How to Sync Video and Audio

Amy Dennis

Jan 27, 2024 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions

The phenomenon of sync video and audio refers to a process termed as audio-video synchronization or lip-sync. It is the timing of audio and video exactly matching with each other at the point of creation, post-production, during transmission, or play back-processing. This sync video and audio errors originate in television, videoconferencing, or live telecasts, and usually happens due to faulty satellite or network connections. If the same error arises in the video, it can be fixed.

In this regard, the main task is to sync video and audio. The audio-video synchronization error arises due to source delay, as mentioned above. Moreover, it could be the unsynced transmission of sound and images, the non-synchronized cache, faulty network, and faulty display device. All the situations demand immediate fixtures to sync video and audio. This article presents you with four possible solutions as an answer to a question i.e., how to sync video and audio. Here are the topics that would be discussed in detail.

In the previous section, multiple reasons leading to unsynced audio and video transmission are mentioned. This section contains information about four different stepwise procedures that act as potential solutions to sync video and audio. Let's get started!

Method 1. Fixing Out-of-Sync Audio in VLC Player (PC or Mac)

The VLC media player is one of the best media players in the devices. It also helps to fix the out of sync audio. The media player is compatible with both i.e., PC and Mac. Hence, in both devices, one can quickly resolve the synchronization error. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: In the main menu of your device, select the VLC media player, and launch it. If you are using Windows, you will find it in the start menu, and in the case of MacOs, it would be present in the application folder. In case your device does not contain the in-built VLC player, then download it. The VLC media player can be used for videos playing on the device. But for the videos playing on YouTube, it could be a faulty network or low RAM acting as a potential reason for synchronization error.

Step 2: From the Top ribbon of the player, select the option of files to choose the target audio file. Else if the video is playing via YouTube, copy the video URL to the clipboard. Click the file menu and select the option of open location from the clipboard. Click play to continue.

Step 3: Play the video and notice whether speeding up or slowing down the video would show any impact on synchronization.

Step 4: You can utilize the keyboard shortcuts for speeding and slowing the audio file. It is done to match the video track. The keyboard shortcuts for windows are (K to slow down and J to speed up) and for Mac (G to slow down and F for speed up).

Method 2. Fixing Out-of-Sync Audio in VLC Player (Phone or Tablet)

Being an all-rounder media player, it is compatible with phones and tablets. If the synchronization error appears on the phone or tablet, one can utilize the VLC media player's functionality to fix the issue. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Start the process by installing the VLC media player on the device. If already installed, then launch the media player. In the case of Androids, you can locate it in the app drawer, whereas for iPhone/iPad, it is present on the home screen. This method can be utilized for videos that are saved on your phone/tablet. If the video is playing via YouTube, it could be related to network connection or multiple apps playing in the background.

Step 2: In the VLC media player, from the main menu, select the option of files, and then choose the targeted video file.

Step 3: Display the controls by tapping the screen of your device.

Step 4: Next step is to launch the audio delay controls. For androids, it is the second icon at the bottom; select the option of audio delay. The iPhone/iPad is an audio delayer slider appearing after clicking the clock icon at the bottom left corner.

Step 5: Now utilize the slider or +/- keys for increasing or decreasing the delay. For androids, click + to increase the delay and reduce the delay by 50 milliseconds. Similarly, for iPhone/iPad, you can use the slider to create an increase or decrease in audio delay.

Step 6: Once the audio and video are synced, save the delay settings. If you are using iPhone/iPad, the settings would be saved automatically, whereas, for androids, click the three-dotted line to launch settings followed by tapping video under extra settings. Lastly, click to check the box of saving audio delay.

Method 3. Syncing Tracks with Adobe Premiere

Apart from using the VLC media player to deal with the synchronization errors, you can use the adobe premiere to sync video and audio. The process could be done while editing the video. The audio track can be merged with video easily. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch the adobe premiere pro on your device. For windows, the app is present in the start menu, and for mac, it is available in the application folder.

Step 2: Now, select the audio and video file on the project panel. For windows, click Ctrl, and for mac, click ⌘ Cmd.

Step 3: Launch the dialogue menu by right clicking the selected media files.

Step 4: In the dialogue menu, select the option of merge clips. It will launch the merge clip dialogue box.

Step 5: Choose the starting point for merging the clips and click OK to start the sync and complete the action. The time to create sync between files depends on the file size.

Method 4. Syncing Tracks with Final Cut Pro X (Mac Only)

Using final cut pro can be your option to sync video and audio to all the Mac users. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch the final cut pro on your Mac device. If you are using it to create video files, this built-in tool can automatically sync the audio and video files. The tool is present in the application folder or Launchpad.

Step 2: Now, select the audio and video files targeted for syncing. Either click ⌘ Cmd or press the thumbnails in the browser.

Step 3: In the tool, click the option of the clip menu.

Step 4: Launch the dialogue box by selecting the option of synchronizing clips.

Step 5: In the dialogue box, enter the preference.

Step 6: By the end, click OK to initiate the process of syncing.

While playing a video, sometimes there appears a lapse that unsync the audio and video. This synchronization error could be due to delay time or internet connection if the video is played via YouTube. The situation can be either a slow video or slow audio for syncing the unsynced video or audio. This article explained the potential reasons for unsynced audio and video files. Moreover, four possible solutions are presented with stepwise procedures to fix the synchronization errors. VLC media player for PC/Mac, androids /iPhone, final cut pro X for mac, and adobe premiere pro can serve the purpose.

Wrap Up

When the subject under consideration is a video, then on a general note, it is created with an unsynced soundtrack. It means the video source is delayed, and there appears a lapse between the video and audio. It could be anything i.e., audio is slow, or the video is playing slowly or not matching the audio. In this article, we have provided you with a very effective and appropriate solution, please feel free to follow the steps. Everything will work itself out.