Features, settings & updates

[roncri]

I have the 2018 version of the Roku Ultra.  If I purchased a Roku Ultra today, would I be getting better hardware (faster cpu, more memory, etc.), than the 2018 version?

Thanks,

-Ron

[renojim · Accepted solution]

You can compare models here:

Hardware specifications | Roku Developer

The Wikipedia page also has good information:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roku

Note that the model number is much more important than the name.

[andyross]

Go to Settings/System/About to find your model number. If yours is 2018, it is probably the 4661. The current 4800 series (4800/4801/4802) are essentially the same hardware. Compared to your 4661, they are a bit faster, have more channel memory (4GB vs 512MB), more RAM (2GB vs 1GB), WiFi supports MIMO for better performance.

[atc98092]

Actually, with the 4800 series Ultra, there is a completely different CPU and significantly more channel storage memory. Starting with the 4800 you now have Dolby Vision support, as well as HDR10+ and HLG. the 4800 also adds support for the AC-4 audio codec, which will become more important in the future. The HDMI port is now v2.0b, and the USB port is 3.0. 

So there's significant changes beginning with the 4800. The Realtek CPU is much more powerful than the older ARM Cortex A53 (not sure of the numbers, but very noticeable in use). 

[roncri]

Thanks everyone for the replies.  It looks like I have the Roku Ultra Bryan 2 4670X.  So the current model has a slightly faster cpu, same memory, and adds in Dolby Vision.

[Anonymous]

@atc98092 :

One thing I don't see in specs, but have seen referenced here:

Does the 4800 have a DD audio encoder and if it does, does it have a passthrough audio mode that works, or will it output PCM as DD regardless of preference? I had a Tivo AndroidTV thing that I tossed in the trash, that being one of the reasons, if I recall correctly.

[atc98092]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Does the 4800 have a DD audio encoder 

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Yes, the 4800/4802 has a DD encoder. I have mine set to passthrough, so my AVR gets whatever the core audio is. Unless it's an unsupported codec like AC-4, which the Roku converts to AC3/DD. But it will passthrough PCM, DD or DTS, as those are all supported by my Yamaha AVRs. Unfortunately,. no Roku will passthrough the lossless codecs such as Dolby TrueHD or DTS Master Audio.

[atc98092]

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@roncri wrote:

Thanks everyone for the replies.  It looks like I have the Roku Ultra Bryan 2 4670X.  So the current model has a slightly faster cpu, same memory, and adds in Dolby Vision.

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I think it's more than slightly faster. 🙂 The same operating memory, but 8 times the channel storage memory. Besides Dolby Vision, it adds HDR10+ (which is mainly supported by Samsung) and HLG (which my LG supports, along with DV). So it supports all the different versions of HDR, while yours only supports HDR10.