Sound/Video Sync issues

[BoomAM]

Hi,
Im trying to work out why BlueRays, DVDs, streamed media, ect; all have a slight sync issue when it comes to sound.

Over the past year, I've tried different players, different settings, having the audio go direct to the telly rather than through my amp, and a few years ago, tried playing with time delays on a mates amp.
Still no better.

Now am I being fussy? Or with the only component left to 'try' being a new telly, will a new telly fix it?

TV: Sony KDL-40W4000
Amp: Cambridge Audio Azur 540R v1.0
Player (BR, DVD, Steam): PS3 'Fat' v2.0

Thanks in advance all.

 

[lucid]

All flat panel TVs introduce a time delay. This is because of the time it takes the electronics to process the video stream (deinterlacing and scaling) in preparation for display on the panel. It's one reason why many new TVs now feature an AV sync function for the HDMI sources; but it doesn't help with analogue connections.

If you have a proper AV amp the you'll have adjustable AV sync. The range is normally up to 200ms, about 1/5th of second. All-in-one kits might have something for their built in player, but don't often have the feature for the external inputs. Its worth checking the instructions if you have one of these.

Perfect sound sync should be possible with the right audio gear. I wouldn't buy a new TV just to solve this. Try the AV sync pattern from Digital Video Essentials. Its a comprehensive set up disc for video and audio. Discounted have it for about £17. You can also hire it from LoveFilm. If you haven't got an account Trust me a message and I'll send you a Three Month FREE Trial voucher.

 

[BoomAM]

All flat panel TVs introduce a time delay. This is because of the time it takes the electronics to process the video stream (deinterlacing and scaling) in preparation for display on the panel. It's one reason why many new TVs now feature an AV sync function for the HDMI sources; but it doesn't help with analogue connections.

If you have a proper AV amp the you'll have adjustable AV sync. The range is normally up to 200ms, about 1/5th of second. All-in-one kits might have something for their built in player, but don't often have the feature for the external inputs. Its worth checking the instructions if you have one of these.

Perfect sound sync should be possible with the right audio gear. I wouldn't buy a new TV just to solve this. Try the AV sync pattern from Digital Video Essentials. Its a comprehensive set up disc for video and audio. Discounted have it for about £17. You can also hire it from LoveFilm. If you haven't got an account Trust me a message and I'll send you a Three Month FREE Trial voucher.

As said, tried different amps in the past.

This time delay you speak of for TV's, is this why the same issue doesnt show when viewing videos on a PC screen: the PC has ooodles more power to process images so the delay is near 0?
If so, having a media PC be the player and streamer would fix this would it not?

 

[lucid]

If you're still using a TV as a display then no, a PC as a source won't fix it. The TV is introducing the delay, not the source.

Check if your TV has Games mode. This image delay issue is a problem for gamers. There's a delay between what the console is sending out and what the gamer actually sees. The effect is like having slower reaction times. TVs with Games mode try to reduce the processing to a minimum and so delay the picture as little as possible. The trade-off is less sophisticated image processing, but at least you have a fraction more time to duck when the enemy if firing at you.

Older AV amps had a maximum of 100ms of Lip Sync audio delay*. That was okay if the TV was a CRT or a projector, but not enough to cope with the longer audio delay caused by video scalers or flat panel TVs.

* Just to be clear, Lip Sync audio delay is different from the delay to do with the distance of the speakers.

As I said earlier, with an AV amp with 200ms of Lip Sync delay it is possible to get virtually all AV systems to sync sound and picture together. This does presume that all films/TV channels use the same sync setting. Sky is bad for AV sync being out on some channels but not others.

HiFi amps (such as your Azur) don't have the sync feature. You would need either a DVDO scaler or an audio delay unit.

 

[asim18]

As said, tried different amps in the past.

This time delay you speak of for TV's, is this why the same issue doesnt show when viewing videos on a PC screen: the PC has ooodles more power to process images so the delay is near 0?
If so, having a media PC be the player and streamer would fix this would it not?

Not exactly.

A PC monitor has no input lag because there is no (or very little) internal processing applied, not because a "PC is powerful". A £300 PC will show the same input lag on the same monitor as a £3000 PC.

TVs are different because they have built in processing, such as noise filters, sharpening, or "Panasonic SMART VIERA" etc. This is what increases the time it takes for the input signal reaching the TV screen.

 

[BoomAM]

If you're still using a TV as a display then no, a PC as a source won't fix it. The TV is introducing the delay, not the source. .

TV doesnt have games mode.

What im getting at with the PC as the source, is that i was under the impression that when the TV was fed a signal at its native settings, that it would do no post processing, especially on DSUB input...?

 

[lucid]

Ah, now you've explained a bit more then it's clearer. The DSub may well bypass a lot of the processing. I think you'll have to experiment a bit. Will your TV do pixel perfect perfect mapping?