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It exists only as a companion to your phone or tablet. There’s no remote, no way to launch apps or dive into content while staring at your TV. The Chromecast is somewhat unique in that it has no interface of its own. If your receiver or sound bar support the format, it should work. A few basic audio formats can be decoded by the device, but most advanced audio formats like DTS:X and Dolby Atmos are simply passed through from the Chromecast to whatever you have it plugged into. Google’s premium streaming "stick" can support 4K at 60fps with HDR. Who wants to run power and a big Ethernet cable to the back of their TV? Of course, most of us will simply rely on the 802.11ac Wi-Fi, but 4K streaming can be demanding on your local network, so it’s nice to know you have an Ethernet option if you can't get a very good Wi-Fi signal near your TV. The plug is sort of ingenious in that it incorporates an ethernet jack. You’ll also need to plug it in to a power socket, which means running a thin cable down to a wall outlet. It’s magnetic, so it doesn’t have to hang down loose if you can find a place to stick it, but if it does it’s lightweight enough that's it not a big deal.
Google tv chromecast vs chromecast ultra tv#
Title=More%20Expert%20Tech%20Roundups&type=articles%2Cvideos&tags=tech-roundup&count=6&columnCount=6&theme=articleĪs with the original Chromecast and other “stick” style streamers, the little round puck of the Chromecast Ultra is made to sit behind your TV or receiver. If you have a 4K TV, the extra cost is worth it. What do you get for twice the price? Support for 4K with HDR (including both HDR10 and Dolby Vision), better Wi-Fi reception (802.11ac), and an Ethernet port. The Chromecast Ultra, released last year, is double that price at $69. For just $35 you could buy a little HDMI stick that plugs into your TV and lets you beam stuff from your phone to it. Let's get into some specifics:Īlmost as soon as the original Chromecast was introduced in 2013, it was a massive success. Its simplicity is its greatest virtue, but also its biggest drawback. If that’s what you’re after, the Chromecast Ultra is a seriously great device.
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You simply find something you watch or listen to on your phone or tablet, tap a button, and you beam it to your TV. There’s no remote, and no TV interface at all.
Google tv chromecast vs chromecast ultra Pc#
The Chromecast Ultra (See it on the Google store) / (See it on the Currys PC World UK) is made for the latter, and exclusively for them. And there are those who are glued to their phone, consume content through apps, and just wish they could easily kick it up to the big screen in their living room. There are those who sit in front of the TV, pick up the remote, and find something to watch. There are two kinds of streaming content consumers.
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