What is Audio Sync on a Soundbar?.Fix Sound/Audio Delay on TV

Wondering what audio sync on a soundbar is?. Perfect, then you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, you can expect to learn the following:

  • What audio sync is and how does it relate to the soundbar?
  • Why does audio sync occur?
  • how to fix audio sync issues with soundbars
  • And more…

What is Audio Sync on a Soundbar?.Fix Sound/Audio Delay on TV

What is Audio Sync and How Does It Relate to Soundbars?

If you have just set up your home theater system using a soundbar, after the setup you may experience an audio delay or lip-sync errors. Or maybe you are checking your TV settings after installing a new soundbar to make sure that everything is outputting right, you may have noticed Audio Sync.

Audio Sync allows you to adjust the tempo of the audio to match the video of what you’re watching if the sound speed of the TV and soundbar are not synced together. This button and/or setting allows you to slow down or speed up the audio.

The difference can be so small that some people dont notice it, but others may find it distracting. So with this feature included in the soundbar, you can easily correct it by using the +/- buttons to increase or decrease the tempo of the audio.

Also Read:

What does D.In mean on a soundbar?

How to connect a TV to a soundbar via HDMI cable

Why Do Audio Sync Issues Occur?

There are many reasons why your audio sync issues may occur. Even though some people may not realize it, to others, it can be distracting but they can enjoy watching their TV.

Below are the possible reasons why audio sync or lip-sync issues may occur and these include:

  • If it’s a television program it could be a problem with the broadcast.
  • TV setting is wrong for the connected devices.
  • If an optical cable is connecting a home theater system to the TV, the entertainment system may need to be adjusted manually.
  • The audio is processed faster than HD or 4k video.
  • A bad connection between the TV and satellite or cable box.
  • A Blu-ray or DVD player is not properly connected to the TV.
  • When an optical or HDMI cable is used to connect the soundbar, audio can be delayed due to processing speeds.

What is HDMI ARC and How Can It Cause Cause Audio Sync Issues?

The main purpose of the HDMI ARC is to allow you to use only one HDMI connection for audio. Instead of using multiple cables to make the same connection, you only need to make one connection from the receiver or soundbar to the TV.

Another purpose of the ARC is to enable you to use one cable to connect multiple devices such as Roku, Blu-Ray, and a cable box to the TV provided your soundbar has a single input. This will allow you to use one remote to control everything.

Connecting the soundbar with an HDMI ARC cable to the TV will allow the TV to send the audio signal to the soundbar via the cable and the ARC cable makes your connection appear neater without all those messy cables crossing each other up and down. Plus, you get to control everything with a single remote.

Though using the HDMI ARC( Audio Return Channel)  feature is convenient, however, there are issues that it can sometimes create.

HDMI ARC Complications

These issues do appear when the TV doesn’t have an ARC. This is because ARC is not a feature that all TV manufacturers have embraced. without this functionality, you will need multiple cables or be subjected to sub-par audio. So, if your soundbar is only limited to one input this will create a problem.

You might also run into problems with the limitations of the ARC technology. High-bit-rate and HD audio cannot be sent. If you have Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, you won’t be able to decode those signals to get that higher-quality sound.

How to Fix Audio Sync or Lip Sync Issues with Soundbar/TV

Noticeable audio sync issues are pretty annoying especially if you are trying to relax and enjoy the TV. If you are experiencing lip sync issues on the TV, it is almost impossible to have good home entertainment time.

Luckily, it’s not an issue that cannot be corrected. It can be fixed using some of the tips below.

First and foremost, try the “audio sync” button on your soundbar. The +/- symbol on the button indicates speeding up or slowing down the audio to match the show. You will need to have the TV on while you make the adjustments so you can sync the audio with the show.

It is recommended that you change this button slowly so as to not overcompensate and put the audio even further or behind than it originally was.

Well, if adjusting the audio sync button on the soundbar didn’t solve the problem, there are a couple of things you can still try to fix the sound delay on the TV.

  • Disable Some Features on the TV

Features like motion enhancement, video noise reduction, and other features that control the quality of the picture may have come pre-enabled. The best way will be to check for these features on the menu section and disable them. They can be the cause of your audio sync issues.

  • Find an Audio Sync Reference Point

If disabling or changing the settings doesn’t fix the audio sync issue, then slowly start adding the disabled functions back in until you run into the same problem again. This is your reference point and will help you get the audio back in sync again if the issue reoccurs.

  • Check Video Processing Tasks

Another possible cause could be if the TV and entertainment system are both working on video processing.

The way to tell is to identify which of the home theatre component is performing the video processing. This way, you can try to fix the audio sync issue by disabling the function on either device.

Both performing the same tasks could delay the sound on the TV.

  • Check Settings on All Connected Devices

If after following the above tips and the issue is still there, then you can try reviewing all the operating manuals that came with each device connected to your home theater system. Cross-check that all the settings are correct.

Sometimes, there might be a similar feature that you can adjust on your TV like the “lip sync” or “audio delay” settings that will allow you to make the necessary adjustment.

  • Modify the Setup

This should be your last resort option.  Because connecting a home theater system connection can be pretty tasking if you are not experienced.

But if you still experience the issue, then you can check your components like the DVD  player connection and split the video and the audio connections between the TV and the soundbar.

This will only be possible if the soundbar has more than one input port.

Another option is to restart the connection all over again or use an Av Toolbox AP-411 Lip Sync Corrector (on Amazon) to allow you to control the lip-sync directly.

Final Thoughts on Audio Sync on Soundbar

Yes is not fun experiencing audio sync or lip-sync issues while enjoying your home entertainment. But I believe with these tips here and making a few adjustments, you can fix the issue.

FAQs

What is Audio Sync on JBL Soundbar?

The audio sync button on the remote control for your JBL BAR 3.1 soundbar will allow you to adjust the tempo of the audio to match the video of what you’re watching if they are not synchronized. Use the +/- buttons to increase or decrease the tempo of the audio.

Vizio  and Onn Soundbar  Audio delay

These soundbars are having audio sync issues and you can use the remote that came with them and look for the “Audio Sync” feature on it. Then use the +/- buttons to increase or decrease the tempo of the audio.

Sony Soundbar Out of Sync with TV

Whether Sony, Vizio, Samsung, or any of the other brands of soundbars in the market, if they are out of sync with the TV, you can use the remote to correct them with the audio sync button on it. If the issue is not fixed, then try to follow the tips I listed above on how to fix a lip sync or sound delay on TV.
 Hopefully, this was helpful.
Josephine

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