Ongoing Beta Beta Testing: Wireless Dolby 5.1 for WiiM Ultra

[Paffi]

- when feeding dts, the display shows "dts" hence recognizing it but won't play (was expected). But when it regcognizes the signal as dts maybe there is a chance to be available in future?

- when decoding dts prior to lpcm the "5.1" symbol and it's setting disappears and the wiim group plays it's "all channel stereo". That was not expected - it seems the Ultra can't handle multi channel lpcm properly when it's not decoded as dolby digital?

 

[Burnside]

- when feeding dts, the display shows "dts" hence recognizing it but won't play (was expected). But when it regcognizes the signal as dts maybe there is a chance to be available in future?

- when decoding dts prior to lpcm the "5.1" symbol and it's setting disappears and the wiim group plays it's "all channel stereo". That was not expected - it seems the Ultra can't handle multi channel lpcm properly when it's not decoded as dolby digital?

I think the current target is for DD5.1, not any other format. Maybe once they have that stable they can look to other formats, but only if there are no licensing costs involved.

 

[Paffi]

I think the current target is for DD5.1, not any other format. Maybe once they have that stable they can look to other formats, but only if there are no licensing costs involved.

Yes, but then multichannel pcm should be handled - otherwise there is no way, to play blurays with dts in multichannel.

 

[JaccoW]

Yes, but then multichannel pcm should be handled - otherwise there is no way, to play blurays with dts in multichannel.

Or SACD rips for 4/5.1- channel music playback.

Currently in the process of converting my stereo rips to PCM so Plex doesn't mess things up (no DSD support).

But I would definitely get another Wiim device to get 5.1 sound for movies as well.

 

[Wiimer]

Dolby & persistent group beta arrived Amp pro.

 

[Burnside]

Dolby & persistent group beta arrived Amp pro.

View attachment 16746

Thanks.

I wonder if that also allows it to catch up with other features released since its last firmware update at the start of December?

 

[Wiimer]

Thanks.

I wonder if that also allows it to catch up with other features released since its last firmware update at the start of December?

No smart presets yet...

 

[Burnside]

No smart presets yet...

Just saw that. Strange that it seems to be lagging a bit. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll get a firmware update for the WE speakers - mine is still sitting on Sep’24 firmware…

 

[Wosi]

Yeah, there are so many outstanding questions the FAQ article about surround sound doesn't address:

1. Is there a real center speaker? If yes, how to connect it?
2. Is one WiiM stereo (pre-)amp enough for the two rear speakers? The FAQ talks about one WiiM Pro for each rear speaker, which feels like a huge waste of resources.
3. Is Dolby Digital 5.1 over optical input supported? The FAQ only talks about HDMI ARC.
4. Is a subwoofer really required or does it also work with a 4.0 setup?

I just noticed the FAQ article has been updated, answering some of my questions:

Is there a real center speaker? If yes, how to connect it?

From the FAQ:
The Center channel audio is processed and distributed between the Front Left and Front Right channels using the advanced algorithm. This design eliminates the need for a dedicated physical speaker for the Center channel, ensuring optimal audio reproduction.

Note that a separate center speaker is not yet supported in this version but will be added soon.

Is one WiiM stereo (pre-)amp enough for the two rear speakers?

Yes, both surround speakers can be powered by one WiiM streamer (but as far as I know this does not include WiiM Mini). Alternatively you will be able to use two WiiM Edition speakers.

• Is Dolby Digital 5.1 over optical input supported? The FAQ only talks about HDMI ARC.
• Is a subwoofer really required or does it also work with a 4.0 setup?

There are no answers to these questions yet. Especially the one about optical input is important to me.
To the beta testers: Is it possible to select optical input as source for a 5.1 setup?

 

[Burnside]

To the beta testers: Is it possible to select optical input as source for a 5.1 setup?

Yes viz.

 

[Burnside]

Also, running ok with WiiM amp pro front and WiiM amp rear, with no sub (not that I’d use one, I’m not a big bass fan)

 

[Burnside]

I just need to play around with lip sync between my Samsung/ fire tv cube and the WiiMs, which might have nothing to do with the new DD5.1 feature.

 

[Wiimer]

Also, running ok with WiiM amp pro front and WiiM amp rear, with no sub (not that I’d use one, I’m not a big bass fan)

Will the Amp pro audio still play properly when Ultra is set to rear?

 

[Burnside]

Will the Amp pro audio still play properly when Ultra is set to rear?

I don’t have my ultra properly connected up just now as my Linn amp is away for repair and it’s a bit of a mess trying to rewire things at the moment other than it feeding my amp pro that’s taking the tv feed(!), so I can’t say…

 

[Wiimer]

I don’t have my ultra properly connected up just now as my Linn amp is away for repair and it’s a bit of a mess trying to rewire things at the moment other than it feeding my amp pro that’s taking the tv feed(!), so I can’t say…

Thanks. I will try it tomorrow.

Hope your beloved Linn-da comes back soon .

 

[Smartplug]

Let me get this straight since I have all wiim but wiim pro plus. I will be using ultra to power the the 3 main speakers while I can use the amp to power the surround? Basically by toggling both ultra and amp it can be use Dolby 5.1 l, is this correct?

 

[Burnside]

Let me get this straight since I have all wiim but wiim pro plus. I will be using ultra to power the the 3 main speakers while I can use the amp to power the surround? Basically by toggling both ultra and amp it can be use Dolby 5.1 l, is this correct?

That’s my understanding

 

[kwolter]

I got an ultra and a pro going last night with the Dolby 5.1 Beta and it was working pretty well just with the front and surrounds. Today I turned it back on, tuned in a Dolby Source, confirmed it as Dolby from the Ultra screen, and everything sounds like distorted high pitched dialogue. I didn’t change anything from last night, checked my LG TV and confirmed that the output of the HDMI is bitstream, etc.

Not sure what’s going on. Has anyone else experienced this? Maybe this has been addressed before.

 

[Wiimer]

I got an ultra and a pro going last night with the Dolby 5.1 Beta and it was working pretty well just with the front and surrounds. Today I turned it back on, tuned in a Dolby Source, confirmed it as Dolby from the Ultra screen, and everything sounds like distorted high pitched dialogue. I didn’t change anything from last night, checked my LG TV and confirmed that the output of the HDMI is bitstream, etc.

Not sure what’s going on. Has anyone else experienced this? Maybe this has been addressed before.

"Enabled surround 5.1 audio" toggle off/on and check if the audio returns to normal.

 

[Wiimer]

I did a little testing before lunch.

Group A : Amp Pro (front) / Ultra (rear)
Group B : Ultra (front) / Amp Pro (rear)

They played Dolby 5.1 audio fine. There were problems with Group B audio in the first test, but the Amp Pro update seems to have resolved .

However, the issue of sound corruption when switching sources or inputs (in both groups) still occurs occasionally. This is usually resolved by turning the "Enabled surround 5.1 audio" toggle off/on.