Audio synchronizing problem with a TCL R613 55"

I bought this TCL R613 from Costco almost one year ago and have had audio synchronizing problems from the beginning, but I am just now finding time to look for a solution. I was able to synchronize the Oppo player pretty well, but over the air broadcasts are still a problem. Most channels are close enough to not bother me, but channel 4.1, the local NBC affiliate, is noticeably off; it's especially obvious with news readers. Their lips stop moving before their voices stop speaking. The video is delayed slightly. Now that I look around this seems to be a widespread issue with TCL TVs. Has anyone else solved this problem? Would an external tuner help bypass the issue?

Like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Mediasonic-HOMEWORX-HW130STB-Converter-Recording/dp/B01EW098XS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=OEP2930CGK4Y&dchild=1&keywords=tv+tuner+box+with+hdmi+output&qid=1596932206&sprefix=tv+tuner,aps,215&sr=8-3.

I didn't have this sync problem with my old Sharp Aquos so I don't think it's a broadcaster problem.

The TCL is connected to a rooftop antenna with a coaxial cable. The TV audio out is by optical cable to my AV preamp.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
5.1 System:
TCL R613 55" 4K
Front: SRS-3.1TL
Center: CS400i
Surround: Monitor 10B
PSW10 subwoofer
Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro
NAD T955 5 channel power amplifier
Technics SL-1710 MK2 turntable
Audio-Technica AT14Sa cartridge
Parasound P3 pre-amp
Oppo BDP-103 Blu-Ray
2014 MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz

2.0 Office System:
Monitor 10A (Peerless)
Outlaw 1050 receiver
Parasound HCA-1000A power amp
MacPro

Comments

  • jimbo1421
    jimbo1421 Posts: 772
    I should add that the internal speakers show the same problem, although out of phase by a different amount. With both internal speakers and external audio there is quite an echo effect.
    5.1 System:
    TCL R613 55" 4K
    Front: SRS-3.1TL
    Center: CS400i
    Surround: Monitor 10B
    PSW10 subwoofer
    Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro
    NAD T955 5 channel power amplifier
    Technics SL-1710 MK2 turntable
    Audio-Technica AT14Sa cartridge
    Parasound P3 pre-amp
    Oppo BDP-103 Blu-Ray
    2014 MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz

    2.0 Office System:
    Monitor 10A (Peerless)
    Outlaw 1050 receiver
    Parasound HCA-1000A power amp
    MacPro
  • CottageChz
    CottageChz Posts: 362
    I’m guessing you would have found this already, but my Samsung allows me to set an audio delay for optical out. Not sure if I can set that delay for the internal speakers, but I think it’s optical out only.
  • jimbo1421
    jimbo1421 Posts: 772
    No such adjustment on the TCL. Perhaps I should just pretend that Lester Holt is Japanese and that NBC Nightly News has been dubbed into English.
    5.1 System:
    TCL R613 55" 4K
    Front: SRS-3.1TL
    Center: CS400i
    Surround: Monitor 10B
    PSW10 subwoofer
    Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro
    NAD T955 5 channel power amplifier
    Technics SL-1710 MK2 turntable
    Audio-Technica AT14Sa cartridge
    Parasound P3 pre-amp
    Oppo BDP-103 Blu-Ray
    2014 MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz

    2.0 Office System:
    Monitor 10A (Peerless)
    Outlaw 1050 receiver
    Parasound HCA-1000A power amp
    MacPro
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,310
    Is the TV connected to WiFi? Have you checked for a firmware update?

    Another thing I read was:
    Make sure that the “S/PDIF and ARC” is set to PCM-Stereo under TV’s setting -> Audio Setting

    Other suggestions were to change the channel or source out to something else then back again to see if it syncs.
    I disabled signatures.
  • jimbo1421
    jimbo1421 Posts: 772
    I am finally getting back to this problem, msg. I had done a firmware update earlier without specifically checking this issue, and now the synchronization is almost, but not quite there. Audio still runs slightly behind. Switching the audio setting to PCM stereo made no difference. Nor did changing channels or sources.

    So a few things I have observed.
    1. It is very strange to spend so much time watching the newsreaders' lips move.
    2. Even when their voice and lips are in synch, their lips are still two feet above the center channel so it still doesn't look right.
    3. Finally, the solution really is to look at their eyes, not lips.

    Thank you for your help. When this TV wears out maybe I'll buy a Sony.

    Jim
    5.1 System:
    TCL R613 55" 4K
    Front: SRS-3.1TL
    Center: CS400i
    Surround: Monitor 10B
    PSW10 subwoofer
    Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro
    NAD T955 5 channel power amplifier
    Technics SL-1710 MK2 turntable
    Audio-Technica AT14Sa cartridge
    Parasound P3 pre-amp
    Oppo BDP-103 Blu-Ray
    2014 MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz

    2.0 Office System:
    Monitor 10A (Peerless)
    Outlaw 1050 receiver
    Parasound HCA-1000A power amp
    MacPro
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,310
    edited August 2020
    Have you tried contacting TCL support?
    Looks like they have a chat option.

    Just did a little poking around. Are these settings available? Maybe something like this would work.

    https://www.amazon.com/review/R1U35FS0HB6ZVN
    9vu8gn20nuro.jpg
    I disabled signatures.
  • Back again, thanks msg. The problem is with over the air broadcast on channel 4.1, so these settings aren't there. I came across a number of forums with this topic and responses from TCL tech support. The tech asks for more information, gets it, then ghosts. I haven't tried phone support; my last effort on another issue took two hours with an ESL tech. Perhaps I should look for the chat option when I have some more time to kill.
    5.1 System:
    TCL R613 55" 4K
    Front: SRS-3.1TL
    Center: CS400i
    Surround: Monitor 10B
    PSW10 subwoofer
    Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro
    NAD T955 5 channel power amplifier
    Technics SL-1710 MK2 turntable
    Audio-Technica AT14Sa cartridge
    Parasound P3 pre-amp
    Oppo BDP-103 Blu-Ray
    2014 MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz

    2.0 Office System:
    Monitor 10A (Peerless)
    Outlaw 1050 receiver
    Parasound HCA-1000A power amp
    MacPro