I've been living with lip sync issues (audio behind the video) since I got my Playbar about a year ago but I finally decided to do something about it. After multiple conversations with Sonos support and the LG's support people (they kept blaming each other for the audio delay), I decided to email Sonos' CEO about the issue.
After a few hours, I got a reply back from him, CCing a team manager who was going to look into the issue. We scheduled a call and he had me send various diagnostics to him. He said that the engineering team was going to investigate and get back to me.
A week later, I got an update. He told that they are still working on the issue. He also said that only one other person had reported the same issue (I assume that means that only one other person with an LG TV). So, if you're having audio delay issues and you've tried all other troubleshooting, reach out to Sonos support and have them look into it. If it helps you might mention my reference number, which has already been escalated:
Keep in mind that my setup is pretty straight forward (LG C6 OLED TV connected directly to the Playbar via Optical, audio playing from the built-in apps) and every single thing LG and Sonos suggested, including going into the TV's service menu and changing things there.
I know there are multiple post on the topic so hopefully we can solve at least some of the issues causing audio delay.
If you're experiencing audio delay issues, read this
I have the same issue with a Philips OLED TV. I complained to Sonos & Philips. Sonos said it was the TV. Philips sent me an upgraded TV but the issue remains. Sonos say it is the TV that is the causing the issue when trying to process the 5.1 signal. My workaround is an optical splitter which isn’t ideal. They say TV’s with eARC are preferable but I don’t know if that’s true.
Is a HDMI splitter a better option?
I am contemplating asking Philips to take the TV back and I will get another TV (with eARC). But reading the forums I may get another make TV with the same issue. So frustrating.
I picked up a cheap HDMI splitter/audio extractor and it fixes the audio delay issues I had, unfortunately, there are issues with the transfer rate of 4K video using the splitter that cause a flickering screen, which is to be expected from a £16.99 splitter!
There are many splitters out there, and some (like mine) advertise as working with 4K@60fps, but they are hit and miss I feel and mostly seem to be cheap and nasty solutions.
If you only have one external device to hook up you could try the HDFury Arcana, but it’s expensive.
My ultimate solution is a new TV, but I am due an upgrade anyway.
I have three devices (set top box, PS4 & TV) which I would need to connect. I have just found out that the HDFury Arcana doesn’t support the Beam anyway sadly. A new TV may be the best option for me but it’s a lottery as I would have no way to know which TV’s/males have this issue and which ones don’t.
I think your best option is to try a splitter/audio extractor. Are you using a base PS4 or Pro? I ask because if you don’t need 4k support then there are more options available.
Please add me to the list here of disappointed Sonos Arc owners.
I just recently purchased a Sonos Arc for my 2017 LG B7 OLED, which is Atmos and ARC compatible.
I have a brand new Chromecast with Google TV and an XBOX One X (both Atmos compatible) hooked up to the TV, then running audio to the Sonos Arc via the HDMI ARC out (not eARC). All devices and TV set to bitstream (non-PCM).
When I use my LG TV’s internal streaming apps, audio/video sync is perfect, including Atmos content on Netflix, Vudu etc. Verified via Sonos app that it is receiving full Atmos signal.
When I try to listen to Dolby content coming from my external devices, the audio is noticeably behind the video.
- Dolby Atmos content from the Chromecast or Xbox works but there is significant delay to the point of unwatchability
- Non-Atmos Dolby 5.1 content from Chromecast or Xbox is a little bit delayed… noticeable if you’re looking for it.
- PCM audio from Chromecast or Xbox has no sync issues.
I’ve messed with all the various audio settings in my TV to make sure any sort of additional processing is removed. I’ve also tried playing with the delay, because LG does offer the option to move sound earlier, but moving it as early as it goes (-5 in the settings) doesn’t fix it enough on Atmos (also it’s not a great fix given that the TV is applying this negative delay to all content on a given input uniformly regardless of audio format.
I’m totally at a loss on what to do. Buying some third party audio splitter like the Sharc makes the elegance of the Sonos a moot point. And this seems like a pretty systemic issue with many popular TV manufacturers. Even with all the various Sonos and Reddit forum posts, plus this Guardian article (https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/sep/06/that-syncing-feeling-when-your-soundbar-lets-you-down), I’m surprised more people aren't complaining, because I don't think my TV/component combo is any sort of “edge case”… it’s pretty common. Are most people just using their TV’s streaming apps exclusively for Atmos content and therefore not seeing the delay?
From what I understand, even if I upgraded to a new TV like the LG CX that has HDMI 2.1 and eARC, this lip sync would still be a problem because neither Xbox One X nor any streaming box is HDMI 2.1 compatible so it couldn’t utilize more advance synchronization on those devices.
Where’s the list of popular high quality HDTVs that have been verified as not having this issue with external devices running Atmos?
I really love the look and the sound and the simplicity of the Sonos Arc, and I don't want to return it, but I may be forced to exchange it for a soundbar that doesn’t rely on ARC and just does a more standard receiver-style HDMI passthrough to avoid these audio delays.
Does anyone have any other suggestions before I throw in the towel?
Thanks!
Ben
You actually answered your own question, whether you like the solution or not. The Sonos ar Soundbar is designed to work with eARC and getting dolby atmos at lossless TrueHD. Anything else and you aren't getting it's potential.
So the answer you stated regarding PCM output allowing the audio to be synced up with the video is typically accurate. When the TV sends out the sound as pcm, that means it has already processed the sound and output it in a format that will be able to be sent out to the speakers via another device (we won't go too far into details). Since your TV is the one doing the converting, it knows when to send that audio signal out and how long it's own video processing delay is currently taking so it can send that audio out at a perfect time and the receiving Soundbar can pretty much instantly play it since it's already been converted to an uncompressed format (PCM) from a compressed format (DD, DD+, etc.).
The downside to this is that obviously you won't get native atmos capabilities once that tv converts an atmos signal to pcm. The native player needs to do that since it's not just simply channels anymore from where the sound comes from, but a spatial way of recording all around you basically. Anyways, surround systems or sound bars will up mix your content to what it is capable of doing and usually sounds pretty darn good.
What are the reasons you don't want to use PCM in the mean time until you can get an eARC capable TV, or one of those splitters that do lip sync with any format you want to send. I forgot the name, but it's a couple hundred $ to buy. And yeah, for eARC to work, only the sending device and receiving device need that to work as far as I know (someone correct me if I'm wrong) if everything is setup properly settings wise and you're outputting the sound out from the eARC port of the new tv (or splitter if you want to go that route), lip sync should work no problem. It is a mandatory standard now for all of these new hdmi devices to mandate lip sync support. There is only going to be one eArc out port on a television so to say that all the input devices would have to support it as well may not be true as their ports aren't labeled eARC or anything. The TV handles all of the content from the input device such as an Xbox and negotiates with the sound bar on what to play when, based on delays. I don't believe the Xbox has to do anything on its part.
Hi, my turn to complain ahah. I have a Philips 43PUS7354 and a Sonos Beam which works perfectly while watching content from apps inside the TV (Kodi, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video...), but when I use a PS4, there is a delay in audio of something between 0,5 to 1 second, which is very annoying, specially in FPS. I’ve set my TV settings to “Multichannel” output and my PS4 to “Bitstream (Dolby)”. The sound is great with 5.1 output but with a delay. If I put the PS4 to “Linear PCM” and/or the TV to “Stereo”, then there is no delay, but it’s much less immersive… I tried pretty much every combination (HDMI or Optical), and if I connect directly the Beam in the Optical output of the PS4, I get 5.1 and no delay. So there’s definitely something in the processing by the TV that delays audio.
I have an hypothesis : when the Beam is plugged into the PS4, the Beam tells “I want DD 5.1” so the PS4 decode the audio, encode it in the right format and passes it to the Beam. With a TV in the middle, the PS4 decode the audio, encode it to whichever format the TV accept (and it can accept a lot), which is then decoded by the TV and reencoded in DD 5.1 to be send to the Beam. The extra process could explain the delay, which could depend on the power of the TV.
I could be totally wrong on this, but if it’s true, there is no viable solution, except asking Sonos to support to support more format (DTS, Dolby Digital Plus) or asking TV manufacturer to put an option to manually set the audio format the TV can accept through its HDMI ports.
+1
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B071WVXZKY
For me it's the perfect device for a Playbar surround setup in combination with a LG OLED TV and it gets even better by using also an AppleTV (4K) and a Logitech Harmony. The switch has four HDMI inputs, one HDMI output as well as an optical SPDIF output.
As a result:
- 100% lip-sync out of the box on all devices (set top box, PS4, etc.)
- HDMI ARC is working for the LG TV connected on the output of the switch
- supports 4K @60Hz, HDR, CEC, Dolby Vision
- remote control included, works also with Logitech Harmony (Hub)
- with an Apple TV (4/4K) it adds AirPlay2 without the need to turn on the TV
- with an Apple TV (4/4K) it's possible to convert every audio signal to AC3 5.1 on the fly to get multichannel on the playbar
I'm really surprised that it works so smooth with the help of an affordable device. Most of the HDMI switches don't support HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.2), 4K at 60Hz etc. but this one does. It solves all my lip-sync issues which by the way is a prove that this is nothing more but a silly bug on the LG TV, it's not because of some picture optimization thing. It's possible to connect up to four devices plus the TV thanks to HDMI ARC. The sound of apps from the TV are also 100% in sync by using ARC. Make sure to connect it to the HDMI-2 port and activate ARC in the sound settings of the LG TV. For me it's the perfect device for the LG TV. So now I'm using my LG OLED TV basically only as a HDMI display (not Smart but Dumb-TV so to say). :D
By the way, since there are no lip sync issues when using the HDMI-2 ARC output on the LG, I would also expect that there is no lip-sync issue when using a Sonos Beam. The audio delay is only there when using the optical output on the LG TV.
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B071WVXZKY
For me it's the perfect device for a Playbar surround setup in combination with a LG OLED TV and it gets even better by using also an AppleTV (4K) and a Logitech Harmony. The switch has four HDMI inputs, one HDMI output as well as an optical SPDIF output.
As a result:
- 100% lip-sync out of the box on all devices (set top box, PS4, etc.)
- HDMI ARC is working for the LG TV connected on the output of the switch
- supports 4K @60Hz, HDR, CEC, Dolby Vision
- remote control included, works also with Logitech Harmony (Hub)
- with an Apple TV (4/4K) it adds AirPlay2 without the need to turn on the TV
- with an Apple TV (4/4K) it's possible to convert every audio signal to AC3 5.1 on the fly to get multichannel on the playbar
I'm really surprised that it works so smooth with the help of an affordable device. Most of the HDMI switches don't support HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.2), 4K at 60Hz etc. but this one does. It solves all my lip-sync issues which by the way is a prove that this is nothing more but a silly bug on the LG TV, it's not because of some picture optimization thing. It's possible to connect up to four devices plus the TV thanks to HDMI ARC. The sound of apps from the TV are also 100% in sync by using ARC. Make sure to connect it to the HDMI-2 port and activate ARC in the sound settings of the LG TV. For me it's the perfect device for the LG TV. So now I'm using my LG OLED TV basically only as a HDMI display (not Smart but Dumb-TV so to say). :D
By the way, since there are no lip sync issues when using the HDMI-2 ARC output on the LG, I would also expect that there is no lip-sync issue when using a Sonos Beam. The audio delay is only there when using the optical output on the LG TV.
It would be cheaper to go down the optical splitter route in my opinion. Also the Vorke box doesn’t fully support all display modes provided by the Nvidia Shield.
Otherwise a good solution.
+1
Maybe cheaper but since the Apple TV (4/4K) doesn't have an optical-out it wouldn't work. I'd also lose the ability to use AirPlay(2) when the TV is off. Plus if you're using smart apps from the TV itself, you need the HDMI-ARC possibility in order to avoid using the optical-out of the LG TV (which causes the lip-sync issues in the first place).
Which display options are not supported? Concerning the AppleTV, it supports everything up to Dolby Vision 4K. You just have to make sure to use the best/fastest possible HDMI cables because there are now always two cables involved with the HDMI switch (from the device to the switch to the TV). I had two cables which didn't work without distortions even though there was "highspeed" written on them.
Maybe cheaper but since the Apple TV (4/4K) doesn't have an optical-out it wouldn't work. I'd also lose the ability to use AirPlay(2) when the TV is off. Plus if you're using smart apps from the TV itself, you need the HDMI-ARC possibility in order to avoid using the optical-out of the LG TV (which causes lip-sync issues).
People above said the Apple TV doesn’t suffer the delay. But for other HDMI only devices it may work. However for the Nvidia Shield it won’t.
The in built apps do not suffer the delay, only HDMI sources.
I have really noticeable audio lag when using streaming services eg Netflix. Anyone else having similar and can advise on how to eliminate it?
Thanks
I do not own any Sonos products, but rather have a TCL Roku TV and a Vizio 5.1 Sound Bar and have experienced the same issue of audio delay/lag. From the reading I've done on the internet, it is clear to me that this is a universal problem. For whatever reason, TVs (and I'd say primarily this seems to be a problem with streaming services) are unable to process 5.1 surround sound properly, and we end up with a lag. This is not a problem isolated to LG or Sony or TCL, but a problem across the board.
My own suspicion is that TV shows and movies are still building an audio delay into the signal because the video should theoretically come after the audio, since there is so much more information. However, when surround sound is thrown into the mix, that all changes. I think the only true solution to this would be to put pressure on the TV manufacturers or streaming device manufacturers to include a setting that allows for adjusting av lag in both directions. It is clear that this audio lag is a widespread problem, and yet it is still only possible to compensate for video lag. So infuriating!!
My uncle has a traditional AV receiver and surround sound set up connected to his TCL Roku TV, and still has the same audio lag problems.
Let's put pressure on all the TV manufacturers to find a solution! Or perhaps it's time to get Dolby and DTS involved, since it's their product(s) that suffer.
I can confirm the Apple TV 4K situation. The audio is perfectly in sync here when the Audio output is set fixed to 5.1 (and HDMI is set to Dolby Vision). It even converts DTS Audio (e.g. from the Infuse App) to 5.1 AC3.
However there is a huge delay with my cable set top box (VU+ Uno 4K SE). I have to adjust the Dolby Digital delay in the set top box to -425ms(!!) in order to get the audio in sync. I haven't tried the PS4 and Nintendo Switch yet.
I didn't check the current firmware version of my TV yet, the online update says I'm already on the latest version but maybe I have to update manually. I'll double check tonight.
Hi Marco,
is your problem fixed with an LG firmware update yet?
My setup includes a LG OLED W7V (same panel and probably same firmware like your B7), a Playbase with Sub and two 1s for 5.1 and an external "VU+ Solo2" satellite receiver.
With any VU+ content (satellite or media player) the lip sync problem seems to pop up. Haven't played with any settings yet (in Sonos app or VU lip sync delay).
Thanks,
Timo
I can confirm the Apple TV 4K situation. The audio is perfectly in sync here when the Audio output is set fixed to 5.1 (and HDMI is set to Dolby Vision). It even converts DTS Audio (e.g. from the Infuse App) to 5.1 AC3.
However there is a huge delay with my cable set top box (VU+ Uno 4K SE). I have to adjust the Dolby Digital delay in the set top box to -425ms(!!) in order to get the audio in sync. I haven't tried the PS4 and Nintendo Switch yet.
I didn't check the current firmware version of my TV yet, the online update says I'm already on the latest version but maybe I have to update manually. I'll double check tonight.
Hi Marco,
is your problem fixed with an LG firmware update yet?
My setup includes a LG OLED W7V (same panel and probably same firmware like your B7), a Playbase with Sub and two 1s for 5.1 and an external "VU+ Solo2" satellite receiver.
With any VU+ content (satellite or media player) the lip sync problem seems to pop up. Haven't played with any settings yet (in Sonos app or VU lip sync delay).
Thanks,
Timo
It hasn't been for me. I have to manually play with the audio sync options to get it close enough.
I have an LG OLED55B7T and Playbase connected via Optical Audio directly from the TV as well as following devices connected:
- ATV (3rd gen) via HDMI
- Laptop via HDMI
I have no problems with lip sync from LG inbuilt TV tuner and inbuilt apps (YouTube, Netflix, various Catch Up TV apps here in Aus). However there is typically lip sync issues from ATV content and the extent of that depends on the type of audio and which app, with Dolby 5.1 audio source typically having the worst lip sync and PCM generally being fine. Again this is consistent with what is outlined in this thread.
When I tried a friend's Chromecast HD, same lip sync issues occurred as as with ATV.
(As a note I had no lip sync issues using a previous 10 yr old Sony LCD TV with Optical audio out connected to the Playbase with the same setup)
So if the problem is the Optical Audio Out from the LG TV, rather than going the full HDMI 4-1 Switcher Option outlined above would it be simpler to connect the Playbase to the LG TV via an HDMI Audio Extractor as such:
LG OLED --> via HDMI ARC --> HDMI Audio Extractor --> via Optical Audio Cable --> Playbase
Eg. HDMI Audio Extractor
https://www.lindy.com.au/4k-hdmi-audio-extractor-with-hdmi-pass-through?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2P3Qj_zZ3AIVyqmWCh1EBwObEAQYASABEgLMLvD_BwE
Would this setup essentially solve the lip sync problem, while maintaining the LG TV to carry out as being the HDMI source switch since the Audio coming out of LG TV would be coming out through HDMI ARC not Optical Audio Out?
Or is the issue to completely bypass Audio Processing by the LG TV for any external HDMI sources?
This sounds like a great solution if it works. I ended up going for an optical switch which works flawlessly and switches remotely from my Harmony remote but something like this would be even better
If you do happen to try this, please let us know how you get on!
My setup is pretty straightforward:
PS4 Pro to LG OLED E7 to Sonos Beam.
Built in apps on the LG TV are fine (Netflix etc), freeview is fine, playing Dolby content from USB connected to the TV is fine.
PS4, when set to PCM output is fine (games, and apps like Sky go)
However, when the PS4 is set the PS4 to Bitstream Dolby, ithe audio is a good second behind the video.
PCM sounds far inferior to Dolby when I switch the PS4 back to it, and the Sonos app reports the Beam is receiving stereo when PCM is selected, as opposed to 5.1 when switched to Dolby.
I’ve tried changing every setting possible, both on the PS4, the TV and the app. All to no avail.
I’m concerned that other external sources (I’m getting Virgin Media in Nov) are also going to be problematic with the Beam, so I’m thinking of just returning the thing while I can.
Can anyone confirm that PCM is inferior to Dolby when it comes to the Beam? Or is it just me imagining it?!
@Bulletbling. Thank you for the quick response. A couple thoughts:
- In all the literature and press surrounding the Sonos Arc, it was clearly stated that the biggest “sacrifice” one makes by having only an ARC compatible TV (not eARC) is the inability to decode uncompressed TrueHD Atmos… but compressed DD+ Atmos would still work fine over ARC. This was a fine tradeoff for me since I don’t watch BluRays and all my Atmos content is streamed anyway or via Xbox One X. What certainly is not mentioned out there in the world is that almost all major ARC televisions also have a habit of introducing soul-crushing audio delay through any external HDMI input device pumping out Atmos or even regular 5.1
- Switching to PCM to avoid sync issues is more than a slight compromise IMO. At least on my TV (and perhaps on all ARC) if I switch the LG to PCM mode it outputs all surround sources (Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1) to stereo 2.0 audio. Didn’t pay this much for an Atmos soundbar to watch in stereo.
- I actually don’t feel entirely confident that upgrading to an eARC TV would solve all my problems. There seems to be plenty of threads on this forum, reddit, etc with LG CX owners, for example, complaining about the same issues. Is there a confirmed list of eARC compatible TVs that are confirmed to work perfectly sending an Atmos bitstream to the Sonos Arc over eArc from external HDMI devices (not TV’s internal apps)? I am probably going to upgrade my TV to a 2021 model in the near future but for now I have no confidence that things on my Xbox Series X or Chromecast with Google TV will work perfectly with true Atmos bitstream decoded by the Sonos.
-
I don’t feel like this is a case of “buyer beware”… I do my research and I knew I was sacrificing ability to get Dolby TrueHD Atmos and was fine with that. If folks want to buy a $200 splitter thingy so they can route uncompressed audio from their BluRay to their Arc, I get it...but I don’t feel like “you should have known” applies to this sync issue. I have to imagine the vast majority of Sonos Arc owners today have ARC TVs, not eARC TVs, so they are all experiencing this somewhat fatal flaw.
You actually answered your own question, whether you like the solution or not. The Sonos ar Soundbar is designed to work with eARC and getting dolby atmos at lossless TrueHD. Anything else and you aren't getting it's potential.
So the answer you stated regarding PCM output allowing the audio to be synced up with the video is typically accurate. When the TV sends out the sound as pcm, that means it has already processed the sound and output it in a format that will be able to be sent out to the speakers via another device (we won't go too far into details). Since your TV is the one doing the converting, it knows when to send that audio signal out and how long it's own video processing delay is currently taking so it can send that audio out at a perfect time and the receiving Soundbar can pretty much instantly play it since it's already been converted to an uncompressed format (PCM) from a compressed format (DD, DD+, etc.).
The downside to this is that obviously you won't get native atmos capabilities once that tv converts an atmos signal to pcm. The native player needs to do that since it's not just simply channels anymore from where the sound comes from, but a spatial way of recording all around you basically. Anyways, surround systems or sound bars will up mix your content to what it is capable of doing and usually sounds pretty darn good.
What are the reasons you don't want to use PCM in the mean time until you can get an eARC capable TV, or one of those splitters that do lip sync with any format you want to send. I forgot the name, but it's a couple hundred $ to buy. And yeah, for eARC to work, only the sending device and receiving device need that to work as far as I know (someone correct me if I'm wrong) if everything is setup properly settings wise and you're outputting the sound out from the eARC port of the new tv (or splitter if you want to go that route), lip sync should work no problem. It is a mandatory standard now for all of these new hdmi devices to mandate lip sync support. There is only going to be one eArc out port on a television so to say that all the input devices would have to support it as well may not be true as their ports aren't labeled eARC or anything. The TV handles all of the content from the input device such as an Xbox and negotiates with the sound bar on what to play when, based on delays. I don't believe the Xbox has to do anything on its part.
Hi
Just checking if there was any solution found to this lip sync issue?
I have a Beam and two One SLs set up as surrounds, connected to a LG48CX over hdmi arc, with eARC enabled on the TV - and I am experiencing out of sync sound / video on my virgin 360 box and on in-built smart tv apps like netflix etc
Is there a solution please?
Thanks
I have just spent some time with LG "Helpdesk" on this as I am seeing the same issue on a BT UHD box as well as SkyQ. Strangely my Apple TV 4 (non 4k version) works absolutely fine??? Weird. LG are very unhelpful to say the least.
My setup is using HDMI direct to the LG and then optical out into a Sonos Playbar. SkyQ & BT UHD work 100% fine if using optical out from the PVR's direct to the Playbar, so I assume it must be something to do with the HDMI signal in from those PVRs and how the LG processes those signals to outputs. It all works fine if using the LG on board speakers as well (not that you would want to use them!) The issue is only present when the SkyQ and BT UHD PVRs are set to Dolby or Dolby + and using HDMI for audio. No delays with stereo settings.
@Bulletbling. Thank you for the quick response. A couple thoughts:
- In all the literature and press surrounding the Sonos Arc, it was clearly stated that the biggest “sacrifice” one makes by having only an ARC compatible TV (not eARC) is the inability to decode uncompressed TrueHD Atmos… but compressed DD+ Atmos would still work fine over ARC. This was a fine tradeoff for me since I don’t watch BluRays and all my Atmos content is streamed anyway or via Xbox One X. What certainly is not mentioned out there in the world is that almost all major ARC televisions also have a habit of introducing soul-crushing audio delay through any external HDMI input device pumping out Atmos or even regular 5.1
- Switching to PCM to avoid sync issues is more than a slight compromise IMO. At least on my TV (and perhaps on all ARC) if I switch the LG to PCM mode it outputs all surround sources (Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1) to stereo 2.0 audio. Didn’t pay this much for an Atmos soundbar to watch in stereo.
- I actually don’t feel entirely confident that upgrading to an eARC TV would solve all my problems. There seems to be plenty of threads on this forum, reddit, etc with LG CX owners, for example, complaining about the same issues. Is there a confirmed list of eARC compatible TVs that are confirmed to work perfectly sending an Atmos bitstream to the Sonos Arc over eArc from external HDMI devices (not TV’s internal apps)? I am probably going to upgrade my TV to a 2021 model in the near future but for now I have no confidence that things on my Xbox Series X or Chromecast with Google TV will work perfectly with true Atmos bitstream decoded by the Sonos.
-
I don’t feel like this is a case of “buyer beware”… I do my research and I knew I was sacrificing ability to get Dolby TrueHD Atmos and was fine with that. If folks want to buy a $200 splitter thingy so they can route uncompressed audio from their BluRay to their Arc, I get it...but I don’t feel like “you should have known” applies to this sync issue. I have to imagine the vast majority of Sonos Arc owners today have ARC TVs, not eARC TVs, so they are all experiencing this somewhat fatal flaw.
You actually answered your own question, whether you like the solution or not. The Sonos ar Soundbar is designed to work with eARC and getting dolby atmos at lossless TrueHD. Anything else and you aren't getting it's potential.
So the answer you stated regarding PCM output allowing the audio to be synced up with the video is typically accurate. When the TV sends out the sound as pcm, that means it has already processed the sound and output it in a format that will be able to be sent out to the speakers via another device (we won't go too far into details). Since your TV is the one doing the converting, it knows when to send that audio signal out and how long it's own video processing delay is currently taking so it can send that audio out at a perfect time and the receiving Soundbar can pretty much instantly play it since it's already been converted to an uncompressed format (PCM) from a compressed format (DD, DD+, etc.).
The downside to this is that obviously you won't get native atmos capabilities once that tv converts an atmos signal to pcm. The native player needs to do that since it's not just simply channels anymore from where the sound comes from, but a spatial way of recording all around you basically. Anyways, surround systems or sound bars will up mix your content to what it is capable of doing and usually sounds pretty darn good.
What are the reasons you don't want to use PCM in the mean time until you can get an eARC capable TV, or one of those splitters that do lip sync with any format you want to send. I forgot the name, but it's a couple hundred $ to buy. And yeah, for eARC to work, only the sending device and receiving device need that to work as far as I know (someone correct me if I'm wrong) if everything is setup properly settings wise and you're outputting the sound out from the eARC port of the new tv (or splitter if you want to go that route), lip sync should work no problem. It is a mandatory standard now for all of these new hdmi devices to mandate lip sync support. There is only going to be one eArc out port on a television so to say that all the input devices would have to support it as well may not be true as their ports aren't labeled eARC or anything. The TV handles all of the content from the input device such as an Xbox and negotiates with the sound bar on what to play when, based on delays. I don't believe the Xbox has to do anything on its part.
I can completely understand your frustrations. And yes, it is common unfortunately for the TV side of things to cause these delays and there's not much Sonos can do about it other than to say eARC in theory resolves it due to mandated lip sync support for all devices that have eARC support.
Regarding the PCM stereo output, most mid range and up tvs these days will be able to output PCM above stereo, but not all still, which is a bummer and what you are facing. The good thing is that the Arc will still simulate the PCM output to surround/Atmos and receivers or Soundbar generally do a pretty fine job of "simulating" this functionality. I know it is not what you paid for and I'd be upset too. It's just that the TV you have is not the recommended/ideal type of device to use with the ARC. Of course it'll work and all, but full features aren't guaranteed and I do agree that since release of the ARC, Sonos should include a disclaimer that tvs without eARC support could have lip sync issues since this is sadly common! The TV manufacturers guilty of this problem should have this down pat by now because not all of them do this.
Sorry I couldn't give you better news. Unless your tv gets some type of software update to have a setting to assist further in solving or actually solve this delay issue, you can't do much. 😞
I also think LG acknowledged the issue with some of their TV’s and introduced lip-sync features in their TV settings, as briefly outlined here:
https://www.lg.com/ca_en/support/product-help/CT20098005-1412236386115
It seems most TV manufacturers (including LG) have improved things with faster processors in their TV sets, one such example is the LG C9’s a9 (gen2) processor and the fact the manufacturers have begun to introduce the helpful audio pass-through on their HDMI/eARC ports too.
At the end of the day, products like the Sonos Arc, can only ever output its audio once it has been received - so this lip-sync delay is most likely down down to the connected device.
If TV’s are not upto the mark, it makes some sense to go with an HDFury Arcana type device, if not willing to upgrade the TV ...and there are, of course, some much cheaper ‘audio splitter’ options too, if you’re not bothered listening to any form of uncompressed audio.
I also think LG acknowledged the issue with some of their TV’s and introduced lip-sync features in their TV settings, as briefly outlined here:
https://www.lg.com/ca_en/support/product-help/CT20098005-1412236386115
It seems most TV manufacturers (including LG) have improved things with faster processors in their TV sets, some such example is the LG C9’s a9 (gen2) processor and the fact the manufacturers have begun to introduce the helpful audio pass-through on their HDMI/eARC ports too.
At the end of the day, products like the Sonos Arc, can only ever output its audio once it has been received - so this lip-sync delay is most likely down down to the connected device.
If TV’s are not upto the mark, it makes some sense to go with an HDFury Arcana type device, if not willing to upgrade the TV ...and there are, of course, some much cheaper ‘audio splitter’ options too, if you’re not bothered listening to any form of uncompressed audio.
Exactly correct. Not much Sonos can really do other than to have you turn off any "effects" that are on in the app to reduce processing. It's all up to the tv since video should inherently take longer to process than audio, yet some manufacturers just can't get the sync right or don't have the options to correct it 100%.
Enter your username or e-mail address. We'll send you an e-mail with instructions to reset your password.