JBL Link bar first impressions and Audio desync issue

by CapacitorPlague

Got a JBL link bar this week from Best Buy for what seemed like a great deal: link bar + free wireless subwoofer for $199, shipped. Sound quality is good and the built-in AndroidTV seems fine, except there is no Amazon Prime app. (so i guess I can't abandon my old roku yet) Chromecasting works great, bluetooth is ok --I have had to pair every device twice before the audio becomes glitch-free.

Unfortunately, the link bar seems to be failing at a very simple task: keeping audio and video precisely synchronized. It seems to affect both apps playing on the link bar itself and played through it from other sources, like from the roku. (it's not wildly off-synch, but it is noticeable and annoying.) I can't seem to find any way to tweak this delay in the Android TV audio settings. Does anyone know if it is possible to do so? Is there maybe some 3rd-party hack to provide more control? I can't believe a name-brand sound bar has so few actual audio controls. Maybe I should be changing a setting in individual apps to reduce latency somehow?

TotallyFrankstallone

You will quickly learn to hate the linkbar. Trust me. Look through my comment history. It was the worst tech experience of my life. Nothing ever worked all at once. I was so glad I got rid of it. My guess is your deal was just a fire sale to get rid of them.

danielcar

Can you provide a link to the deal you got?

I have JBL link bar and subwoofer and don't have av sync issue, although I haven't analyzed it to see if it is slightly off. On sony under audio there is an av sync adjust. Wondering if JBL sound bar has something similar. I'll check tomorrow if I remember.

doorkick

How is this just as a chromecast replacement? I know the other home features are lacking per reviews. But I really just want this cuz I don't wanna buy a $80 chromecast. Also cuz I’m furnishing my home so I have no TV or anything at all. Just trying to start fresh.

I’m fine with casting stuff from my phone. Don’t really like remotes. Hehe

coryteague

I got the same deal and am on a very limited (cellular) wifi service and I have not experienced ANY audio sync issues. I did have an issue the first few days with downloading and loading apps but it seemed to fix itself (don't know what the issue was - maybe updating in the background and I couldn't tell?).

The only real issues I have found is:

  • NO PRIME VIDEO app (which makes me scratch my head daily) and there is no way to bring up active apps so you can close them. The ShieldTV allows this with a double press of the home button and I really wish this was available on the Link Bar.
  • Audio is fantastic (except with Disney+ and HBO Max where you have to crank up the volume to even hear anything).
  • I only use the voice assistant via the remote and haven't had any lag with results or actions. I really like the remote over the ShieldTV remote (can't wait for the newer model remote to be available to purchase).
  • The color profile changes to a warmer tone when streaming via Disney+, HBO MAX, Starz, etc. I think this might be an HDR thing but not sure? It doesn't change it enough to affect the viewing experience it is just weird to press play on a movie and then a yellow tint sets in - you can really tell with the white letters of the overlay.

Other than those "minor" issues I have been really pleased with this device especially after reading all the reviews prior to purchasing - was too good of deal for the audio experience. This sub woofer is amazing. I like to shake the house when the wind blows in the movie LOL!