A/V Sync

Turn off all of the extra "processing" functions that the Sony TV has in it's audio settings. The more things it's doing to the audio signal, the greater the delay. Also, check for firmware updates.

The other option is to get an HDMI switch which has an optical port on it. This would allow you to pull the audio out before it gets delayed by the firmware on the TV, and based on other posts in this forum (in the Home Theater area) will resolve the issue.

Thanks for the quick reply, Bruce. I can try minimize extra processing again, and I think geek squad checked for software updates when doing the installation.

Re the HDMI switch I’m confused where it would go?

Now I have HDMI between the TV and DirecTV box,and an optical cable between the Sony and the Playbase.

Can you describe where the HDMI switch would go? Thx.

In your case, the DirecTV box would go into the HDMI Switch with the same HDMI cable you have now. If you had other devices, like a DVD player, game console, etc, would also go into the HDMI switch.

Then, from the HDMI switch, you would have basically two more cables. One would be an HDMI, which would carry the video to the TV set, the other would be an optical cable which would carry the audio to the PLAYBASE.

Essentially, you're extracting the audio signal before it reaches the TV, and the delay introduced by the extra processing that Sony appears to be doing.

Did I explain it properly? Does it make sense? If not, ask more questions. 🙂

You can do a quick search on Amazon for more information about these kinds of switches, just use the keywords: "hdmi switch optical audio out"

There's lots of them, pick one that matches your needs and budget, they're not overly expensive, mostly. I don't have a particular recommendation, as I don't have this issue with my Vizio, and don't use one of them.

Yea, great explanation. ,,, but then my Blu-ray and Apple TV will have to routed thru the same switch which complicates switching input channels, since I will then need another remote control to switch input channels, right? I also don't understand how routing thru the switch ensures that the video and audio will be synchronized. It seems a bit like trial and error. As much as I had hoped the playbase would work out maybe another brand would be a better companion with the Sony ??? Or would using a receiver to a better job synchronizing audio and video?

Yes, you'll unfortunately need another remote, although most of them come with one, and if you're already using a universal remote like a Logitech Harmony, it should just handle it.

What you're doing by setting this up is taking the sound out of the processing system by the TV set. Since it comes out before the signal goes to the TV, the TV can't delay it, which means that it will play on your Sonos at the same time as the video.

Since the problem is in the processing of the signal in the TV, any other soundbar that you connect to the TV will have the exact same issue, assuming you use the same connection.

A receiver would be splitting the audio signal out before it got to the TV, much in the same way that the HDMI switch box is, so it would just be a more expensive way of doing the same thing.

Great answer. Makes sense. I do have a Logitech Harmony, and hope I would be able to program it to recognize the hdmi splitter. This whole setup seems unnecessarily complicated given I just spent $2100 on a 2019 TV, but from what I’m reading many (if not all?) 4K TVs are not really pairing well with sound bars because of the video upscaling processing time. Interestingly the lip sync issue is less visible when I stream 4K content from Netflix.

Not all 4K TVs. Seems to be LG, Samsung and Sony, pretty much those are the only ones I've seen complaints about. Oh, and one person was complaining about a TCL. No other manufacturers seem to have an issue passing through a signal without trying to modify it. And honestly, there haven't been many Sony folks complaining, you're the first one that's come back after checking the audio settings to turn off any extra processing that may be occurring.

But every single person who's bothered to come back and post after getting an HDMI switch with an optical output on it has said that it worked for them. That's honestly what leads me to believe that the issue is in the TVs, and not in Sonos. If it was a Sonos issue, we'd see it across every single manufacturer.

But outstanding that you have a Logitech. I'm sure you'll be able to, at the least, teach it how to handle the HDMI splitter.

The difference in lipsync with Netflix is interesting....more evidence that there's something odd going on in the TV. If I were you, I'd be writing emails to Sony's customer service (and I'm a former Sony employee, albeit years ago, and in another division completely. Used to buy Sony equipment because I got a nice discount, and it was good equipment.) I have to wonder if there's still an outstanding firmware update that they haven't released publicly that would resolve this issue for you, so you could skip the whole HDMI switch thing. It's really a kludge, I don't like it, but it's one of those things that if the silly manufacturer can't get right, there's just nothing that Sonos can do, other than pass on the complaint. It's just not possible for them to play the sound before it gets to them, despite what many people seem to want....if you read the threads about this issue.

But I'm rambling. And you're welcome, I noted that I never acknowledged your thank you, I didn't mean to ignore your kindness.

Best of luck, whichever way you land .

Thanks again Bruce, I’ve already learned so much from your thoughtful replies. Too bad I didn’t study this before I made my purchases although I have everything less than a week so I’m sure I could return it all and change directions if I had to.

I did research TVs a lot and felt pretty good about the Sony 900/950’s, although I was more focused on the display technologies and brands. I’m not thrilled with the Android TV infrastructure, but they’ve done a decent job integrating apps, especially Netflix. My other goal was to trash my 10 year old receiver and entry level speakers and theoretically simplify my life and move to a Sonos sound bar, since I already owned 4 Sonos 1’s.

Just in case I keep the play base I ordered a switch from amazon, but I’m not looking forward to the extra time, cabling, remotes, etc. I just researched some sound bar systems coming out this April and May from definitive that are twice the price but seem to be really matched properly for a 4K tv with hdmi connections for audio and integrated remote control (using your tv remote). I’ll head back to Best Buy tomorrow to see what the geek squad would have done if I had paid the extra 49 fo them to connect the playbase ,, haha, I wonder if they even understand there is a lip sync issue.

Again, really appreciate your help!!

I’ll post again, as I learn more.

- Howie

Bruce; here’s the latest. I replaced my directv receiver and carefully reconnected all devices after unplugging each device. This according to Sony will re-sync each connection ; TV to Playbase, and DirecTV to TV. I also changed one setting on the SonyTV, changing the audio output to PCM which so far has corrected the lip/sync issues. I guess the trade off is lower fidelity ? Since the playbase is receiving a stereo signal rather than Dolby (5:1)??

I guess when I’m watching Blu-ray or streaming I could change the audio setting back to Auto which restores the audio to a more expansive sound stage. A bit of a pain, but getting exhausted. Not sure who’s the worst offender here, Sony, Directv or Sonos?

One other question; do you think adding the Sonos sub would be any value when listening to the PCM feeds from Directv ?

Any more thoughts on this ,,,

Thanks, Howie