Google Chromecast Ultra

4K streamer for a clearer picture

First, there was Chromecast, a stick that plugged into the HDMI port on your TV and played videos from the internet. Then there was Chromecast 2, with faster Wi-fi and a new shape. This time, Google has kept the same design – a little flying saucer on a rubber strap – and added 4K resolution, four times sharper than Full HD. As before, you’ll need an Android or Apple phone or tablet to operate it. The Ultra connects either via Wi-fi, or with an Ethernet cable – which you may need to get a fast enough connection for 4K.

Other streaming boxes are available (see ‘Do I really need…?’ Issue 491, page 22), but this is currently the cheapestt with 4K, also known as Ultra HD. Relatively few films and TV shows are available in UHD, but it does lookok great. If you don’t have a 4K TV set, on the other hand, it’s pointless. Just buyuy the cheaper Chromecast 2 (£30 from John Lewis www.snipca.com/23608).

Even if you do have a 4K TV set it probably already has its own smart apps that access the same major online video services (Netflix, BBC iplayer and so on), without £69’s worth of dangly frisbee. In fact, your 4K TV may provide something important that the Chromecast Ultra doesn’t: Amazon Video. This offers a huge choice of content, and if you have an Amazon Prime account, most of it is free. But because Amazon isn’t friends with Google, it’s not available on Chromecast.