Avid Contributor I

If you're experiencing audio delay issues, read this

551 replies
261746 views

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.

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

Show previous replies

T

Thomau5

Lyricist II

And just to confirm - by adding a switch like that, you wouldn’t lose the ARC functionality of controlling the sound via the LG remote for example?

In my setup, I only have an Apple TV 4K connected to my C7 - I can fix the issue by forcing DD through the Apple TV and connect the beam through the optical but then I lose the ARC functionality, just adjusting the sound with one remote in my case though so not too big of an issue as I don’t use Alexa with the beam for example. But if a switch fixes the lip sync through optical while keeping the HDMI ARC benefits, I’d go for the solution.

Thanks in advance!

I’m not an expert here so appreciate the advice on the device I’d need as well. Based on earlier posts, I’ve been look on amazon for a switch and wondering if this would do the trick:
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07F6YPVZJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tUQZCbW9PAZFN

That's correct. Once putting my TV's sound to 'HDMI external sound' I was able to control just the Playbar using my TV's remote without any further feedback from my TV, which is actually an upside from before. I can't guarantee that it works the same way with a Beam, as my setup only has a Playbar instead, but using the switch I get 5.1 sound from anything plugged into the switch ánd the TV's apps.

My setup is like this:
PS4Pro > HDMI > Switch
Switch > HDMI > TV
Switch > Optical > Playbar

I also noticed about the switch you linked it only supports 4k@30fps, so if you are worried about 4k gaming or HFR movies I'd go for a different one.

F

frenzy382

Trending Lyricist I

Hi everyone,

I've been experiencing these same audio delay issues..but with my Samsung tv...I created a separate thread on this...however, I did some more testing last night with some interesting results...hence why I'm now on this thread (not so Sammy focused).

So..I have an nvidia shield and an Apple Tv 4K. After experiencing these delays, I bought an audio spluitter, hooked up everything via that, optical out (into the sonos audio adapter etc.etc.). Still exact same issue..with no audio going via the tv...wtf?!?!?!?!?!?

So..I thought that perhaps it was some audio setting in both of by boxes (atv and shield)..but i couldn't find anything obvious. I then just 'happened' to change a setting on my apple tv from audio out-hdmi to audio out via airplay....BOOM!! perfect. No delays whatsoever.

For me...this is good news and bad news...I've now seemed to have stumbled across a solution. However, it's only for my ATV 4k...everything else is still shagged. This I now find very irritating...and poses many questions.

Anyone else found the same?

Also...not sure if it's 5.1 or not..haven't tested that yet. I was experiencing delays regardless of whether it was stereo or 5.1..and that is now working. Can Airplay 2 do 5.1 with a Beam and 2 x Play 1's?

thnx

N

nik9669

Collaborator II

If the audio lag is caused by the TV's ability to split the audio signal and send it out, whether via HDMI or optical, shouldn't we be asking the TV manufacturers to introduce a "video lag" setting?

F

frenzy382

Trending Lyricist I

update on my general messing about aka testing...

so as I had a suspicion (and probably most people already know)...audio via airplay 2 is not 5.1..it does remove sync issues though. However, the 5.1 thing is a problem which means i've removed that solution from the equation.

I managed to solve my issue around STILL having a delay after doing the whole audio extraction solution. For me, it was ARC that for some reason messing it up. My Sammy was connected to the hdmi audio extractor box via the HDMI ARC port, with then both my Apple TV and Shield plugged into that, then optical out to Beam (with the adapter in place). I changed over from using the ARC port on the Sammy to one of the other HDMI In's, and that seems to have resolved the problem. I now have no audio sync issues.

It's a workable solution, but obviously not perfect. Too much faffing about and button pressing is required...but it will do for now. I might look for an auto version of the HDMI Audio extractor that i have, so that removes the need for the tacky remote that comes with it.

cheers everyone

A

absame

Contributor I

I had a vizio tv and my playbar worked flawlessly. I recently upgraded to a larger Sony and have the same infuriating sync issue everyone is experiencing. And I’ve tried all the suggested settings adjustments. I’m no engineer but if the issue is with the tv then it’s sonos’ responsibility to get them to make a change or come up with a creative workaround.

Instead their response is there is a known issue that we can’t figure out so let’s just have all our loyal customers debate amongst themselves various imperfect solutions.

Not an acceptable customer service response.

I’ve got Sonos all over my house but this issue makes me want to trash my playbar and start over with another product.

Airgetlam

I just purchased a "new" 2018 Vizio, and it works flawlessly. No issues with my PLAYBAR whatsoever. I do feel your pain, however, as I'm very sensitive to lipsync issues. It's one of the reasons that I decided to stay away from Sony, Samsung and LG, all three makers appear to have issues with processing of the audio signal before sending it out of the optical port. I just can't understand how hard it is for the to accept the signal coming in the HDMI port, not touch it, and pass it out the optical port (or HDMI-ARC). Baffling.

Bruce

K

Karasu

Contributor I

I have seen most issues here have been with Sony and LG, but I have a Sharp Aquos, LC-70C8470U, and have been having the same problems. I have my playbar connected via optical to my TV and my Ps4 via hdmi to the TV, and it starts randomly having a distorted static/cutting out of the audio, it has been happening for a long time now and have been silently been looking for solutions and hoping that an update would be pushed out and fix the issue, but it is sadly still going on to me and many other people, I'm really disappointed.

Ken_Griffiths

I have seen most issues here have been with Sony and LG, but I have a Sharp Aquos, LC-70C8470U, and have been having the same problems. I have my playbar connected via optical to my TV and my Ps4 via hdmi to the TV, and it starts randomly having a distorted static/cutting out of the audio, it has been happening for a long time now and have been silently been looking for solutions and hoping that an update would be pushed out and fix the issue, but it is sadly still going on to me and many other people, I'm really disappointed.

Have you checked you have the latest firmware for the TV and have you tried a different optical cable to see if that fixes things. Also the sharp TV may have some enhanced audio features such as 3D Surround, Clear Voice, Bass Enhancer etc. Have you tried disabling those features to reduce unnecessary processing of the audio data?

K

Karasu

Contributor I

I have seen most issues here have been with Sony and LG, but I have a Sharp Aquos, LC-70C8470U, and have been having the same problems. I have my playbar connected via optical to my TV and my Ps4 via hdmi to the TV, and it starts randomly having a distorted static/cutting out of the audio, it has been happening for a long time now and have been silently been looking for solutions and hoping that an update would be pushed out and fix the issue, but it is sadly still going on to me and many other people, I'm really disappointed.Have you checked you have the latest firmware for the TV and have you tried a different optical cable to see if that fixes things. Also the sharp TV may have some enhanced audio features such as 3D Surround, Clear Voice, Bass Enhancer etc. Have you tried disabling those features to reduce unnecessary processing of the audio data?

There is no firmware for the TV, yes I've tried two other optical cables, and this Sharp TV disables any audio settings from the TV when connected to the Sonos bar so it can't be that. I also tried connecting the Optical cable from my main bar to the Ps4 and it still randomly does the same problem as before.

Ken_Griffiths

Karasu,

I take it the playbar operates standalone, rather than being bonded with surrounds... how does it do when outputting PCM audio from the TV?

Show more replies

Sign up

Login to the community