If you're experiencing audio delay issues, read this

I have the same issue with my LG OLED55B... I have gotten it pretty close by setting the avsync setting on the TV to -3 or -4 when watching blu-ray's. However, it seems like every device i plug in wants a little different adjustment which is super annoying. I also haven't tried it yet, but using a built-in app I am guessing i'll have to change that value also.

Not sure if it is the same for you, but in Stereo there are no issues, but as soon as it goes to DD 5.1 the lag starts. I was wondering if this has to do with the amount of data going through there, or whether the 5.1 triggers the addition of the bass track or something.

Do we have any updates on this? I just bought the Sony OLED A1E and I'm having issues and can't stand it. I plug in my cheap 99.99 sound bar and no issues. I ended up using an HDMI audio extractor to fix the AppleTV issues but still frustrating the Sonos doesn't work and a cheap sound bar does.

Have the same issue with 55" LG C7 and my Playbase 5.1 setup.

I have sent in a ticket to LG Engineering and Sonos Engineering on the audio delay issue when gaming from an Xbox One X or PS4 Pro using Bistream Out (Dolby Digital 5.1).

PLEASE do the same and report these issues if you suffer from this issue!

The setup I have is simple:
1. Roku Ultra
2. PS4 Pro (bitstream out)
3. Xbox One X (bitstream out)
4. Nintendo Switch (uses Linear PCM 5.1 converted to Stereo)

These are all attached via HDMI 1,2,3,4 to my LG 65C7P OLED TV.

Then, using digital optical out from the LG TV, I am connected to the digital optical input on the Sonos Playbar (with two Play:1’s, and a sub).

The audio delay from the gaming systems (specifically PS4 and Xbox One) is horrendous.

Note: There is no audio delay on the ninentdo switch because it is using PCM, not Dolby Digital. The TV nor the Sonos can convert 5.1 PCM to Dolby Digital 5.1 on the fly. I don’t believe there is even a device that does this either. This means you will get emulated Stereo sound from the SONOS when playing the Switch. Darn.

Note2: There is no perceived audio delay using the Roku Ultra to watch Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO etc.. (Picture Mode ISF Bright or other). This could be because gaming is higher speed video content than movie or TV playback, and the video processing and picture modes alleviate any perceived audio delay, but I’m not 100% sure.

Note3: There is no audio delay when using built in LG smart apps such as Netflix, Amazon, Hulu etc...)

LG software has the ability to adjust the audio sync (AV Sync Adjustment) between -5 and +15; however, my testing indicates that going to -5 does not alleviate the issue and has no perceptable difference in audio delay. LG software settings also have the ability to bypass (Bypass: On/Off) the TV but that setting also does not correct the gaming audio delay.

The problem is that the video is ahead of the audio and to make matters worse, when gaming, we obviously want to use the LG Picture Setting for GAME to reduce input lag. When doing this, the audio delay becomes even more noticeable and makes gaming almost unplayable. (especially online multiplayer shooters).

I have scoured the internet looking for solutions such as:
HDMI Switch with Audio Extractor*
Affordable AVR that has optical out and does not amplify the audio signal to use with Sonos system
LG Settings
Xbox Settings
Sonos Settings

*These products exist but they don’t seem to have the latest video standards yet (4:4:4, 4K, HDCP 2.2, HDMI2.0a or HDMI2.0b, 60hz etc...). Buying anything less would mitigate the value of the LG OLED TV and what it is capable of displaying.

Nothing I have done or tried fixes the issue.

I firmly believe this is a processing issue by the LG TV that is taking an audio signal (dolby digital 5.1) from an HDMI gaming device (ps4 or xbox one) and taking too long to process it before sending it out via Optical to the Sonos playbar/surround system.

I don’t believe this is a SONOS issue; however, I do believe that if Sonos does not have LG engineering fix the software in their TV, this audio delay issue is going to cause gamers to buy a different system.

I am also considering returning my brand new system in favor of a traditional wired speaker solution with a proper Audio/Video Receiver (AVR). This is how severe this issue is to me as a gamer.

P.S: This is unrelated but...Sonos, please update your products to handle DTS and other newer audio codecs. It’s 2018. We love your products but there are severe drawbacks and limitations currently.

I have sent in a ticket to LG Engineering and Sonos Engineering on the audio delay issue when gaming from an Xbox One X or PS4 Pro using Bistream Out (Dolby Digital 5.1).

PLEASE do the same and report these issues if you suffer from this issue!

The setup I have is simple:
1. Roku Ultra
2. PS4 Pro (bitstream out)
3. Xbox One X (bitstream out)
4. Nintendo Switch (uses Linear PCM 5.1 converted to Stereo)

These are all attached via HDMI 1,2,3,4 to my LG 65C7P OLED TV.

Then, using digital optical out from the LG TV, I am connected to the digital optical input on the Sonos Playbar (with two Play:1’s, and a sub).

The audio delay from the gaming systems (specifically PS4 and Xbox One) is horrendous.

Note: There is no audio delay on the ninentdo switch because it is using PCM, not Dolby Digital. The TV nor the Sonos can convert 5.1 PCM to Dolby Digital 5.1 on the fly. I don’t believe there is even a device that does this either. This means you will get emulated Stereo sound from the SONOS when playing the Switch. Darn.

Note2: There is no perceived audio delay using the Roku Ultra to watch Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO etc.. (Picture Mode ISF Bright or other). This could be because gaming is higher speed video content than movie or TV playback, and the video processing and picture modes alleviate any perceived audio delay, but I’m not 100% sure.

Note3: There is no audio delay when using built in LG smart apps such as Netflix, Amazon, Hulu etc...)

LG software has the ability to adjust the audio sync (AV Sync Adjustment) between -5 and +15; however, my testing indicates that going to -5 does not alleviate the issue and has no perceptable difference in audio delay. LG software settings also have the ability to bypass (Bypass: On/Off) the TV but that setting also does not correct the gaming audio delay.

The problem is that the video is ahead of the audio and to make matters worse, when gaming, we obviously want to use the LG Picture Setting for GAME to reduce input lag. When doing this, the audio delay becomes even more noticeable and makes gaming almost unplayable. (especially online multiplayer shooters).

I have scoured the internet looking for solutions such as:
HDMI Switch with Audio Extractor*
Affordable AVR that has optical out and does not amplify the audio signal to use with Sonos system
LG Settings
Xbox Settings
Sonos Settings

*These products exist but they don’t seem to have the latest video standards yet (4:4:4, 4K, HDCP 2.2, HDMI2.0a or HDMI2.0b, 60hz etc...). Buying anything less would mitigate the value of the LG OLED TV and what it is capable of displaying.

Nothing I have done or tried fixes the issue.

I firmly believe this is a processing issue by the LG TV that is taking an audio signal (dolby digital 5.1) from an HDMI gaming device (ps4 or xbox one) and taking too long to process it before sending it out via Optical to the Sonos playbar/surround system.

I don’t believe this is a SONOS issue; however, I do believe that if Sonos does not have LG engineering fix the software in their TV, this audio delay issue is going to cause gamers to buy a different system.

I am also considering returning my brand new system in favor of a traditional wired speaker solution with a proper Audio/Video Receiver (AVR). This is how severe this issue is to me as a gamer.

P.S: This is unrelated but...Sonos, please update your products to handle DTS and other newer audio codecs. It’s 2018. We love your products but there are severe drawbacks and limitations currently.

I should also add I am using an LG 65C7P with firmware version 04.70.36.

Cliperstall,

You may have already looked at this solution. I bought it last year on the recommendation of this forum, as my TV is old school and doesn't pass through 5.1 at all.

It works very well, and they seem to indicate that it supports pretty up to date video standards.

http://octavainc.com/HDMI%20switch%204x1%20ARC%20port_pro.html

I can't vouch for that, I've yet to upgrade beyond my 1080p plasma. But the product is awesome and they have solid support, so it would be worth at least an ask.

Matthew

Matthew,

Thanks for taking the time to write your suggestion. I think that’s probably a good product; however it fundamentally misses the point. The LG B and C OLED models have an issue with the audio delay and we need the community to call it in and report it.

I called LG for a followup on my service ticket today and the VIP customer service department at LG (you can get transferred to VIP if you prove you own an OLED model) told me that they have received so many calls on this issue recently that it has become a top priority for the LG engineering department in South Korea.

That’s progess.

They also told me that they are no longer capturing new tickets for this audio sync issue because they have all the information that they need and got a system wide email on Monday instructing them not to. They said there is no current ETA for this resolution but that they are working on it now and encouraged me to keep automatic updates turned on in the software settings of my TV.

Also progress.

Customers shouldn’t be relegated to buying a $300 HDMI Switch with Audio Extractor or a receiver. One of the alluring points of a soundbar setup (LIKE the Sonos system) is the simplicity of the setup and ease of use. Buying a receiver or a switcher fundamentally negates that idea. Plus, $300 is a lot of money for such a product. Budget receivers cost around the same amount. (Note: If you think you can buy a receiver to use with the Sonos system to solve this problem, my understanding and research indicates you cannot. Most receivers amplify the signal of the audio outputs (whther through hdmi or optical out), and the Sonos playbar already amplifies the signal. Double amplification will not work and could damage the system. If there is a receiver on the market that has passthrough audio and does not amplify the signal, then this could theoretically work with SONOS if you can find that product and want to spend the money to go that route.

So again, while the switch is probably a great product and fixes the issue for you and anyone else willing to buy it, I view it as a bandaid to the problem rather than a resolution to the actual underlying issue.

I also spoke with SONOS and they have escalated this issue to Tier 2 and told me their engineering department has been in contact with LG.

I hope this information finds its way to any customer who has spent good money and may be bashing their heads against a wall out of frustration.

Bottomline: Please continue calling in and reporting your audio delay or sync issues until this gets resolved.

I just wanted to chime in and say thanks for posting this information. I’ve spent a lot of wasted time trying to get line out to work perfectly with 5.1 on my LG OLED C7. Currently use an optical audio splitter as a workaround, but obviously not ideal. I’ve been doing that for years with an older cheap Visio TV, but it was frustrating that finally getting a new TV didn’t solve my audio issues. It would be awesome if Sonos worked with LG and other TV companies to “certify” models that they work with 5.1 and Playbar/Playbase perfectly, rather than just holding out hope the manufacturer even passes 5.1, let alone does it right.

so glad i stumbled on this. just bought a LG OLED, apple tv 4k and the whole playbar sub play1 setup dropping north of $5k and this audio sync thing is asinine. i am so mad at myself for the wasted cash that could have gone into a solid wired setup. my setup is so barebones but i am constantly fiddling with the tv audio sync options depending on what apple movie, or nhl hockey game on the apple tv, or netflix on the apple tv etc and it is still never sync’d. dead simple setup - apple tv hdmi to LG, optical cable from LG to playbar. model is OLED65B7A-U running 04.70.36.

someone please fix this.

I'm having the same issue. Just bought a new LG C7, Xbox One X. It is just terrible. You should plug in a pair of headphones into your xbox controller and you'll see just how bad it is. I haven't set up my Roku yet to see if I have the same issue, but it sounds like I will. Very disappointing. When I was playing Destiny it was crazy bad. My shots sounded like they were an echo.