In 2021, the WiSA launched a certification program to ensure simple connection and interoperability between its WiSA SoundSend Wireless Audio transmitter and select smart TVs.
From David Gold, President of Hisense USA: “Premium audio enhancements such as Dolby Atmos immersive audio along with support for WiSA SoundSend pack premium performance in these TV Series…We are proud to continually deliver best-in-class technology, and with the help of the WiSA Association, enable wireless multichannel audio without compromise for impeccable entertainment experiences at home.”
Tip: What Is WiSA? What You Need To Know And How It Works
What WiSA SoundSend Is
The WiSA SoundSend is an external hub that works with TVs via HDMI ARC/eARC and uses WiSA HT wireless audio technology to connect to WiSA-certified speaker systems (2 to 8 channels).
Connecting a WiSA SoundSend to a certified Hisense U7K and U8K ULED TV ensures better compatibility. According to a statement from WiSA regarding the importance of certification: “In our testing, we’ve found that some TVs can’t pass the highest quality audio formats that SoundSend can process. We’ve also seen irregularities in some TVs’ handling of CEC commands sent to and received from SoundSend…”
Tip: SoundSound can also be connected to a TV via a digital optical connection, but you will not be able to access HDMI-ARC/eARC connectivity features. However, you can also use the digital optical connection on the SoundSend to connect to another external audio source if desired.
With the WiSA SoundSend, consumers can experience a TV listening experience that goes beyond that of most soundbars, without the connection clutter of a traditional home theater receiver and wired speaker system.
Tip: Although sound signals are transmitted wirelessly from the SoundSend, WiSA speakers do need to be plugged into AC power to operate as each speaker (and subwoofer) has its own built-in amplifier. Once the SoundSend and loudpeakers are powered up, the SoundSend will wirelessly search for and identify each speaker for proper surround sound channel distribution.
WiSA SoundSend Specifications
- Setup and Control Support: WiSA SoundSend App (iOS/Android)
- Connection Compatibility: All Smart TVs with HDMI ARC or eARC
- Wireless Audio Quality: Uncompressed 24-bit 48/96 kHz sound
- Signal latency: 5.2 milliseconds
- Channel Support: Up to 8 channels (wireless)
- Channel Synchronization: 1 microsecond
- Audio Format Decoding: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos
- Speaker Support: WiSA Certified Speakers and Speaker Systems
- Maximum Number of Speakers Supported: 12
- Dimensions (HW): 1.0625 inches (27 mm) x 4.3125 inches(110 mm)
- Pricing and Availability: $179 at Amazon
You can also buy pre-packaged WiSA-enabled home theater speaker systems bundled with the WiSA Soundsend, such as the THX-Tuned Platin Monaco 5.1.2 Dolby Amos System which is available for $1,299 at Amazon (the Hisense U7K and U8K support Dolby Atmos).
Just as in 2022, Hisense has brought WiSA SoundSend Certification to select ULED TV models that were previewed at the 2023 CES.
Tip: ULED is a marketing label used by Hisense to identify its 4K UHD LCD-based TVs that incorporate several technologies, which are not exclusive to Hisense, to improve image quality.
Hisense U8K Series
- TV Type: LCD-based
- Screen Surface: Anti-Glare/Low Reflection Panel
- Display Resolution: 4K UHD
- Backlight System: Mini-LED Full-Array with Local Dimming
- Color Enhancement: Quantum Dot
- Peak Brightness: 1500 nits
- Full Array Backlighting: 1,000+ Dimming Zones
- Viewing Enhancements: IMAX Enhanced, Filmmaker Mode
- HDR Support: HDR10/10+, Dolby Vision, amd HLG, support are included.
- Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, eARC, and WiSA-ready.
- Built-in Audio System: 2.1.2 channels (50 watts total output)
- Gaming features: HDMI 2.1, auto-low-latency mode (ALLM), variable refresh rate (VRR) with 144Hz refresh rate support, AMD Freesync, and Game Mode Pro setting.
- Tuners: Digital ATSC 1.0 and NextGenTV (ATSC 3.0) built-in.
- Smart TV Platform: Google TV OS
- Voice Assistants: Google Assistant, “Works with Alexa”
- Wi-Fi: 6e Triple Band
U8K Screen Sizes and Pricing
Hisense U7K Series
The Hisense U7K Series TVs have the same features, including Mini-LED backlighting and Quantum Dot color enhancement, as the U8K Series sets with the following exceptions:
- Screen Surface: Does not have an Anti-Glare/Low Reflection Panel
- Peak Brightness: 1,000 nits (33% lower than U8K)
- Full Array Backlighting: 500+ Dimming Zones (half that of U8K)
- Built-in Audio: 2.1 channels (40 watts total output)
U7K Screen Sizes and Pricing
Tip: Although the 2023 Hisense TVs are not shipping just yet, select 2022 Hisense 4K TVs are also WiSA Certified and available now.
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