Is chromecast ultra worth it?
It is not worth it, as we have a new Chromecast with Google TV that offers 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Atmos. However, if you want to stream stadia games on TV you will need to buy it as it is the only one that still does this. The chromecast is a small but very powerful device that connects to the HDMI port of your projector or TV. It has a USB port that allows one to directly plug to the TV.
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How does the Comcast Ultra work?
The first chromecast device was released in July 2013 and allowed Google users to stream content from their devices to their TV. The chromecast Ultra was unveiled in 2016 but the basic hardware has not changed since then.
Once you are done with the connections, you go to the Google Home app and you can then start streaming. You can stream from any app that supports chromecast. The device allows you to do a number of things like play multi-player games, stream your favorite shows, and cast presentations. You can even go as far as connecting a Google speaker on it and using Google assistant to run your applications.
Chromecast UltraKey Features
The device is the only one that will allow you to stream stadia games to your TV. It does this in Dolby vision and 4K HDR. The only downside is that it does not support the latest Google TV platform. This hit the market around November 2016 and supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi for frequencies 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The unit also comes with additional antennas to help in high performance streaming and latency. To get the best connection possible when you have a Google Wi-Fi mesh, the unit comes with an Ethernet adapter. For anyone who loves playing stadia your only option is the chromecast ultra.
How the Chromecast Ultra compares with 3rd Generation Chromecast
The 3rd generation Chromecast was released on October, 2018. The device supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi at frequencies of 2.4GHz and 5GHz. This gives you pretty good streams for a variety of apps. It is an excellent choice for those people who do not have a 4K TV and you can top resolutions of up to 1080p. The 3rd generation chromecast is essentially very similar to the chromecast ultra but you do lose 4K streaming abilities. It is priced at around $30 while the ultra goes for $100.
Many people are attracted to the third generation chromecast as it handles 1080p video streams exceptionally. You can power it through the provided adapter or USB. The downside is that this chromecast does not support 4K or HDR video. This means if you have a 4K compatible TV the images being projected will be a bit fuzzy and not as crisp as you would want them to be.
Of all the three the cheapest is the chromecast 3rd generation. However, this small advantage in price is costly as you get less power and an increasing number of apps being developed today, offer 4K video and 1440p. The other good side is that it low power enough to be used on the TV’s USB.
When the chromecast ultra was unveiled it was the only means through which one could cast 4K HDR but then the Chromecast with Google TV come along. This ability was mainly due to the Chromecast ultra 2×1 MISO (Multi-Input single output) that enabled it to offer low latency and faster network speeds. This allowed the unit to stream without skipping or buffering. The provided Ethernet port also provided a more consistent connection.
Chromecast with Google TV
The Chromecast with Google TV is the latest addition to the chromecast family. It offers 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Atmos. The Chromecast did not come with a remote but the one with Google TV offers you a remote built-in Google Assistant support and thousands of free apps. The end result is that the chromecast with Google TV is more affordable and has more features hence pushing the Chromecast Ultra from stores.
Bandwidth usage with Chromecast
The basic operation of the Chromecast is that it takes over streaming from your device. You plug the device to your TV or A/V receiver via an HDMI port. The Chromecast will then mirror what is on your device to your screen. This allows you to stream from any chrome browser or Android apps. The only device that takes up bandwidth is the chromecast device. This ensures that your phone or laptop does not use more battery life or processing power.
Apps that are Chromecast enabled
When you check out Google Play or Apple app store you will encounter thousands of apps that are chromecast enabled. In this regards, you have three devices that support the service – Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra and Chromecast with Google TV. The base chromecast has the disadvantage of not supporting Dolby Vision and have a lower Max video resolution. All the units stream cast in the same way.
Model |
Chromecast ultra |
Chromecast 3rd generation |
Price |
Costs more |
cheaper |
Video content |
Supports Dolby vision & 4K HDR |
Lacks 4K streaming |
components |
Comes with Ethernet cable |
Lacks |
Gaming |
Supports stadia |
Does not support |
Conclusion
If you want to play Google stadia then go with the chromecast Ultra instead of the Chromecast 3rd generation. The chromecast with Google TV while great due to its 4K HDR with Dolby Vision still does not have stadia with it. However, since it does come with a remote and offers more features many users prefer it to the Ultra. In fact, in some stores this demand is so high that they have stopped stocking the chromecast ultra in preference for the Chromecast with Google TV.
FAQ
Can I play Google stadia on my Chromecast 3rd generation?
The answer is no. You can only do this on the Chromecast Ultra
Which is better – Chromecast Ultra or Chromecast with Google TV?
The Chromecast with Google TV comes with 4K HDR and Dolby vision while allowing one to use the remote based that is built-in for Google Assistant. This gives it more capabilities than the Chromecast Ultra
