Ongoing Beta Beta Test: Plex

[simbun]

Chromecast is not bit-perfect for me since I have my library in ALAC. It always transcodes.

If you modify the Chromecast profile Tautilli reports Plex is transcoding from 'ALAC Stereo to FLAC Stereo', which I assume must be bit-perfect.

Plex Media Server\Resources\Profiles\Chromecast.xml

<TranscodeTargets>
  ...
  <MusicProfile container="mkv" codec="flac" />
  ...
</TranscodeTargets>

 

[d6jg]

If you modify the Chromecast profile Tautilli reports Plex is transcoding from 'ALAC Stereo to FLAC Stereo', which I assume must be bit-perfect.

Plex Media Server\Resources\Profiles\Chromecast.xml

<TranscodeTargets>
  ...
  <MusicProfile container="mkv" codec="flac" />
  ...
</TranscodeTargets>

That should remain bit perfect then!

 

[vdp]

You don't need PlexPass for the iOS or Android apps. If you do have it you get DJ stuff but sweet fades and other things are included in the free version.

I will try to play DSOTM when I am next in the car. I would expect there to be no fades but maybe there is a gap, maybe not.

Sweet fades, when enabled, are used in playlists or the dj/radios.
Sweet fades never happen (even if enabled) when playing an album start to finish (like DSOTM, who would skip something).

So correctly implemented by Plex(amp)!

The sweet fades in playlists can be really good, one of the points missing from eg Symfonium vs Plexamp.

 

[pieterv1]

What are you missing when you use Google Cast from PlexAmp? I know it's not gapless, but I'm assuming the server handles all the sweet fades and other processing.

Does the PlexAmp endpoint solution do multi room?
Can the PlexAmp app control multiple PlexAmp endpoints?

Tried Chromecast with the WiiM Ultra again... No artwork and not even showing the streaming quality.

 

[Burnside]

Tried Chromecast with the WiiM Ultra again... No artwork and not even showing the streaming quality.

As has been mentioned several times before, WiiM don’t show the streaming quality for Chromecast as they found they couldn’t reliably and accurately determine that from the Chromecast stream, so rather than showing erroneous information, they chose not to show any.

 

[simbun]

Tried Chromecast with the WiiM Ultra again... No artwork and not even showing the streaming quality.

I don't have an Ultra so I'm using a Pro and the WHA for testing.

I think the lack of artwork is a PlexAmp issue, as when I use Symfonium to cast from Plex the artwork appears.
If I cast from Symfonium using the UPnP interface the streaming quality is there too, so that is a WiiM/Chromecast limitation.

EDIT: There's a post on the Plex forums requesting artwork when casting: https://forums.plex.tv/t/fill-the-e...m-art-when-casting-music-from-plex-amp/844460

 

[pieterv1]

As has been mentioned several times before, WiiM don’t show the streaming quality for Chromecast as they found they couldn’t reliably and accurately determine that from the Chromecast stream, so rather than showing erroneous information, they chose not to show any.

Thanks, I'm aware it's a thing with CC in general.

Just pointing out what the implementation of Plex endpoint functionality could offer that Chromecast currently doesn't. Then there's still the issue of the maximum bitrate supported by Airplay + the fact that Airplay is simply not an option for Ultra users. It just goes to show that we would benefit from a native solution... Which was already concluded long ago

 

[nesys]

Hi folks,

my Plex server is managing essentially 3 libraries: 1) dsf files (2ch and multichannel), that are DSD64 and DSD128 2) m4a files (apple lossless) 24/48 3) multichannel flac files 24/96.

Do you think it will be possible to manage all my libraries via Plex client with WiiM Ultra/Pro as output device?

In particular, any chance to manage the DSD files in native mode?

Plex server on QNAP NAS - cabled network - WiiM Ultra/Pro - Marantz Cinema 50 - speakers

thanks for any suggestion

Andrea

 

[pieterv1]

Hi folks,

my Plex server is managing essentially 3 libraries: 1) dsf files (2ch and multichannel), that are DSD64 and DSD128 2) m4a files (apple lossless) 24/48 3) multichannel flac files 24/96.

Do you think it will be possible to manage all my libraries via Plex client with WiiM Ultra/Pro as output device?

In particular, any chance to manage the DSD files in native mode?

Plex server on QNAP NAS - cabled network - WiiM Ultra/Pro - Marantz Cinema 50 - speakers

thanks for any suggestion

Andrea

The Plex settings allow you to specify which library exactly you want to browse from inside the WiiM Home app. Switching is fairly straightforward. I think that answers your question? Not sure if all of those file types van be played back. They would probably be encoded to pcm internally.

 

[nesys]

The Plex settings allow you to specify which library exactly you want to browse from inside the WiiM Home app. Switching is fairly straightforward. I think that answers your question? Not sure if all of those file types van be played back. They would probably be encoded to pcm internally.

Thanks for your answer.

Well, my first goal would be to have a correct playback of the DSD files (means, native DSD, not DoP). Today I can do it without WiiM only with my Marantz Cinema 50 (via dlna, or via HEOS HS2). via DLNA or HEOS HS2 I see a correct playback of DSD64 and DSD128 bit perfect.

It seems that Lumin can do this. But, of course, with a different price.

 

[simbun]

Well, my first goal would be to have a correct playback of the DSD files (means, native DSD, not DoP).

Playing DSD Audio Files on WiiM Devices

All WiiM devices, except for the WiiM Mini, support DSD audio file playback. These devices convert DSD content into PCM data for playback, with a sample rate of up to 192kHz. Here are the ways you can play DSD audio files on WiiM devices: ...

faq.wiimhome.com

 

[slartibartfast]

Thanks for your answer.

Well, my first goal would be to have a correct playback of the DSD files (means, native DSD, not DoP). Today I can do it without WiiM only with my Marantz Cinema 50 (via dlna, or via HEOS HS2). via DLNA or HEOS HS2 I see a correct playback of DSD64 and DSD128 bit perfect.

It seems that Lumin can do this. But, of course, with a different price.

Of course the benefit of converting DSD to PCM is that you can apply PEQ. I used to think it was important to play dsf files as native DSD but couldn't really care less any more.

 

[EddNog]

Of course the benefit of converting DSD to PCM is that you can apply PEQ. I used to think it was important to play dsf files as native DSD but couldn't really care less any more.

I gave up on this as well, because room correction is more important to the final sound, and cannot be applied on native DSD material.

-Ed

 

[nesys]

I gave up on this as well, because room correction is more important to the final sound, and cannot be applied on native DSD material.

-Ed

well, actually I do room correction on my AVR (that is using Dirac).

from my understanding, native DSD and DSD over PCM are identical (the process is DSD “encapsulation” in PCM).

Am I wrong?

Question: is WiiM (no the Mini) encapsulating the DSD content in PCM (so we have DoP), or “convert” means “transcode”?

thanks for clarifying me

Andrea

 

[simbun]

Question: is WiiM (no the Mini) encapsulating the DSD content in PCM (so we have DoP), or “convert” means “transcode”?

As per the link

All WiiM devices, except for the WiiM Mini, support DSD audio file playback. These devices convert DSD content into PCM data for playback, with a sample rate of up to 192kHz.

It's PCM not DoP.

The output of my Pro feeds a non-DSD capable DAC.

 

[thechez]

Everytime someone asks for the PlexAmp endpoint integration someone asks why Google Cast isn’t good enough

My biggest beef is that it transcodes on my Ultra when using Chromecast. I have edited the line to use "flac" but it crashes every two songs or so.

 

[Dru2k]

I can access my music through Home Music Share (Plex DLNA). However when I just browse directly to Plex I can see my entire library, but nothing plays. If I click a playlist or radio if will just go in a continuous skip loop.

 

[dustin]

I can access my music through Home Music Share (Plex DLNA). However when I just browse directly to Plex I can see my entire library, but nothing plays. If I click a playlist or radio if will just go in a continuous skip loop.

Are you using docker? Might it be this? https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/plex-isnt-working-says-no-server-available.6179/
Plex previously worked for me but now it isn't.