topic Re: HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection in Hi-fi Systems

HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection

mapyuma — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 10:35:32 GMT

I recently bought the HT-RT4 5.1 sound system and hooked it up to my PC via an audio jack cable (my PC doesn't have optical and doesn't have HDMI ARC). The sound seemed fine initially however I recently noticed that there was a delay in sound in comparisson to what I was seeing on screen, I would say around 50-100ms. That caused lyp sync issues.

I changed the cable to a new one and that seemed to solve the issue, however the delay eventually came back, I don't know how quickly but I noticed it eventually. Before and after changing the cable I have done everything I can from the PC side, re-configured speakers, updated drivers, tried differenr devices, nothing seemed to be a clear fix. I've reset the speakrs as well.

Does anyone know what could be causing the issue? I never had issues with analog speakers before, so the fact that it's happening, and the fact that the issue comes and goes seems very strange to me.

Ideally I would like to find a fix and keep using the analog connection to leave the optical port free for my PS4. And just to be aware my monitor doesn't have its own optical or HMI Arc connections so I can't hook the speakers directly to it (except for analog which also had the delay issue).

Many thanks for any insight.

Re: HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 09:28:25 GMT

Hi there,

Hopefully one of the community members will be able to help.

Best wishes,

Re: HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection

Win_88 — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 10:36:01 GMT

Hi @mapyuma

Have you tried resetting the sound bar to factory defaults? You can find the steps on page 28 of the manual here.

Let us know how it goes.

Win_88

Re: HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection

mapyuma — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 14:38:15 GMT

Hi, yes I have reset them to default settings, but the issue came back again eventually.

The strange thing is that it's not 100% delayed, which is why it caught me off guard when I first changed the analog cable and thought that the issue was fixed. For example right now I don't have the delay, but it has happened twice now where the delay eventually comes back so it feels like a matter of time. I have mostly used youtube for reference but I also tried playing some local video files and they were also delayed.

Re: HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection

mapyuma — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 19:47:34 GMT

Lag is back this evening, and I'm using a brand new 3.5mm audio jack cable that I bought today.

Re: HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection

batee5 — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 16:32:54 GMT

Hi mapyuma,

Is it possible to try connecting another device -other than your PC- to your soundbar using the 3.5mm audio jack to check if the same issue will happen or not?

Cheers,

Batee5

Re: HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection

mapyuma — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 08:51:23 GMT

@batee5 wrote:
Hi mapyuma,

Is it possible to try connecting another device -other than your PC- to your soundbar using the 3.5mm audio jack to check if the same issue will happen or not?

Cheers,
Batee5

Yep I tested that as well during the moment of lag. I tried a different PC and then my phone, both of which had the same delay. I tested the optical cable with the PS4 at the time and that had no lag, so it seems to be isolated to the anolog connection.

Re: HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection

batee5 — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 17:34:57 GMT

Hi mapyuma,

Since you were able to replicate the issue using the same connection with other devices as well I'd say it's best to have it inspected at a Sony service centre. You can use this link to locate your nearest one.

Batee5

Re: HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection

mapyuma — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 18:57:06 GMT

@batee5 wrote:
Hi mapyuma,

Since you were able to replicate the issue using the same connection with other devices as well I'd say it's best to have it inspected at a Sony service centre. You can use this link to locate your nearest one.

Batee5

I am based on the south outskirts of London and stores around me seem to only repair cameras for Sony, not audio systems. Also, as you can imagine the speakers take up a lot of room and I don't own a car, so travelling on punlic transport would be quite difficult.

I bought the speakers from Currys, would I have to take them to Soncy or is this something Currys should fix?

Re: HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection

mapyuma — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 12:41:51 GMT

UPDATE: I have spoken with the Curry's team over the phone and talked them through the problem and my attempts to fix the issue. They believe it's a defective unit so they have arranged to collect it and refund the money.

So if you have a similar issue and nothing helps it might be that.

Re: HT-RT4 Audio Lag/Delay when using Analog (Audio Jack) Connection

batee5 — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 13:49:14 GMT

Hi mapyuma,

Glad to know it's been sorted. Thank you for sharing this solution with us.

Cheers,

Batee5