> synchronization isn't a one-time thing. it's an ongoing process. a > peecee isn't a terribly controlled environment - you have electrical > noise, temperature changes, processor loads, interrupts ... all of > which make it very difficult to keep time on a free-running clock.
While those factors do exist, the biggest factor is probably that the clocking parts are supplied by the lowest bidder, and there is no need to be higher quality than the competition. Leaky capacitors? Who cares. Tantalum and ceramic are the same, right? Anything to eek out an existance on the dwindling margins...
