Apple TV 4K + HomePod Minis = Audio Out of Sync

General Discussions Hardware
1

(I see there was a similar thread about a year and a half ago with no solution presented, which is why I am reposting.)

I have an Apple TV 4K with 2 Apple HomePod Minis set up as the audio output. Watching films on Plex, the audio is very slightly out of sync, just enough to be annoying. I do not get this sync issue watching content from other apps (Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, etc.).

Plex is streaming from Plex Media Server running on my MacBook. This is all happening in my home, everything on the same WiFi network. I believe I am running the latest versions of everything (MacOS, TVOS, HomePod software, Plex server, Plex app, etc.).

Is there any solution for this (other than using my TV speakers for the audio output)?

2

I’m also seeing this, with 1st gen AppleTV 4K and 2nd gen HomePods. Anecdotally it seems to be worse on 4K content. Reverting to the old player seems to solve it, but IME that can cause other issues with HDR and 4K content.

Would be great to hear some acknowledgment that it’s a known issue and being worked on, as it’s otherwise a great setup :crossed_fingers:

3

At least I know I’m not the only one. I agree - it would be nice if someone from Plex actually acknowledged this as an issue.

4

Have this issue as well. Coming from Infuse, I was told about Plex and heard great things about it. Besides the audio issue, I like everything else about it. No issues with audio sync using other applications on the AppleTV.

Not sure if Plex uses AirPlay 2 but I’ve heard using AirPlay 2 deals with the audio syncing issues. Here’s a link that describes the benefits of using it. Difference between AirPlay & AirPlay 2

Slightly different setup, AppleTV 4K 2nd Gen, one HomePod from 2018, playing content from my Plex Server on a NAS. Reverting back to the old player works some of the time but will refuse to play 4K content with subtitles.

5

Same issue. Really annoying

6

same here. Plex app on TVOS is a mess. Stuttering and audio delay constantly.

7

Playback start takes forever and then the audio is out of sync.

It would be great if the tvos was given some TLC with HomePod as the audio output.

8

Whenever I have this problem (fairly often), just skip backward or forward once, and the audio re-syncs for me.
My problem is getting it to start playing at all when using Airplay (homepods, or devialet phantoms). Some combination of skipping forward and backward, stopping and starting, turning in a circle 5 times, and throwing glitter in the air makes it start playing. Usually.
As with others, when using Infuse or any other player on the AppleTV, this is not an issue.

9

Is this an issue that Plex ever plans on fixing? This has been going on for years.

10

My Apple TV + HomePod Mini also has about a 200ms delay, and playing EAC3 audio becomes completely silent after a few minutes.