ClearOne Digital Media - Manual (Page 24)

Automatic Synchronization of Streams (Time Sync)
A fundamental problem with using TCP/IP to distribute digital audio to multiple zones in a
home or commercial environment is synchronization of playback. Without synchronization,
audio can sputter, cut out, or have strong echo effects from zone to zone, sometimes
playing several seconds apart.
Simply incorporating a buffer to attempt to synchronize the audio is not enough. ClearOne’s
StreamNet technology provides the solution by removing the effect of network delays. This
is achieved by StreamNet assigning a “master” which is dynamically chosen to serve as the
time reference, thereby allowing all devices to share the same concept of time and stay fully
synchronized.
The sample rate is synchronized using a VCXO for low jitter. As a result, the maximum delay
between any two speakers is reduced to just 1 millisecond which is considerably below the
audible threshold. StreamNet allows audio in all zones to be synchronized when playing the
same source throughout the system, solving the problem of distributing audio over TCP/IP
packet-switched streams.
pg 24 StreamNet Digital Media and System Design Reference Guide
StreamNet Audio Technology