Stuff to Know / Support

Installation: The program is a ~610KB executeable file, .ini config file, and 172KB DLL enclosed within a .zip file. Download and extract the .zip file to a directory of your choice on the PC. This program does not make any registry entries nor add any DLLs into the host PC. If desired to un-install, simply delete the all files from folder. 'audioDelay.exe' file as well as the 'debug.txt' file that it creates as a logfile.

This software has been tested/proven to work for Windows XP and Vista. It has not tested with Win7, but should work.

This software uses Microsoft DirectX to interface to the PCs sound system. DirectX is already installed on most PCs. To determine if a PC has DirectX installed, Select Start->Run, and type 'dxdiag'. If needed, download DirectX End-User Web Installer here.

This software requires Microsoft .NET Framework to be installed on the host PC. Many PCs already have this installed. Download .NET 4.0 here

This software requires Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributeable to be installed on the host PC. Many PCs already have this installed. Download VC++ 2010 Redist here.

This software requires an external AM/FM radio, connected (via 1/8" stereo patch cord) to the 'Microphone-in' (pink) or 'Line-in' (blue) connector.

Alternatively, if the PC has an integrated AM/FM tuner card, the tuner card can be used in lieu of an external AM/FM radio.

In any case, the sound source needs to be set as Windows' default Sound Input. Start->Control Panel->Sounds and Audio Devices-> Audio Tab->Sound Recording->Default Device->Choose Line-in, Microphone-in, or AM/FM tuner card as applicable.

This program does not natively support streaming audio sources from the internet. A psuedo-loopback cable like NTONYX's Virtual Audio Cable could be used to create a virtual sound card input from a streaming radio source.

If the words 'Low or No Input' show in Red (see image below), the program is not receiving audio input, or the input is very weak. Double-check the audio source volume, patch cord, and the Windows default audio source.

Delay Operation. The program will automatically begin delaying the default audio source and playing the delayed audio on the default sound output. The program defaults to 5 seconds of delay, a fairly typical delay for most radio/HDTV broadcasts. To increase/decrease delay, either use the horizontal slider bar, or the plus/minus buttons.

Variable Delays. In real-world testing, we have learned that the delay between the radio broadcast and the HDTV broadcast will occasionally change. This is usually due to one of the stations taking an extended commercial break. This program cannot (yet) automatically adjust for this delay.

Internet connectivity. This program posts the delay setting to our internet connected database. WDE plans to introduce a future version of this software (and our hardware) that utilizes this database to realtime/crowd-source a solution to the variable delays described in the paragraph above.

Audio Quality #1. Audio Quality of this program is only as good as the audio quality of the source. AM radios are notoriously susceptible to RF noise. This means that an AM radio co-located with your PC might not have good audio quality.

Audio Quality #2. Monitor the blue L and R Input power levels on the application. These bars represent the average power of the input power signal. Peak power can be much higher and hence, if the average power goes beyond 1/2 scale, input clipping is probably occuring, degrading the audio signal. In most cases, an input audio volume of about 1/4th to 1/3rd scale works well.

Audio Quality #3. The output volume selector is a linear multiply of the input signal (from 0.0 to 2.0 times). It is best to leave this setting at the default 1.0 (no volume change) level. Increasing this volume too high can easily cause output clipping, which will distort the output signal.

A word about radio to HDTV audio delays. The majority of the time, the radio signal is broadcast simultaneously with the game. This allows fans at the game to listen to the radio during the game. The HDTV signal generally goes through several layers of digital processing and satellite up/downlinks. This causes the HDTV signal to be delayed behind the radio. 'GameTime Audio Delay' delays the radio signal to compensate. That said, in our real-world testing, we have seen cases where the radio broadcast is 'behind' the HDTV signal. This generally happens when the radio crew for your favorite team is on the road and using an internet service to pipe their broadcast back to their sports radio network. Unfortunately, 'GameTime Audio Delay' is not a time machine, and hence is not able to create a negative audio delay to offset this situation. If you find the radio broadcast to lag the HDTV broadcast, we recommend reverting to the HDTV audio broadcast for a period of time. The audio typically is re-sync'ed at major timeouts/quarters (lengthy commercial breaks).

WDE welcomes your feedback and ideas for the improvement of this program.