Skype and external microphone
Robert A. Fink, M. D.
with Skype telephony. I discovered to my surprise that my new Dell
Latitude D610 notebook does not have an internal microphone.
It does, however, have an external mic jack and this works using a
headset. Does anyone have any recommendations as to a handy
microphone which can be plugged into the the D610 at all times without
forcing the user to wear a headset, and yet still be able to respond
to telephony through the computer?
Many thanks,
Bob
do...@xrexxskype.usenet.us.com
> I have just set up my computers (on a wireless home network) to work
> with Skype telephony. I discovered to my surprise that my new Dell
> Latitude D610 notebook does not have an internal microphone.
My Dell Latitude C600 had an internal microphone, and I suspect yours does
too. It's just so poor you'd never know it.
I use Skype. I have inadvertently used it with the internal microphone and
speakers, I have used it with a $20 plug-in-the-jack headset, which was
okay, but sounded like I was using a cheap headset.
The Plantronics USB headset DSP-300/400 is a USB device. This sounds
better with Skype than a corded telephone. It is also a stereo headset for
normal Windows audio. About $60 at Fry's.
Using the USB headset also allows you to use the normal PC speakers for
audio or for "ringing" of the Skype phone.
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5
Jeff Liebermann
>I have just set up my computers (on a wireless home network) to work
>with Skype telephony. I discovered to my surprise that my new Dell
>Latitude D610 notebook does not have an internal microphone.
Be thankful that it does not. Whenever I've tried talking through the
internal microphone in one of my assorted laptops, people complain
that I have:
1. An echo.
2. Hard disk motor noise.
3. CPU fan noise.
4. Lousy audio.
5. Insufficient audio.
6. Most or all of the aforementioned.
I also find it rather embarrassing to be seen talking to the screen on
my laptop in a coffee shop. Since the speaker audio is equally
disgusting on most laptops, I find myself inadvertently shouting at
the screen. Forget about built in mics and speakers.
>It does, however, have an external mic jack and this works using a
>headset. Does anyone have any recommendations as to a handy
>microphone which can be plugged into the the D610 at all times without
>forcing the user to wear a headset, and yet still be able to respond
>to telephony through the computer?
At all times? Carrying portable devices around is usually not a
problem. It's the [insert expletive] cords that drive me nuts. I
agree with Clarence Dold's suggestion of using a USB headset. They
sound much better than the cheaper conventional headsets.
However, I've done with Bluetooth wireless for Skype. You need 4
things to make this happen:
1. Money.
2. A USB Bluetooth 1.2 or 2.0 adapter.
3. A Bluetooth 1.2 headset.
4. Control software (optional).
Try to avoid anything that says Bluetooth 1.0 or 1.1. These are
functional as a headset, but have no features for near real time
latency required for decent headset operation. You won't find too
many Bluetooth 2.0 headsets yet.
| http://www.plantronics.com/media/media_resources/literature/cordless_mobile/pulsar590_en.pdf
Bluetooth 2.0 are mostly multimedia extensions. That means stereo
music, double the thruput, and generally better connection
reliability.
For the USB adapter, I bought a few of these:
| http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1648911&CatId=909
They're Bluetooth 2.0 but Class II (10 meters range). Purchasing the
short range version was intentional to avoid interference to the built
in 802.11b/g wireless devices. Also because all the headsets are
Class II and it makes no sense to have asymmetrical ranges.
I don't actually own a headset quite yet. One of my clients sells
headsets so I've been doing some testing. I'm currently using a
discontinued Plantronics BT3000 headset and have been experimenting
with just about everything I can find except the very latest.
| http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/cat1150057/cat5420035
In general, the Bluetooth 1.1 devices are marginal but functional. The
1.2 devices are quite good but don't do music. The 2.0 devices are
wonderful, but overpriced.
For control software, it would be nice to just tap the switch on the
Bluetooth headset to pickup or hangup a call. Skype has a keystroke
event trigger but no means of using the Windoze event manager to
control the phone. So, I'm using:
| http://www.skypeheadset.co.uk
for $20. It's copy protected against the Skype account name, but
that's fine because I use the same name on all my machines.
--
Jeff Liebermann je...@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
do...@xrexxskype.usenet.us.com
> However, I've done with Bluetooth wireless for Skype.
I want to use the same Bluetooth headset for my Motorola v551 cell phone
and Skype. I tried a DBT-120 adapter and Motorola HS820 headset for the
PC, but didn't get any sound, although it was recognized as a Windows Audio
device ;-(
No help from DLink. I wish they would shrug their shoulders instead of
translating my request to something they can understand, having nothing to
do with what I asked.
> 2. A USB Bluetooth 1.2 or 2.0 adapter.
Uh-oh, only 1.1, but I get nothing. I can buy something different.
It seems I have some pairing troubles anyway, that I think are caused by
moving the DBT-120 back and forth between computers.
> 3. A Bluetooth 1.2 headset.
I borrowed the HS820, so I'm wide open for suggestions.
> 4. Control software (optional).
I want to use Cisco IP Communicator as well as Skype, so I don't know if
the control software will play for me.
> Bluetooth 2.0 are mostly multimedia extensions. That means stereo music,
> double the thruput, and generally better connection reliability.
That would be good.
> For the USB adapter, I bought a few of these:
Zonet - ZUB6211C - USB 2.0 Bluetooth Class 2 Wireless Adapter
> 1.2 devices are quite good but don't do music. The 2.0 devices are
Hmmm... I'd like the music, too, but I guess not really.
I don't want to wear it all day.
I like stereo hadsets because they give me better mental isolation when I
am on the phone with someone.
I don't mind spending money, like $69 for the USB headset instead of $20
for the audio headset, as long as it works.
Keep up the field testing, and report back with some good deals ;-)
Thanks.
Jeff Liebermann
>I want to use the same Bluetooth headset for my Motorola v551 cell phone
>and Skype. I tried a DBT-120 adapter and Motorola HS820 headset for the
>PC, but didn't get any sound, although it was recognized as a Windows Audio
>device ;-(
The ear;u DLink DBT-120 is a problem. There are 6 versions. I was
using a "B4" hardware version last week with a Plantronics BT-3500. No
problems pairing after I installed updated Widcomm drivers.
>No help from DLink. I wish they would shrug their shoulders instead of
>translating my request to something they can understand, having nothing to
>do with what I asked.
I've become rather vindictive in my old age. I have a Bode Shifter
(audio frequency pitch shifter) that I connect into my microphone
circuit. It can change my voice to sound like Darth Vader or
whatever. It's now fun to call overseas support. I can't understand
them, but they seem to have some problems understanding me.
New Years resolution #20. Do more of the same.
>> 2. A USB Bluetooth 1.2 or 2.0 adapter.
>
>Uh-oh, only 1.1, but I get nothing. I can buy something different.
>It seems I have some pairing troubles anyway, that I think are caused by
>moving the DBT-120 back and forth between computers.
I don't think that's the problem. I currently have 3ea Zonet adapters
and juggle them randomly between boxes. I can make any adapter work
with any machine. It does detect a different device if I juggle ports
or Bluetooth devices, but a bit of configurtion and it works. It uses
the same Widcomm (Broadcom) drivers that DLink uses.
http://www.broadcom.com/products/bluetooth_supportlinks.php
Bluetooth 1.2 should be downward compatible to 1.1.
>> 3. A Bluetooth 1.2 headset.
>I borrowed the HS820, so I'm wide open for suggestions.
No recommendations yet. I'm only testing Plantronics headsets so it's
way too soon to tell if there are any problems or advantages. I'm not
even sure how I'm going to do the testing yet.
>> 4. Control software (optional).
>I want to use Cisco IP Communicator as well as Skype, so I don't know if
>the control software will play for me.
The way the added software works is that it recognizes the connect
request from the Widcomm BT driver and simulates a key stroke
(Alt-PgUp and Alt-PgDn) used by Skype to pickup and hangup the phone.
Seems like an easy enough program to write. It probably will be
supplied by one or more the headset manufactories shortly.
>Hmmm... I'd like the music, too, but I guess not really.
>I don't want to wear it all day.
Nobody can wear those things all day. There are adapters for the
"hang it on your ear" type of Bluetooth headsets, that offer an over
the head hanger. Not exactly a headset, but does solve the problem of
tilting one's head and having the Bluetooth earpiece fall off.
>I like stereo hadsets because they give me better mental isolation when I
>am on the phone with someone.
Mental isolation? Well, maybe something like the "Cone of Silence"?
http://www.cinerhama.com/getsmart/innovations.html
>I don't mind spending money, like $69 for the USB headset instead of $20
>for the audio headset, as long as it works.
Nothing new every works the first time.
The next release is always better.
>Keep up the field testing, and report back with some good deals ;-)
Well, it's not going to be a very organized test. Just some tinkering
with an assortment of headsets, adapters, and software.
do...@xrexxskype.usenet.us.com
> do...@XReXXSkype.usenet.us.com hath wroth:
> The ear;u DLink DBT-120 is a problem. There are 6 versions. I was
I love the "six different sets of hardware with the same name, look
carefully at the label and click on the proper image for support".
I have the B4.
> using a "B4" hardware version last week with a Plantronics BT-3500. No
> problems pairing after I installed updated Widcomm drivers.
I can pair, it see the proper device, I just don't get any audio.
> I don't think that's the problem. I currently have 3ea Zonet adapters
> and juggle them randomly between boxes. I can make any adapter work
> with any machine. It does detect a different device if I juggle ports
I can re-pair, but if I keep the adapter on one PC, it automatically pairs.
If I move it, I have to do the pairing and PIN thing anew.
> Nobody can wear those things all day. There are adapters for the
> "hang it on your ear" type of Bluetooth headsets, that offer an over
> the head hanger. Not exactly a headset, but does solve the problem of
> tilting one's head and having the Bluetooth earpiece fall off.
Aha. That would be handy. A little gadget for car or quick use, and
over-head part for longer conversations.
> >I like stereo hadsets because they give me better mental isolation when I
> >am on the phone with someone.
> Mental isolation? Well, maybe something like the "Cone of Silence"?
Bose noise-canceling was weird.
> >Keep up the field testing, and report back with some good deals ;-)
> Well, it's not going to be a very organized test. Just some tinkering
> with an assortment of headsets, adapters, and software.
Excellent. Just report back when you find something you like.
Dane Jasper
: The Plantronics USB headset DSP-300/400 is a USB device. This sounds
: better with Skype than a corded telephone. It is also a stereo headset for
: normal Windows audio. About $60 at Fry's.
I have one of these, but find it to be pretty loose and uncomfortable. It
doesn't deserve to have the Plantronics name. I've used their telephone
headset for almost 10 years now, every day, and it's great.
They do make a USB adaptor to their telephone headset type plug - that might
be a hot ticket.
--
Dane Jasper Sonic.net, Inc.
(707)522-1000
mailto:da...@sonic.net http://www.sonic.net/
Key fingerprint = A5 D6 6E 16 D8 81 BA E9 CB BD A9 77 B3 AF 45 53
j r pierce
laptop microphone inputs tend to be pretty noisy and crummy
sounding... I'd suggest a USB mic...
for telephony you *REALLY* want a headset to prevent feedback, and to
avoid picking up ambient noise (microphones should be a few inches max
from the source). Logitech & Plantronics both make decent USB
headsets of varying sizes and types.
if you INSIST on a seperate mic, try
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=103,CONTENTID=6776