Bluetooth codecs

[timmo]

Will the WiiM Pro support bluetooth aptX or better? (WiiM Mini only supports SBC and AAC codec)

 

[Guest1]

And one more if I may add to your list:
- HDMI output for multichannel audio

It would immediately loose the name "my list"

 

[timmo]

It would immediately loose the name "my list"

I was raised to always share, but I’m okay with this (I am older and wiser now - apparently)

 

[Brantome]

I get what you’re saying. To fulfill this request, I would love it if WiiM creates a new Mini (‘WiiM Roon Mini’, ‘WiiM MiniRoon’, ‘WiiM MiniR’, ‘WiiM rMini’ ) that is just a Roon Ready endpoint itself (which they discussed many months ago when they realized they couldn’t “fit” Roon software into the Mini due to low memory). A small device like that is perfect for really tight spaces (e.g. my bathroom speaker).

As a separate model perhaps - I didn’t like the harebrained suggestion to mess about with different versions of the firmware, dropping functionality to make space for Roon. Basically, if you want Roon , like if you want coax, Ethernet etc, get a Pro

 

[Guest1]

@Brantome
Did that and am happy with it. But sometimes I think the world could do me a favor, only because I am such a nice guy

 

[onlyoneme]

As a separate model perhaps - I didn’t like the harebrained suggestion to mess about with different versions of the firmware, dropping functionality to make space for Roon. Basically, if you want Roon , like if you want coax, Ethernet etc, get a Pro

But you remember that WiiM team answered that it would be possible and could be considered?

 

[onlyoneme]

Now it's less important because Roon has been heavily delayed and another WiiM is available.

 

[timmo]

As a separate model perhaps - I didn’t like the harebrained suggestion to mess about with different versions of the firmware, dropping functionality to make space for Roon. Basically, if you want Roon , like if you want coax, Ethernet etc, get a Pro

Agreed - but would appreciate as well a small form factor like the Mini as a Roon Ready endpoint (no bigger than that footprint for tight spaces). Probably wouldn’t happen.

 

[Brantome]

But you remember that WiiM team answered that it would be possible and could be considered?

Yeah, and I didn’t think it was a good idea

 

[kenilElk]

While I'm not sure about aptX (think it can be done by both hardware and software), LDAC is software based.
From Sony's website - Sony - LDAC
"LDAC is compatible with a wide range of devices, because LDAC is a software codec."

From Wikipedia - LDAC:
"The encoder of LDAC is open-source under Apache License 2.0, so that any device can be coded to transmit LDAC streams without patent or licensing issues. The decoder design remains proprietary."
"Starting from Android 8.0 "Oreo", LDAC is part of the Android Open Source Project, enabling every OEM to integrate this standard into their own Android devices freely."

Hence my previous request in this thread about adding support so that music can be encoded in LDAC and transmitted to say headphones or other receivers that already support LDAC decoding..

It is true.
Sample - latest Amazons FireTV 4k Max firmware has added LDAC codec support to its Bluetooth stack.

Regardless of the quality, sense or nonsense of this codecs I am sure Qualcomm will not give away any aptX license for free. No idea about how high the charges will be and what influence on the purchase price from a WiiM would it have. And no idea if, or how Sony handles LDAC, but all this companies are not well known for generosity. Different to having only good ideas their job is to create money.
Second point: For this wireless headphone thing the WiiM has to be a BT transmitter. Or am I as often wrong?

And yes, my second point was wrong, sorry.

In the 2014–2015 years, when the aptx set of codecs had a new Qualicomm ownership from CSR, the unconfirmed rumour was that the new license AptX cost of encoding was quite low per device (few dollars); and the aptx decoding licensee was free of charge, if being software-based for phone devices.

 

[porcipat]

For me personally, the WiiM is an appliance that I use as a standalone music transmitting device to my Bluetooth headphones so that I’m not tied down with a wire (I feel like I’m in the minority here on this point), and not being tied to only 1 particular device such as my phone, tablet, etc. By having WiiM as an appliance providing this music to my headphones, I can then use any device with the WiiM (or Roon) app and/or WiiM remote control to control it (along with the physical WiiM device controls). If I was tied to using my phone, tablet, etc. for bluetooth music, then I can ONLY use that same device to control it. Flexibility is key for me (and other Bluetooth headphone fans - I know you’re out there!), and I would love to have the highest bluetooth resolution possible (e.g. aptX HD) in the next unannounced and completely rumored ‘WiiM Pro Ultra’ (credit: @Wiimer ) The music sounds great already using Bluetooth from WiiM Pro to Bluetooth headphones, and the range is surprisingly strong (beats my RF headphones) - but would love for bluetooth resolution to get even higher to maximize the high fidelitiness (fake word, I know - but you get it).

I’m very much in the same camp, wanting to use the Ultra as a Roon endpoint for transmitting Aptx BT to my headphones. One possible work around might be if the USB output would support audio out to a BT dongle. Would this work?