Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Lip sync calibration utility?

Are there any set-up DVDs with an audio delay calibration function?

Digital Video Essentials and Avia Pro both have patterns that can be used for this. I would expect DVE Pro to have the pattern too but I don't have those discs.

The patterns both show repeating motion combined with a periodic sound. The idea being you adjust lipsync until the sound precisely matches the correct aspect of motion from either pattern.

DVE is a lot cheaper.

Alternatively, grab your copy of The Matrix and go to the scene where Morpheous is sat in a chair explaining to matrix to Neo. I find that scene to be spot on for lipsync and because of the close up with Morpheous's lips during his monologue you have time to correct lipsync until it's correct.

Cheers,

Mark

Cool. Thanks Mark.

VK,
we must be travelling in parallel worlds; I've spent each evening over the weekend tweaking the lipsync following my SDI mod. (I was right there with you again when trying to work out which screws to undo to get inside the 598). The possible combinations of delay between presets, sources (advanced) and video processor have had me questioning myself several times.

It has shown me that not all programmes (TV broadcasts) are produced equal!

I can't remember a section for lipsync on my (quite old now) DVE DVD but I'm going to check.

Otherwise it will be out with the Matrix as Mark suggests.

Variation between TV programmes drives me nuts. Some are so far off the 'norm' that I cannot watch.

I'm currently running with about 59ms delay

Look for the pattern that looks like a radar sweep - as the sweep hits the top of the screen a white bar flashes and there is a sound. You need to get the sound and flash in sync.

Cheers,

Mark

[twilightzone]Do do do do...[/twilightzone].

I've actually got a copy of Avia (R1). Not sure if there is a pro and a non-pro version though. Will check it out tonight.

Of course, the delay for 50Hz and 60Hz material will be subtly different, one frame of each being 20ms and 16.7ms respectively. I doubt 3ms will be noticeable though and I really can't be bothered to double up on phantom sources for NTSC and PAL from two SDI DVD players

I guess I'll also need to wait for the Matrix to be shown on Freeview (and then quickly do the adjustment during the right scene). LOL!

VK,

Very good point re: PAL v NTSC and something I should have clarified in my original post. My comments regarding The Matrix were in regard to the R1 version. Even though I'm UK I only watch imported R1 DVDs and so tend to think in NTSC

And yes there is an AVIA Pro, but only R1. DVE does exist in a PAL format and I'm certain it has the required test pattern for setting lipsync.

As for what amount you can notice, I can certainly see 2ms difference on my 10' wide screen from which I sit at about 12' back...

Cheers,

Mark

And why is it that BBC2 on Sky is always way out??

It drives me mad.

Help please!

I've now got myself a new DVE DVD (PAL from pluggedin.tv) and have tried setting up the lip sync.
In my system there are three locations for audio delay;
1) DVDO HD+ +/- approx 100ms, works fine and I can achieve good sync on audio signals passing through it (freeview box & DVDR) via their optical digital connections.
The 598 is connected via MHR to the 568MM so the DVDO is not in the audio 'chain' but it is delaying the video.
2) Presets in the 568 have up to 30ms delay available, have max'ed out on this for the 'discrete' used for DVD and still want more (I'm guessing at about another 20ms).
3) Sources in the 568 can have up to 4 video frames of delay applied (I have noticed that if a delay is requested against a source, the same delay is applied to all other sources). Whenever I set any delay using this option I loose all sound from the DVD (other sources still fine)!!

ncpl how have you achieved this?

any ideas?

Ian T.

I thought I almost had it, reading the manuals again (generally the last resort to us men) the 568.2 manual suggests connecting a S-video lead as well as the Smart link (something I had done since I didn't think necessary) so eurika, its just needing a signal to detect the frame rate?
Alas no!
Tried again and have noticed the biggest lead, when I have a delay applied to the sources (1-4 frames) the processor does not apparently see the smart link, none of the discrete/cinema presets are available, just music/PL/THX etc.

Anybody any ideas to this?

Crossed fingers,
Ian T.

I now know why nobody could help me, M have confirmed to me that I've found a bug in the 568 software (they've replicated it in house this morning).
It appears to aflict both the 2.5 beta and 2.12 full release versions.

I just hope it will not be too long before they do the next proper update release (and have solved the issue before then)

Whilst waiting I'll just have to squint so I can't see any lips too well (or open another bottle so I don,t care).

Ian T.