New to Sonos, thinking about putting it in a job. I have a few questions about the analog audio input on a connect amp.

1. Is there any delay? If I connect the variable output of a TV or cable box will there be lip sync issues?

2. Does the input recognize the audio signal and switch automatically? If the zone is streaming music and the TV turns on, does it override the streaming? Or does it allow me to setup priority? Or does the zone need to be paused/off in order to pass the TV signal? And once the analog is playing, if I decide to stream to the zone, will it then override the analog input?

Desired setup: In ceiling speakers, variable analog output from TV feeding audio input of connect amp. When TV turns on audio plays through connect amp/spkrs without using any additional controls/app. Is this reliable? Does the auto signal detection work well enough to sell this solution to a customer? I've been burned by other devices that use "auto" switching so I never instal anything like this without a true trigger. Anyone have experience with the same setup? Thanks.

BTW, does the connect(no amp) operate identically in regards to the analog input?

I used my connect in the exact manner as you describe with zero issues. Yes you can set it to auto in which case, when you turn on your TV, the SONOS will switch the the line-in source. If you start streaming music to it, it will switch to the streaming source until you switch it back manually, or turn off the line in source and turn it back on.

As far as delay, I did not notice any. There is not a setting to adjust it.....there should be in my opinion. You can select whether you want the line in audio compressed or not. I do not know how much a delay will be introduced with the compression turned on, but it may be enough to overcome any possible delay issues.

Hope that helps.

I have tried this on two occasions. Once was a really simple system with an airport router and not much of a network, and it worked with no lip sync issues.

Second time around (more recently) I had a more robust network setup, and the lip sync delay was so bad that it was unusable. Even with compression turned off and trying with and without using the connects wired (turning off wireless), just couldn't get the lip synch to a pint where it was close to acceptable.

Minimum 70ms delay between Line-In and audio output, much more with compression. Airplay ~500ms delay.

When the zone is playing the sonos will not switch to the line in if the line in is then turned on. The user would have to pick the line in choice to then hear the tv. I deemed this too confusing to implement at a recent install.

I am pretty sure mine will switch regardless of whether the zone is streaming already.

So, no clear consensus. Looks like some are having different experiences than others. I guess I'll have to try it out. I'm afraid that even if I get good results on the test bench they might not be reproduced in the field. Thanks all for the input.

Playbar

The line in menu has an option to auto switch to it or not.

Funny I have an installation that requires what is described above. I thought I was just describing a fantasy in my head but it's nice to know that it can be true. Another win for Sonos