WiiM HDMI personal opinion

[E7X7]

I am researching this subject and am getting conflicting information. Linkplay implemented hdmi, but violated the basic functions of the hdmi protocol. Arc/eArc implies an audio return channel. Therefore, there must be a direct channel. According to the rules we should get a channel to input and a channel to output. Linkplay blatantly violates this rule and is misleading in its lack of logic. On the forum people have been screaming the most that the WiiM is a streamer first and foremost and input channels are overkill. Where's the logic in that? If it's neutered in production, it's a big mistake. If this is done intentionally programmatically, it needs to be fixed. The WiiM ultra could have been a legend and a universal device, but it's just another neutered dud. Every new device is produced neutered. All the time something works weird and illogical. Simple example. I have a hdmi matrix orei bk-402a and it is a great device. The ARC function works as it should, by the book! All audio from input ports 1-4 and output ports 1-2 are returned to input port 1. That's the point of ARC technology. So I plugged my Apple TV 4K into input port 1 and output the sound to the default HomePods speakers. This is an awesome decision to bring airplay back to literally any hdmi device. I'd like to buy a WiiM ultra, but Linkplay hit on the very essence of hdmi ARC. And I'm silent on the issue of usb-c as an audio interface. Is it really hard in 2024-25 to have full HDMI?

Exemplary Scheme.

 

[Wiimer]

Wiim is not an AVR. It cannot send or receive video signals.

 

[goodmore]

You asked for personal opinions so I will state mine. The entire idea of ARC is of no importance to me. I bought the Amp Pro for streaming music. I have a 5.1 system downstairs for watching TV. The proper tool for the proper job. I would have much preferred a headphone jack on the front of the Amp.

 

[Burnside]

I am researching this subject and am getting conflicting information. Linkplay implemented hdmi, but violated the basic functions of the hdmi protocol. Arc/eArc implies an audio return channel. Therefore, there must be a direct channel. According to the rules we should get a channel to input and a channel to output. Linkplay blatantly violates this rule and is misleading in its lack of logic. On the forum people have been screaming the most that the WiiM is a streamer first and foremost and input channels are overkill. Where's the logic in that? If it's neutered in production, it's a big mistake. If this is done intentionally programmatically, it needs to be fixed. The WiiM ultra could have been a legend and a universal device, but it's just another neutered dud. Every new device is produced neutered. All the time something works weird and illogical. Simple example. I have a hdmi matrix orei bk-402a and it is a great device. The ARC function works as it should, by the book! All audio from input ports 1-4 and output ports 1-2 are returned to input port 1. That's the point of ARC technology. So I plugged my Apple TV 4K into input port 1 and output the sound to the default HomePods speakers. This is an awesome decision to bring airplay back to literally any hdmi device. I'd like to buy a WiiM ultra, but Linkplay hit on the very essence of hdmi ARC. And I'm silent on the issue of usb-c as an audio interface. Is it really hard in 2024-25 to have full HDMI?

I’d suggest you continue researching. The functionality provided by the HDMI Arc connection of the Ultra, Amp and Amp Pro does all it needs to do - it takes the audio returned by the TV it’s connected to, and the input audio is dealt with by the TV, whether that be its on board audio or audio from any device connected to the TV. What audio input would you expect a WiiM device to send the tv anyway?

By your logic, any hdmi arc compatible soundbar connected to a tv would have “violated the basic functions of the hdmi protocol” and would similarly be a “dud”.

 

[dangermouse]

Reading through the threads on the subject, it does strike me that, for some users, there does seem to be a basic lack of understanding about the functionality of the ARC input on WiiM products.

 

[d6jg]

Reading through the threads on the subject, it does strike me that, for some users, there does seem to be a basic lack of understanding about the functionality of the ARC input on WiiM products. View attachment 16824

I think many just read HDMI and miss or don't realise what Arc means and end up buying something that won't do want they thought it would.

 

[E7X7]

Wiim is not an AVR. It cannot send or receive video signals.

What does the video signal have to do with what I wrote earlier. It is better to keep silent than to write nonsense.

 

[Burnside]

What does the video signal have to do with what I wrote earlier. It is better to keep silent than to write nonsense.

Guess you missed this post from the forum moderator earlier on?

https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/wiim-ultra-oddities.6359/post-107901

 

[hgo58]

What does the video signal have to do with what I wrote earlier. It is better to keep silent than to write nonsense.

Audio is embedded in the video except for the ARC.

 

[E7X7]

Oh, my God. I'm talking to the wall. None of you have any idea how HDMI ARC works. Fact. Bidirectional is implied! Don't embarrass yourself and read Sony's explanation. So there are pictures for the particularly stupid as children.

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00012943

 

[hgo58]

Oh, my God. I'm talking to the wall. None of you have any idea how HDMI ARC works. Fact. Bidirectional is implied! Don't embarrass yourself and read Sony's explanation. So there are pictures for the particularly stupid as children.

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00012943

Wow, where have you learned that language?

And yes we know what ARC is. And how it's not as other audio signals in HDMI.

 

[E7X7]

Audio is embedded in the video except for the ARC.

No, that's not true. It's a separate channel. Learn the protocol specification. HDMI audio extractor is probably just a bunch of noise to you.

 

[hgo58]

No, that's not true. It's a separate channel. Learn the protocol specification. HDMI audio extractor is probably just a bunch of noise to you.

The HDMI interface transmits digital video and audio signals together. This is achieved by integrating the audio signal into the video data stream during the encoding process. Audio data is divided into packets and sent alongside video data within the HDMI stream. These packets include timing information to ensure that the audio remains synchronized with the video.

The ARC is s completely other set of wires containing e.g. synchronous PCM data.

A HDMI audio extractor extracts the audio signal from the HDMI stream and has nothing to do with ARC.

 

[harkpabst]

Oh, my God. I'm talking to the wall. None of you have any idea how HDMI ARC works. Fact. Bidirectional is implied! Don't embarrass yourself and read Sony's explanation. So there are pictures for the particularly stupid as children.

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00012943

If this is your primary source of information then your confusion becomes understandable.

Just because an HDMI connection enables audio transfer in both directions (while traditional HDMI would only allow transfer of audio and video on one direction) does not mean that "the audio system" must be able to send audio to the TV. This is simply not the case. Sorry. Time to calm down and rethink.

 

[Incognito]

What does the video signal have to do with what I wrote earlier. It is better to keep silent than to write nonsense.

Oh, my God. I'm talking to the wall. None of you have any idea how HDMI ARC works. Fact. Bidirectional is implied! Don't embarrass yourself and read Sony's explanation. So there are pictures for the particularly stupid as children.

No, that's not true. It's a separate channel. Learn the protocol specification. HDMI audio extractor is probably just a bunch of noise to you.

The ad hominem attacks reflect poorly on your character and your opinion. If you wish to be taken seriously, I recommend that you reply with civility.

 

[Burnside]

I also wonder what audio needs to be sent to the tv from the WiiM device that would satisfy this emphasis on bidirectional?