Announcement

**Paul Webster** · 2023-03-15, 08:31

Sync is managed by LMS - players do not talk to each other.
It might be that the underlying software stack makes it not possible to do real sync ... however, if the offset is consistent then you could try adjusting the delays in the player sync settings.

For the skipping ... first step is to make sure that you are running a recent version of LMS ... just in case it is already fixed.

**Redrum** · 2023-03-15, 13:47

To add to what Paul suggests, I have found that sync on ethernet (with the same type of player) works as expected, sync on wifi is very dependent on wifi signal quality, strength. Also, it just takes one struggling player to sabotage the whole sync family. You can experiment by taking one player at a time out of sync to see if you find a weak link.

Also, as sync is handled by LMS (as Paul mentions), each player type can handle the stream differently (latency?) causing slight delays. I regularly have a touch (main floor) synced with a receiver (basement) and they are always a little off. I have to have them only loud enough to serve their room, otherwise the perceived delay drives me nuts. As Paul mentions, there are trims in LMS setting that I have not tried.

When I get a couple players that are badly out of sync, I unsync/sync to get them back. That doesn't always work.

I remember (or dreamed it) way back that because of the way sync is handled/designed, it will never be perfect. Perhaps that's because it's up to each player on how to handle it. I am unsure of the software architecture, but I don't think there is a clock of sorts to insure exact sync.

Jim

**UserZero** · 2023-03-18, 01:57

Paul Webster / Redrum - Thank you both for the feedback!

I suspect that one or both of the tablets might be an issue (They're OLD kindle fires)... the problem existed when i was just using those two devices (running the same version of the software).

I don't have an easy way to test wired vs wireless... most devices in the house are wireless

**RobbH** · 2023-03-18, 04:45

Originally posted by UserZero View Post

...I suspect that one or both of the tablets might be an issue (They're OLD kindle fires)... the problem existed when i was just using those two devices (running the same version of the software).
...

...
I think it's very likely that's correct. In the initial message announcing SB Player (ten years ago!) the author said "The quality of synchronized playback can vary a lot depending on the device. It works well on a Galaxy Nexus, but it won't be perfect and will need to be adjusted in your server settings." I don't think that's any less true now.

**Redrum** · 2023-03-18, 12:33

Again, dim memories, but I remember reading way back (around 2007, when I was deciding between sb and sonos) that sync would never be perfect, because there is no common "clock" to align audio samples for all players/self correct. I seem to remember (again, or my brain made it up) that this is something Sonos does better.

I took a look around, and found some interesting posts from around 2007. Now, understanding they are discussing changes to improve sync, and things may have been implemented (would need to look at LMS version change log), but I assume the underlying software architecture still exists.

Looking at improving multi-player synchronization - Squeezebox : Community : Forums

https://forums.slimdevices.com/forum/user-forums/general-discussion/34414-looking-at-improving-multi-player-synchronization

The Kitchen Sink

Thoughts about further synchronization improvements - Squeezebox : Community : Forums

https://forums.slimdevices.com/forum/developer-forums/developers/35748-thoughts-about-further-synchronization-improvements#post203463

A place for the SqueezeCenter development team to meet.

Some interesting info

Jim