Sony SRG X111 webcam audio fails to sync with video in Discord

The Sony SRG X111 is a popular webcam that many people use for video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming. Its high‑definition video and built‑in microphone make it an attractive choice for home office setups. However, a recurring problem that users have reported is audio falling out of sync with video when the camera is used on Discord. The audio lags behind the video, making conversations difficult to follow, and this can be especially frustrating in fast‑paced meetings or live streams.

Below is a comprehensive guide that explains why this issue occurs, what symptoms to look for, and step‑by‑step troubleshooting techniques that can help you restore sync. The information is organized into logical sections and includes practical tips that can be applied to both Windows and macOS systems.

Understanding the Problem

What Is Audio‑Video Sync?

Audio‑video (AV) sync refers to the precise alignment between the sound you hear and the visual image you see. When AV sync is correct, the mouth movements of a speaker match the spoken words. If the audio lags even by a fraction of a second, the viewer will notice that the sound is delayed relative to the video.

Why Does Sync Fail on the SRG X111?

Several factors can cause AV sync problems:

1. Driver or Firmware Mismatch – The camera’s software stack may not be fully compatible with the latest version of Discord or the operating system.
2. Discord Buffering Settings – Discord’s built‑in audio buffer can introduce delay, especially when the system is under load.
3. USB Bandwidth Saturation – The SRG X111 is a USB 3.0 device. If the USB hub or port is sharing bandwidth with other high‑speed devices, the video stream may get priority, causing audio to be queued.
4. Operating System Audio Routing – Windows’ or macOS’ audio subsystems can treat the webcam’s microphone as a separate device, leading to differing latency settings.
5. Hardware Limitations – The built‑in microphone is a single‑channel analog input. Its processing pipeline may differ from that of the video codec, introducing a fixed delay that Discord does not automatically compensate for.

Recognizing which of these factors applies to your environment is the first step toward resolving the issue.

Symptom Checklist

Before diving into troubleshooting, confirm that the problem is indeed an audio‑video sync issue rather than a different audio glitch.

• Lagging Audio – You hear a word after it appears on the screen.
• Consistent Delay – The lag is constant (e.g., 150 ms) rather than fluctuating randomly.
• Other Applications Work – Skype, Zoom, or VLC show proper sync while Discord does not.
• Discord Settings Remain Default – You haven’t manually adjusted audio settings to extreme values.

If all these points apply, proceed to the next section.

Quick Fixes

1. Restart Discord and the Webcam

Close Discord completely, unplug the SRG X111, wait 10 seconds, plug it back in, and reopen Discord. This simple reset often clears temporary buffer issues.

2. Update Discord and the Camera’s Drivers

• Discord – Make sure you are running the latest version. Discord frequently releases updates that improve audio handling.
• Camera Drivers – Visit Sony’s support site, download the most recent driver for your operating system, and install it. On Windows, also check the Device Manager for any pending driver updates.

3. Disable “Echo Cancellation”

Navigate to Discord’s Settings → Voice & Video → Advanced and turn off the Echo Cancellation feature. This reduces the audio processing chain, which can eliminate some latency.

Detailed Troubleshooting Steps

Below are deeper diagnostics that address the most common causes.

A. Check USB Bandwidth and Port

Windows

1. Open Device Manager → Universal Serial Bus controllers.
2. Look for entries labeled “USB Root Hub (xHCI)” and right‑click → Properties → Power Management tab.
3. Disable Allow the computer to turn off this device to prevent power‑saving modes that can throttle bandwidth.

macOS

1. Open System Information → USB.
2. Verify that the SRG X111 is listed under a USB 3.0 hub with no other high‑speed devices connected simultaneously.
3. If multiple devices share the same hub, consider moving the webcam to a dedicated USB 3.0 port.

B. Adjust Discord’s Audio Buffer

Discord’s audio buffer size can be tweaked to compensate for latency.

1. Open Discord → Settings → Voice & Video.
2. Scroll to Advanced → Buffering Timeout (ms).
3. Reduce the value from the default (e.g., 400 ms) to a lower figure (e.g., 200 ms).
   • If you reduce it too much, you may experience stutter.
   • Test after each adjustment.

C. Configure Windows Audio Settings

Windows may treat the webcam’s microphone as a separate device.

1. Right‑click the speaker icon → Open Sound settings.
2. Under Input, choose the SRG X111.
3. Click Device Properties → Additional Device Properties → Advanced.
4. Set the Default Format to 48 kHz 16‑bit (common for conferencing).
5. Disable Exclusive Mode under Advanced by unchecking Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.

D. macOS Audio Configuration

On macOS, you can manage audio devices using Audio MIDI Setup.

1. Open Applications → Utilities → Audio MIDI Setup.
2. Select the SRG X111 microphone.
3. Set the Format to 48 kHz 16‑bit.
4. Ensure Built‑in Output is not set to the same channel; keep the input and output separate to avoid cross‑talk.

E. Test with Other Software

Verify that the lag persists only on Discord by running a test in Zoom, Teams, or even a local video recording app like OBS.

• If sync is fine elsewhere, the problem is localized to Discord’s handling of the SRG X111.
• If sync is off across all apps, the issue is likely hardware or driver related.

F. Use a Dedicated Audio Interface

If the built‑in microphone continues to lag, consider using an external USB mic or a hardware audio interface. Connect the webcam for video and the external mic for audio; Discord allows you to choose separate devices for video and audio input.

Advanced Workarounds

When the above fixes fail, the following methods provide more sophisticated solutions.

1. Virtual Audio Cable (VAC)

A virtual audio cable routes audio through a virtual device that can be precisely timed.

Steps

1. Download and install a VAC tool such as VB‑CABLE or Voicemeeter.
2. Set the SRG X111 microphone as the source for the virtual cable.
3. In Discord, select the virtual cable as your input device.
4. Adjust the delay manually using the VAC’s built‑in delay settings until sync is achieved.

Pros – Precise control; works on both Windows and macOS with compatible software.
Cons – Requires additional software and configuration; may introduce a minor processing delay.

2. OBS Virtual Camera

OBS Studio can capture the SRG X111’s video and feed it to Discord as a virtual webcam. OBS also provides audio sync offset controls.

Steps

1. Install OBS Studio and the Virtual Camera plugin (if needed).
2. Add the SRG X111 as a Video Capture Device source.
3. In Audio Mixer, set the SRG X111 mic as an audio source.
4. Click Start Virtual Camera.
5. In Discord, select the OBS Virtual Camera for video and the SRG X111 mic for audio.
6. If audio lags, use OBS’s Sync Offset slider in the Audio Mixer to match video.

Pros – Robust audio‑video handling; can use additional filters or overlays.
Cons – Requires more system resources; may increase latency slightly.

3. Update Firmware (If Available)

Sony occasionally releases firmware updates for webcams that improve codec performance and reduce latency.

1. Check Sony’s support site for the SRG X111 firmware version.
2. Follow Sony’s instructions to flash the firmware, typically via a Windows utility.
3. Reboot the system and test again.

Common Questions

When to Consider Replacing the Webcam

If all troubleshooting steps fail and the sync remains inconsistent, you may want to evaluate whether the SRG X111 is the right choice for your workflow. Modern webcams such as the Logitech C920 or the Razer Kiyo offer higher frame rates and lower latency, and many of them include separate audio input ports or support for external microphones.

When selecting a new webcam, look for:

• Low‑latency audio drivers that are regularly updated.
• Separate audio input (XLR or 3.5 mm jack) for dedicated microphones.
• USB 3.0 or 3.1 connectivity to ensure ample bandwidth.

Summary

• The Sony SRG X111 audio‑video sync issue on Discord is usually caused by driver mismatches, USB bandwidth contention, or Discord’s buffer settings.
• A systematic approach—starting with simple restarts and updates, then adjusting USB power, Discord buffer, and OS audio settings—often resolves the problem.
• Advanced users can employ virtual audio cables or OBS to fine‑tune the sync manually.
• If none of the solutions work, consider switching to a webcam with a dedicated audio input or better driver support.

By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to restore proper audio‑video alignment and enjoy a smoother experience on Discord.