Audio guides in sync with video

Do you know that irritation when the sound and picture of a TV programme are out of sync? The same applies in a museum or exhibition with video screens. With audio guides that play in sync with the picture, visitors hear the sound in their own language, at exactly the right moment. In this article you can read how that works.

The sound in the audio guide, not in the room

With a video in an exhibition, the sound traditionally comes from speakers in the room, in a single language. With Orpheo audio guides, you move the sound to the visitor's guide. Visitors do not have to take off their headphones at a screen, they hear the sound in their own language and the room stays quiet. That keeps the flow of the visit intact.

Timecodes for perfect synchronisation

The technology behind it is simple and reliable: the video sends out timecodes and the audio guide starts the sound at exactly the right moment. If a visitor walks in halfway through the film, the audio guide joins in at the right point. No hassle waiting for the film to start again.

The Orpheo Mikro LX

The Orpheo Mikro LX is ideally suited to this. It starts stories automatically via infrared, delivers high sound quality and supports as many languages as you need. With two headphone sockets and a built-in speaker, it is also suitable for visitors with a hearing or visual impairment.

See it in practice

At several Dutch venues, the Orpheo audio guides play in sync with the picture at certain spots, which increases visitor satisfaction:

• CORPUS
• Gouda Cheese Experience
• Highlights of Holland

The technology is also used internationally, for example for the documentaries on Ellis Island in New York. Read about it in The hybrid media guide of the Statue of Liberty.

For temporary exhibitions too

Synchronised sound is particularly interesting for temporary exhibitions: no speakers need to be installed in the room and adding a new language is easy. If you wish, you can rent the audio guides for the duration of the exhibition.