All 3 devices are on Wifi on the same access point. Both HomePods are in *Perfect Sync* but my AppleTV is slightly off. ATV is plugged into a sound bar via HDMI with Stereo output configured on the ATV. I was really hoping all AP2 devices would be tightly in sync. This is a major bummer.
This isn't an Airplay 2 issue. The soundbar attached to my LG OLED TV has no HDMI Input so the ATV is going through the TV and back to the soundbar. The TV is introducing latency. Even using the TV speakers there is a delay. The soundbar in the bedroom that has ATV going directly to it via HDMI (ARC) is in perfect sync with the HomePods. I am happy about this I can always just upgrade that soundbar.
I should have mentioned I also have an airport express in the mix. My whole house system includes several speakers running airplay one, a HomePod, 2 older Apple TVs with old airplay one software, new Apple TV running airplay 2, and old airplay express running airplay 2.
All airplay one speakers are always in perfect sync with each other. But depending on how I play music (ie from my phone, laptop, or HomePod) I get varying sync issues between the speakers. Sometimes the airplay 2 speakers are in sync with each other but not airplay one, and sometimes each airplay 2 speaker is out of sync with each other.
The airport express running airplay 2 always syncs up perfectly with all my airplay one speakers no matter what though.
So based on my experience with the above, I am confident that this is a software issue and nothing else.
It’s really really disappointing and makes it so tempting to ditch Apple.
I am seeing this also. I replaced all my Airport Express endpoints with Apple TVs and there is definitely an issue here. It took Apple forever to release AP2 I can’t believe this is considered acceptable?
I just want to thank you so much !!
I was stressing all day / and had this problem for a long time and never suspected the TV at all.
Ran AP2V through direct to sound system and bang, works perfectly !!! OMG .. Your my saviour. Now I have the best sounding stereo in the world !! Well.. I like to think so. Legend
I also have this problem and it's extremely frustrating. Between my airplay 1 speakers, the homepod, and the ATV running through a samsung w/ onkyo system, nothing syncs up!
I've been using airplay 1 for several years with no problem whatsoever. Airplay 2 has a lot of potential but so far it's a disgrace to Apple.
I think you’re right, which is also disappointing. I was prepared for that possibility and would probably not be as disappointed if airplay 2 worked better since I would be more inclined to expand and replace with all airplay 2.
But it’s hard to justify any additional cost since it doesn’t currently work very well.
You shouldn't be mixing Airplay 1 and Airplay 2 devices. They are different protocols and Airplay 2 has a larger buffer than AP1. This thread is for Airplay 2 only environments not being in sync.
There was nothing from Apple to say you couldn’t mix airplay 1 and 2 and so it’s pretty disappointing, though not surprising, that they don’t sync well together as it’s something that’s definitely within apples abbility to fix.
And this was a thread about airplay 2 not properly syncing. All issues with syncing should be explored to narrow down the problem and produce a solution. It’s possible the solution is universal to all syncing issues.
Matthew Chiavelli wrote:
I have two HomePods and two ATVs, one 4K and the other latest 1080p version.
Just curious, are your ATV's routing their audio output over HDMI, or another AirPlay device?
I’ve also noticed using Airplay 2 at the same time to 2 Apple TVs is also in perfect sync.
Yeah, how was Airplay 2 QA'd without testing against a mix of HomePod and ATV? Seems like an obvious use case.
Interesting. I will try this test tonight when I get home.
I just tried an experiment. A film played from ATV4k, 1/4 second latency on Homepod. Music played from Homepod, 1/4 second latency on ATV4k. Film / Music played from ipad/iphone via airplay2, NO latency, perfectly in sync!
Apple, you need to sort this, pronto.
So I have 2 living/family rooms that are adjacent to each other separating by a fireplace. Same tv on either side of the fireplace. One side has a Pioneer Elite 302 and the other Yamaha 681. Both sides running 5.2.1 Dolby with identical speakers in walls/ceilings.
Apple TV 4Ks attached to both receivers. Both receivers are hardwired in a gigabit network, both Apple TVs are hardwired on the same network. Nothing is wireless in my house other than phones and laptops. It doesn't matter what I do, but Yamaha is always behind. It sounds terrible. I can't have synced music at all. I am at a point of considering just running an RCA cable in my addict as an input to the other receiver. It sounds like a young DJ who is used to pressing sync button on Traktor/Serato and his laptop broke and now has to use real beat matching. It's terrible. I tried playing around with all sorts of settings, but nothing works.
I just tried disconnecting the receivers and plugging Apple TVs directly to identical TVs using identical fiber optic HDMI cables, and guess what the issue still exists. Same side where the Yamaha receiver is, is still behind about 1/4 of a beat.
That side is closer to the switch so the cat6 cable is shorter, and i't still behind. I am pretty 100% positive it is an airplay 2 issue.
Airplay 2 out of sync between ATV4K and Homepods
