Roku Ultra (4800R) In-depth Review

If you are looking for a simple and cheap way to watch your Netflix, and Hulu and other streaming type services in 4K on your TV look no further then the Roku Ultra. What makes the Roku Ultra different from other set top streaming boxes is its size (fits in your hand), supported 1080p, 4K UHD and not only can it use WiFi both 2.4ghz, and 5ghz, but wired Ethernet for unbeatable seeped. For those of you that may have a set top box already or other means of streaming your shows to your TV, do they only use 3 watts of power? Chances are no, but the Roku Ultra does.

In all seriousness the Roku Ultra is a great tool in the cord cutters arsenal and I highly recommend it as long as you know what you are getting into. It is not like the TV box that you have from a cable or satellite provider. It does not pull down over the air networks. You will need to have some subscriptions to make full use of the Roku Ultra (aka Netflix.)

In this review I walk you through the general specs of the Roku Ultra. I also show the User interface and give my opinion on things that I thought could have been done a little better. All and all the Roku Ultra is in my opinion a great set top streaming box.

Intro: 0:00
Remote: 4:42
Back to review: 10:24
User interface: 11:02
Back to review: 32:53

Where to buy:

Other videos mentioned:

Size
Height: 1.0 in
Width: 4.9 in
Depth: 5.0 in

Weight
5.9 ounces

Networking
802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi®
10/100 Base-T Ethernet

Audio features
Digital stereo over HDMI®
DTS Digital Surround™ pass through over HDMI
Dolby Atmos® decode via HDMI. Requires Dolby Atmos compatible speakers.

USB media formats
Video
H.264/AVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV); H.265/HEVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV); VP9.2 (.MKV); AV1 (.MP4, .MKV)
Audio
AAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV); MP3 (.MP3, .MKV); WMA (.ASF, .WMA, .MKV); FLAC (.FLAC, .MKV); PCM (.WAV, .MKV, .MP4, .MOV); AC3/EAC3 (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AC3); DTS (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV); ALAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .M4A); HEAAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AAC); AC-4 with Atmos (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AC4 ); DD+ (EAC3) with Atmos (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
Image
JPG, PNG, GIF (non-animated)

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#Roku #RokuUltra #4800R

[Wanderer_Reviews]

Some helpful time stamps:
Intro: 0:00
Remote: 4:42
Back to review: 10:24
User interface: 11:02
Back to review: 32:53

[takata]

I have just purchased and done initial set up of Roku Ultra. Finding your video has given me greater insight into it's capability. This was one week on after the remote on my previous Roku disappeared and remained elusive, I decided to go with this device to be able to track remotes rather than replace a non traceable remote. I was skeptical of the benefits and wary of the additional cost. After the fact I wish I had done this sooner! Between my recent new WiFi router and now this device the resolution/contrast and sound benefits to my TV were nothing short of astonishing. I have zero regrets and am happy to have this video to help be take full advantage of features I might not otherwise have found or explored.

[lzh]

Thanks for the video. I’m purchasing this for my mom, she’s 80, has an Apple that she can’t really use. I also appreciate the link to pairing a new remote. I can help her with Roku, I bought the first model & have the ultra. I’m sending her you’re video to help us set it up via FaceTime. Keep up the good work.

[Pierceb]

This was a great video, very informative. I also read all the comments over time and your one of the few creators who answers everyone’s follow up questions, so again kudos to you.

[janetwoodville]

I’m thinking of getting a Roku. I canceled my Amazon Prime account for a lot of reasons. And without an Amazon prime account, the Fire TV devices are limited. I’ve also had lagging problems with all my Fire TV devices. Lagging and they also kicked me back too the Home Screen. When I discovered the Roku channel I really liked it. Roku is in a class all by itself. When I canceled my Amazon prime account, I unplugged my FireTV device.

[johnsiebel]

Very nicely done! I'm a long time Roku user as well and I found your review helpful. Thank you.

[RalphAP]

GREAT review. I'm grabbing one of these tomorrow!

[christinea]

You did an awesome job on this review! I have Firestick and a Nivida device, but Roku is my favorite go-to device. I was searching to compare if I should get another Ultra or get the Streambar? I came across your video. I gotta say although I have the device you were reviewing and use it daily- I learned some things I didn't know about it! Lol, now have my 1 & 2 buttons programmed ;-) Thanks for doing such an in-depth review. Have you compared the Ultra & Streambar? Living in a condo I don't need a soundbar with big base, so with the prices right now about the same- I thought why not get the Streambar. Reading up on the two I read that the Ultra is Roku's best option for the fastest WI-FI transfer speeds and better than the Streambar. Heard the Streambar remote doesn't have the side plug-in option for headphones like the Ultra does. (Yet seeing the box it looks like it offers it.) Also, I read no direct ethernet on Soundbar & the wifi transfer rate is not as fast. I'd love to hear what you think about the differences between these two units. The soundbar would be better than my tv sound that's for sure, but I don't want to lose specs, features or quality for it. Reviews on the Streambar are mixed. Putting the speaker part aside and comparing the abilities of the two what do you think? Ultra or Streambar?

[spaceghost]

Great review.
I really like my 2018 Ultra.
I was tempted to replace it with this model, but the lack of being able to increase the memory with a MicroSD card was a strike against it for me.
That was a huge disappointment to me, because the provided memory gets filled up pretty fast.
For about $20.00 I could get 128 gigs of added memory for my 2018 model.
Otherwise, IMO the Ultra is still the best.

[tugboat]

Nice review. Ours comes up every now and then re insert HDMI cable from either end. Then 5 seconds later fixed it's self.

[firstlast]

Nice review and certainly better than most. It would have been nice if you showed how to "cast" from other devices. Also is this devices Bluetooth feature only a receiver OR does it transmit/pair to external Bluetooth speakers to take advantage of the better sound the video supports? Lastly what version of Bluetooth is it, perhaps v5 ?

[sneakyplays]

on newer versions of this new remote you can set the buttons to not only just voice commands, but have it open apps to the 1 and 2 buttons t

[MrMCSS]

I bought a Roku Ultra 4800RW version a couple of months ago and went to set it up today and had problems from the get go. First it wouldn't update itself and give me an activation code. Finally after about 20 minutes it eventually did. I got logged into all of my paid channels except for Netflix and no matter what I did I couldn't get Netflix to work on it.

I was on the phone with Roku and Netflix support for about two hours combined and still never resolved the issue. It never goes to the log in screen and instantly sets a NW-8-19 error code. I almost took it outside and smashed it on the ground. I finally unhooked it and put it back in the box and hopefully I can find the receipt so I can take it back to Walmart.

I ended up hooking my Roku Ultra 4600 back up and all of my paid subscriptions work fine including Netflix. I'm not sure what the problem is but I'm not impressed with it. The 4600 version has occasional issues where you have to totally reset it and activate it again and is why I bought this new one. When it finally dies, I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

[lawrencecavens]

Here's a good tip for all reading my comment, - Roku does support Wireless headphones via bluetooth - at least on this version of roku ultra

[texascclp]

Huge Help since our cable provider is dropping their tv lineup and replacing with an app. Purchsaing three units to access the new app for three tv viewing.

[toner]

regardless of what your wi-fi strength might be. Having the option of plugging direct from your router to the box is the better option. Guaranteed solid signal strength than possibly up and down inconsistent wi-fi signal.

[johnclarke]

My Ultra has a rechargeable remote and not one with batteries. I wish it did, actually. I just cannot replace batteries if it does not work. With this one I have to buy a new Ultra remote instead of a standard remote with two AA batteries. I smoked one remote with the last ROKO Express that I had and my Roku Express died in a year and one half which meant I had to replace it and set up everything on it, again. I wish Roku had a way to backup its settings to a thumb drive or one of my iPads. This would make replacing or upgrading them a lot easier. As it exist, now, this sucks.

[Hell-ks]

I have the Roku UltraLT And I enjoy it

[wellfleetion]

Man, every video of the Ultra I've seen and the remote has a battery. I tugged and tugged on that Roku fabric at the end of the remote trying to get it to open only to learn mine charges

[rf]

Awesome review!! Does this unit supports H.265 videos via USB, and will it accommodate a 4TB external drive?