NuboMac audio on iPad: continuity before zero-latency claims
What PCM audio offers, and how to distinguish network problems from audio output delay.
What PCM streaming means
Nubo currently uses stereo PCM audio at 48 kHz. It avoids a lossy compression stage at the cost of more bandwidth than a compressed codec.
That does not mean delay-free audio. Capture, transport, and playback take time. Compressed codecs can also be designed for low latency; the choice depends on networking and processing trade-offs.
Why microcuts happen
Packets do not always arrive at regular intervals. If playback runs out of audio before the next block arrives, a gap occurs. A small buffer helps absorb variation, but an oversized buffer adds delay.
Continuity and latency therefore need to be tuned together. Exact millisecond synchronization cannot be promised across every network, application, and audio output.
A simple test to isolate the problem
Play a video with speech and test the iPad speakers first. Then compare with your headphones. Bluetooth can add its own delay independently of Mac-to-iPad transport.
If video and audio stall together, lower video quality and repeat near the router. If only sound fails, note the output device, source app, and timing. That is more useful than an isolated internet speed measurement.