Wi-Fi Alliance Announces TimeSync for Synchronized Multi-Device Audio, Video Output

Wi-Fi Alliance, the organisation that promotes Wi-Fi tech and certifies products maintaining certain standards of interoperability, at CES 2017 announced Wi-Fi TimeSync that allows devices to couple with each other through Wi-Fi connectivity delivering "sub-microsecond clock synchronised" output.

The non-profit organisation however didn't announce any new product featuring the new Wi-Fi TimeSync technology. The Wi-Fi TimeSync is said to fix the biggest issue with synced audio output that caused perceptible drift or lip-sync issues. Wi-Fi Alliance is promoting that the Wi-Fi TimeSync can be best used for wireless in-room, multichannel audio and video capabilities while can also deliver synchronisation across the entire Wi-Fi coverage area.

It can be also utilised for industrial facilities that use Wi-Fi enabled sensors to monitor equipment activity and can be also used to time sequential equipment functions for precise output. The organisation stresses that home entertainment will see major application of latest Wi-Fi TimeSync.

"There are a host of possible industrial, automotive, healthcare, and IoT applications that Wi-Fi TimeSync facilitates by providing tightly-coupled timing to support applications for coordination of Wi-Fi devices," said Wi-Fi Alliance in a press statement. Wi-Fi TimeSync will be able to operate in both infrastructure and peer-to-peer mode which is expected to provide flexibility when Wi-Fi networks are not available.

Commenting on the announcement, Edgar Figueroa, president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance said, "Wi-Fi is becoming ubiquitous in an increasing number of device categories as it expands from an internet connectivity tool into a dependable enabler of high-quality, wireless entertainment experiences. Wi-Fi TimeSync enables interconnectivity between various rich, media components and also entire systems. This enhanced capability will create an excellent, fully-synchronized media experience with Wi-Fi devices."