Apple TV 4K to tvOS 15 wireless audio sync issues

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Level 1

56 points

Apple TV 4K to tvOS 15 wireless audio sync issues

I updated my Apple TV 4K to tvOS 15 and now, all my *Apple* devices will not sync audio wirelessly. This includes AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max. Doesn’t matter what I’m watching, or what app/service I’m watching, the audio is out of sync. I tried using the calibrate wireless audio feature in the settings, but when I try it defaults the audio output to TV speakers which doesn’t have any problem…because it’s wired! So not sure what wireless audio sync is good for if it’s only checking if wired audio is synced. The closest fix I could find, but it’s still really out of sync, is setting my video output to 4K Dolby Vision and turning off Match Content and Frame Rate. The problem with that is the TV menus are not in HDR, so if I change my TV’s input and then go back to the Apple TV input channel, the screen starts flashing green and static until I power reset both the TV and the Apple TV. Everything worked flawlessly before the tvOS update…BUT, I have the new Apple TV 4K which doesn’t have a USB-C port…so I can’t downgrade it back to 14.7. Anyone else with similar issues?? I will add that when using my HomePod stereo pair as the default output, the audio seems to be in sync, but if I try to calibrate wireless audio to the HomePods, the Apple TV changes the audio output to TV speakers. And even though it seems to by synced with HomePods, if I temporarily change audio to headphones it goes completely out of sync. I’ve also tried defaulting Video output to every available option and tried wireless audio, still out of sync.

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 15

Posted on Oct 1, 2021 10:46 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Nicholas_B2

Community Specialist

Oct 2, 2021 11:17 AM in response to AJ4756

Hello AJ4756,

Thanks for reaching out in Apple Support Communities.

We understand wanting to get this resolved, so we’ll do all we can to help. You’ve already tried a lot of great troubleshooting.

What about Adjust video and audio settings on Apple TV? Have you taken a look to make sure all your settings are correct?

Reach back out if you are still seeing the same behavior.

Take care!

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Answer 2

AJ4756 Author

Level 1

56 points

Dec 7, 2021 10:16 AM in response to AJ4756

Since this thread is continuing because the issue is ongoing, and because it was incorrectly marked as solved very early on, I have copied it over to a new thread that isn’t resolved.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253442785

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Answer 3

Oct 8, 2021 11:28 AM in response to Andyswats

I have the same problem

Apple TV 4k
JVC X30 Projector
RaspberryPI Airplay DAC connected to my HiFi

Worked well until Apple TV was updated to TVOS 15

Video is being glitched with increasing delay between video and audio (video is late).

When Airplay audio is not used, there is no issue on video.

Very frustrating as it has been working well for many months...

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Answer 4

Dec 25, 2021 9:03 AM in response to AJ4756

I had this issue, where my Apple Airpods Pro had a slight delay when wirelessly connected to the Apple 4K TV 2021 64GB.

I tried all sorts of settings within Apple 4K TV but they did not fix the timing delay.

What did get the audio in order was:

Disconnect the Airpods Pro to the Apple 4K TV 64GB
Reconnect the Airpods Pro to the Apple 4K TV 64GB

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Answer 5

ayrtonoc

Level 1

39 points

Oct 2, 2021 11:59 AM in response to AJ4756

I use an airport express 802.11n (so airplay1) with Rotel receiver and have experienced same issue after 15.0 update. I've tried all i can, no luck. So i've configured a raspberry pi4 with shairport-sync development implementation that support airplay2 and the sound is in sync.

So Apple should be clear: are they dropping support for airplay1, and audio sync, or this is a clear bug of new 15.0 and new player.

With PLEX that use a different player, is all in sync.

So now it's Apple that must fix his Airplay 1 protocol on TvOS.

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Answer 6

AJ4756 Author

Level 1

56 points

Oct 2, 2021 1:10 PM in response to Nicholas_B2

Yes. I have a Vizio P-Series Quantum X TV and the Apple TV is plugged into the 4K 60 Hz input. Actually, the Apple TV is plugged into a Phillips Hue Sync box in the 4K 60 Hz input, which then goes to the TV’s 4K 60 Hz input with ARC. I have tested the hdmi connections and all seems to be in good order.

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Answer 7

ayrtonoc

Level 1

39 points

Oct 2, 2021 1:16 PM in response to AJ4756

I have also a parir of bluetooth Sony headset that are in sync...

I think that airplay 1 is the cause, if airplay 2 is native no problem.

But i start to read several complaints over this issue and that is a priority to address...

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Answer 8

ayrtonoc

Level 1

39 points

Oct 4, 2021 1:06 PM in response to crocco69

The more the time goes, the more difference in sync is.

Totally unacceptable for a final release. I miss Jobs era: "it's just work" not all that useless fuss about features nobody use, but focus on realiability and real innovations. Nowadays Apple tries to do everything in search of something really revolutionary... without luck. The last real product innovation was ipad...

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Answer 9

AJ4756 Author

Level 1

56 points

Oct 4, 2021 1:10 PM in response to ayrtonoc

I agree. I remember when I first realized I could connect apple headphones to Apple TV, and it just worked. Then the ability to share audio with two headsets to watch with someone else, and it just worked. Then use wireless studio HomePods, and it just worked. Then with Dolby atmos that just worked. Then they had eARC to play all television audio to the HomePods and it just worked. Then tvOS15 and suddenly it’s all buggy

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Answer 10

Oct 4, 2021 1:32 PM in response to AJ4756

Same problem here. Setup:

Apple TV HD -> hdmi -> Epson beamer / projector

Audio by Airplay to Yamaha WXA-50.

Works great for years. After update to tvOS 15 sound isn't in sync, Netflix and AppleTV has a lot of hitches and subtitles are gone.

Very disapointing. For now I try to downgrade to tvOS 14.

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Answer 11

Oct 4, 2021 7:21 PM in response to wouterdam

Same issue for me. Video is glitchy and audio is out-of-sync when playing Airplay audio to Yamaha RX-A750. Both Apple TV 4K (newest model) and the Yamaha are hard wired. Worked fine before the update.

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Answer 12

Oct 6, 2021 7:48 AM in response to AJ4756

Same exact issue. Used my AirPod pro to watch apple tv4k at night to not wake up sleeping members of my family. I updated the TVOS to 15 and now the audio/video synch is awful and gets worse. If I hit pause and start again, it helps but quickly falls out of synch again. Also new, popping and buzzing on video from the Apple TV on the AirPods.no problem before. Now all the time. Hope there is an update to fix this issue soon. Frustrating to say the least.

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Answer 13

77Karl77

Level 1

9 points

Oct 6, 2021 4:05 PM in response to Nicholas_B2

Hi Nicholas,

I hope answers here make it clear that no issue is solved. Reports here are not exactly the same but there is apparently something wrong with AppleTV/AirPlay after15 update. Getting tired of my bt headphones here (at least they work as they should…)

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Answer 14

Oct 8, 2021 11:55 AM in response to AJ4756

Yep, appears to be an upgrade problem. All my streaming apps start in sync and then drift out of sync. I didn’t change any of my audio or video settings, so that’s not the problem. After Apple’s initial response to the original question, nothing but crickets. Hope they will follow up with further info soon. This really ****** me off.

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Answer 15

Oct 8, 2021 1:38 PM in response to 1974_CelicaST

Yes, already tried all possible options (reboot, reinstall, tries all video and audio set-up conbination, reinstalled my Airplay DAC...) even spent 45 minutes with Apple support guy on the phone (doing is job well) but not solving the pb... it seems it is a software issue of TVOS 15 as all streaming apps are suffering from the same behaviour...

@AppleSupport do you have any clue ?

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Apple TV 4K to tvOS 15 wireless audio sync issues

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