topic Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay! in Home Cinema, Projectors & Players

HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

mr.hertzberg — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:30:20 GMT

Just got a HT-XT3, and there is a slight delay in audio. Not much, actuallt I might not have noticed right away if I wasn't looking for flaws.

I use optical toslink from my tv.I love the sound, but thisbugs me. The audio is delayed, even if I have of course set the in-built lips sync to 0ms. Adjustingit up makes it worse. I first noticed when running the tv speakers and the ht-xt3 at the same time, I heard this echo effect. I have had two other soundbases here for testing, and they have been totally in line with the inbuilt TV-speakers (both soundbases connected via optical)

When I run a youtube- test like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szoOsG9137U - the inbuilt TV speakers are totally on the spot, but there is a noticable delay with the HT-XT3.

I have updated the XT3 to the latest firmware. I use the toslink connection. It is the same with all sources (PS4, BlueRay and my digital cable TV-box)

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

rooobb — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:04:42 GMT

Which is your TV and why you don't use HDMI-ARC instead of optical? Your Tv set doesn't support it?

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

mr.hertzberg — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:28:39 GMT

Hi - I have the Sony KDL-32HX755, and yes, it supports ARC. The reason I don't use it is beacuse I have 4 hdmi inputs on the TV, but only 3 on the XT3. I use a Harmony remote, so I really don't need the ARC functionality. I will of course try ARC too, but it should not be like this either way I choose to use it.

But either way you connect it - it should not induce audio lag? Seems very strange, but I have read that others had problem with serious drifting audio lag, but this seems constant (and minor).

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

rooobb — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:42:33 GMT

I'm not aware of any known issue with audio lag on HTXT3, in any case the best connection schema for you is to have all your HDMI devices connected directly to the soundbar and than only an HDMI-ARC enabled cable between the soundbar and the TV. ARC doesn't mean CEC (that is the protocol AKA braviasync that enable the use of one remote for all the compatible devices), it's the Audio Return Channel that will be used in your case only to return back the TV audio (DVBT, app, Satellite, ecc.) to the sounbar. The audio processing for your other devices will be better managed directly by the HTX3 rather than passing it to the TV and back to the soundbar enabling also some codec (like DTS HD) that the TV is not able to process. I'm not sure for your specific TV but being rather old (in modern technology terms...) it probably pass only 2.0 to the soundbar or at least PCM not the original audio.

My suggestion is to through away the optical and go only by HMDI to have a whole better experience, let's see if it solve also the lipsync

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

mr.hertzberg — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 14:01:14 GMT

OK - thanks i'll try that and report back, hopefully it does.

But to me it seems impossible that the TVs audio processing is to blame since I recently have had both the Canton DM50 and the Geneva Cinema here for testing, and this problem was not present then. I am very certain they did not have the problem, since I tried them playing in paralell with the TV-speakers - and there were no "echo/delay"-effect as with the XT3.

BTW. I tried analog from TV to the XT3 - it is better (as excpected)

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

FraserP123 — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 13:10:23 GMT

I have the same sync issue issue and I was advised by phone support to connect the devices to the TV and only the TV to the soundbar.

I was also advised to 'try' the optical cable. Neither resolves the issue.

BTW, fully updated as of yesterday.

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

mr.hertzberg — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 13:29:39 GMT

I have now tried using ARC/HDMI. At first - he issue was the same, with the same delay Not big, but clearly identifiable with the tests -I would guess 4 frames late. I compared with the tv speakers and my pc - there was no doubt. I tried using ARC with inputs via the TV and also via the soundbase - no difference.

A strange thing then happened after a while, the delay got a bit better (maybe 2 frames late instead of 4) . I switched back to optical, and it is the same shorter delay (appr 2 frames). But there still is a lag - if I run the tv speakers and the HT-XT3 at the same time, I get an ecco-effect. As I mentioned before - this did not happen with the other soundbases I have tried (Canton DM50 and Geneva Cinema) - with them I used the tv speakers at the same time with no ecco at all (actually with the Canton soundbase - I prefered the tv speakers to be playing at the same time because it made the voices more audible at low volumes...)

Because I couldn't make the XT-3 play simultanously with the tv-speakers using ARC, I also tried using the tv's headphone out at the same time as the HT-XT3 was playing - there is a lag - so you get the same ecco-effect as when I run the HT-XT3 via optical paralell with the tv speakers.

So - is there anything else to try? Is there something wrong with my unit or is there an audio lag on all HT-XT3's??

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

rooobb — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:25:56 GMT

I'm out of solution for you.... but I'm feeling that you may have expectations that are too high.

I understand that you say that you tried with different equipment and it worked, but AFAIK none will suggest you to keep both TV speaker and an HT active at the same time: it's almost impossible that they are in sync...

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

mr.hertzberg — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:05:51 GMT

Thanks for your input, but I disagree that I have too high expectations. The point is not that it should be exactly in sync with the TV-speakers, but that the XT3 should be in sync with the picture!

At worst, the audio sync is clearly off betweeen picture and audio (from the XT3). I don't think that is too much to expect from a soundbase, especially when i have tried two competitors that has no issue whatseover with this.

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

rooobb — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:20:26 GMT

That's correct.... one last think to try:may you have the possibility to use a better and fast hdmi cable?

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

mr.hertzberg — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:38:25 GMT

Just did, yesterday (got a Philips "High Speed - UHD with Ethernet-cable"). Didn't change anything, unfortunately.

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

rooobb — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:46:26 GMT

I"m sorry... you may want to try with Sony service

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

mr.hertzberg — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:48:00 GMT

ok - I'll do that. Thanks for you help 😃

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

FraserP123 — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:26:54 GMT

Just to clarify...

I have:-

KD-55X8005C TV
HT-XT3 Sound Base
BDP-s7200 Blu Ray Disk Player

Also have Virgin Tivo box for the tv input.

At present, the TV is connected via HDMI4 /ARC to the Soundbase HDMI1
Tivo to Soundbase HDMI 1
Blu Ray to the Soundbase HDMI 2

BTW, all kit fully updated as of 12th Dec 2015

There is a noticable sync issue. The only time there is not a sync issue is if I take the soundbase out of the loop.

Seems that the XT3 isnt compatable.

Its not the only issue though...any of the apps or links (like BBC iPlayer, Netflix etc ) on the first screen will not play though the soundbase only through the TV speakers .

So it appears there is no point in having the Sony HT-XT3 soundbase! £300 of useless plastic!

Does anyone have a solution?

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

mr.hertzberg — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 01:15:12 GMT

So, FraserP123 - how much lag do you have? In the test I have linked to before, there is a frame counter (the lowest number - seems like there is 30 frames in a round..) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szoOsG9137U

For me the worst I had was like 2:30 hours - which is appr 4-5 frames, the best is almost on time, like one o'clock. My pc speakers are right on time, so is the tv speakers.

What if you run everthin through the TV and uses analog? For me that eliminates the sync issue.

For me rightnow - the sync lag is so minor I might just live with it, but it really bugs me knowing that it might drift off.. Otherwise such a great piece of gear.

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

FraserP123 — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 02:37:29 GMT

Any lag when using the 'correct' connection mode is not acceptable. So, unless it can be resolved, one or both items are going to be returned. I was hoping that 'I' had done something wrong, either in a connection or a setting but, I now do not believe that is the case.

I have tried the fibre link, and if you do have both outputs running (TV speaker and Soundbox) you can hear the echo and it fades in and out as the syncs then fails. I could have done the same on my previous , 5 year old TV.

There also appears to be other communication issues between the devices. Bravia synce, auto power off, using one remote also do n ot function with the kit I have.

These are both resonably new Sony products and do not work together at present. Well, not in my installation. I am having one more try with Sony and then a decision is to be made.

Can anyone recommend an alternative sound base, sound box that does not have such issues?

[edited for clarity]

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

mr.hertzberg — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 12:36:30 GMT

I too totally agree that this is unacceptable.Mysteriously my lag seems to have almost dissapeard, and is presently at an acceptable level - just a very very slight ecco when I run the XT3 and the headphones at the same time. So if it stays like this I'll keep it. I have no idea what happened - if my son hadn't been there to also see the lag I would have started to doubt my sanity, haha.

There are four ways to digitally connect the tv and the xt3as far as I know:

1) Optical (source inputs to the tv)

2) HDMI ARC (source inputs to the tv)

3) HDMI ARC (source inputs to the XT3)

4) HDMI inputs to the XT3 + Optical - put the HDMI from the XT3 to a non-arc port on the TV

Things to try - You might try to fiddle with the audio settings?

"...you can hear the echo and it fades in and out as the syncs then fails"

- does this mean that the sync/lag varies - is drifting?

Other soundbars I have tried and returned - but they are still good:

Canton DM50 and Geneva Cinema (I wrote a copmarison here https://www.avforums.com/threads/canton-dm50-soundbase-review.1870193/page-7#post-22887102)

I prefer the Sony's sound, though. The Geneva would have stayed if it was not for the birght constant LED-indicator that annoyed me when watching tv in the dark, and its lack of (ironically) the option to add extra audio-lag - I thought the XT3 and might fulfill my needs better - otherwise I'd kept the Geneva. The Canton sounded great , ut was a bit narrow (left-right-stereo-wise) and voices were not clear enough on low levels for me. The new DM55 and DM75 have a clear voice fucntion- though.

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

FraserP123 — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 16:41:38 GMT

The lag issue, for me anyway, appears to be resolved!

Spoke with Sony support this afternoon, had to take time off work, due to their hours.

In my case the sound is actually before\ahead of the picture. I explained this to the support engineer.

The usual power off on advice came first.

Then a full reset of both the Soundbase and the TV

I was then pointed at a option on the soundbase that I was not aware of. Previously, I had only changed settings via the Home, Setup menu's. However, there is another button to the right of the Home button, named options. this brings up 4 additional options :

AV SYNC

Sound Field

Night

Voice

The AV Sync allows you to adjust the sound by up to 300ms. I had seen AV Sync referred to in regards to other Soundbars but could not locate this in the Soundbase Setup menu. Nor was I pointed at this in my previous call with Sony.

However, since I have adjusted this up, the sound and picture are in sync ! If this changes, I will update this thread.

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

mr.hertzberg — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 11:03:17 GMT

That's great news - happy it worked out for you. It is such a nice product - and the av-sync function is very handy - when the audio is ahead the picture. Unfortunatly there is no way to do it the other way around.

Still puzzles me how the XT3 manages to - in some cases - delay the audio with the av sync set to 0... I have seen others report on this - that the audio is ahead of the picture. Some have had issuse with the sync being ahead of the picture and worsening as time goes.

But, as mentioned - seems like I am almost ok too - for now.

Edit: There is a very tin lag. It is bothering me sometimes, trying to communicate with Sony Support. I really think this should be a non-issue on a product like this..

I'll report back to this thread if something changes, too 😃

Rif.: HT-XT3 sync issue, audio lag/delay!

rob_cart — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:05:49 GMT

anyone still having issues with this ? I'm having some major problems of lates and the lipsync app setting just doesn't do what i need it to do. Mine will start off ok and then progressivly get worse it now seems to be within minutes instead of hours so altering the sync just wont work as its not a constant thing.

I've logged a job with sony tonight to see what they say but i'm fuming ive paid so much for somthing and its just plain useless!

Any help much appreciated,

I've tried all types of wiring setups as listed in this thread but no joy.