DTS, DTS-HD, DTS-X Lipsync (solved)

Just to be clear, these comments are completely untrue. The audio offset for TrueHD Passthrough and the Global Audio Offset are working.

This is FW version v1.2.05 but this behaviour hasn't changed in any firmware version since the features were introduced.

Debate on this matter is fine, but making comments that are patently untrue, and demonstrably so, is not.


Note - audio level is low, so you may need to turn the sound up.

DTS-HD - No Global Offset:

https://streamable.com/rw69sw


DTS-HD - 500ms Global Offset:

https://streamable.com/e0w8ff


TrueHD - No Offset in Compatibility Mode

https://streamable.com/tb0vdx


TrueHD - 500ms offset in Compatibility Mode

https://streamable.com/8umi2y

Of course Global Offset affects TrueHD also.

 

So you are telling I am lying?
I pumped up the global offset to 5000ms delay and in compatibility mode to 3000ms delay and it didn't change 1ms.
As I mentioned in the v1.2.05 thread, this wasn't the case before I updated HT via apk to solve the scraper issue. Yes yes I know, the apk hasn't to do at all with the Zidoo settings, but if it is like that now, it is what it is.....

 

I don't own the box anymore so cannot verify now, but when I did have it I tried the audio offset and I couldnt resolve the sync issue for me, but like you say if the global audio offset works and you make an offset correction for the DTS-audio then it also affects TrueHD audio which means you manually fix DTS and as a result you will break TrueHD, so its not a really a fix in my opinion.

 

I'm telling you that both offsets work.

 

The DTS sync issue is still an absolute mystery. I can't replicate it and the devs can't replicate it - I have 3 completely different setups here and some are very similar, if not identical, to those of some people reporting the issue.

You can however adjust global offset to compensate for DTS and adjust compatibility mode offset to re-compensate for TrueHD. In all cases, DTS issue or not, I would recommend setting compatibility mode on as default and I've asked the devs to enable this and provide an explanation as to what it does since those around when it was introduced seem to have forgotten about it and those new to the box will justifiably have no idea of its purpose.

 

And I am telling you, that both offset DONT work (anymore since updates...) on my setup.

A case for Mythbusters

Edit: If I had such a need to prove it, I would record a one shot video with my phone, where I show you my settings (your recommended ones) and the maximum possible offset, start a random media file and you will see, that there is no enormous delay and in case of a DTS media file the audio is still ahead..

 

In my specific case I have never had any problems with DTS. The only problem I have is the constant stuttering in Dolby Vision

 

Or a factory reset?

Honestly, they both work, and always have - so if yours don't something is badly wrong somewhere, especially since both are utterly different mechanisms in firmware and not related.

 

I wish I had known that before when I did have the box to try out....

 

Look, I really would like the Z9X 8K to work properly and I know you can't do anything about it.
I did a factory reset, I didn't update the HT and I didn't restore any backup, so I have a whole collection of unmatched files.
For proper DTS-HD playback combined with DV I use Kill Bill UHD - it's super ugly stuttering and the delay options are still not working.

If you belive me or not, I didn't change anything on my setup (SMB-Share, Z9X8K, DENON X3800H, LG OLED C3) and didnt change any settings on the Zidoo, only for testing after running into such problems.

But honestly, I'm done with it, I have it for 2 month now, in the beginning it was okayish, some issues I can live with, but this product is becoming worse and worse.

I'll say it again - if it is working on your end - good for you, but for me it's unusable and I'm looking forward to get a Ugoos AM6B+.
Minor impacts on a cool looking poster wall, but this thing plays everything but AV1. Need some little work/configuration to do - okay, better some fiddeling and flawless playback instead of endless fiddeling and continous stuttering mess :/

 

Hi Mark,
it may have already been said many times, but when can i find this test file? That would be nice to have those.

Also i did not know there was an offset in compatibility mode. This way True HD and DTS can be adjusted separately ! thats very handy !

thank you.

 

It's not a case of belief - I take everything people say at face value (unless it's REALLY stupid!) so I'm just trying to help - but if you want a Ugoos, get a Ugoos - be interesting to hear what you think. Personally I'd have a Dune before a Ugoos unless you want to play with FEL in CoreElec.

I have a stack of media players here - well into double figures, but the Ugoos is the only one I actually sent back in disgust (I did throw a Popcorn Hour in the bin once though...). However, things have changed now with CoreElec, but I still couldn't use it as a daily driver - too flakey - a bit of fun, but not for serious playback. Not for me at least.

I understand your issues but have no idea where they're coming from - I've said this many times, but forgetting about test boxes, if my player in the cinema so much as misses a single frame once, it gets ripped out and replaced. Took a long time for the Z9X Pro to become stable enough for me to put it in there, but that's been relegated and now my cinema player is a UHD8000 and I have had zero issues so far.

In fact the 8000 was in there from very early on, but I removed and replaced with the Z9X Pro again when the freeze issue cropped up - I didn't actually experience that issue in there (I did on a Z9X 8K test box) but I wasn't going to take any chances. But, as I say, now it's back in there.

 

Unfortunately I can't post them because they're from a commercial test disc:

https://spearsandmunsil.com/products/

The latest one is the only product I know that has such patterns in different audio codecs - AC3, TrueHD, TrueHD Atmos, DTS, DTS-HD and DTS-X.

Although the earlier HDR only version does have DTS-HD and TrueHD (and I assume AC3, DTS core) patterns which should be sufficient. I have seen that version "available" online....

I ripped the patterns I use to MKV (took a while figuring out which files were which as there as hundreds!) so they're easy to use and I don't need to navigate the disc.

There are freeware test patterns out there - probably Mehanik are the best:

(1) HDR10 test patterns set | AVS Forum

But all the lipsync patterns in that one are AC3 but it'd be possible to convert to other codecs with the right tools.

 

It's not like I really want it, it seems like the only serious alternative for my needs. I fiddled with Kodi on a Shield before, but the Shield has some other issues. I dont mind installing CoreElec and customize the UI for my needs, I did this ~14years ago on a HTPC (holy shi... Im getting old..)
Indeed I like everything about the Zidoo, but the fact that the playback is getting worse for me, I lost my patience and have no trust that this state is gonna change in the near future.
I will try a refund, bought it through amazon from a reseller

Edit: I'm glad I used Amazon, saved me again, flawless refund. I'll keep an eye on the development, but for the time being I'm out of the Zidoo game.

 

Thanks for the reply =) i guess i'll have to find myself a S&M disc ! =)

If i were to have a choice between 2019 and 2023 which one should i chose?

 

The 2023 includes Dolby Vision and the 2019 is HDR10 only but other than that there's no great difference unless you're a calibrator.

 

According to the signature, you have the Z9X 8K working with a Samsung QE75QF7. That's probably why the Z9X 8K's errors seem minor to you. Have you tried using the Z9X 8K with an LG OLED48A26 TV? From what I've seen on this forum, LG (and partly Sony) users have had far more problems with the new 8K line from Zidoo than users of other manufacturers' TVs.

 

I have a am6b+ since about july last year and I just used it briefly to test DV DEL because, with my past experience with kodi based players, they were never stable enough playback wise so I didn’t bother.

I decided to retry it some weeks ago and the playback is perfect and the PQ is the best of all my players (shield, z9x pro, z9x 8k, dune 8k). I am in shock because normally CoreELEC /kodi aint that perfect for me.

It’s also the fastest of all my players while navigating the UI and start/stop times of videos and scanning through videos during playback, it’s just turbo (s922X is actually a little bit faster than s928x according to benchmarks).

I use Plex with the PM4K addon and it’s awesome for my needs.

The only problem I have is that after playing 4-5 movies there’s micro stutters in playback that seems to be caused by the PM4K addon (not happening if using kodi directly). If I exit PM4K and return to it playback is perfect again.

I have no lip synch problems whatsoever, no frameskips and no oversharpening of the image like on Z9X 8K due to s928x libraries and DV FEL that is easy to see on my particular TV.

We all know results vary depending on people’s setup but if your experience is like mine you will be very pleased with it.

In the meantime I’m still ready to test the z9x 8k some more but not waiting for fixes impatiently anymore, more just to help out.

 

As far as DTS sync goes, I don't think it's that easy - if you look at the first thread and look at the spread of TV manufacturers, it's pretty even with plenty of other manufacturers in there. It's just that LG is a very popular brand.

Also, unless you're using ARC/eARC, if you use an amp as most do, the TV plays no part in the audio path. I mean it's a good theory, and I wouldn't negate it completely, but I just don't think it holds water.

(As for the other main issue of stuttering - I can see that on a Samsung).

 

My post is about stuttering issues. I'm sorry I didn't clarify that.