Is lip-syncing really an issue?

Kamakazie! · 14 Sep 2006 at 19:33

I am setting up a PC with sound controlled by an AV Receiver. Now i will be using the PC for TV/DVD/Games and Music so am wondering how much of an issue lip-syncing is likely to be?

The only times i've encountered threads about it is when it involves something like a Sky decoder box. I've not heard anyone mention it regarding DVD/Games off of a PC.

I am wondering because i am still unsure as to what Receiver to get. I have kind of narrowed it down to a Yamaha RX-V557 or a Cambridge Audio Azur 540R. From what i have read, the CA will probably sound best with my speakers (Mourdaunt Short 302's) as the speakers are bright but the receiver is warm sounding. However the CA doesn't have a lip syncing function, this is the only feature that the Yammy has over the CA that i am bothered about, if it's not likely to be an issue, then i will lean towards the CA.
So does anyone here have an syncing problems in DVD's or games?
Thanks

Ste · 15 Sep 2006 at 01:18

With something like that I would have thought the delay, if any, would be constant and thus could be offset at the decoding stage?

Kamakazie! · 15 Sep 2006 at 12:46

Ste said:
With something like that I would have thought the delay, if any, would be constant and thus could be offset at the decoding stage?

how do you mean?
use something on the PC to delay? do most onboard sound cards have software with this option?

The amp (which would do the decoding of Dolby Digital/DTS etc.) might not have this function.

Phil99 · 15 Sep 2006 at 19:36

The nVidia DVD Decoder certainly has an option for this, I imagine AC3Filter has a similar option as well.

Ste · 16 Sep 2006 at 00:49

Yeah, use the decoder on the PC to deliberately knock it out of sync to compensate, many players will do this i think.

Kamakazie! · 16 Sep 2006 at 02:43

ok but what if i am using S/PDIF passthrough? (which i will be)
Can the AC3 drivers/software do it then too?

nVidia DVD would be ok but i am gonna want it to work in games as well.

to be honest i don't rekon it will be a problem but if im gonna be spending £200+ on a receiver i don't want any issues. Especially not this one!! I can't watch stuff that is out of sync for more than a few mins. It gets on my nerves

DRZ · 16 Sep 2006 at 20:03

Every decent AV amp I have ever seen has had a delay to sort out lipsyncing issues. Its basically a non-issue if you set it up right.

james.miller · 16 Sep 2006 at 20:10

define decent, drz

my yammy doesnt, not unless your counting the center delay but then that has to be reset for different sources

but its quiet old now by todays standards, i dont know what the situation with current budget av amps is

again its not really an issue though, any compensation can be done in software which is by far the most convieniant for me

Kamakazie! · 16 Sep 2006 at 21:27

As i said, the Yammy that i am looking at does have it but the Cambridge Audio 540R doesn't. I would rather get the CA as the sound quality is meant to be fantastic (plus it is compact and looks very good), but i want to make sure this won't be an issue.

EDIT: Right so i should be able to use the AC3/whatever sound software to delay the audio if needs be? Does this apply even to Optical out? (Onboard Realtek).

DRZ · 17 Sep 2006 at 03:10

james.miller said:
define decent, drz my yammy doesnt, not unless your counting the center delay but then that has to be reset for different sources but its quiet old now by todays standards, i dont know what the situation with current budget av amps is

again its not really an issue though, any compensation can be done in software which is by far the most convieniant for me

You may have a point on the age factor. Of course, I meant to say almost rather than be absolute. I apologise. It also may be found in the average DVD player.

Does anyone know if CA have seen fit to provide an adequate power supply yet? If its warm sounding then it would suggest it can provide the current but amongst a plethora of other things, it might not be. Films have a lot of dynamic range that can catch power supplies napping. Worth investigating between it and the Yamaha to see which can cope with big dynamic swings.

Have you considered the Denon offering?

P.S. Can you read sound waves? Put another way, do you read a magazine to tell you if you will enjoy your breakfast in the morning?

Kamakazie! · 17 Sep 2006 at 19:33

DRZ said:
Does anyone know if CA have seen fit to provide an adequate power supply yet? If its warm sounding then it would suggest it can provide the current but amongst a plethora of other things, it might not be. Films have a lot of dynamic range that can catch power supplies napping. Worth investigating between it and the Yamaha to see which can cope with big dynamic swings.

Have you considered the Denon offering?

P.S. Can you read sound waves? Put another way, do you read a magazine to tell you if you will enjoy your breakfast in the morning?

The CA has fantastic reviews. It is the best in its price range for Music and is said to handle movies extremely well.

I have considdered the Denon 1906 but as i can't get a demo of these before i need to buy, i've gotta trust what i've been told by numerous people on the way my pairing will sound. I prefer warmer over brighter and so have been told that the Denon will sound very bright. The Yamaha is meant to be good but the CA the best pairing for my speakers.

If lip syncing is likely to be a problem i'm gonna go with the yamaha. If not, the CA. Unless i can pick one or the other up at a good price 2nd hand, in which case i'm not bothered

I dont get your P.S comment?!??!

Fr0dders · 17 Sep 2006 at 21:47

DRZ said:
Every decent AV amp I have ever seen has had a delay to sort out lipsyncing issues. Its basically a non-issue if you set it up right.

this is also adjustable on most decent amps

even my Denon 1706 has the ability to adjust the delay to bring the sound and video back into sync

for what its worth, the sound and video falling out of sync happens whenever the audio is processed separately. But all good AV receivers will have a delay to compensate for it.