topic Re: Sky stream arc audio in Sky Stream

Sky stream arc audio

Si99 — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 23:41:23 GMT

I have sky steam with a decent Sony xg9005 tv and ht8500 soundbar. Most of the time the audio is in sync but on UHD SKY SPORTS it's rally out of sync, all the hdmi are high speed 4K etc - I've tried changing from auto Dolby digital to pass through etc. but sky sport uhd is really out of sync.
any advice is greatly appreciated

cheers

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Jones_The_Cat — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:11:59 GMT

@Si99 wrote:
Hi
I have sky steam with a decent Sony xg9005 tv and ht8500 soundbar. Most of the time the audio is in sync but on UHD SKY SPORTS it's rally out of sync, all the hdmi are high speed 4K etc - I've tried changing from auto Dolby digital to pass through etc. but sky sport uhd is really out of sync.
any advice is greatly appreciated
cheers

I'm afraid audio sync can be quite temperamental with Sky Stream. Mine varies quite a lot too. Sometimes it's in sync, other times it's not. It's just a limitation of the cheap hardware I think.

Re: Sky stream arc audio

teacher1000 — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 16:42:40 GMT

Same. Audio is many seconds out of sync. Intermittent

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Nigelb1972 — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 10:31:25 GMT

The problem might be with the video being out of sync rather than the audio. Your TV has to unpack the Audio and Video before sending the audio to your soundbar via Arc. This delay can be exaberated if you have all of your TV's digital processing turned on.

So, the issue isn't with the Puck but the levels technology in between (the TV) and the amount of gubbings the tv manufacturers put in to make the picture quality as good as they possibly can. To counteract this a new connection method was released a couple of years back called eARC. It's a similar system to Arc but has higher bandwidth capability and part of the protocol is that it has to keep audio and video in sync.

We have a Samsung QLED connected via eARC to a Sony HT-G700 soundbar and with HDMI 2.1 cables and have none of the audio or video issues that others are reporting.

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Jones_The_Cat — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 13:29:30 GMT

Even via eARC my puck has random lip sync issues. Some days it's fine, others it's noticeably out. It's just not reliable enough.

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Si99 — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 15:24:30 GMT

Hi Nigel,

thanks for the reply.

out of interest, Do you watch UHD HDR Football on your set up or just HD?

My Sounbar is eArc compatible but I think the TV is only Arc. even so I had none of these issue on Virgin V6 or 360 boxes with the same TV and soundbar for BT/TNT sport Ultimate for UHD/HDR football, when i watch UHD football on the Sky puck the out of sync is really pronounced. I have 18 month contract but will look elsewhere if Puck doesnt get better for UHD HDR sport. such a same the puck isn't really up to UHD.

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Floydianslip — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 16:32:43 GMT

I use eARC for audio through a Denon X2700H AV receiver into an LG G2 Oled, and no lip sync issues, hope it stays that way, must be annoying if you have the issue.

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Nigelb1972 — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 16:33:23 GMT

@Si99 UHD on Sky Sports, TNT Ultimate, Sky Cinema on demand plus various streaming platforms all in UHD with Atmos and we get no drop outs at all or sync issues. As I said though, the issue isn't necessarily with the Puck but with other components not being able to keep up. It might be more prevalent on Sky Stream over Virgin streaming platform because Sky run very low compression in comparison to other services which is why the picture and sound quality is so good.

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Nigelb1972 — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 16:34:10 GMT

@Floydianslip if you're using eARC, you shouldn't see any sync issues at all

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Exiled-in-HH — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 09:15:18 GMT

Are everyone using HDMI 2.1 certified cables from the same manufacturer ... NO mix and match of HDMI cables🤔

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Nigelb1972 — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 09:45:05 GMT

@Exiled-in-HH mine are different manufacturers I assume but all 2.1 / 8k certified. I wonder if people are using 4k certified thinking they're 2.1 but are actually 2.0... I found this out the hard way 😔.. luckily I only spent a tenner on it

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Si99 — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 10:25:40 GMT

thanks for the reply

regarding HDMI cables I'm using the sky one supplied with the puck and another one that has the label still on saying

"high speed with ethernet hdmi cable "

and on the other side

"Saying 4K ultra hd, 3D, ARC, HDMI high speed with Ethernet".

I think it's 2.1 but how can one check?
it's going to my 2.1 ports on my tv as the manual says they are the only ones that can cope:- port 2 and 3 (arc) are reccomended for 4K 60fps uhd etc

port 3 for hdmi arc

port 2 for the sky puck

have tried the sky puck into soundbar and into tv but both have had issues.

I'll keep powering down etc to try and refresh hdmi connections if it reoccurs during next UHD sport -

Cheers all.

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Nigelb1972 — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 10:40:52 GMT

@Si99 4K high speed Ethernet & Arc will be HDMI 2.0. The one supplied with the Puck is 2.1 but you'll need 2.1 if you're using eARC.

I had issues with sound drops and the only streaming platform that wasn't affected was Netflix I found this is because they use really heavy compression on video and Atmos audio. You can pick up good quality HDMI 2.1 cables for around £15... Just avoid the high street retailer that'll tell you that you need a laser cut, diamond encrusted one with a kryptonite core for £100+... With an extended warranty, because you don't...

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Exiled-in-HH — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 11:07:41 GMT

@Si99 Starting point .... search Amazon for HDMI 2.1 certified cables ... they will have a hologram certificate.

There is an app you can use to scan the hologram to check valid certification😉

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Si99 — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:19:47 GMT

Cheers is there anyway of telling if hdmi cable is ultra high def 2.1 without looking at packaging - or is the only way of telling if it somehow says 48gbps on it.
going through my draws I see some have 18gbps so I may just have to buy a new one.

online deep dives into hdmi are lengthy-who knew all the variations and looking at 2.1b specs etc. might just go for an Anker or ugreen cable that's 2.1 ultra certified.....

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Nigelb1972 — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:42:21 GMT

@Si99 they sometimes say on the actual cable... I've just looked at 2.1b and it seems like a higher bandwidth for 8k/60fps and 10k plus some extended HDR features

Re: Sky stream arc audio

David07 — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 08:55:39 GMT

I have just bought the Sky stream and connected the Sonos Arc soundbar. All going well so far, great picture quality and sound. I did notice a little lip sync delay but not much but will keep an eye on it.

QQ: the only issue I have noticed is that when I pause Sky a buzzing noise comes from the Arc. I have the Stream sound to Digital plus. Anyone else experience this and figured out how to fix?

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Nigelb1972 — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 09:06:19 GMT

@David07 try changing the Audio Output to Pass through and you'll probably need to change your TV Arc output to pass through as well

Re: Sky stream arc audio

David07 — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:48:38 GMT

Thanks @Nigelb1972 I selected passthrough on my TV & Streak box. It makes a small difference; the buzz noise was there all the time but when I changed to Passthrough it is only buzzing when I am on the main sky menu. I can't find a way to fix so I just mute until I choose what I'm watching. Very annoying! There must be a way to fix this

Re: Sky stream arc audio

Fothergill1 — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:36:42 GMT

@David07 If it is the actual puck that is buzzing I suggest you request a replacement from Sky. There are no moving parts in the puck so it is likely to be a failing component.