Tech: Bluetooth audio sync issues

Subject: Tech: Bluetooth audio sync issues
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 12:06 PM

Hi Mudcat techie collective.

Mrs G has aural sensitivity so suffers from discomfort when loud and low noises, such as explosions etc., are too loud on TV. I however like the full immersive sound! To alleviate this impass I bought a Bluetooth transmitter which connects to the optical out of out TV and I have set the TV to play via the internal speaker and the optical out. The TV does have Bluetooth itself BTW but when using that it cuts the sound to the internal speaker. The new transmitter is Bluetooth 5.0 with low latency and it works perfectly with my over ear Bluetooth headphones. However...

As I know Bluetooth 5 can transmit to 2 devices I have experimented with some Bluetooth earbuds too so both my daughter (who is a little hard of hearing) and I can enjoy the benefits. I found however that neither of my pairs of earbuds are in sync with the video. I even ordered some new ones but they were out of sync too so they are going back! I have seen a pair of buds for around the same price that are Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX. Should I try them or maybe try another pair of over ear ones?

Subject: RE: Tech: Bluetooth audio sync issues
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 12:23 PM

Does your TV have a menu setting for shifting audio synch a few milliseconds either way of dead centre...??

.. or analog outputs for external speakers...???

..chucking ideas at the wall.. you can also get HDMI adapters that split off audio
to various format outputs...

Subject: RE: Tech: Bluetooth audio sync issues
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 03:07 AM

Yea, I tried the audio sync settings and while it put the internal speaker out of sync, it seemed to do nowt with the optical output. It does have an analogue output and I may give that a try. Dunno if that will cut off the internal speaker though.

Subject: RE: Tech: Bluetooth audio sync issues
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 03:45 AM

I run a mini jack cable from the TV headphone socket
[which cuts off the internal crappy tinny speaker]
to a low price good enough sounding
Behringer HA400 4 channel stereo headphone amp.

https://www.google.com/search?q=behringer+ha400&sxsrf=ALeKk00375jalWx5QJhCLFmhDu8MBXCd8g:1606380083584&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X

One channel is permanently connected to a reasonable set of powered speakers
and sub bass,
for normal listening.

Then when the wife goes to bed I switch that off, and plug in headphones on a long cable.

I've not experimented with plugging a bluetooth transmitter into one of the spare headphone channels.

[I've never fancied wireless headphones for various reasons..]

But it is a potential option if would work ok...???

Subject: RE: Tech: Bluetooth audio sync issues
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 06:28 AM

Just checked and our TV doesn't have an analogue out but thanks for the thought anyway. When I get my refund on the ear buds I am going to check out another over ear set.

Subject: RE: Tech: Bluetooth audio sync issues
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 11:42 AM

Problems with Lag watching TV on wireless headphones
is one of the main factors that's always put me off 'em...

Despite seeing some very tempting sales prices on brands like AKG..

This is one random link at the top of googling "wireless headphone lag"..

https://www.headphonesty.com/2020/07/fix-sound-delay-bluetooth-headphones/

I've not read it, so dunno if suggested fixes work...???

Subject: RE: Tech: Bluetooth audio sync issues
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 11:48 AM

btw.. our TV has digital output [optical if I remember correctly]
but it never worked reliably with the digital input
of the powered stereo speakers and sub bass..

..intermittent crackly digital glitch noises...

That's why I resorted to using the headphone output...

Subject: RE: Tech: Bluetooth audio sync issues
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 05:05 PM

Gone for another pair of cheapo over ear phones. They are a bit laggy but the sound insulation is good and I can't hear the lag between them and the telly speaker. Slight lip sync issue but for £7.99 I'll live with that :-)