Hi,
Reading along for a while but created an account just for such feature request.
I noticed the YouTube video from Steve Willenborg, VP of Sales for WiiM at T.H.E. Show mentioning that WiiM is having a look at feature requests for upcoming new device. Let's hope this can get included.
Let's try to structure it a bit more.
Is there a request?
Trying to just have a very quick look, others might be able to find even more of such requests:
A voted feature request functionality on a forum has one major downside, people don't always search so votes get "scattered". Seeing multiple posts coming back on the same topic, seeing GitHub projects etc seems to me there is at least demand here.
What is the request about
Give people the ability to have a STANDARD feature to have a "Display/Playing Now" in whichever variation they like.
I see tons of variations out: some want to have it on a big screen (tv) in their living room. Others want to have a mini display for near-field/desktop listening. Others re-use an old tablet to add a visual dimension to their listening room/rack setup. Give customers the option to setup their "Display/Playing Now" how they prefer it.
Behind the technical request, this is all about the "feel of music" by adding another visual dimension (you must believe in this, if not, why the WiiM Ultra screen)
- Why people look at a vinyl record or cd case? In the current age of streaming and always online/nothing concrete, this is becoming a lifestyle item that sells
- It allows for people to talk and bond over music. My wife asking me "which band/song is this"? Visitors pulled to the experience etc
I'm a Plex user personally. Roon has a similar functionality already:
https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/displays#Using_Chromecast_as_a_Display. It makes me doubt between Roon and Plex even if the lifetime subscription is 7 times the price. However the value proposition for WiiM could be far greater as you can offer the functionality to multi-app users: you can bring a consistent solution into the world of WiiM users streaming through any of your supported services (Spotify, Tidal, Roon, all others and hopefully soon Plexamp).
I do see the advice given in the thread that there are open source/GitHub projects, it is great people are trying to help but in all honesty it isn't the answer to this question and it seems to be a discussion killer to put the feature hopefully on a roadmap. If people need to start playing with a dedicated Pi or adjust own software then it is not a WiiM value proposition. Even more so, people who want to start messing with a Pi and have the capabilities to set it up might then just as well go for a headless streamer setup (Plex Headless, Ropieee XL...).
But why isn't the WiiM Ultra screen enough for you
I don't think I can explain this better then what Darko recently posted:
Heck, does it even need a screen at all?
darko.audio
Interesting points here:
- Yes, there is clearly a market for a WiiM Ultra with a screen (Eversolo DMP, FiiO...). This is not a request to do away with the screen and I do expect the WiiM Ultra to be a succes. WiiM might have products coming up in the future with or without screen and in both cases imo, this extra "extended" screen display is a value proposition. Darko's poll (see above page) however also clearly shows the audience for people who do not want a screen, or want it bigger or smaller or away from the electronics from the streamer etc..
- Darko explains the limitations on a (small) touch screen sitting somewhere away from sweet-spot listening position very well (can we read it, why should we get up from our comfy position to use it...). I understand this is personal, everybody will use it differently.
- Darko's poll (see above page) shows the presence of a TV in close proximity to a lot of listening positions.
More "specific requirements"
- This thread requested a "casting" functionality. There will be an audience for it. Personally I would more prefer a "hdmi out" functionality. There will be a portion of the target audience who can live with both/either. I believe you have smart people who can make the best design option.
- It should become a standard feature on upcoming products both with and without build-in screens.
- Whichever options to show on the WiiM Ultra screen should be available on the extended display. Let limitations not stop a MVP. Most people are likely looking for either (1) full Album Art or (2) partial Album Art with basic info (song title, album title, track progress/timing, audio source, audio quality... (both of which you have in your current WiiM Ultra display).
- Through the app, you can allow management of the screen(s):
- Basic (this could be a MVP if other options are more expensive)
- Duplicate screens: show the same on both external screen and build-in screen.
- Intermediate (seems like the correct approach):
- Able to select different content on both external screen and build-in screen.
- Able to turn off each screen individually
- Advanced (optionally, I understand you are fighting for resources on features):
- Able to select based on selected inputs/outputs what is shown on which screen, which screen is turned off etc
- (Optional) Personally something I could live without but some would love it. For touchscreen sensitive external displays, add possibility to control the system from the external display (just copy the functionalities like for the WiiM Ultra touch screen).
- (Non-MVP) Have some options in regards to screensaver/when not playing.
- Whatever you do with the WiiM Ultra screen can be a MVP: so likely basic time...
- Coolest implementation of GitHub project I have seen so far was that the screensaver would collect album art of the last X played albums/songs and make a randomized collage out of it. Effectively showing off to your visitors/family the type of music you are into. A great conversation starter for the digital music streamer. See it as the alternative of a friend coming over and looking at your vinyl or cd collection which you so proudly displayed somewhere.
- (Optional) Open up some API and let community driven ideas come up.