Avid Contributor I

If you're experiencing audio delay issues, read this

551 replies
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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.

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Karasu

Contributor I

Hey I submitted my diagnostic data and my number is: 807739505
I was testing it with other stuff like with my roku, ps4 and chrome cast and they all get the same static/distorted sound randomly when using it, wondering if there are possible solutions?

S

Scrubling

Lyricist II

I can't seem to get the native apps sound working with my playbar using the HDMI Arc output on my switch connected to the HDMI Arc input on my LG oled C8 TV. I am using the below linked product. Using a Roku stick I am able to get the sound to work just fine.

Any ideas on what I may be doing wrong?

4K HDMI Switch 3x2, ZAMO 4K 60Hz... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PYQC4MZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

S

Scrubling

Lyricist II

Hmm, I seemed to have figured it out, has the optical cable still in the switch rather than in the TV.

So just to clarify:
The optical cable should be connected from the TV to the playbar, and the hdmi out arc on the switch connected to the HDMI arc in on the TV, then any additional inputs connected to the switch input. Does that sound about right?

Aso, what should I set the oled C8 AV sync setting to? AV sync = on and Bypass = enabled? Or AV sync just set to off?

Airgetlam

Not offhand. Have you tried a power cycle of the TV, and that switch? I'd be contacting the maker of the switch, you may have gotten on that's broken?

I'd also double check, just for fun, the audio settings on the TV, to make sure that they're set to Dolby Digital, especially for those native apps. There's no guaranty that the switch is sending a signal to suggest that the maximum viable signal is Dolby Digital, which is what typically happens as part of HDMI-ARC. But since the switch isn't a real sound device, but just a repeater, it may not be sending a signal.

Bruce

Airgetlam

Ah, you've posted while I was typing.

The optical should be connected to the switch, not the TV, and goes to the PLAYBAR.

I don't know which setting to use for A/V sync, try both settings for 10 minutes, and see if it makes a difference. I'd definitely have bypass on.

Bruce

R

Ronnieuk

Lyricist III

HI all

Just bought the beam. Got it set up on my Panasonic DX750B via ARC. I mainly use my 4K firestick for movies etc.

I am having lip sync problems when the TV is set output bitstream but totally fine with PCM. Has anyone fixed this issue without buying extra equipment as the beam is expensive enough.

I read on av forums that the only real difference between bitstream and PCM is where the processing is done. Like if you select bitstream on the TV then it is the TV that does the work but if you select PCM then the beam does the processing and the sound should be the same. Is this true?

I have a few days window to return the beam if necessary but it sounds good and I'd rather fix the stupid sync problems.

Thanks.

Airgetlam

No, that's not really true. In both cases, the TV is doing processing, it's just the type of processing the TV is doing. In the case of PCM, it's almost none, since the signal is stereo. In the case of Dolby Digital, it's trying to do lots of other things, including processing the signal so it can be used on the TV's speakers. One thing you should do with your TV is to turn off any audio options that look like they're going to modify the audio in any way. The less "messing" with the signal that happens in the TV's circuitry, the better for lipsync issues.

Many of the people have ended up getting an HDMI switch, which is external to the TV, in order to strip out the audio before it actually reaches the TV. They're relatively inexpensive, depending on what features you want. You can check out local prices for you on Amazon, although that's not the only place to purchase them. But it is certainly a good way to do research.

Bruce

R

Ronnieuk

Lyricist III

Thanks. Have not got any processing options selected. On the Panasonic they all grey out when a soundbar is connected. When you say that with bitstream the TV is processing the signal so it's own speakers can play it then does it really matter if its not the TV speakers we are using? Isn't it better to let the sonos process the signal itself? Or are you saying that the pcm signal itself is garbage and the beam will just be playing stereo?

I watched some scenes from Kong skull island and both settings sounded pretty identical. I'm no audiophile but I do have a good ear and have returned speakers and headsets in the past for tiny annoyances. But with these between pcm and bitstream on the TV I am not hearing much if any difference. Is the beam using the pcm signal and processing it just as good as the TV?

Was thinking of trying through optical. Could it maybe cut out some hdmi delay?

Ken_Griffiths

Thanks. Have not got any processing options selected. On the Panasonic they all grey out when a soundbar is connected. When you say that with bitstream the TV is processing the signal so it's own speakers can play it then does it really matter if its not the TV speakers we are using? Isn't it better to let the sonos process the signal itself? Or are you saying that the pcm signal itself is garbage and the beam will just be playing stereo?

I watched some scenes from Kong skull island and both settings sounded pretty identical. I'm no audiophile but I do have a good ear and have returned speakers and headsets in the past for tiny annoyances. But with these between pcm and bitstream on the TV I am not hearing much if any difference. Is the beam using the pcm signal and processing it just as good as the TV?

Was thinking of trying through optical. Could it maybe cut out some hdmi delay?

Enable the TV internal speakers first and then turn off the TV's audio enhancements and then switch to the HDMI-ARC, or Optical, output. You should not assume the features are disabled because they are greyed out when you switchover to using the external (Beam) speaker.

Also get latest TV firmware and perhaps speak to the Panasonic support desk, who maybe able to assist you further.

If all fails then use an audio splitter and the Beams optical adapter to remedy the audio delays.

R

Ronnieuk

Lyricist III

Thanks for the reply.

Got no enhancements enabled and buying more equipment is crazy for the price we've all paid for our TVs and soundbars.

For now I'm just using pcm as theres no delay. Been reading all over the web that the soundbar will process the signal anyway so there's no need for the TV to do it.

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