KTVX Lip Sync

[rcvideo]

I guess nobody at KTVX listens to the audio and checks to make sure the Lip Sync is good. It's not and hasn't been for quite some time. It's not just with the local HD, but with all programing including ABC Network shows. I see/hear the problem off the air so it's not a cable or DSS problem. Somebody at KTVX please listen!

[Terry]

I've been watching this channel 4 lip-sync problem for months now. I agree that it is the same on Comcast as it is over the air. After watching for months I have determined that the local programs are not as bad as the ABC programs, though the local news in HD is as bad as the network. I know nothing about the technology involved, so I don't know how difficult it might be to fix the problem. I do find it strangely amusing. I always know when I've dialed across channel 4 even without any ID. Their lips always move before you hear them. It's like you're watching something move way in the distance, then the sound comes a half second later. I really find it difficult to believe that it can't be fixed.

[CAwasinNJ]

It would have to be able to be fixed. If they ripped out every piece of equipment in the plant and replaced it, it would be fixed. Hopefully that isn't necessary.

I have no knowledge of their plant, but I wouldn't think with the HD conversion they would have gone all-digital. The problem with that is that you probably can't just patch into a distribution amp somewhere and see what's happening at that point. There's an issue in TV plant mechanics with getting all of the signals completely in sync, and that can be tricky when you're dealing with long lengths of cable and different sources. I'm only familiar with analog routing and getting those timings exactly right can be a nightmare sometimes. I would think digital would be easier, but I have no idea. On the other hand, it could be as simple as a router somewhere that got some bad data thrown at it months ago that threw the processing of the sound off and it just picked up a fraction of a second later and has been lagging ever since. If you could find it, you just reboot and you're done. The most puzzling part is why it's still a problem months later. If it were me, I'd go through the air chain one by one resetting everything during what passed for "off-air" these days over the weekend.

Funny thing is, the Untamed feed on 4.2 looks like it's in sync to me.

[rcvideo]

First of all, I am guessing that Untamed is probably an all analog signal up to the input of the transmitter. There can be delays in analog, but not as bad.

As far as the HD feeds..there are many places that delays can happen. If the video is HD and audio is Analog that can be a problem. If there are too many Frame Syncs for the video and no delay units for the audio that can cause a problem. They just need to start at the very beginning and track it down.

The other network affiliates and local HD feeds are good so it can be done.

[CAwasinNJ]

Even CW30 is good, and they own that too.

[rcvideo]

Sometime in the past week it looks and sounds like KTVX finally got their Lip-Sync right! Now it's not as distracting to watch anymore.

[Terry]

The channel 4 lip-sync problem seems vary with the time of day, or maybe the phases of the moon. The 10pm news still consistently has the problem. I have seen some other programs lately that do not have the problem. As a side note, their news coverage itself seems to be improving. I had given up on them.

By the way, channel 5 sometimes has a minor delay problem, not too serious. I notice it sometimes during the NBC Liberal News with Brian Williams. I watch them very closely. ("Know thine enemy.")

[kenglish]

I've noticed that there are some glaring differences in audio levels and down-mix when they go from 5.1 network, to stereo programming. I even saw a commercial without dialogue (listening in stereo). I wonder what settings they are using on the DD down-mix.

[rcvideo]

I hear the same thing on some of the Comcast Local Avails. No audio or bad levels. On another note, KJZZ commercial levels are also pretty bad!