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AloysiusSonos
Contributor III
December 3, 2018

Sonos Beam Lip Sync Issue (Charter Spectrum)

Hoping someone here can help me figure this one out. I am having lip sync issues with my video provider, Charter Spectrum, for their basic US cable package - for both Live Programming, and DVR'ed programs (interestingly, the lip sync is even more pronounced on DVR, but it is pretty bad as well on live feeds). Here is my basic setup:

Cable Box: Spectrum 201 (it's Spectrum's latest gen box)
Television Set: Samsung QN49Q6F (QLED 4K UHD 6 Series Smart TV 2018)
Sonos Beam Set-Up: Optical directly from the Beam to the Television

Things I've attempted:

1. I've tried a variety of setting combinations on both the Cable Box (my only options were to toggle audio output between "Dolby Digital", "HDMI", or "Other"), and on the Television. Nothing has helped, or seemed markedly better than the other combination.

2. Had a Spectrum technician come over - he said my only option to resolve the lip sync issue is to connect the optical directly from the Spectrum 201 to the Beam - this would be of course pretty annoying as I view television from a host of different, non Spectrum sources.

Anyone have any ideas or help to resolve - or even have a good workaround? This is as anyone who has gone through this process very frustrating - would love to keep using the Beam in this set up...

Thank you!
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      14 replies

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      roseylv
      Contributor I
      February 1, 2019
      The addition of toslink was the fix. no more lip sync issues. As a shareholder and customer who has spent close to $5,000 on sonos products, i'm just pissed off more than anything else. I still have yet to add my surrounds but im praying that doesn't alter anything. What sucks is i had to buy the toslink switch which financially isn't a big deal ($25) but now i have to switch stuff around and try and program my logitech remote to work seamlessly. Then, because i have apple 4k TV w/ no optical outlet, i have to buy a $45 hdmi / optical spliter and install that. Just a pain in the ass!!!!!!!!! Sonos to play music is basic plug, play and enjoy. Sonos for TV / HT = a PITA

      On a side note, i'm leaving spectrum and going back to directv. Sepctrum Picture quality SUCKS!!!!!
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      Springsteen Fan
      Avid Contributor II
      February 1, 2019
      Exactly what did you do?

      I have an LG TV. Spectrum Box and an PS4.
      Beam + Sub.

      Thanks!
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      MADAMIMADAM
      MADAMIMADAM
      Lyricist III
      February 14, 2019
      I've got a similar sound sync issue, but only with Spectrum's cable box on a Sony OLED XBR65A9F using a Sonos Playbar.

      Enabling PCM lessened severity of the sync issue less, but as others have said—there is significant quality loss. Adjusting Lip Sync slider in Sonos app settings makes the sync issue even more delayed and prominent.

      Tested on BluRay player, Chromecast, Apple TV, and onboard Android TV smart apps (Netflix) and there is no sound sync problem from either built-in speaker or Playbar.
      Spectrum's cable box has sound issue whether using built-in speaker or Playbar.

      Playbar is connected to TV via Digital Audio Optical cable (or maybe ARC HDMI? I can't recall at the moment), and Surround Sound enabled using a Sonos Amp to power rear in-ceiling speakers.

      Everything works fine but the garbage Spectrum box. I can't figure how this could be sourced in TV or Sonos.

      Any ideas or suggestions?
      Optical from Spectrum STB to Playbar is not something we'd want to do.
      Thanks all!
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      Airgetlam
      Airgetlam
      February 14, 2019
      If it were me, I'd be calling Spectrum. Get another cable box, of a newer design. If everything else works fine, as you've indicated, it's obviously some sort of issue in the cable box.
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      Bruce
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