How can I reduce audio lag?

Hi,

This is my current setup:

TV: Samsung 40" LCD
DVR: Motorola Verizion FiOS DVR
DVD: Samsung upscalin DVD player
"RECEIVER": Samsung 5-disc changer surround sound all-in-one

I have the video from my DVR connected directly to the TV via HDMI and the audio going in stereo into the Aux 1 stereo input of my receiver. The DVD is connected via HDMI to the other port of my TV and the audio is connected via optical cable to my receiver in "Digital 1". My Xbox 360 is connected via component cable to my TV and the audio out is in Digital 2 via optical audio.

My problem is that the optical audio connection seems to be out of sync for all devices. If I use the optical audio from the DVD, Xbox or even the FiOS box, it's a split second off. Sometimes I can pause a DVD and it will catch up, but no fix on the Xbox or the FiOS box.

My gut feeling here is that it's a problem with my all-in-one receiver unit and it's time to upgrade to a better model. Can anyone tell me what I need to look for that will make my life a lot easier and keep my audio all in sync?

Thanks

I notice it's been a while since you posted this, but I'm hoping you or anyone else can still help. Did you get your problem fixed? I have a Samsung HT-TX75T home theater system and it's doing the same thing to me. Everything works fine when watching DVD's or USB from the Samsung but when it comes to optical audio from my 360 things start to lag. It will be synced at first but after 5 or 10 minutes the sound is noticeably lagging behind the video. This happens on games and just videos. If I cycle through the audio input on the Samsung to get back around to digital in again things are synced, but another 5 or 10 minutes later out of sync again.

Any ideas would be great. The sound of this system is good but I'm afraid the receiver might not be.

I have not been able to solve the problem, but the best advice I received is that I may need a receiver that will pass thru the audio and video and make sure it's in sync before distributing it to the speakers and television. I'm not sure if that will fix the problem or not but its the only answer I received.

Hmmm... I'm wondering if the cost of such a device would be more than just updating the receiver/dvd player? I also noticed that the optical cord seemed loosely plugged into the 360. Was yours like that?

I would suggest that you look at a new receiver like the Onkyo TX-SR606 which has all of the switches, inputs, outputs and bells and whistles you would need besides having a A/V sync function.

Here it is for a very nice price - http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR606/Onkyo/TX-SR606-90w-x-7ch-HDMI-Theater-Receiver-BLACK/1.html

Hmmm... I'm wondering if the cost of such a device would be more than just updating the receiver/dvd player? I also noticed that the optical cord seemed loosely plugged into the 360. Was yours like that?

It definitely doesn't sit in there as snug as it does in my DVD player, but it's in good enough, and the problem is actually worse with my DVD player than it is with my 360.