audio playing out of synch on youtube

[Michael Grenadier]

so I'm working with a client who has a series of videos on youtube that were done in 2018...  They're playing about 8 frames out of synch.  If I download the files (from within youtube studio), they're 1280x720 44.1 audio.   I can create 2 sequences in Premiere from a short section:  one that I delay picture 8 frames, and one that I leave as is...   The one with the 8 frame video delay plays in synch within Premiere... the one without any adjustment does not.  When I export using the vimeo 720 preset, the one without adjustment plays in synch, the one with the 8 frame video delay does not.  I output both as 48k audio (which is the default in the vimeo preset) and one as 44.1.    I've also uploaded the outputs to youtube and see the same behavior.

Anybody have any idea what's going on.  I'm thinking I can asjust synch within youtube studio and see if that fixes it, but hoping for some insight from the experts here.  To me, the out of synch playback on youtube is terrible, my client thinks it's ok...   

Thanks as always.

[Michael Grenadier]

and the next thing I'll try is uploading the downloaded file back to youtube and see if I see the same behavior...  Heading out to see The Brutalist (3 and a half hours) so won't get to this til this evening or tomorrow morning.

[Michael Grenadier]

just uploaded the file I downloaded back up to youtube and it's out of synch....  sigh..

[Michael Grenadier]

well thanks for nothing... (just kidding).  Downloaded the videos, dropped them in a timeline (so the sequence settings matched) adjusted the synch and then used the vimeo 720 preset (so the audio was 48k) to export.  Reuploaded to youtube and everything seems ok (at least so far).  A pain because you can't replace videos which I guess is partly to keep the number of views accurate.  Fortunately (or not) the videos did not have a lot of views.  But was able to delete the preexisting videos from the playlist and put the new versions on the playlist...  I've left the preexisting videos on youtube in case anyone has a direct link to them.   The client didn't think the synch issue needed to be fixed, but I couldn't live with it being about 8 frames out of synch.  So I didn't charge him...  fool that I am.   He's a good client so forgive the whining.  

[R Neil Haugen]

Michael, so ... were the previous files say 44.1khz, and the new 48k? Is that the 'solution'?

I read your posts, just had no clue what the issue would be.

[Michael Grenadier · Accepted solution]

downloaded the preexisting files from youtube and they were 44.1, dropped the clips into the timeline (so the timeline settings matched the source file) and then exported using the vimeo 720 preset which makes the audio 48k...  They seem fine on youtube now.  So, as far as I'm concerned, best practices is always to work at 48k 16 bit for the audio unless the delivery specs are different which might happen for high end music projects, etc.  

[R Neil Haugen]

Love the clarification there ... always.

Neil

[Michael Grenadier]

so I've downloaded the 4 files from youtube, created new sequences from clips, delayed the video by 8 frames, and then reoutput using the vimeo 720 preset and reuploaded to youtube.  Will doublecheck that there all playing in synch on youtube and then just delete and replace the videos in the playlist...  Not ideal but seems to be the simplest solution.