Series X ANY Bitstream audio lag (TV, receiver, whatever)?

DaveyHatton · Mar 21, 2021

I'm posting here to confirm what I've read from various forums, etc... I went from a 360 (never any audio problems) to Series X with minor to major audio lag with ANY Bitstream output (I'm forced to use bitstream through my television (2020 Samsung) --> soundbar, due to other wacky audio surround issues with the X and direct HDMI feed to a Nakamichi PRO 7.1 DTS:X (2018 SSE upgraded) soundbar.I've tried everything (optical out, television speakers only to eliminate possible delay to soundbar) and am experiencing the issues that most are reporting in various scenarios. From "best" to worst for bitstream would be DTS (barely noticeable, but still noticeable when compared to any of the uncompressed options), then good old fashioned Dolby Digital (Seriously!?!, this seems like the most common setup), and then ATMOS is AWFUL. This delay is noticeable with menu selection sounds and in-game f/x (Just fire off a shotgun in DOOM Eternal), but obviously not there in video streaming apps.

This seems like a major problem that everyone would be experiencing but perhaps not noticing right away, so I'm very surprised that this hasn't been fixed already (especially since it sounds like it was an issue with Xone but could be worked around with optical from console to receiver)

As I mentioned before, my soundbar has been freaking out in various settings (but always some kind of problem) 5.1/7.1 uncompressed cuts out some center channel dialog, and both uncompressed/bit stream most of the times (but not always) distort out my subwoofer/rear speakers. To further complicate matters, my soundbar --> subwoofer is wireless, but I've turned off 5 Ghz on my router, and from what I understand the controllers also operate in the 5Ghz spaces (to eliminate possible interference as a reason for surround issues, I simply switched over to a television app with Xbox/Controller still on and the distortion issue goes away...)

Conclusion is that there's definitely a common with bitstream ANYTHING lag, and something about the Series X doesn't agree with my soundbar (Yep, also have changed to 1080P to avoid possible bandwidth issues), and from multiple issues that other folks are having with their sound equipment, it doesn't seem like a problem specific to my soundbar setup.

:)

SpaceTerraMoto

The audio latency with Xbox Wireless Headset and others using the same fragile protocol is laughable and a real shame imo. Had to switch to stereo uncompressed and plug my old wired headphones into my monitor's shabby phone jack in order to play Rocksmith with just bearable latency. Headset plugged to controller is just as bad as anything Xbox Wireless (which also develops massive signal degradation/pulsing distortion every few minutes.

I really hope some manufacturer brings HDMI 4k/60 audio extractors that are VRR capable to market one day. TBH, Microsoft should actually go ahead and do just that in order to fix their mess.

MathieuPaul

This was a disappointment as I was excited to switch to xbox since having a ps4 and ps4 pro. I am guessing this choice was made to save and keep cost down and competitive. But I cannot stand watching cutscenes with lips talking and gunshots out of sync, not in 2021. On my ps4 pro I had an optical cable put to receiver on DTS to fix delay issues.

I have a Samsumg Q9FN 65" and for my Xbox Series X my TV would only accept dolby or stereo. Dolby had terrible delay and I was not going to settle with stereo after making a big purchase plus game pass ultimate playing 4k hrd games. I 2ant to use my 5.1 setup. I bought an video audio extractor hoping to solve the issue but now I have to lose VRR (Freesync). Presently I have my Xbox Series X going into the extractor and optical out from.the extractor going to my receiver with Bitstream DTS and I still am getting a small delay. A small but noticeable . A delay I did not have with my PS4 Pro. Dolby is unbearable as mentioned above. I even bought the new Xbox headset and was hoping to enjoy atmos but I'm getting a delay with atmos and so have to settle with winfows sonic for headphones with a small but noticeable. I s this because the headset doesn't come with a USB adapter and is Bluetooth? Anyways, this is not acceptable on a 2021 console. I should not have to struggle with audio delay issues like this. I love my Xbox Series X but this was disappointing .

NabilElmjati

Could not be the tv as my ps5 works fine with the same setup. My ps4 pro worked fine too and so does my pc with atmos as well. The only issue i have is with the series x.

Renaud Morin Lamarre

You are not alone and I've reported this in other threads as well.

The thing to note here is that this issue happens ONLY on the Series X versus other rival consoles with the same setup (no issue on PS5/4/3, Nintendo Wii U/Switch) so I find it awfully disrespectful when MS reps are pointing fingers at our TVs or audio setups. This is clearly a console firmware/software issue.

LeonardoBittencourt3

Same issue here.

My setup:

Xbox Series X -> HDMI -> Samsung Q70

Samsung Q70 -> Optical -> Amazon Echo Studio

Minimal Delay on DTS

Ultra High Delay on Dolby Digital.

If you use a streaming app directly from the TV the problem isn't noticed.

Trued the same configuration with my PS4 Pro and didn't get the issue also.

Microsoft, this problem is yours!!

Series X ANY Bitstream audio lag (TV, receiver, whatever)?