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

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

1 - depends what movie you're watching. Some are in Dolby Vision only, some are in both DV and HDR10. The DV only ones will show up as 4K with no HDR.


2 - I have mine set to 4:2:2 but it also depends on what your TV will accept. Some will not accept 4:2:2 but 4:2:0 & 4:4:4

1. Yes I noticed VuDu HDR is title-depends on Roku Ultra
2. I have a LG Oled C6, should I opt for 4:2:2? I thought all HDR was in 4:2:0

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk

[HDTV1080P]

If the hardware is capable we might see a firmware update on the Roku Ultra that offers HDMI 2.0b with Dolby Vision HDR. Right now the Roku Ultra is only HDMI 2.0a with HDR10. This is 2016 technology, and there is a possibility that the Roku Ultra will never offer Dolby Vision HDR do to a hardware limitation.

It would make logical sense that in late 2018 or 2019 that a new Roku player would be released that offered Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10+, and maybe other HDR formats. Possible using HDMI 2.1 technology.

Those that have built in Dolby Vision HDR streaming on their flat panel display, would be better off using the one or two apps that offer Dolby Vision HDR streaming and then use a ARC bitstream technology over HDMI to the A/V receiver for ATMOS sound. This is until Roku either comes out with a firmware update for the Roku Ultra or offers a new higher end replacement model in late 2018 or 2019 with Dolby Vision HDR.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

If the hardware is capable we might see a firmware update on the Roku Ultra that offers HDMI 2.0b with Dolby Vision HDR. Right now the Roku Ultra is only HDMI 2.0a with HDR10. This is 2016 technology, and there is a possibility that the Roku Ultra will never offer Dolby Vision HDR do to a hardware limitation.

It would make logical sense that in late 2018 or 2019 that a new Roku player would be released that offered Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10+, and maybe other HDR formats. Possible using HDMI 2.1 technology.

Those that have built in Dolby Vision HDR streaming on their flat panel display, would be better off using the one or two apps that offer Dolby Vision HDR streaming and then use a ARC bitstream technology over HDMI to the A/V receiver for ATMOS sound. This is until Roku either comes out with a firmware update for the Roku Ultra or offers a new higher end replacement model in late 2018 or 2019 with Dolby Vision HDR.

I really don't care much about Dolby Vision as of right now because of major issues with elevated blacks. I find HDR10 much more pleasant on my LG Oled C6.
What I don't get is whether to select 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 for HDR downsampling.

Also, when I enable native frame rate, the delays are HUGE when scrolling through the menus

[HDTV1080P]

Enabling native frame rate gives one a better picture quality for 4K/24fps Netflix movies and 1080P/24fps movies. However since the menus are 30fps or frame doubled to 60fps, there is a delay in the navigation.


Apple TV 4K had the same problem with their BETA software when native frame rate was enabled. According to page 21 of the April 2018 Sound and Vision magazine the Apple TV just recently released a new public firmware that offers native frame rate like the Roku Ultra.


quote from page 21 of April 2018 Sound and Vision magazine:

"This Just in..."

"Apple TV 4K now switches display settings to match native frame rate and dynamic range. It was enabled via update..."

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Enabling native frame rate gives one a better picture quality for 4K/24fps Netflix movies and 1080P/24fps movies. However since the menus are 30fps or frame doubled to 60fps, there is a delay in the navigation.


Apple TV 4K had the same problem with their BETA software when native frame rate was enabled. According to page 21 of the April 2018 Sound and Vision magazine the Apple TV just recently released a new public firmware that offers native frame rate like the Roku Ultra.


quote from page 21 of April 2018 Sound and Vision magazine:

"This Just in..."

"Apple TV 4K now switches display settings to match native frame rate and dynamic range. It was enabled via update..."

Yes but the delays when navigating menus make this feature not worth enabling. My oled tv can't even find the signal for a good 7-10 seconds when exiting YouTube app.
What's so wrong about playing all sources at 60Hz? The TV will just do 3:2 pulldown for 24fps sources and play 60fps flawlessly

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk

[HDTV1080P]

Sony Blu-ray players streaming feature handles the 24fps issue better. The 2 or 3 second flicker normally only occurs once when switching from 60fps to 24fps, and then Sony leaves the menu navigation at 24fps instead of switching back and forth between 24fps and 60fps. The display will then display the movie at multiplies of the original frame rate.


If the switching is to much for the streaming programs you watch on Roku, then just switch the native frame rate feature off. Maybe Roku one day will come out with a firmware update that will force the menus to remain at 24fps instead of switching back to 60fps in Netflix, etc. Some displays will do a reverse 3:2 pulldown for film based material and restore the original 24fps and then flash the image on the screen at multiples of 24fps. Of course direct 24fps with no conversion of the frame rate to 60Hz is ideal. 60Hz with 3:2 pulldown adds judder during camera pans and fast moving images on the screen. All native 24fps movies in commercial movie theaters are shown at either 24fps or multiplies of 24fps with no 60Hz 3:2 pulldown judder.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Sony Blu-ray players streaming feature handles the 24fps issue better. The 2 or 3 second flicker normally only occurs once when switching from 60fps to 24fps, and then Sony leaves the menu navigation at 24fps instead of switching back and forth between 24fps and 60fps. The display will then display the movie at multiplies of the original frame rate.


If the switching is to much for the streaming programs you watch on Roku, then just switch the native frame rate feature off. Maybe Roku one day will come out with a firmware update that will force the menus to remain at 24fps instead of switching back to 60fps in Netflix, etc. Some displays will do a reverse 3:2 pulldown for film based material and restore the original 24fps and then flash the image on the screen at multiples of 24fps. Of course direct 24fps with no conversion of the frame rate to 60Hz is ideal. 60Hz with 3:2 pulldown adds judder during camera pans and fast moving images on the screen. All native 24fps movies in commercial movie theaters are shown at either 24fps or multiplies of 24fps with no 60Hz 3:2 pulldown judder.

Yes of course 5:5 cadence will look better than 3:2 pulldown on panning shots especialmy, but I prefer that to the annoying delay during menu navigation.
YouTube 4K HDR is mostly in 60fps anyways.
Oh and I absolutely love the fish tank as the new screensaver!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk

[HDTV1080P]

The 2016 Roku Ultra 4640R originally sold for $129.99 back in 2016 and it had a optical digital audio output. The 2017 Roku Ultra 4660R had a list price of $99.99 but dropped the optical digital output (Black Friday sale of $55). The 2018 Roku Ultra 4661R has a list price of $99.99 and appears to be exactly the same as last year’s model (maybe internally more integrated circuit board but externally exactly the same as far as I can tell).Black Friday sale on the 2018 model is $49.99 which is 50% off the list price.


It appears that Roku has no plans to make a upgraded external Roku Ultra model with Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10+, etc. One needs to purchase a new flat panel screen with Roku built in to get Dolby Vision HDR. Projector owners are not going to be able to stream in Dolby Vision HDR because of no external streaming boxes that support Dolby Vision HDR (So far only high-end Cinema quality DLP projectors support Dolby Vision HDR).

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

The 2016 Roku Ultra 4640R originally sold for $129.99 back in 2016 and it had a optical digital audio output. The 2017 Roku Ultra 4660R had a list price of $99.99 but dropped the optical digital output (Black Friday sale of $55). The 2018 Roku Ultra 4661R has a list price of $99.99 and appears to be exactly the same as last year’s model (maybe internally more integrated circuit board but externally exactly the same as far as I can tell).Black Friday sale on the 2018 model is $49.99 which is 50% off the list price.


It appear that Roku has no plans to make a upgraded external Roku Ultra model with Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10+, etc. One needs to purchase a new flat panel screen with Roku built in to get Dolby Vision HDR. Projector owners are not going to be able to stream in Dolby Vision HDR because of no external streaming boxes that support Dolby Vision HDR (So far only high-end Cinema quality DLP projectors support Dolby Vision HDR).

But it's very wife-friendly so it stays

[HDTV1080P]

There are many online companies that are running out of stock on the 2018 Roku Ultra because of the 50% off Black Friday sale. At this price some people are purchasing several to upgrade their existing projectors and displays to stream Roku (One can purchase two Roku Ultra’s for the price it costs for one). The cheapest price online that currently has free shipping for the Roku Ultra 4661R at $49.99 is P.C. Richard & Son.

A high end Scan Disk 64GB microSDXC card with 95MB per second read speed and 90MB per second write speed that normally has a list price of $55.99, can be purchased from B and H Photo for $17.99 with free shipping as a black Friday special (SDSQXWG-064G-ANCMA).This is high high performance storage for the several thousands of streaming channels. Back in 2016 the cheapest comparable 64GB microSDHC card cost around $43.95.

[RockyIII]

I prefer Nvidia Shield but Roku Ultra is family friendly and cheaper, sure

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

I prefer Nvidia Shield but Roku Ultra is family friendly and cheaper, sure

When I have free time (when I am not working on projects), I prefer watching movies on Blu-ray and in the future might do more streaming. I hardly play videogames anymore since there is only so much time in a day and I prefer movies. If I was into playing modern videogames I would prefer the Nvidia Shield over the Roku Ultra. However since my family members prefer movie and video watching over videogames, the Roku Ultra is a better choice.


The following is a 2017 review link on the Nvidia Shield which is ideal for videogames but less 4K HDR apps when compared to Roku.


quotes
"The Good The 2017 Nvidia Shield Android TV streaming box offers just about every must-have app, including Amazon Video, and many include 4K along with HDR. It's a versatile gaming platform with an improved controller. Voice search and interactivity, from controller or remote, work well. It has Google Assistant.


The Bad More expensive than competing streamers. Not as many 4K and HDR apps as Roku, and no access to first-tier games without streaming from a PC.


The Bottom Line The 2017 Nvidia Shield is better than ever, and the addition of Amazon finally makes it a viable high-end alternative to Roku."


https://www.cnet.com/reviews/nvidia-...v-2017-review/

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

There are many online companies that are running out of stock on the 2018 Roku Ultra because of the 50% off Black Friday sale. At this price some people are purchasing several to upgrade their existing projectors and displays to stream Roku (One can purchase two Roku Ultra’s for the price it costs for one). The cheapest price online that currently has free shipping for the Roku Ultra 4661R at $49.99 is P.C. Richard & Son.

A high end Scan Disk 64GB microSDXC card with 95MB per second read speed and 90MB per second write speed that normally has a list price of $55.99, can be purchased from B and H Photo for $17.99 with free shipping as a black Friday special (SDSQXWG-064G-ANCMA).This is high high performance storage for the several thousands of streaming channels. Back in 2016 the cheapest comparable 64GB microSDHC card cost around $43.95.

The Roku Ultra is now back up to $99.99 and most online retailers are out of stock. Also that 64GB SDXC card is now $56.17 instead of the $17.99 price.


https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ayer_2018.html

[HDTV1080P]

That SanDisk 64GB SDXC card with UPC code 619659148171 according to the retail packaging actually has better specs then what was listed online. The maximum write speed stays the same at 90Mbps, however the maximum read speed is not 95Mbps but actually 100Mbps.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

That SanDisk 64GB SDXC card with UPC code 619659148171 according to the retail packaging actually has better specs then what was listed online. The maximum write speed stays the same at 90Mbps, however the maximum read speed is not 95Mbps but actually 100Mbps.

I doubt that the actual read speed is 100Mbps. Try to play large file 4K content from a Plex library and see for yourself

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

I doubt that the actual read speed is 100Mbps. Try to play large file 4K content from a Plex library and see for yourself

Better yet place the SD card in a high-end Windows PC and do a speed test. I have verified that ultra fast SD cards like SanDisk do actually offer their stated speeds if the device is fast enough. Lower end SD cards are much slower in speed.

[pab1219]

How do connect the roku ultra to your receiver? Plug the hdmi from the roku into the receiver not the tv? I'm not tech savvy. Please make this simple for me to understand. Thank you.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Better yet place the SD card in a high-end Windows PC and do a speed test. I have verified that ultra fast SD cards like SanDisk do actually offer their stated speeds if the device is fast enough. Lower end SD cards are much slower in speed.

Do we have actual speed test results on Roku Ultra?
All I know is that if I try to play 4K files on Roku's Plex app the box struggles with playback, but if I play the same files on Plex through Nvidia Shield they play just fine

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by pab1219

How do connect the roku ultra to your receiver? Plug the hdmi from the roku into the receiver not the tv? I'm not tech savvy. Please make this simple for me to understand. Thank you.

Yes, plug HDMI from Roku to one of the receiver's HDMI (In). Then plug HDMI from TV to receiver's HDMI (Out)

[pab1219]

Originally Posted by rockyiii

yes, plug hdmi from roku to one of the receiver's hdmi (in). Then plug hdmi from tv to receiver's hdmi (out)

thank you.