Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've been using Roku devices for about six years, and it has been great seeing the company continue to improve its product, especially as more people cut the cord with their cable companies. Roku's flagship device, the Roku Ultra, is one of the best streaming devices on the market today, which is not surprising because it is a small but powerful machine, reasonably priced, that can access virtually all of the popular streaming services. I'll give a little breakdown of my thoughts and experiences with the device. ------------------ Appearance ------------------ The Roku Ultra is about as inconspicuous as a device could be: a small, unobtrusive black box that can easily disappear behind your television or in a media cabinet. It measures about 5" x 5" and is less than an inch tall. There are three jacks in the back of the device for a power cable, an Ethernet cable, and an HDMI cable to connect to your television, as well as a slot for a MicroSD card. The remote is small and fits comfortably in your hand, and it has shortcut buttons that give you one-touch access to some of the most popular streaming services: Netflix, SlingTV, Hulu, and CBS All Access. The remote also has a headphone jack so you can watch content without bothering anyone else, and this packaging of the Roku Ultra actually comes with a pair of "premium" JBL headphones. One thing I love about the Roku Ultra is that the device itself is QUIET. Previous Roku models had fans in them, and while I wouldn't call them loud, they produced a constant background hum. The Ultra is essentially silent. --------- Setup ---------- Setting up the device couldn't be much easier, and instructions are included right in the box. Basically, connect the device to your television via the HDMI cable, connect an Ethernet cable if you have one, plug in the power cable, and put batteries in the remote. The on-screen instructions will lead you through everything from there, including registering the device to your Roku account (including creating an account if you don't already have one). Once you're connected the device will automatically search for and install firmware updates, then update any of the apps that are pre-installed (including those you have attached to your Roku account). Then you just have to log into each app for the different streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.). ------------------ Functioning ------------------ Navigating the Roku menus and watching content is pretty straightforward, especially with such a simple remote control. The interface may be a little clunky, but at least it is easy to use. Most of the menus you use, though, will be within the apps for each streaming service, and some services have better menus than others (Netflix's could use some improvement, for example, but that isn't Roku's fault). As for the actual viewing experience, the quad-core processor means that any hiccups are likely due to problems with the streaming service, your internet service, or your home network (either wired or WiFi) rather than with the Roku device itself. The Ultra is capable of high quality video output, including 4K and HDR. As for audio, it can handle things like DTS Surround Sound and Dolby ATMOS without batting an eye. A brief word about the headphones: This version of the Ultra includes a pair of "premium" JBL headphones. I tried watching a few shows with them, and to be honest I wasn't blown away. Headphones are a very personal thing, and some people just prefer the sound of some brands more than others. Personally I have never had much luck with this type of headphone shape. So while including the headphones is a nice gesture, I don't think they are a strong reason by themselves to choose the Ultra over another model. ---------------------- Other Features ---------------------- The Roku Ultra has some other nice features: 1) The remote control doesn't need to be pointed directly at the Ultra, so you can hide the device in a cabinet or somewhere else out of sight. 2) The remote control can also control your television (for many TV models), which is especially nice for changing the volume level with the buttons on the side of the remote. 3) The microSD slot allows you to insert a microSD card, which can cut down the load time for some apps. 4) If you lose your remote, the "remote finder" function will cause the remote to beep when you press a button on the Ultra. 5) There is "night listening mode" which equalizes volume levels (decreasing the volume of louder moments and increasing the softer ones). 6) A USB port allows you to view content stored on a USB device. Is there anything I would change about the Roku Ultra? A few things: - First, I wish the remote control had buttons that could illuminate because locating the button you want to push can be challenging in a pitch black room. - Second, I wish the four "shortcut" buttons on the remote were programmable. For example, I don't subscribe to CBS All Access, so I would love to be able to re-assign that button to, say, Prime Video. I've read that certain companies have paid good money to be included on those shortcut buttons, so I understand why they can't be changed, but still... it would be nice! ---------------------------------------- Ultra vs. Other Roku Models ---------------------------------------- Many of the higher tier Roku devices share similar features, so it can be challenging to determine whether the Ultra is worth its premium price. To assist with that, here are some features are unique to the Ultra: - Night listening mode - Headphone jack on the remote - Remote finder function - Micro SD slot and USB port - Improved connectivity (i.e. "best" wireless connection and an Ethernet port) The first four things in that list are "neat features," but in my opinion the improved connectivity is the real selling point because it contributes to improved audio and video output. Admittedly I'm a bit of an audiophile, but I absolutely hate pixellation, pauses in shows and movies, buffering, and any other glitches that hamper the viewing experience. The "improved connectivity" comes in two forms: first, the Ultra uses dual-band wireless connectivity, and second, there is an Ethernet port. Even with the improved WiFi functionality, I HIGHLY recommend using a wired network connection for the Ultra if you possibly can because it will give you the most stable connection. If you subscribe to a high-speed internet service, have a good router, and locate your Ultra near the router or another wireless access point, connection problems may not be an issue; but even then, I favor the wired connection! ------------------- Bottom Line ------------------- The Ultra is only one of several great streaming devices made by Roku. Whether it is worth its price depends on how much you value the extra features, which include the headphone jack, remote finder function, USB and Micro SD ports, and night listening mode. But if you are looking for the best viewing experience, the biggest selling point is the improved connectivity via dual-band WiFi or, better still, the Ethernet port. If, like me, you value the quality of the A/V experience, the Ultra is the way to go.