Google Chromecast Upgrade Over The

We connected it to a Homeplug device and found no problems at all, so if you dont want to add another Wi-Fi device then Ultra gives you that option, which is a huge advantage in this new version.

However, unlike the previous two Chromecasts that plugged a gap in your TVs skills, the Chromecast Ultra is likely to step on the toes of features that your TV already offers.

The ability to fling content from a phone or mobile device to a big-screen TV and control it from the palm of your hand is simple, but great.

For us its better than pressure-sensitive displays or auto-tuning headphones, better than wearables and smartwatches, better than connected heating.

Why Because its simple done well and its all about entertainment.

Thats why the Chromecast is such a breakthrough device but also why its so misunderstood: it has no dedicated remote, it offers no user interface, it just puts things on your TV effortlessly.

Its the simplicity that people often dont get, because it does so much by doing so little and that sends people into a flap.

Google Chromecast Upgrade Over The

The Chromecast Ultra is an easy and logical upgrade over the standard Chromecast, adding the ability to cast in 4K Ultra HD with luscious HDR (high dynamic range) if youve got one of the latest and greatest TVs.

The HDMI plugs into your TV, while power is derived from the mains.

Pocket-lint The two parts are magnetic so that you can tuck the device out of sight behind your TV, discreetly.

Theres no need for space in your AV cupboard, you dont need it sitting within view of an IR remote or anything else.

The Ultra needs power to operate and so youll need to feed that USB connection via the mains, so youll have an extra cable to think about.

This is a slight change from previous Chromecasts that could be powered from a USB socket on the rear of your TV (if it delivered necessary power).

Now, if you connect to those lower-powered sockets, the Ultra wont allow you to stream in Ultra HD4K and it will give you an on-screen notification to tell you to connect to the supplied power pack.

Basically you have to do as youre told or the Ultra wont be ultra.

That is all you need to physically do for Chromecast Ultra to get running and the rest is handled through the app.

Pocket-lint Naturally, youll need to have a TV that supports 4K Ultra HD and HDR to be able to view such content.

If you want to watch Dolby Vision content youll also have to make sure your display supports that - but the list of compatible TVs is growing.

This is normally in the settings menu of your TV and has lots of different names, like Ultra HD Colour, for example.

Although Chromecast Ultra will work without changing this setting, you might find youre not actually watching 4K content unless you change the TV settings, or that theres some banding or discolouration - especially on older TVs.

With that all sorted, next its time to connect the Chromecast Ultra to your network.

The first is through Wi-Fi, which can be setup through the app - now called Home - to scan for your devices and identify your Ultra and ensure youre connecting to the right device.

Pocket-lint On the power supply youll find an Ethernet socket on the side of the wall plug, meaning you can connect it to a wired network via cable.

This has to be done at the start of the setup process and the Ultra will then seamlessly connect to the network without you having to do anything.

Google Chromecast For Mac Download