Modern cars are already set up to mirror some of our smartphone apps — GPS (Google Maps, Waze, and so on) or music apps like Spotify or YouTube Music.
If you have an electric car or one running Android Automotive, it is also possible to install apps from the Play Store directly, making services like Prime Video, Netflix, and other video apps available for charging stops or waiting time.
In regular cars, however, infotainment systems are far more limited and do not allow for this kind of multimedia use.
If you want to add Netflix, IPTV, Disney+, Prime Video, or another video service to your car, the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra may be an excellent tool for the job.
We tested the Play2Video Ultra in a car with wired Android Auto to find out whether the promise of simplicity and in-car entertainment holds up in practice.
OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra review — Add IPTV, Netflix, and other multimedia content to your car
Having wired CarPlay or Android Auto in the car is useful, but having to plug in the cable every time you get in quickly becomes a small daily irritation.
The Play2Video Ultra promises to solve that and go further — turning the car’s infotainment system into a wireless streaming screen with pre-installed apps.
The Play2Video Ultra is an adapter that converts the car’s factory wired CarPlay into wireless CarPlay for iPhone and wireless Android Auto for Android, while also adding a closed Android system with pre-installed streaming apps and an additional app hub.
It plugs into the car’s USB port, requires no installation, and receives firmware updates automatically. It is available for €89, discounted from the regular price of €109.
Design and build quality
The OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra is a small USB dongle with an integrated cable, ready to plug into the car.
It is built in plastic with a solid feel, and has a USB-A port at the end — a USB-C adapter is included in the box.
On top sits the brand logo and a small status LED indicator.
The underside has ventilation holes to help with cooling during use.
On the front there is a USB port for additional power if needed — the cable is also included in the box — or for connecting a USB drive to play local media.
It measures 79×39×15mm.
Setup
Using the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra is straightforward, with a simple and intuitive setup process.
The car must be compatible with wired Apple CarPlay. If it is not, or if it is a BMW (which does not support wired CarPlay and presents significant difficulties with these dongles), it will not work.
If the car is compatible, simply plug the device into the car’s USB port and the Android interface launches automatically.
System interface
The OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra runs a closed Android interface with pre-installed apps and a custom visual design from the brand.
The interface uses a card-based layout that can be rearranged for quick access to favourite apps, with a bottom bar for shortcuts to the user’s preferred applications.
Among the apps there is a dedicated update app for the box, as well as another with a list of additional apps to install (DAZN and others) that can be added alongside the five pre-installed ones — Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, IPTV, and Spotify.
In settings, a number of features can be customised — notably the floating button for accessing back, home, and other key navigation options.
Exploring the settings further, the native Android menu can be accessed — confirming that Google’s operating system is used as the underlying base.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
For those who want wireless Android Auto or CarPlay, this device is also an excellent option.
Simply pair the smartphone with the box via Bluetooth. Once that is done, the wireless connection is recognised and tapping the Android Auto app establishes the connection.
Once connected, the link switches from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi to maintain connection stability.
The connection is stable, with barely any noticeable latency difference compared to a cable, and the device remembers the paired smartphone so that wireless Android Auto connects automatically the next day.
We noted two areas where there is room for improvement. On a few occasions the smartphone was not recognised, requiring a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi restart on the phone to get the wireless connection going.
Call handling is also somewhat problematic — there is a conflict between the Bluetooth connection to the OTTOCAST and the car’s own Bluetooth, meaning the hang-up button does not always work and the microphone or speaker selected is not always the one intended, requiring adjustments during the call.
Video apps and local media
For multimedia content, the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra works very well. Whether for music via Spotify or video streaming platforms, everything runs without issue.
The only limitation is the need for an internet connection — either via the smartphone’s hotspot or the car’s own data connection, if available — to stream content.
Image size will vary depending on the car’s screen, as resolution adapts to the screen’s size and aspect ratio.
Who is the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra for?
The OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra is for anyone with a car that has factory wired CarPlay and wants to go cable-free while adding streaming capabilities to the infotainment system — without modifications or complex installations.
It is especially suited to those who spend time waiting in the car — whether at EV charging points, on long road trips, or during frequent stops — and want access to Netflix, Prime Video, IPTV, or other platforms directly on the car’s screen.
It is also a good option for wired Android Auto or CarPlay users who want to ditch the cable without losing the navigation and music features they are used to.
It is not the right choice for BMW owners or cars without factory wired CarPlay, for those who have no way to provide an internet connection via hotspot or car data, or for anyone looking for a true plug-and-play solution with no initial setup.
Verdict on the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra
The OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra delivers well on its main promise. Converting wired Android Auto to wireless works reliably, with latency virtually indistinguishable from a cable, and the automatic connection on starting the car makes the experience genuinely convenient day to day.
The addition of an Android system with streaming apps is the differentiating argument over other wireless adapters. Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, IPTV, and Spotify all work without issues, and the ability to install additional apps through the built-in hub extends the possibilities beyond what comes pre-loaded. The need for a smartphone hotspot or car data connection to access online content is a real limitation but an expected one for this type of product.
The weakest point is call handling, with occasional Bluetooth conflicts between the device and the car’s own connection that can require manual adjustments during a call. The smartphone occasionally failing to connect automatically — requiring a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi restart — also came up a few times.
At €89 with the current discount, the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra is an interesting proposition for anyone who wants to go cable-free and add streaming to their car without a major investment — provided the car is compatible.
Techbit thanks OTTOCAST for providing the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra for review.
- Ability to watch video in the car
- Useful for those without wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
- Compact size
- Bluetooth call handling
OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra FAQ
What is the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra?
The OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra is an adapter that converts the car’s factory wired CarPlay into wireless CarPlay for iPhone and wireless Android Auto for Android, adding a closed Android system with pre-installed streaming apps including Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, IPTV, and Spotify.
Is the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra compatible with my car?
The device requires factory wired CarPlay and is compatible with vehicles from 2016 or newer that have this feature. It does not work with BMW vehicles or cars without factory wired CarPlay.
Do I need an internet connection to use the streaming apps?
Yes. To use Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, or other streaming apps, an internet connection is required. This can be provided via the smartphone’s hotspot or the car’s own data connection, if available. Local media playback via USB does not require internet.
Is the wireless connection as good as a cable?
Yes. In our experience, the latency of the wireless connection is virtually indistinguishable from a cable, and the connection is stable in the vast majority of situations. Occasionally it may be necessary to restart Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on the smartphone to re-establish the connection.
Does the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra handle calls well?
Call handling is the weakest point of the product. Conflicts can occur between the Bluetooth connection to the device and the car’s own Bluetooth, meaning the microphone or speaker selected is not always the intended one.
What is the price of the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra?
The OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra is available for €89, discounted from the regular price of €109.
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