Hi. Hope not a stupid question. In our lounge we have an Amazon Echo and in our kitchen we have a Makita site radio (don't ask!) I listen to a lot of internet radio, specifically BBC 6 music. For some reason, when i have both playing, there is a 50 second difference between the two, i've timed it. Is there a reason for this and can anyone explain. Thanks.
Amazon Alexa.Makita Radio delay
- Thread starter tilerman
- Start date
Hi,
Definitely not a stupid question!
There could be all sorts of reasons for the delay, all of them would be due to implementation of the streaming, rather than with any failure of the devices!
I suspect the biggest difference may be down to the cache size of each device.
A very simplified description could be; the stream will be downloaded to memory (the cache) within the device first - when the cache is filled, the stream will start playing.
If there are any errors with the stream, the music will keep playing (using the stored data within the cache), while the section with errors is re-downloaded.
The larger the cache, the less likely there will be breaks, or errors in the audio you hear!
I hope that makes sense!
EDIT:
Ahhh, just re-read your question! DOH!
One will be served by the almost live DAB radio system, with a small delay for encoding, broadcasting, decoding and caching etc. (When compared to FM, for example).
The stream to Alexa isn't broadcast by radio. It will have further delays due to the encoded broadcast being passed around a number of servers, before ending up at your internet router and then sent by WiFi to your Alexa!
That can all create quite a large delay!
And that delay can vary, depending on differing server loads!
Definitely not a stupid question!
There could be all sorts of reasons for the delay, all of them would be due to implementation of the streaming, rather than with any failure of the devices!
I suspect the biggest difference may be down to the cache size of each device.
A very simplified description could be; the stream will be downloaded to memory (the cache) within the device first - when the cache is filled, the stream will start playing.
If there are any errors with the stream, the music will keep playing (using the stored data within the cache), while the section with errors is re-downloaded.
The larger the cache, the less likely there will be breaks, or errors in the audio you hear!
I hope that makes sense!
EDIT:
Ahhh, just re-read your question! DOH!
One will be served by the almost live DAB radio system, with a small delay for encoding, broadcasting, decoding and caching etc. (When compared to FM, for example).
The stream to Alexa isn't broadcast by radio. It will have further delays due to the encoded broadcast being passed around a number of servers, before ending up at your internet router and then sent by WiFi to your Alexa!
That can all create quite a large delay!
And that delay can vary, depending on differing server loads!
Last edited:
If you run two TV's, both on the same Freeview channel there will also be a noticeable difference in the timing, due to the TV's internal decoding speed. They no longer show accurate to the second clocks on TV, because of the signal processing delays of around 10 seconds. FM radio from the likes of R2 and R4 are usually correct when listening to the main stations.
Hi,
Definitely not a stupid question!
There could be all sorts of reasons for the delay, all of them would be due to implementation of the streaming, rather than with any failure of the devices!
I suspect the biggest difference may be down to the cache size of each device.
A very simplified description could be; the stream will be downloaded to memory (the cache) within the device first - when the cache is filled, the stream will start playing.
If there are any errors with the stream, the music will keep playing (using the stored data within the cache), while the section with errors is re-downloaded.
The larger the cache, the less likely there will be breaks, or errors in the audio you hear!
I hope that makes sense!
EDIT:
Ahhh, just re-read your question! DOH!
One will be served by the almost live DAB radio system, with a small delay for encoding, broadcasting, decoding and caching etc. (When compared to FM, for example).
The stream to Alexa isn't broadcast by radio. It will have further delays due to the encoded broadcast being passed around a number of servers, before ending up at your internet router and then sent by WiFi to your Alexa!
That can all create quite a large delay!
And that delay can vary, depending on differing server loads!
Hi, thanks for your reply, that all makes sense. I have radio's on all over the house so when i'm walking around room to room always music. But the delay between the 2 nearest devices is a tad annoying! And it's 50 seconds.
Gonna put the dot in the drawer and get another Makita DAB site radio for the lounge. Some may think it strange to have a builders radio in the house but i have quite a few on the van and they have a decent sound and look good.
I think anyway! Thanks again. Cheers.
Gonna put the dot in the drawer and get another Makita DAB site radio for the lounge. Some may think it strange to have a builders radio in the house but i have quite a few on the van and they have a decent sound and look good.
I think anyway! Thanks again. Cheers.
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I had a Panasonic Viera audio unit which allowed a delay to be programmed in to some speakers as sound waves travel slower than electrical waves so with surround sound it ensured all speakers synchronised for the selected listening area.
It is very noticeable with outside events, also satellite and terrestrial TV.
It is very noticeable with outside events, also satellite and terrestrial TV.