Chromecast Ultra Review

Introduction

Sometimes you don't realize how thirsty you were until you've had that first sip, and for plenty of HDTV owners, that world-changing moment came three-and-a-half years ago when Google released its first Chromecast. The tiny dongle wasn't much to look at, but it didn't need to be flashy when it delivered so fiercely in terms of functionality and value.

For little more than the cost of a few movie tickets, you could instantly bring your “dumb” TV into the world of streaming media – and it didn't take long for the accessory to become a global hit.

In the years since, we've seen Google update its hardware with new electronics and a more installation-friendly form factor, as well as introducing a special music-only Chromecast for audiophiles. But maybe the biggest upgrade landed last fall, as Google prepared its streaming solution for the next generation of hi-res screens with the launch of the Chromecast Ultra.

The package contains:

• Chromecast Ultra 
• Power / Ethernet adapter
• Quick start card
• Warranty card

Design

A familiar-looking Chromecast doesn't do much to change an already successful design

When Google first created the Chromecast, it built a device that was untouched in its simplicity: a compact dongle that simply plugs right into an available HDMI port on the back of a television. Connect the power supply – or better yet, tap into an already-existing USB port on the TV – and your wiring job is complete.

Since then, Google's stepped up to refine the design of the Chromecast family of products, most notably ditching that all-in-one stick look for one that's more of a tethered puck. While that's a bit less graceful at first glance, it does solve the serious problem of the original Chromecast being a bit bulkier than your typical HDMI cable, leading to situations where there just wasn't enough space for it behind cable-crowded TVs. Google attempted to address this design failure by packaging in a short HDMI extension cable, but the new Chromecasts avoid that issue altogether.


The Chromecast Ultra sticks with this same puck-like design introduced in 2015 with the second-gen Chromecast. It's also of comparable size (differing by just a few millimeters here and there), and while exterior markings are a bit toned-down from that last edition, the new Ultra is still unmistakable as a Chromecast.

Little things help reveal the refinement of Google's design. While most of us will plug in the Chromecast Ultra behind our TVs and leave it there for all eternity, should you feel like removing the device and stowing it somewhere, its HDMI “tail” artfully snaps in place to the unit's main body with the help of a strong magnet. It's just a small touch, but an appreciated one all the same.

Functionally, the Ultra picks up support for high-resolution 4K content, as well as high-dynamic-range footage for sets able to display such media. But there's also a small exterior change to the new Chromecast, one that give users a new option for how they get this media system online: while past Chromecasts were primarily Wi-Fi-based devices, and offered hard-wired Ethernet support only with the addition of an optional accessory, the Chromecast Ultra ships with a power supply featuring a built-in Ethernet port.


Of course, that's a functional change as much as it is one to the design of the Chromecast hardware – so let's discuss it alongside all the other aspects of the media player's connectivity.

Connectivity

In an increasingly wireless world, wired network support adds a new layer to the Chromecast experience

As we just mentioned, with the Chromecast Ultra, Google's streamer updates from a Wi-Fi driven accessory (with Ethernet as an optional upgrade few users are likely to take advantage of) to one with Ethernet support right out of the box.

Part of that decision's likely to reduce the chance of customer disappointment – who wants to buy a fancy new 4K TV, pick up the Chromecast Ultra, and then realize that their old Wi-Fi router just can't keep up with the bandwidth needed to deliver 4K, HDR content? While wired Ethernet may feel like a throwback to the networks of yesteryear, it also represents an eminently reliable way to deliver tons of bandwidth where you need it – and the Chromecast Ultra is more than happy to tap into all that speed.

But more than that, it also streamlines setup and improves connection reliability. The Chromecast has always been pretty straightforward to configure – that ease of use is a critical component to the tool's allure – but leaning too heavily on wireless internet has a way of adding unnecessary complexity to such a setup process. It may not sound like much when you're verifying on-screen pairing codes to those displayed on your phone or tablet, but when you first configure the Chromecast Ultra over Wi-Fi – and realize that you no longer have to worry about such steps – it can be very illuminating. For as much as Wi-Fi adds to our lives, there's a lot to be said for the simple reliability of a plug-and-play wired connection.

Like the second-gen Chromecast, the Ultra upgrades its wireless connectivity options from what was available with the original Chromecast, picking up the same support for high-speed 802.11ac networks, as well working in the 5GHz frequency range. Even with the presence of an Ethernet port, we imagine the vast majority of users are still going to want to hook up their Chromecasts wirelessly.

We put the Chromecast Ultra through its paces on both wired and wireless networks, and while performance was similar on both, setup was a little bumpier over Wi-Fi. The Google Home app has a bad habit of hanging during the wireless setup procedure – maybe that's the wrong word, as the app is still responsive, but more than once it simply stopped making forward progress. It would say “wait while X happens,” and X never did. Once we realized we were getting nowhere, putting the app back on track took little more than hitting back and trying again, but that's still a little frustrating; if something's not working as expected, we'd far prefer the app say something to that effect, rather than just waiting quietly in perpetuity.

To the credit of the Google Home app and Chromecast Ultra, once you get past those hiccups, the setup process is relatively smooth – and unlike the Goole Home smart speaker (which you also manage through your phone on the Home app), the Chromecast Ultra was successfully able to used saved Wi-Fi credentials on our phone, rather than requiring password re-entry.

Interface and Functionality

Chromecast Ultra looks and feels like the old Chromecast you know, but bumps speed up to the next level

Once your Chromecast Ultra is set up, the Google Home app gives you a brief overview of Chromecast functionality. Basically, if you've ever used another Chromecast model, you know exactly what to expect: look for the Chromecast icon in connected apps, hit it and choose your Chromecast (which you'll want to uniquely name in case you want multiple units set up on the same network), and streaming commences in just a few moments.

While it's all very simple and streamlined when it works, some of the same little usability quirks we've noticed with older Chromecast hardware and software still pop up. For instance, while you can use the volume buttons on your phone to control the audio level at your TV, apps have an annoying tendency to get confused about which volume you're trying to adjust: the Chromecast or your phone. So even when you're actively streaming, sometimes an app won't pass your change-of-volume request along to the Chromecast, misinterpreting your input as on-phone volume adjustment.


Other times, an app will successfully display the Chromecast volume slider, but then undo your adjustments the moment you stop pressing the volume rocker. If an app disallows volume control, there has to be a more graceful way to communicate that than simply discarding user input.

There's also the occasional tendency for apps to lose track of what's going on with the Chromecast Ultra. We'd fire up a Google Play Music playlist, listen for a few tracks and then … silence. Tapping “play” again on the app got things going once more, but why did things stop in the first place? A lack of clear error messages leaves users unable to tell if the problem lies in the app, their network, or the Chromecast itself. We'd hoped that wired Ethernet connections would improve reliability a bit, but we experiences similar issues on both network types.

Of course, glitches with streaming are a familiar part of the Chromecast experience – we're just a little bummed that the high-priced Ultra doesn't do more to fix them. But even if it drops the ball a little there, it still delivers some interesting new functionality.

The big deal there is support for 4K Ultra HD resolutions, and playback of high-dynamic-range content, already available from various Chromecast-supporting streaming apps.

Sadly, our Chromecast Ultra review unit didn't arrive with a shiny new 4K HDR-ready television bundled in the box, so we were unable to try out that new support for ourselves. If you are lucky enough to own such a set, though, you already know what to expect from that extra-sharp video, with as much detail visible in murky shadows as you'll find in the brightest snowscapes. Other streaming devices like the Roku Ultra offer similar functionality, but the Chromecast Ultra costs roughly half as much.

One thing you can enjoy whether or not you've got a brand-new TV is the Chromecast Ultra's speedier performance. With older models, a little loading lag was to be expected: it could take a few moments for the Chromecast to buffer some media and get playback started. And while buffering continues to be an inexorable part of the Chromecast experience, it is appreciably swifter with the Ultra. Streaming Netflix to the device, loading messages would tick forward from zero to ten percent in just a second or two, then nearly blast all the way to 100 at break-neck speed; playback would even get started while the on-screen loading ticker was still advancing.

Load times are better – we can't deny that – but the improvement is also something less than a night-and-day difference.

Conclusion

It's easy to dismiss the Chromecast Ultra as a one-note accessory: the necessary upgrade you need if you want to use a Chromecast on a 4K TV. And while that's an apt observation – you don't want to waste all those extra pixels on mere full-HD content, do you – there's also a bit more to this package.


The included Ethernet adapter is absolutely going to appeal to a certain type of user. Taking advantage of it streamlined setup, arms the Chromecast Ultra with bandwidth to spare, and protects your streaming session against bouts of unexpected RF interference. If you don't need it, its presence here doesn't hurt things any, but if your home's already wired for Ethernet, it's a fantastic option to have.

As for the faster load times, they're very much a benefit afforded by this new hardware, but it's not like the Chromecast Ultra removes the need to buffer entirely. You'll still be waiting for content to load, but in our experience those load times are significantly reduced compared to older Chromecast models.


So is the Chromecast Ultra for you? Well, like we said: if you've got a 4K, HDR-compatible TV, don't even think about the regular Chromecast – you'd be doing yourself (and your TV) a disservice. But if you're still viewing on a 1080p (or god forbid, 720p) set? Even then, there's still something to be said for this new model.

The Ethernet adapter is normally a $15 add-on, so if you intend to take advantage of it, it's nice to have included here. And those faster load times are also going to be worth a few bucks.

But the Chromecast Ultra costs about $70, compared to $35 (or $30, right now) for the regular second-gen Chromecast. And while those bonuses are nice, they might not add up to $40 worth of nice. As a result, if you don't yet have a 4K TV, maybe think twice about splurging on this higher-end Chromecast option. You will get more for your money, but maybe not as much as you'd like. But if you're thinking about upgrading to a 4K screen in another few months, why not take the plunge on compatible accessories now, and future-proof your living room a little?