra should offer 1Gbps Ethernet instead of 100Mbps Ethernet (then 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray images with 11.1 lossless audio would be possible if a streaming provider wanted to offer that level of quality). Instead of offering HDMI version 2.0a, a firmware update would allow for HDMI 2.0b with Dolby Vision HDR support, but that is most likely never going to happen. HDMI 2.1 would be ideal for all HDR formats including HDR10+. The Roku Ultra is the best external streaming box on the market which is ideal for 4K projectors and older displays with no streaming built in. However certain flat panel screens with Roku built in can stream Dolby Vision HDR, but the Roku Ultra is limited to HDR10 only.


My point is the quality of the Roku Ultra has not changed at all over the last 4 years. The 2016 Roku Ultra offers the same exact picture and sound quality as the 2019 Roku Ultra according to the specs. This is a big disappointment since research and development appears to be only be occurring in built in flat panel screens with Roku streaming built in. The Roku Ultra is popular with projector owners and consumers with older flat panels with no streaming built in.



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

[rdodolak]

A couple of new changes although I would expect the first to come to the older hardware versions through a software update and the second could be had with a new remote.

New! Fast channel launch
New! Personal shortcut buttons

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

My point is the quality of the Roku Ultra has not changed at all over the last 4 years. The 2016 Roku Ultra offers the same exact picture and sound quality as the 2019 Roku Ultra according to the specs. This is a big disappointment since research and development appears to be only be occurring in built in flat panel screens with Roku streaming built in. The Roku Ultra is popular with projector owners and consumers with older flat panels with no streaming built in.

This part is true, except I do notice a difference between the 2016, the 2017, and the newer release 2018 model (of the 2017 platform). So faster, overall, but only in regards to loading apps and processing those apps. I do also get far fewer (in fact, hardly any) drop-outs or failures with this late-2018 model. So some processor or system was changed for the better.

However, yes, with this "new" model coming out, I would be disappointed that the performance improvements you cite do not seem to be incorporated into the new model. Even the last few months there have been aspects of streaming that have been upgrade/improved, and the Roku tech needs to keep up (or I'll be seriously considering Apple 4K instead).

[HDTV1080P]

Hopefully next year Roku will come out with a external streaming player that supports Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+. The TIVO Edge also has 1,000Mbps ethernet support something that hopefully Roku might offer in the future.

As far as I am aware the Tivo Edge is the only external non-Blu-ray player device that supports Dolby Vision HDR. It is awesome that the new Tivo Edge supports Dolby Vision HDR streaming (something until now was only offered by Blu-ray players and some flat panel screens with streaming built in). In addition the Tivo Edge works with a cablecard for subscription cable TV and another model is designed for ATSC tuner over the air broadcasts.

Tivo products are not compatible with satelllite TV.

QUOTE

"The TiVo Edge comes in two flavors: one designed to work with an over-the-air HD antenna, and the other with a digital CableCARD. Both models support 4K video with Dolby Vision high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos sound, making them worthy of the name “Edge.”

Read more at https://www.soundandvision.com/conte...0ulpcMEssWh.99

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Hopefully next year Roku will come out with a external streaming player that supports Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+. The TIVO Edge also has 1,000Mbps ethernet support something that hopefully Roku might offer in the future.

I've been hopefully-ing for this since 2017

At this point I'm not getting my hopes up anymore.

[BizCat]

So I have a problem..

I had a 4K TV and Roku Ultra downstairs. Over the weekend, I moved both of them upstairs to the living room. I hadn't used either much downstairs, but since the TV is larger, that's why I had switched them.

So the past few nights I go to Netflix from Roku and it freaks out. Sort of flashes a weird picture, then goes black, and then it goes to the TV screensaver with a message about no signal from the input. I have to unplug Roku and restart it for it to work again.

But it's only with Netflix, no other channels on the Roku. I have restarted it, unplugged and replugged, uninstalled Netflix and reinstalled, etc.

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by BizCat

So I have a problem..

I had a 4K TV and Roku Ultra downstairs. Over the weekend, I moved both of them upstairs to the living room. I hadn't used either much downstairs, but since the TV is larger, that's why I had switched them.

So the past few nights I go to Netflix from Roku and it freaks out. Sort of flashes a weird picture, then goes black, and then it goes to the TV screensaver with a message about no signal from the input. I have to unplug Roku and restart it for it to work again.

But it's only with Netflix, no other channels on the Roku. I have restarted it, unplugged and replugged, uninstalled Netflix and reinstalled, etc.

Sounds like it could be a possible problem with HDCP 2.2 handshake. I get the same sort of thing with CBS News, but never have with Netflix, so not sure that would be the problem or not. What model of Ultra do you have? (e.g. 4660, 4661)

[BizCat]

Originally Posted by crackedknee

sounds like it could be a possible problem with hdcp 2.2 handshake. I get the same sort of thing with cbs news, but never have with netflix, so not sure that would be the problem or not. What model of ultra do you have? (e.g. 4660, 4661)

4661

[HDTV1080P]

If it was HDCP 2.2 then if one forces the Roku Ultra to 1080P it will do standard HDCP 1.4. If the problem still occurs at 1080P then it is not HDCP but could just be a HDMI handshaking issue.

Of course when one watches native low bit rate 4K streaming with lossy audio they will want to have the Roku set to native 4K Ultra HD resolution with HDR10 support if the Smart TV supports HDR. All first generation 4K displays did not support HDCP 2.2, and many second generation 4K displays do not support HDR. The Roku Ultra automatically most of the time will detect and adjust the resolution to 4K with HDCP 2.2 and HDR10 if the display supports it.

[HDTV1080P]

Until supplies last or until 12-2-2019, the 2019 Roku Ultra model number 4670R which normally costs $99.99 is on sale at 50% off for only $49.99 with free shipping. This model is almost exactly the same as the 2017 and 2018 model with only minor changes. Many places are out of stock on this Black Friday special and Amazon is back ordered until 12-17-19. Many places have a restriction of 2 or 3 per customer.

The PC Richard company has the 2019 Roku Ultra model number 4670R in stock and they allow customers to purchase up to a QTY of 5 for $49.99 each plus free shipping. 50% off offer ends on 12-2-2019 or until supplies last.

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

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