Not *entirely* up to Netflix. The device still has to support whatever format they use. Some/most of Netflix's 4K content is HEVC. I don't know if it's all also encoded in VP9. Does this support HEVC @ 4K? I would hope so but the details are scant. "Supports Netflix" is a bit vague, Ryan. If I was doing a press release and it supported the latest codec @ 4K, I'd mention it. Did they mention it?
Other questions... does it support HDMI 2.0a? It only says 2.0 on the chart so I'd guess no. Dedicated remote option doubtful. I'm eyeing a Roku Premiere+ for the downstairs TV. XB1 handles the media upstairs for me. Although that will improve further once the UWP version of VLC hits the XB1.
I was under the impressions that HDMI 2.0a was required to support HDR10 and HDR10 support is listed in specs. It would still be nice for someone to confirms this.
1) I assume the Ethernet is 10/100, not GigE. It's not mandatory for media extender appliance, but it does seem to reduce buffering with high-profile content (providing the rest of the HW isn't a bottleneck).
2) Any words on codecs? It's great that it supports 2160p, but I'd like to start seeing more HEVC to help reduce those file sizes.
Looks like VP9 is a lame duck at this point. The only thing that might supplant HEVC would be AV1 but that doesn't look like it's scheduled until next year. Also when it's new it may have some hiccups and there's the hardware/software support issue. So it may be a year or more before it really takes off, even if it is technically superior to VP9 and HEVC alike.
So right now even using x265 (which is not the absolute best HEVC encoder) it produces superior results at basically any resolution. So I suspect they'll use HEVC not only for 4K, but for most resolutions on devices that support it (the latest Roku, Amazon devices do, a decent PC does, ditto for PS4 and XB1). But in cases where the hardware/software does not support it, they have to fall back to something else. If you're using a browser, only Edge supports HEVC right now for Netflix. Chrome probably never will, being a Google product.
Original Chromecast had an optional power adapter with ethernet port officialy from google store, I don't know if it was compatible also with Chromecast 2, and is it 100 or 1Gbps.. and also I don't know about the new adapter will it work with the older one or not...
But I heard few people already succeeded in attaching a USB Gigabit Ethernet adapter to Chromecast after having to mod it to provide power for both devices but I don't know which chipset and where I saw that.
So HDMI 2.0 will be supported pretty much on everything except on motherboards out of the box. If I wanted to build a low power HTPC (i.e. without a dedicated graphicd card), I'd be stuck with HDMI 1.4 and not even Kaby Lake is going to change that..?
Yes, but my understanding is that they will first launch the high performance parts, so no good for a silent HTPC. So there will be some time until we can get an x86 HTPC for 4K HDR. Not cool.
He said Zen APUs. The first Zen chips (the performance ones) will be CPUs. When the Zen-based APUs (Raven Ridge) hit in maybe mid 2017, they'll have low power options. Though realistically you can easily enough build an HTPC right now with a low-power CPU and a low-power GPU (are there any half-height RX 460s? those would be ideal).
The real issue is that I believe (as someone else pointed out) that you need HDMI 2.0a for HDR. Hence the need for a modern GPU. Otherwise you could use Bristol Ridge APUs.
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MrCommunistGen - Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - link
Hahaha! I see you fixed the launch date as I was writing my comment. On a hunch I refreshed the page before posting.Anyhow, thanks for the clear breakdown. Interested to see what SoC turns up in the teardown.
JeffFlanagan - Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - link
Can it play NetFlix 4K shows?nevcairiel - Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - link
That is entirely up to Netflix.Alexvrb - Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - link
Not *entirely* up to Netflix. The device still has to support whatever format they use. Some/most of Netflix's 4K content is HEVC. I don't know if it's all also encoded in VP9. Does this support HEVC @ 4K? I would hope so but the details are scant. "Supports Netflix" is a bit vague, Ryan. If I was doing a press release and it supported the latest codec @ 4K, I'd mention it. Did they mention it?Other questions... does it support HDMI 2.0a? It only says 2.0 on the chart so I'd guess no. Dedicated remote option doubtful. I'm eyeing a Roku Premiere+ for the downstairs TV. XB1 handles the media upstairs for me. Although that will improve further once the UWP version of VLC hits the XB1.
Oh also this isn't a dongle... it's a dangle. :D
cyrand - Wednesday, October 5, 2016 - link
I was under the impressions that HDMI 2.0a was required to support HDR10 and HDR10 support is listed in specs. It would still be nice for someone to confirms this.Alexvrb - Saturday, October 8, 2016 - link
Ah, well that settles that. Thanks. That's one detail down.Ryan Smith - Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - link
Yes. Google has mentioned in their press materials that it supports Netflix.cheinonen - Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - link
Netflix already streams UHD and HDR content using GoogleCast to the Vizio P and M series TVs this year so yes, it does.nathanddrews - Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - link
F to the Yeah!solipsism - Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - link
1) I assume the Ethernet is 10/100, not GigE. It's not mandatory for media extender appliance, but it does seem to reduce buffering with high-profile content (providing the rest of the HW isn't a bottleneck).2) Any words on codecs? It's great that it supports 2160p, but I'd like to start seeing more HEVC to help reduce those file sizes.
fallaha56 - Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - link
4k netflix = HEVCnathanddrews - Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - link
Currently Netflix and Amazon only need 25Mbps to stream 4K HDR. Both use HEVC, but Netflix is supposedly testing out VP9 as an alternative.Alexvrb - Saturday, October 8, 2016 - link
Looks like VP9 is a lame duck at this point. The only thing that might supplant HEVC would be AV1 but that doesn't look like it's scheduled until next year. Also when it's new it may have some hiccups and there's the hardware/software support issue. So it may be a year or more before it really takes off, even if it is technically superior to VP9 and HEVC alike.http://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/Editorial/F...
So right now even using x265 (which is not the absolute best HEVC encoder) it produces superior results at basically any resolution. So I suspect they'll use HEVC not only for 4K, but for most resolutions on devices that support it (the latest Roku, Amazon devices do, a decent PC does, ditto for PS4 and XB1). But in cases where the hardware/software does not support it, they have to fall back to something else. If you're using a browser, only Edge supports HEVC right now for Netflix. Chrome probably never will, being a Google product.
Xajel - Wednesday, October 5, 2016 - link
Original Chromecast had an optional power adapter with ethernet port officialy from google store, I don't know if it was compatible also with Chromecast 2, and is it 100 or 1Gbps.. and also I don't know about the new adapter will it work with the older one or not...But I heard few people already succeeded in attaching a USB Gigabit Ethernet adapter to Chromecast after having to mod it to provide power for both devices but I don't know which chipset and where I saw that.
akrobet - Wednesday, October 5, 2016 - link
So HDMI 2.0 will be supported pretty much on everything except on motherboards out of the box. If I wanted to build a low power HTPC (i.e. without a dedicated graphicd card), I'd be stuck with HDMI 1.4 and not even Kaby Lake is going to change that..?heffeque - Wednesday, October 5, 2016 - link
Well... Zen APUs will definitely have HDMI 2.0.nirolf - Wednesday, October 5, 2016 - link
Yes, but my understanding is that they will first launch the high performance parts, so no good for a silent HTPC. So there will be some time until we can get an x86 HTPC for 4K HDR. Not cool.Alexvrb - Saturday, October 8, 2016 - link
He said Zen APUs. The first Zen chips (the performance ones) will be CPUs. When the Zen-based APUs (Raven Ridge) hit in maybe mid 2017, they'll have low power options. Though realistically you can easily enough build an HTPC right now with a low-power CPU and a low-power GPU (are there any half-height RX 460s? those would be ideal).The real issue is that I believe (as someone else pointed out) that you need HDMI 2.0a for HDR. Hence the need for a modern GPU. Otherwise you could use Bristol Ridge APUs.
K_Space - Wednesday, October 5, 2016 - link
At least for owners of TVs that support he standard, this could help kickstart its use in streaming services.the*