It was enough to think regarding it: yes, we can offer a very clear image, or even access to major online video broadcasting services… But have we ever integrated an audio jack into a remote control? to allow private listening? With this decades-old innovation, Roku offers one of the best content delivery systems on the market.
Quite honestly, the content distribution market is more than saturated: not only is it possible to watch Netflix, Crave, Paramount+ and all the others on tablet, computer or even on telephone, in addition to television, but this one is generally “smart”, with an operating system that allows direct connection to these same services, as well as the addition of specialty channels, for free or with the help of a subscription.
In fact, this accessibility is so widespread that television remote controls have at least one button labeled “Netflix”, when it is not accompanied by an equivalent for Disney+, or another similar service.
Through all of this, therefore, Roku is trying to position itself with a series of products that therefore provide access to these services. The point here is to make a standard television “intelligent”, or even to find certain specificities that are missing elsewhere.
For the ultra version, which had already hit the market in 2020 but is getting an upgrade in 2022, the folks at Roku tried to woo consumers by promising crystal-clear sound, including a Dolby option. Atmos, and an ultra high definition image, not only 4K, but also HDR processing.
All this is very good, but it is still necessary to have content of this level of quality. And switching to a broadcast of this quality on Netflix, for example, will inevitably inflate the bill.
Another solution: use your own content in 4K. And to do this, Roku offers an extremely simple and quick installation of the Plex application. Of course, you must have previously configured your own server, have classified your movies and videos, etc., but all this was already accessible, movie lovers will be happy to note that the Roku version of the Plex application seems faster and more stable. than that offered on some smart TVs.
Additional advantage: media such as Radio-Canada and Télé-Québec have entered into agreements to offer their video content free of charge. A good way to access what is broadcast on the public airwaves, on the big screen and in high definition. Alas, RDI did not seem to be in the list of channels offered, but at least ICI Télé is accessible, for example.
Ironically, despite all this technological fluff, the most interesting aspect of the Roku Ultra is truly this possibility of listening to television with headphones, without having to bring a very long audio cable, or without a combination of adapters and converters. Of course, the connection is made via Bluetooth, but the sound quality remains impressive. We can’t say that this is the case for the headphones supplied with the device, but the contents remain listenable, and it is certainly appreciated that Roku thought of adding this little extra.
Does the Roku Ultra come to duplicate some functions of a standard smart TV? Yes. But the additions and particularities of this device more than compensate for the multiplication of access buttons to Netflix. And USB-C remote charging, from the Roku itself, completes what is a great tech offering.
