Wiim Amp Pro + Plex on a remote server = Impossible to work?

[löli2000]

I have built a simple hifi stereo with a Wiim Amp Pro.

Today I tried to connect my Wiim to my Plex server and it worked, so far, as I could not select my library. It is shown but greyed out with "Not available".

My first instinct was, that it had to do with that my Plex server is not in my network, but on a rented server far away. (Like the trouble shooting guide of Wiim also says: https://faq.wiimhome.com/en/support...onnect-to-plex-media-server-via-wiim-home-app)

But that doesn't not fit with my error message "Not available", because that would indicate the Plex media server is just unavailable. (I already restarted the server, doesn't work either.) So I am really confused here.

I already checked my "secured connection" setting, it is set to "preferred" (like suggested here: https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/plex-integration-unable-to-discover-your-library.4831/)

So my questions are:

1. Is it even possible, that my Plex set up (i.e. using a remote server) will work?
2. If not, how do I fix it?
a. Is it an issue with my Plex server?
b. Is it a Wiim issue?

Thanks in advance!

 

[pieterv1]

I was hoping a WiiM unit can be used at my remote Plex users places (who don’t have Plex Pass) and stream from my Plex library like can be done with their Sonos speakers using the Sonos Plex integration. From what I’m reading here is that this is not possible for the WiiM Plex integration - apparently everything must be on the same network(?)

That is in fact the issue currently. And the main reason why I'd like to see Plex(amp) endpoint support built-in to the WiiM devices. So we can just use the native Plex apps with all their functionality instead of having to rely on the WiiM Home app which is just trying to mimick the same experience (and doesn't do an amazing job at that)

 

[timmo]

@pieterv1 - I ***might*** see what you’re saying now about the Plex(amp) endpoint (I see that Sonos and Google Cast are supported from Plexamp app which works with casting to my Pro/Pro-Plus since they have Chromecast built-in) - I’m sure I’m still missing something here though with what ya’ll are talking about … haha … I’m sorry if that’s the case. I don’t have a firm grasp on “headless Plexamp(?)” quite yet if that’s what’s actually being discussed (I just have my Plex server hosted on Synology which drives both Plex and Plexamp access to my library).

@simbun - Even though WiiM’s documentation states that it must be on the same network for the WiiM Home app integration of Plex, has anyone in this thread actually tried to connect a remote Plex server successfully within the WiiM Home app and see if it connects okay (similar to Sonos)? I don’t think a Plex Pass matters at all in this scenario (since it doesn’t matter with Sonos). If no one has tried a remote Plex server here I can create a separate thread about this. I just can’t test this scenario out at the moment. Thanks

 

[simbun]

Even though WiiM’s documentation states that it must be on the same network for the WiiM Home app integration of Plex, has anyone in this thread actually tried to connect a remote Plex server successfully within the WiiM Home app and see if it connects okay (similar to Sonos)?

Mainly in the Plex Beta thread: https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/beta-test-plex.4671/post-117632

 

[pieterv1]

headless Plexamp

Actually headless Plexamp is a full instance of the Plexamp app which can run in a (lightweight) Linux environment, on a low power Raspberry Pi for example.
- the full player can be accessed over a web interface
- since you're logged in to this instance, it'll always show up as an endpoint in the other Plex(amp) apps on your phone, pc... to hand off playback to the headless device. This will allow bit-perfect playback, eq, fades etc, depending on the settings you made on the headless version. There's none of the limitations from Airplay or Chromecast.

I think WiiM/Plex would have to come up with some sort of in-between solution, because running a full instance of Plexamp headless on a WiiM device would take up too much resources (and currently it requires a Plex pass subscription). There would have to be a native protocol to detect the WiiM devices from within the Plex apps and allow for bit-perfect, gapless playback (eq is already handled by the WiiM's DSP) - without the overhead of the full web interface.