Plex Endpoint Support / Plexamp Headless

[nadanre]

I just had a little conversation with the Plex-Support, asking about the state of plex endpoint integration. As of their last roadmap Plex Endpoint/Plexamp Headless support is listed under "actively working on".
According to the support they are still evaluating it and are in fact not actively working on it. I really would like to see headless plexamp on the wiim ultra, because the current implementation is really flawed.
For example: Under artist pages there are only albums shown, no eps or live-albums or compilations.
Also preset-playlists only contain the first 500 tracks...
From my understanding it should be easier to implement a true plex endpoint, than trying to implement all the functions "manually" and bit by bit within the wiim home app.
I guess there are a few others that would like to see this feature, since also chromecast with plexamp is really in dire need of an update, since it doesnt even show track, or artist names not even talking about album art. But from my understanding that is something the Plex/Plexamp team would need to fix/implement.

All that aside, I am still really happy with the plex support so far, and all the improvements that have been made so far.
All the best to all of you,
Navid

 

[azoriusmage]

You are correct, the chrome cast method works pretty well. Unfortunately as I block my Ultra from accessing the Internet, chrome cast doesn't work for me.
If Wiim would stop pushing firmware updates forcibly to me, I would allow the Ultra Internet access and run Plexamp thru Chromecast as you suggest.

Have Wiim set up the method by which I could roll back to previous firmware updates yet? If and when they do, documentation would be useful.

It works well unless you want to transmit from the desktop apps.

 

[CliffyBC]

It works well unless you want to transmit from the desktop apps.

I didn't realise that, I only use android phones or tablet with my Ultra.

 

[pieterv1]

The firmware.

The idea would be to dump the firmware, mount it as a file system and start poking around. I have some experience doing it for other devices. That part, generally, is relatively easy.

The more challenging piece is modifying the firmware to add the features you want, and the true challenge is getting the device to run a modified firmware that's not signed, or figure out a way to sign it.

Regardless if successful or not, it's always interesting to look under the hood.

Best of luck with that

Would be awesome if we could just push the headless version to the Ultra and get it to run in the background.

 

[thechez]

It was the reason I bought the Ultra. In that regard it’s been a disappointment. I didn’t intend to keep a Pi running at the same time but now I do so that I can use Lyrion again which I had intended to replace. I‘m pretty sure that the Ultra will do everything I want it to once they get the software right. When there was still a timeline for when things were meant to be implemented, I felt more confident that that would just be a matter of a few months.

Some things are great though. I love being able to eq my headphones.

This is the reason I finally gave up on my Ultra. Transcoding any FLAC files via Chromecast on my good stereo seemed ten steps back. Sold it and went back to my Pro so I could at least get it to stop transcoding. I might switch to Eversolo eventually damned be the cost because this wait has been a long one. It’s a shame though. The Ultra is an amazing piece of hardware for the price.

 

[pieterv1]

This is the reason I finally gave up on my Ultra. Transcoding any FLAC files via Chromecast on my good stereo seemed ten steps back. Sold it and went back to my Pro so I could at least get it to stop transcoding. I might switch to Eversolo eventually damned be the cost because this wait has been a long one. It’s a shame though. The Ultra is an amazing piece of hardware for the price.

How did you conclude that the Ultra handles Flac files over Chromecast differently compared to the Pro?

 

[thechez]

How did you conclude that the Ultra handles Flac files over Chromecast differently compared to the Pro?

Watching my PMS dashboard. It shows it actively transcoding from FLAC to OPUS. I tried asking for this to get solved here and at Plex but nobody cared. My pro director plays. I even tried editing the transcoding options in ssh but it would crash when playing a file.

 

[Intruder]

How did you conclude that the Ultra handles Flac files over Chromecast differently compared to the Pro?

PMS does it but I've been using Tautulli for years for more detailed information and a good notification integration (used to be called plexwatch)

 

[thechez]

Yes, even in Tautulli it would show it was transcoding to OPUS. Maybe if they get the headless sorted out I’d consider an Ultra again. Until then, I’ll use my Pro with my Gustard DAC.

 

[vdp]

This and the missing artwork is really annoying me as well. Eversolo...

 

[ZyntaX]

This was very disappointing. I bought the Wiim Pro exclusively for the Plex integration. Just to see it's not an integration, just a plex player in the app.
Sadly have to sell this and look to Eversolo or other player with real Plex integration.

 

[Intruder]

I don't have any of the above problems ever, it's never missed a beat... I'm running Plex on Ubuntu server and have been for over a decade..

 

[simbun]

This was very disappointing. I bought the Wiim Pro exclusively for the Plex integration. Just to see it's not an integration, just a plex player in the app.
Sadly have to sell this and look to Eversolo or other player with real Plex integration.

I take it you want PlexAmp integration?

 

[ZyntaX]

I take it you want PlexAmp integration?

Yes, my bad. Its Plexamp i talk about.
Real integration not just a plexamp player in the app that is useless (for me).

 

[CliffyBC]

This was very disappointing. I bought the Wiim Pro exclusively for the Plex integration. Just to see it's not an integration, just a plex player in the app.
Sadly have to sell this and look to Eversolo or other player with real Plex integration.

Well you did buy something that was 75% cheaper than the Eversolo, did you really expect it to perform as well? A bit of research might have indicated that the Wiim Pro didn't do exactly what you were expecting?
Or you could keep the Wiim Pro and wait for Wiim to release a proper integration for Plex which was in their roadmap?
Whether it will appear is another matter however.

 

[ZyntaX]

Well you did buy something that was 75% cheaper than the Eversolo, did you really expect it to perform as well? A bit of research might have indicated that the Wiim Pro didn't do exactly what you were expecting?
Or you could keep the Wiim Pro and wait for Wiim to release a proper integration for Plex which was in their roadmap?
Whether it will appear is another matter however.

Yeah i'll just build a diy streamer with real plexamp instead.
Sure i should have researched it further thats my bad of course.
Yeah i might hold off, will follow the beta thread and see if it is gonna happen or not.

 

[slartibartfast]

Well you did buy something that was 75% cheaper than the Eversolo, did you really expect it to perform as well? A bit of research might have indicated that the Wiim Pro didn't do exactly what you were expecting?
Or you could keep the Wiim Pro and wait for Wiim to release a proper integration for Plex which was in their roadmap?
Whether it will appear is another matter however.

Or use something other than Plex. I am sure there are many alternatives

 

[ZyntaX]

Or use something other than Plex. I am sure there are many alternatives

Nothing that works on so many platforms.
First of all i have had plex pass lifetime since 2016 and is very happy with it for both tv and music. It's my platform of choice.
I can use Plexamp client in Windows, linux, android, iOS, browser. Seamlessly switch and takeover on all devices.
If i play via Wiim app it's phone only and thats not my usecase att all.
What other free alternative would you say could compete?

 

[slartibartfast]

Nothing that works on so many platforms.
First of all i have had plex pass lifetime since 2016 and is very happy with it for both tv and music. It's my platform of choice.
I can use Plexamp client in Windows, linux, android, iOS, browser. Seamlessly switch and takeover on all devices.
If i play via Wiim app it's phone only and thats not my usecase att all.
What other free alternative would you say could compete?

Lyrion is good for music and can be controlled from any platform but if you want TV as well then Plex wins.

 

[ZyntaX]

Lyrion is good for music and can be controlled from any platform but if you want TV as well then Plex wins.

No that is not even near competitive. How would i play my music in Apple carplay? Probably possible but no this is not an alternative for me.
Plex is my choice as i stated.

 

[CliffyBC]

Or use something other than Plex. I am sure there are many alternatives

Yep there are a few decent alternatives if you spend time setting them up and are reasonably savvy with IT.
I just took out a month's subscription to try Plex and was hooked. The plex App on my Samsung TV works brilliantly as does Wiim's Home app connection. It could be improved as I'm hoping it will.
The only fly in the ointment now is the cost, Plex pretty much doubled the subscription cost 6 months ago, I got a lifetime subscription for £70 before the increase which was a real good deal.

Of course Plex's idea of what a lifetime is may not be the same as my idea.

But hey ho, I'll enjoy using it while it lasts.