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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K

kevinsf1

Contributor I

I have been tinkering with settings for over a year and still having issues...I’m ready to try the audio extractor. I have an LG B7 OLED, Apple TV 4K and playbar. Obviously, I don’t want to lose 4K or HDR. What is everyone’s thoughts on this?

OREI HDA-912 4K 60Hz 18G HDMI 2.0 Audio Converter Extractor - SPDIF + 3.5mm Output - HDCP 2.2 - Dolby Digital/DTS Passthrough CEC, HDR, Dolby Vision, HDR10 Support https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHYXVTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_z.o5EbNVMWN4H

There is also a 4K Arc version as well, should I need that? I was just thinking I’d run Apple TV to the extractor. HDMI from Extractor to TV and optical output from extractor to HDMI.

Thoughts?

Do you have any addition source devices other than the ATV? If so, you may want to find one with more HDMI inputs. I bought a product from J-Tech that’s also a good brand.

No - just the Apple TV. That said, the ARC version also has more inputs as well. Not sure if I need that or not...

M

MSterling

Prodigy I

I have been tinkering with settings for over a year and still having issues...I’m ready to try the audio extractor. I have an LG B7 OLED, Apple TV 4K and playbar. Obviously, I don’t want to lose 4K or HDR. What is everyone’s thoughts on this?

OREI HDA-912 4K 60Hz 18G HDMI 2.0 Audio Converter Extractor - SPDIF + 3.5mm Output - HDCP 2.2 - Dolby Digital/DTS Passthrough CEC, HDR, Dolby Vision, HDR10 Support https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHYXVTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_z.o5EbNVMWN4H

There is also a 4K Arc version as well, should I need that? I was just thinking I’d run Apple TV to the extractor. HDMI from Extractor to TV and optical output from extractor to HDMI.

Thoughts?

Do you have any addition source devices other than the ATV? If so, you may want to find one with more HDMI inputs. I bought a product from J-Tech that’s also a good brand.

No - just the Apple TV. That said, the ARC version also has more inputs as well. Not sure if I need that or not...

I did some additional browsing of this Orei. You may want to check their web site directly for other related products that I did not see on Amazon. I’m not sure if they are new models with more features. Please let me know how this goes, because I bought a Optical In (3) to Opital Out (1). (which uses the Optical to HDMI adapter for my Beam. I am interested in knowing if what you considering will work and also pass the DD+, which the Optical does not.

Michael

P

Pmc

Contributor I

My Sonos Beam still has a lip-sync delay and i’m now considering an optical switch as many have said this solves the problem.

How does this work exactly - i have searched you tube and can’t see anyone giving instructions to complete novices as to how to set this up. Have i got this right

Tv’s Arc hdmi to the switch’s hdmi slot that says ‘out’

Optical adapter supplied by sonos into the slot that says toslink and then back into the beam.

Will that then get rid of the lip sync?

If i then put an amazon fire stick into one of the switchers hdmi ports would the sound play through that hdmi channel?

It all seems very confusing - i love the sound of sonos but the audio delays are maddening.

Any advice would be appreciated.

This is the switch that has been recommended.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Techole-Aluminum-Splitter-Switcher-Projector-Black/dp/B07KSYS2L4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3HBURFEEVYAQW&dchild=1&keywords=hdmi+switch+4k&qid=1592232631&s=electronics&sprefix=hdmi+switch%2Celectronics%2C161&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyNTc2QzQ3V0UzUURaJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTEwMjc5M0pESDI5UUpLR0NNNiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzYyNTQ2MlM2SDhFTjc2VFVRRSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Jackaws

Lyricist I

It's absolutely disgusting hat between LG especially and Sonos that this hasn't been worked out. This is all very expensive equipment that people work hard to pay for, and you get two products which cant even get something so fundamental like Lip Sync right?

I keep checking for a class action lawsuit to be started against LG. Their frontline staff are absolutely useless and just knowingly make things up to get people off the phone. Don't underestimate their desire to wear everyone out until the issue just stops being talked about and we just forget we are using stereo on our TV's instead of Dolby.

As for Sonos, get with the last decade and put a darn HDMI Port on your Playbar and Playbase. HDMI ARC would have solved this whole issue.

I have two beams. Connected to both LG and Samsung TV’s. The sync issue is bad on both. Shocking for the money you pay.

M

MSterling

Prodigy I

After many months on the Optical I tried the HDMI ARC port again. Lo and behold, it’s not giving the audio delay. I keep track of the firmware updates on the TV and maybe the the S2 update to Beam did something - no idea. But here’s one odd thing, the audio was now slightly faster than the video. Almost imperceptible. So using the TV Sound/Expert settings, I added a slight delay.

FYI: This is on a Samsung 2019 75” Q80R

Michael

L

LFCWILSON8

Lyricist I

My Sonos Beam still has a lip-sync delay and i’m now considering an optical switch as many have said this solves the problem.

How does this work exactly - i have searched you tube and can’t see anyone giving instructions to complete novices as to how to set this up. Have i got this right

Tv’s Arc hdmi to the switch’s hdmi slot that says ‘out’

Optical adapter supplied by sonos into the slot that says toslink and then back into the beam.

Will that then get rid of the lip sync?

If i then put an amazon fire stick into one of the switchers hdmi ports would the sound play through that hdmi channel?

It all seems very confusing - i love the sound of sonos but the audio delays are maddening.

Any advice would be appreciated.

This is the switch that has been recommended.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Techole-Aluminum-Splitter-Switcher-Projector-Black/dp/B07KSYS2L4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3HBURFEEVYAQW&dchild=1&keywords=hdmi+switch+4k&qid=1592232631&s=electronics&sprefix=hdmi+switch%2Celectronics%2C161&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyNTc2QzQ3V0UzUURaJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTEwMjc5M0pESDI5UUpLR0NNNiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzYyNTQ2MlM2SDhFTjc2VFVRRSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Hi mate I'm in the same boat as you with the Firestick and a Panasonic TV. Netflix works fine with stereo 2.0 but sound delay on Dolby settings for 5.1. did you try the switch from Amazon?

The built in TV Netflix app seems to work ok. But ide rather use the Firestick! So annoying!

M

MSterling

Prodigy I

After many months on the Optical I tried the HDMI ARC port again. Lo and behold, it’s not giving the audio delay. I keep track of the firmware updates on the TV and maybe the the S2 update to Beam did something - no idea. But here’s one odd thing, the audio was now slightly faster than the video. Almost imperceptible. So using the TV Sound/Expert settings, I added a slight delay.

FYI: This is on a Samsung 2019 75” Q80R

The delay is BACK!!. It appears the Xfinity box as a HDMI source is definitely worse than the in-TV apps, which is pratically perfect. I also put a 18gbps HDMI cable on the Xfinity to TV connection and that didn’t seem to help. I did try a high-speed HDMI cable with Ethernet for the HDMI-ARC to Sonos. It’s better than the Sonos included cable but still annoying. I’ll be probably switching back to the Optical which at least does not pose that problem.

Michael

I

iaw4

Contributor I

OLED LG CX 48 (with eARC). No external devices, just using LG WebOS apps for Amazon, Netflix, and HBO Max (cast).

I need advice. I have not yet purchased a Sonos bar. (I do have the Sonos One rears, though.)

I am trying to decide between a Beam (fits better spacewise) and an ARC. I really, really do not want to have to tinker around with lipsync issues. Is the Sonos ARC truly superior in the lipsync-tinker area to the Beam? Does the Beam have lipsync issues in my configuration (i.e., internal apps only)?

PS: It is 2020 now. TVs have microphones. Why can’t they figure out for themselves what the right lipsync is? Similarly, why can’t Sonos speaker with their (ARM?) CPUs figure out for themselves whether they are calibrated right? This all seems arcane.

A

andrewrambo

Lyricist I

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.

I have identical issues with my arc/Sony Bravia. Does anyone out there have a solution

M

MSterling

Prodigy I

I thought I’d share my update with this thread. For those that haven’t followed my response or simply forgot. I had (yes, now past tense) a Samsung 2019 75” Q80R, which had extremely audio lag. I had “fixed” it by using a HDMI cable from the DVR to TV. And separate a Optical from the DVR to the Beam incorporating the Optical/HDMI Adapter. My Beam has a Ethernet wired connection to my router. I also have two One’s for the L/R Surrounds.

I realized after much trials, that it was the Samsung with the problem using the HDMI-A.R.C. port. In May I reported it to Samsung. After first going through their scripted process of resetting and rebooting, that was no luck. I knew that wouldn’t help, but had to do it anyway so that I could say that didn’t work to them. Next they had me put in a Repair Ticket. After waiting a week and getting no response, I called back only to learn that the Repair vendor that had chosen, would be unable to get to me for 3 months, which we both agreed was unacceptable. They informed me that I would have my case escalated.

After two weeks, I called and Samsung said they also could not get it repaired. And that another department would contact me. I got a call from Samsung a about a week later in June and I was informed that they could not get a repair service to me. And that they called me informed me to let me know they were going to refund the price I paid for the TV and come pick it up. I was shocked.

The next steps to getting that done, took two more months - lot’s of red-tape and approvals that always took longer than they said it would be. FYI, I was calling them once a week to see where the process was, hoping that my calls would help to move it along.

Finally, I received a phone number for a trucking company who made an appointment to pick it up in mid-August. Although, I was supposed to get my funds deposited in my bank account with 2 days, that also took another week.

Epilogue, I took the money from the Samsung. Added a little more and bought a Sony 75” XBR-X950H.Before having it mounted back on the wall, I just set it up on it’s stand and tried EVERY feature, including the Sonos Beam using the HDMI-ARC port. This TV has given me NO audio lag. No special adjustments. It just works like it’s supposed to. So in the order of money flow, Samsung paid me to buy a Sony!

Thanks for everyone’s help on this forum for the advice regarding the Optical cable solution. That did work, but for the money that being spent, I wanted the HMDI-ARC port to work.

Now I’m considering upgrading from the Beam to the Sonos Arc (I still think they should have chose a different name for it). I’ll wait until December and see.

Michael

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