lipsync out?

[Mat]

just received my new J7 box and xbmc lip sync was way out. after uninstalling then reinstalling another droidbox xbmc I found on this site https://www.dropbox.com/s/0u5e1tg9y6re6dn/xbmc-DroidBOX-Gotham-13.1-Q7-X7.apk was the best I could find concerning lip sync I then found this video on you tube

the closest I could get with the vip controller is 0.380, it works but could I get 0.381? lip sync in android mx player is fine and lip sync while streaming in android is fine, just xbmc is not fine :-( , hope this can help out others who may have the same problem. thank mat

 

[Ahmed]

Please send to us your order id and amazon /ebay id to [email protected]

 

[Mat]

Please send to us your order id and amazon /ebay id to [email protected].u

got the E-Mail? its a watered down version of what I put up, don't understand why it was sent? anyhow back to the problem at hand, lip sync! with the adjustment of 0.381 (I got it) in the offset slide it works fine for the first 50 minutes or so, then goes out of sync again, 30 minutes after that the sound distorts for a minute or two, then the movie runs to the end with the lip sync still out, so far it has happened on all three movies I have watched. I have searched the internet with no definitive answers, any further help would be appreciated, thanks, Mat
Quick edit,
was reading your sales pitch on your website when I came across this
VideoMixPro
This is an alternative to XBMC, which again provides freely available media, and some people find the interface simpler and easier to pick up.
Could not find that installed, but I did find videomix, gave it ago, and so far it works fine. I think I'll just keep using this until the E-Boffs at xmbc finally come up with a fix for the lip sync and stuttering video play back.
ps, videomixpro? is that supposed to be installed? if so? how could I get it? thank you, Mat.

 

[ChrisM]

Mat,
we did get the e-mail, and replied. Unfortunately Ahmed forgot to ask you to include a link to this forum thread in your e-mail, so one of my colleague's replied to your e-mail (it was about 2.5 hours you sent your message, in case that helps you locate it) that you could manually adjust the lip sync in XBMC. Without having seen your forum thread, he didn't realized that you'd covered this and a lot more already.

Can you provide the exact sequence of XBMC add-ons/streams/media hosting provider that you click on when the audio/video sync is lost? Even if it happens on everything you try, just let me know one specific example, and I'll match the scenario on my Q7.

If the video streams work properly all the way through, on my device, we know it isn't the infrastructure (which is out of our control) that is to blame, but your individual hardware unit.

If it is JUST your device that behaves this way, I'd first suggest a recovery menu based factory reset (see https://droidbox.co.uk/blog/how-to-access-your-droidboxs-recovery-menu/ , select Wipe Data/Factory Reset, and reboot when the process has completed). Once you've arrived at the Android launcher's homscreen, leave it 20 minutes (no clicking or rebooting), then check if Frodo XBMC is any better behaved with Lip Sync (don't forget the DroidBOX Wizard Q7 device pack obviously). If it misbehaves uninstall it and install the Gotham XBMC build again, and test.

If the sync issues remains, please send us another e-mail with http://www.droidboxforums.com/posts/907 somewhere in the message, and mentioned Chris stated this was a REPLACEMENT scenario, not REPAIR. btw, the order number you included last time was actually a generic item number that is for all Q7s, if you look in eBay's purchase history, you should find a nice long number that has that item number, and then some further digits.

Moving on to VideoMix, we originally provided a copy of VideoMix Pro with an older firmware, but it turns out that this version no longer works reliably, and as VideoMix is free and the updated version works, this is the one we now include. I'll make a note to update the listings, thanks for the reminder.

 

[Mat]

Hey Silent, the steps I take are, XBMC-MashUp-New Releases-first in list BillionUploads-first in list- sit back and relax.

Now here's the thing, when DroidBox is first powered up I start the movie(see above)and skip through to several points all the lip sync is in, but when I watch the movie all the way through, the lip sync goes out some where in the second half? also when finished watching that movie and start another, the lip sync is in and stays in until half way through, then goes out again, I will run that test again today.
also what's with the noise distortion? it sounds a little like my speakers are vibrating they aren't I checked with my surround sound it makes the same noise,
ah the factory reset thing, that reminds me, was this box set up before I got it, I did not have to do the set up procedure, no questions about wi-fi or any of those usual questions, (I use power line adapters if needing to know) do I do the factory reset now? or wait for your conclusion? I'll wait until you say to do it.
VideoMix is asking me to update it, yes or no? Google updates every thing else, why not this, is it one of those paid for upgrades it trying to get me to do.
Thanks, Mat

 

[ChrisM]

Re VideoMix, I've not yet been asked on my device, but I've not run it in a while, let me check for you.

v1.8.9 is the version on my device.

Google's Play Store doesn't update this application for you, as it isn't in their store. Presumably because of the issue with linking to films without the copyright holder's permission etc etc

Within VideoMix's settings, I've got Update settings enabled, but it hasn't yet prompted me to download a new version.

If you're curious, you could allow the update to happen. If it doesn't work out well, you can uninstall it, then reinstall the original version from a folder on your device. Let me know if you go this route and I'll run you through it.
If you're not curious, and the app works, leave it alone.

I've only just noticed you can increase the resolution, in terms of films it streams (when higher quality streams are available). 1080p here we come

I'm going through MashUp (New Releases, Reclaim, 1st Billion Uploads link) now. I'll post back later tonight/over the weekend with the results.

[edit]
I've had to change to the Hugefiles source instead, billionuploads is either having temporary issues, or my Kazakh ISP is blocking the domain. Hmm billionuploads.com is working in a browser...

 

[Mat]

Re-run test again today, Reclaim same as before results, and then The Scribbler, lip sync was out from start, different from first test? so powered down DroidBox Q7(never knew you could not power up from vip remote)so switched off then on at socket, ran XMBC-MashUp-new releases-The Scribbler, and the lip sync was in, so watched all movie and once again lip sync went out in the second half of the movie.
VideoMix, just updated it, seem to run fine so far. Mat

 

[ChrisM]

Couple of quick thoughts...
Can you try a different add-on in XBMC, that will play videos from a completely different source. Something like iPlayer or YouTube might be ideal. Again, try to get lipsync when the video starts (if it isn't already), then watch something of film length. If lipsync is only lost with some types of media (codec issue?) we may be able to narrow down where to concentrate investigations.

A more off the wall thought - can you try installing ClockSync - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.org.amip.ClockSync&hl=en please? I was just sat on the balcony trying to think of what could cause synchronization errors, when I realized there is a small possibility that if the Q7's record of what the time is, is incorrect by a small amount, that maybe this could cause problems.
Why would this issue only be noticable in XBMC and not other apps?
No idea. Is is very likely this is the issue? Don't know. But worth a check.
Install the app, goto the settings screen, enable automatic synchronization, set the interval to 30 seconds (debug) for now, and tick high precision mode. Return to the main ClockSync screen, pull down the menu and click on synchronize. The time should now be very accurate, but if the hours are out, return to the settings and manually override the Time Zone setting.
Now return to XBMC, and with the clock being corrected every 30 seconds, check if the lip sync is still lost.

 

[Mat]

hi, I decided to do a factory reset, I followed the instructions here,

If it is JUST your device that behaves this way, I'd first suggest a recovery menu based factory reset (see https://droidbox.co.uk/blog/how-to-access-your-droidboxs-recovery-menu/ , select Wipe Data/Factory Reset, and reboot when the process has completed,

I got no menu just the android man who stayed on the screen with the spinning atom in his middle for 5 minutes or so, then the box rebooted back to where I left off.

there is a factory reset in settings, could I use that one? it does say "it will wipe all data".

I just feel I need to start from the beginning

and that clocksync almost tripled the lag, have not watched a movie all the way through yet but I will.

and finely youtube and iplayer had lipsync go out after 50 of so minutes.

watched a movie all the way through and the lip sync went out again :-(

 

[ChrisM]

Re there being no menu displayed, just the Android robot (droid?) with a spinning geometric shape, that sounds like there was either a microSD card or USB device attached to your Q7 that had a file named update.img stored on it? If you have a moment, try remove the USB device or memory card, and go through the factory reset.
The factory reset within Android's settings can work, but it seems to have issues occasionally, at least more often than doing the procedure via ther recovery menu.
ClockSync was just a strange thought that occurred to me, if it doens't help at all, either disable the options or uninstall it... it was worth a try.
The fact that iplayer and youtube gave you audio/video sync issues mean that this isn't restricted to just one add-on or codec - at least we can rule that out now.

I think we may have exhausted other options (bar the recovery menu's Data Wipe/Factory Reset approach). If said factory reset doesn't assist, send us an e-mail ( [email protected] ), with http://www.droidboxforums.com/posts/959 , your order ID and account name, and ask them to speak to SilentlyScreaming if they're unsure of how to proceed in this case. Thanks for being so patient and trying different approaches, I was hoping we could get everything behaving as expected, without involving posting anything, but unless the Recovery Menu procedure fixes everything, I believe we've exhausted all other options.

 

[Mat]

Hi, started the factory reset from within settings, and the oddest thing happened, it told me the SD card must be erased to continue, there is no SD card slot, there is a smaller slot with FT under it, this could be a micro SD card slot, but there was nothing in there either, no USB except the VIP dongle, so I went ahead and checked the erase the SD box, and it did, it said erasing the SD card???

it went onto setting up box please wait... it was installing apps, it showed them at bottom of screen, then it stopped that and has sat there now for 30 minutes doing nothing or so it seems,

just says at top of screen setting up box please wait...

if nothing happens should I then try a reset data wipe/reset It thinks the SD card it has in it, is now erased.

 

[ChrisM]

TF = TransFlash=microSD I believe. (Just checked, yes, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Digital#Mini-_and_micro-cards )

SD Card may refer to the internal directory/location that is named SD Card. This isn't your External SD card, just a certain part of the internal storage. See towards the end of the article I wrote here - https://droidbox.co.uk/blog/the-advert-stated-4-or-8-16-gb-rom-i-see-a-lot-less-why/ for a bit of background.

Do try the recovery menu based factory reset if you're not sure.

One final idea regarding lip sync in XBMC, I think setting XBMC to use a 3rd party video player, instead of the internal one is worth a shot. See
ADVANCED - Using An External Media Player App In XBMC you'll want to modify the text to use MX Player or your preferred video player, unless you use/like VLC. I'm hoping that as video playback outside of XBMC is OK, if we tell XBMC to use one of those applications to display video, the issue may be sidestepped.

If that doesn't work, I think it may be time to open a thread on the XBMC forum - http://forum.xbmc.org/
If you let them know that lip sync only seems to be an issue in XBMC, that Frodo and Gotham behaved the same, and what you've already tried to alleviate the issue, they may have other suggestions for fixing this.

 

[Mat]

Hi again, the factory reset from within settings worked, just to a long time, lip sync was still out however thinking back to clocksync when the sync went out to over 0.900 (I have not put clocksync back in) I thought that's where I'll start, and so far it has worked lip sync seems to hold, but I'm not to hopeful it will last.

about Frodo, this version of Droid Wizard does not give you a choice, opened up wizard and the only choice is XMBC Gotham, then a few add-ons, then fix me now, and finally, you have U M8 this stops crashes in XBMC click on this last, I thought I had a Q7? do I have the wrong box or the wrong software, I'm sorry but that last box to click on makes no sense at all,

it was said earlier on in post #4 that Frodo would load from DroidBox Wizard but I only get Gotham?

thanks, mat

 

[ChrisM]

To double check which version of XBMC is being used, head to the System Menu, then System Info below that (labels may be different depending on the skin you use). One thing to note is that the DroidBOX Wizard packs all install the same XBMC splash screen, which has "Gotham" in the picture. I've raised this issue and I'm hoping the next update will replace that splash screen with a generic one which doesn't show Gotham or Frodo at all.

In Gotham XBMC, the only devices we officially support are X7/Q7/X7 Ultimate (all of which are RockChip based, rather than the AmLogic of iMX6, M6, M8 etc etc), so for now, a Gotham specific pack from our Wizard is only for the models I mentioned, don't worry.

 

[Mat]

To double check which version of XBMC is being used, head to the System Menu, then System Info below that (labels may be different depending on the skin you use). One thing to note is that the DroidBOX Wizard packs all install the same XBMC splash screen, which has "Gotham" in the picture. I've raised this issue and I'm hoping the next update will replace that splash screen with a generic one which doesn't show Gotham or Frodo at all.

In Gotham XBMC, the only devices we officially support are X7/Q7/X7 Ultimate (all of which are RockChip based, rather than the AmLogic of iMX6, M6, M8 etc etc), so for now, a Gotham specific pack from our Wizard is only for the models I mentioned, don't worry.

Hi, XBMC version is 13.2 beta3 is the one installed from Droid wizard,

 

[ChrisM]

OK, let us know how the using external player approach works out.

 

[Mat]

sorry Silent, it got to complicated for a nube like me, I've used that E-Mail address you gave me.

thanks for all your help, it's been an education. Mat

 

[ChrisM]

OK, understood

 

[Mat]

Hi, received my new Q7 DroidBox, the problem with lip sync on this box is also out, reset lip sync with that slider bar and it goes out later on, in the same movie or 1 hour long program I am watching, this happens on the DroidBox and xbmc, I have already spent £4.30 on posting you my last faulted box, why I paid I don't know? unless you could change this box for a completely different model, I don't know what else there is I can do. maybe wait until new software comes out, thanks Mat

 

[ChrisM]

Send us another e-mail, same address, copy over the same order info from your last message, and include http://www.droidboxforums.com/posts/1275 as a link instead. Mention SilentlyScreaming asked you to point out the purchase date was within a month of the return to us, and also to check about M8 availability. If the staff reading your message don't understand, they'll know to come and check with me.