Beta Test: Google Cast with WiiM Multiroom

[WiiM Team]

Hi WiiM Community,

We’re looking for beta testers to try our latest Google Cast improvements. This beta is currently limited to WiiM Ultra devices.

What’s included in this beta

• Google Cast now supports group playback via WiiM Multiroom.
• Supports wireless WiiM Sub Pro for bass output.

What to test

• Group playback using Google Cast with multiple WiiM devices.
• Sub Pro behavior when used wirelessly during Cast playback.

How to join the beta

• This beta is currently limited to WiiM Ultra devices.
• Go to Device Settings → Device Info → Join Beta Testing, then select Version 5.2.812646.

Notes

• This is part of an ongoing Multiroom capability expansion.
• Support for additional services (e.g. Roon, LMS) to work with WiiM Multiroom group playback will be introduced in future updates.

 

[Burnside]

Does this mean that we can simply Google Cast to a Linkplay group and that not all devices in the group need to support Google Cast, and that we no longer need to group Google Cast devices in the Google Home app?

 

[Wiimer]

Does this mean that we can simply Google Cast to a Linkplay group and that not all devices in the group need to support Google Cast, and that we no longer need to group Google Cast devices in the Google Home app?

Yes

@WiiM Team,
I tried it for a bit, but it didn't work. There's noise and drop.

(YouTube Music)
View attachment 3178.mp4

This occurred in a group of two units. Additionally, in a group of five units, the audio sync is off for some of the speakers.


Ps.
An auto-update toggle has been added in this beta version, but if I turn it off, will updates stop permanently? I seem to recall that the release notes mentioned you could set a specific time period. (It might have been about the delay of the reboot?)

 

[r5yk5]

It's crackly on the client devices. Tested with 2 different pro plus and a sound. And all four grouped.

I can't test the sound on the actual ultra because it's not connected to any speakers.

I was using iBroadcast. Sent a feedback.

 

[Wiimer]

Also, if you create a group while a track is playing, no sound will come from the follower devices. Sound will resume once you skip to the next track. This is a minor issue.

 

[Wiimer]

It's crackly on the client devices. Tested with 2 different pro plus and a sound. And all four grouped.

I can't test the sound on the actual ultra because it's not connected to any speakers.

I was using iBroadcast. Sent a feedback.

It seems that the noise is occurring only in the follower device.

 

[WiiM Team]

Yes

@WiiM Team,
I tried it for a bit, but it didn't work. There's noise and drop.

(YouTube Music)
View attachment 36237

This occurred in a group of two units. Additionally, in a group of five units, the audio sync is off for some of the speakers.


Ps.
An auto-update toggle has been added in this beta version, but if I turn it off, will updates stop permanently? I seem to recall that the release notes mentioned you could set a specific time period. (It might have been about the delay of the reboot?)
View attachment 36238

Thanks very much for your feedback! We will check the root cause ASAP!

 

[Wiimer]

It seems that the noise is occurring only in the follower device.

I was wrong. Even the reader device can produce noise on very rare occasions.

 

[Burnside]

Downloaded the new beta firmware and linked the WiiM devices I have in my lounge: Ultra, Mini, Pro Plus, Sound and Sound Lite, then cast from the BBC Sounds app to the Ultra but I'm getting no audio output on any device. Hope the logs can pinpoint the issue. Ticket #560643 submitted

Edit: stopped and restarted the stream and all devices seem to be now playing, including the Mini. Not sure what I did to get it all going again (it could have been operator error on my side) but things are sounding better now. Also flipped to using iBroadcast and the cast group is behaving well, even when adding or dropping speakers to the group mid flight.