LG tv Pass-through or PCM using HDMI?

[Fralle]

Just like the title says. Both seem to work and I was just wondering which one is the best to use when using Wiim Ultra with HDMI from LG B5 from 2025? Audio seem significantly louder/cleaner using pass-through.

 

[Mr Ee]

Just like the title says. Both seem to work and I was just wondering which one is the best to use when using Wiim Ultra with HDMI from LG B5 from 2025? Audio seem significantly louder/cleaner using pass-through.

You might find some audio formats don't work with passthrough.

How To Use Audio Input Ports of the WiiM Ultra

TABLE OF CONTENTS Supported Audio Format and Quality for HDMI ARC and Optical In How to Use the Line In Port How to Use the Optical In Port How to Use the HDMI ARC Port How to Use the Phono In Port How to Use Audio Input Ports with Multi-r...

faq.wiimhome.com

 

[Fralle]

You might find some audio formats don't work with passthrough.
Link is for amp ultra, let me correct that...

How to Use Audio Input Ports of the WiiM Amp Ultra

TABLE OF CONTENTS Supported Audio Format and Quality for HDMI ARC and Optical In How to Use the Line In Port How to Use the Optical In Port How to Use the HDMI ARC Port How to Use Audio Input Ports with Multi-room How to Select Audio Input...

faq.wiimhome.com

I see! Iv'e tried HBO, Netflix, Prime and Apple and all seem to work so far. But PCM is still tyr best option then?

 

[Aquaman]

I see! Iv'e tried HBO, Netflix, Prime and Apple and all seem to work so far. But PCM is still tyr best option then?

Let‘s say it is the recommended standard option. But if pass-through works and you prefer it I see no reason why you should not use it. Nothing will break.

 

[Mr Ee]

I see! Iv'e tried HBO, Netflix, Prime and Apple and all seem to work so far. But PCM is still tyr best option then?

If it's working there's no need to change it, especially if it's better.
But making the tv convert everything to a format the wiim supports (pcm) means it will (should!) always work.

 

[Fralle]

On the same subject: I can sett my LG TV to bypass or use a slider that goes from 0-60. This is under the menu for "Match audio and video/sync". What is best to use here?

 

[Aquaman]

On the same subject: I can sett my LG TV to bypass or use a slider that goes from 0-60. This is under the menu for "Match audio and video/sync". What is best to use here?

This is lip syncing. Adjust it until the sound matches the video. There‘s no standard setting.

 

[Fralle]

After trying all of my streaming services using Pass-through this is what is showing on the Ultra. When using my Blu ray player it says LPCM. So as long as it works this should be a cleaner way of doing it right? Cause I am guessing the Wiims Internal sound processing will do a better job than the LGs?

 

[s3igell]

I am guessing the Wiims Internal sound processing will do a better job than the LGs

In general, yes. For instance, PCM can encode 7.1 or 5.1 or 2.1 or 2.0, but the Ultra cannot directly handle a few of these yet it is unlikely that your LG TV exposes any transcoding controls beyond PCM vs Pass-Thru. However, realize that the source Audio Format is dictated by individual TV Apps and HDMI Inputs. So Pass-Thru might send PCM Stereo for one App, and Dolby Digital 5.1 for another, yet source DTS or ATMOS for others (formats the Ultra cannot handle).

 

[Fralle]

yet source DTS or ATMOS for others (formats the Ultra cannot handle).

I actually did try playing a Blu-ray with the DTS HD track using pass-through. It worked fine and the Wiim was showing LPCM on it's screen. I guess I could just continue with pass-through until I (or if) I run into something where it wont work, and then and only then go back to PCM. What I like about pass-through is that the volume from the TV matches the volume from streaming via Ethernet way better. If I use the PCM setting on the TV I have to turn the volume up like 20-30% more than when using pass-through.

 

[Mr Ee]

If I use the PCM setting on the TV I have to turn the volume up like 20-30% more than when using pass-through.

You could try using the pre-gain option (Audio Input screen) to boost the hdmi input.