Help with connecting Roku Ultra/Wiim Ultra and Samsung Smart monitor

[saberger1]

Sorry if this has been asked but couldn't find anything. I have a Samsung GD80SD Oled Smart monitor with HDMI ARC input that I'm using with Roku Ultra and an extractor, the SPDIF output to my Denafrips Ares II DAC and the DAC RCA's to a vintage preamp. Works fine, but I'd like to experiment with using the Wiim's HDMI ARC input if possible. So how do I connect all this? Roku is HDMI out, Wiim HDMI in and Samsung is HDMI in. How does the Wiim and the Samsung HDMI's interact?

Thanks.

 

[DoubleTap]

I have the G80SD as well.

Mine is connected to my gaming PC (Display Port) and my work laptop (HDMI-2)

If I connect HDMI-1 to the ARC port on the Wiim, then all digital sound goes to the Wiim Ultra (and the volume control on the monitor functions properly)

You do lose HDMI-2 as a video input but if that's an issue, there are workarounds (mainly using an input switch on the other video inputs)

So that's the good news - the bad news, at least for me, is that this all worked great when I was using optical out to my integrated amp, but when I decided to use the Wiim Ultra as a preamp (line out + sub out) the HDMI ARC port added a serious hum that I've been unable to solve.

Based on your configuration, you may not have that problem but because the Wiim Ultra has limited inputs, it's pretty disappointing.

As it stands now, I use bluetooth to connect the monitors digital out to the Wiim Ultra - not ideal but:
1. I use the smart TV apps rarely - maybe once per month
2. I tested it and there was no perceptible delay between picture and sound
3. My PC connects to the optical input and my work PC has a small, dedicated USB speaker for meetings (and so I can play music on the main system and still hear work PC sound
4. The G80SD can use USB for digital sound output - for a while, I had it connected to my Parasound amp through USB but for some reason, it loses the USB sound connection very easily and you have to either power cycle devices or unplug/replug to reestablish the audio device in the monitor. This happened with my Douk Audio U2 PRO USB interface as well so I think it's the monitor

It's a great monitor overall and I wouldn't care about the digital audio out issues except that the smart TV suite is pretty extensive and if you don't want to use the internal speaker, you need some kind of digital out and it would have been so much easier if they had just given a toslink output...

 

[saberger1]

I have the G80SD as well.

Mine is connected to my gaming PC (Display Port) and my work laptop (HDMI-2)

If I connect HDMI-1 to the ARC port on the Wiim, then all digital sound goes to the Wiim Ultra (and the volume control on the monitor functions properly)

You do lose HDMI-2 as a video input but if that's an issue, there are workarounds (mainly using an input switch on the other video inputs)

So that's the good news - the bad news, at least for me, is that this all worked great when I was using optical out to my integrated amp, but when I decided to use the Wiim Ultra as a preamp (line out + sub out) the HDMI ARC port added a serious hum that I've been unable to solve.

Based on your configuration, you may not have that problem but because the Wiim Ultra has limited inputs, it's pretty disappointing.

As it stands now, I use bluetooth to connect the monitors digital out to the Wiim Ultra - not ideal but:
1. I use the smart TV apps rarely - maybe once per month
2. I tested it and there was no perceptible delay between picture and sound
3. My PC connects to the optical input and my work PC has a small, dedicated USB speaker for meetings (and so I can play music on the main system and still hear work PC sound
4. The G80SD can use USB for digital sound output - for a while, I had it connected to my Parasound amp through USB but for some reason, it loses the USB sound connection very easily and you have to either power cycle devices or unplug/replug to reestablish the audio device in the monitor. This happened with my Douk Audio U2 PRO USB interface as well so I think it's the monitor

It's a great monitor overall and I wouldn't care about the digital audio out issues except that the smart TV suite is pretty extensive and if you don't want to use the internal speaker, you need some kind of digital out and it would have been so much easier if they had just given a toslink output...

Thanks very much for your answer.

I love the monitor and use it primarily for streaming movies and programs, not as much for gaming. Using an optical out from a 4k extractor into my DAC.

In your comment, you refer to connecting the HDMI to the Wiim ARC. How could you do that if both are inputs? Am I missing something?

What's stumping me is if it's possible to use just the Samsung, Roku and Wiim without the audio extractor presently in use. I can also use the USB digital out from the Samsung to either my DAC or Wiim for getting sound to my 2 channel rig. I'm not presently it, but when I did I didn't have the issues that you experienced with your amp.

Perhaps by adding the Roku to the mix it's not possible to leave the extractor out of the mix? I just don't know.

 

[DoubleTap]

Thanks very much for your answer.

I love the monitor and use it primarily for streaming movies and programs, not as much for gaming. Using an optical out from a 4k extractor into my DAC.

In your comment, you refer to connecting the HDMI to the Wiim ARC. How could you do that if both are inputs? Am I missing something?

What's stumping me is if it's possible to use just the Samsung, Roku and Wiim without the audio extractor presently in use. I can also use the USB digital out from the Samsung to either my DAC or Wiim for getting sound to my 2 channel rig. I'm not presently it, but when I did I didn't have the issues that you experienced with your amp.

Perhaps by adding the Roku to the mix it's not possible to leave the extractor out of the mix? I just don't know.

Connect the Roku to HDMI 2, then run an HDMI cable from the HDMI 1 port on the monitor to the ARC input on the WIIM

Also - why use the Roku when the Samsung has a comprehensive suite of built in streaming, TV, music and gaming apps?

What does the Roku add that the Samsung doesn't already have?

 

[saberger1]

Connect the Roku to HDMI 2, then run an HDMI cable from the HDMI 1 port on the monitor to the ARC input on the WIIM

Thanks! That did the trick. I didn't realize for whatever reason I could use both HDMI's with the Samsung. Live and learn. So doing exactly what you instructed, and using TOSLINK from the the Wiim to the Denafrips Ares. All working like a charm.