Re: [ubuntu-uk] Headsets & VOIP
On Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 12:55 AM, Jai Harrison wrote: > Hey, > > I'm interested in talking with a friend who uses Windows over the > internet. I'm going to have to buy a headset and use a service that's > available on Windows and GNU/Linux (I'm thinking Skype). I also need a > headset that works with GNU/Linux fine so that I can talk to and hear > the person on the other end. They live in Sweden so talking to them > over the internet seems like the cheapest option (as the only cost is > me buying the headset). > > Can anyone point me in the direction of a headset they've used with > Ubuntu and provide me with any tips setting something like this up? > > Thanks, > > Jai > Hey Jai If you are also thinking about video calling with skype, then this is my recommendation, a Logitech E3500 [1]. It is usb and has a built in microphone, plugged it in and it "just worked" in 8.10 :-) --Michael [1] http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/webcams/devices/4267&cl=gb,en -- _ Michael Fletcher Visit my website here - http://www.mgfletcher.com/blog Interested in Linux? Then visit - http://www.ilovemylinux.com -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Headsets & VOIP
Colin Murphy wrote: > On Monday 02 March 2009 07:04:45 mac wrote: >> [...] I've also used usb Plantronics headsets (which have their own >> external sound cards - brilliant with laptops, > > I've not experimented with VOIP very much, but, when using a standard audio > socket headset I've struggled to overcome a buzz that gets included with my > outgoing audio, when I use a laptop. It does seem to be a standard laptop > problem anyway, people seem to, instantly, know I'm on a laptop because of > the buzz. Do USB headsets overcome this problem? Yes, the reason I got a Plantronics DSP-100 headset was that I wanted to use voice recognition software (WinXP only, I fear), and the sound cards in laptops are just not up to it. The tightly packed electronics in a laptop produce considerable interference, which messes up the signal, not to mention the fact that laptop sound cards aren't that wonderful anyway. The DSP-100 sound card is in a 'pod' in the cable, outside the laptop, and it therefore avoids the problem of interference, besides being a better quality audio system than the ones in laptops. Mac -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Headsets & VOIP
On Monday 02 March 2009 07:04:45 mac wrote: > > [...] I've also used usb Plantronics headsets (which have their own > external sound cards - brilliant with laptops, I've not experimented with VOIP very much, but, when using a standard audio socket headset I've struggled to overcome a buzz that gets included with my outgoing audio, when I use a laptop. It does seem to be a standard laptop problem anyway, people seem to, instantly, know I'm on a laptop because of the buzz. Do USB headsets overcome this problem? > Finally - pace RMS - if you're going to use Skype proprietary software, Talk of propretry software, has anyone had any success in using the web based version of PalTalk - http://express.paltalk.com/ It boasts Linux compatibility, but seems to be a bugger to get working - just the right versions of Flash and Java seem to be needed. I have sound in working on one 8.04 box, sound out worked, briefly, too. On all other installations I've had no joy. -- co...@spudulike.me.uk Gotta' go, things to be, people to do, stuff to, err, stuff. -- co...@spudulike.me.uk Gotta go, things to be, people to do, and stuff to, err, stuff. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Headsets & VOIP
Jai Harrison wrote: > ...(I'm thinking Skype). > Can anyone point me in the direction of a headset they've used with > Ubuntu and provide me with any tips setting something like this up? I've successfully used all sorts of mike/headset/speaker combinations with Skype. Basic kit that plugs directly into the mic and headphone sockets is simplest and cheapest, as Pete and Sean have said. But to be fair, I've also used usb Plantronics headsets (which have their own external sound cards - brilliant with laptops, but very expensive); and I've used a Logitech Quickcam S7500 Webcam - usb - with an integral mic, and a Creative Labs 2.1 speaker system. With the usb kit, you do have to turn on the mic, and adjust the gain (as well as un-muting the speakers). With an 8.xx Ubuntu, this seems quite easy: double click the speaker icon on the task bar, to open the volume control panel, and in Preferences select the appropriate combination of digital/recording/input devices to dispaly, as well as the bits of the Playback system you want. (This is easier to understand when your looking at the Preferences list and playing with the adjustments screen!) You also have to open the Skype 'Options' when you've got your headset or other kit plugged in. Select the appropriate Sound Devices to use for Sound In and Sound Out. A bit of experimentation usually lets you get this right quickly. But I find it helps NOT to let Skype auto-adjust the mixer levels - so I untick that box. Finally - pace RMS - if you're going to use Skype proprietary software, I'd get their own latest version direct from them. So edit your /etc/apt/sources.list to include Skype's repo: deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-free and then do an update, safe-upgrade, and install skype Sorry if this is more detail than you need. HTH Mac -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Headsets & VOIP
On Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 1:04 AM, Pete Stean wrote: > The Creative HS Fatal1ty "just works" as it plugs into the mic and > audio out sockets on your soundcard - £30 though which may be more > than you're willing to spend. You might just need to fiddle with the > mic gain a bit in the audio panel but thats about it. Just to clarify on what I said earlier, the Tesco one (which they were selling at £4.99 last time I looked) works perfectly fine for exactly this reason. Just goes into the mic and audio sockets... no "rocket science" there at all... guess it's "analogue vs. digital", eh? USB? Avoid like the plague :-) Sean -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Headsets & VOIP
The Creative HS Fatal1ty "just works" as it plugs into the mic and audio out sockets on your soundcard - £30 though which may be more than you're willing to spend. You might just need to fiddle with the mic gain a bit in the audio panel but thats about it. I'd be careful with some of the USB solutions however - I'd imagine that, given that they bypass your soundcard altogether, some of them will have driver issues... Hope that helps Pete > Hey, > > I'm interested in talking with a friend who uses Windows over the > internet. I'm going to have to buy a headset and use a service that's > available on Windows and GNU/Linux (I'm thinking Skype). I also need a > headset that works with GNU/Linux fine so that I can talk to and hear > the person on the other end. They live in Sweden so talking to them > over the internet seems like the cheapest option (as the only cost is > me buying the headset). > > Can anyone point me in the direction of a headset they've used with > Ubuntu and provide me with any tips setting something like this up? > > Thanks, > > Jai > > -- > ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ > -- 'In letters of gold, on a snow-white kite, I will write "I Love You!" And send it soaring high above you, for all to read!' RIP Billy M 1957-1997 -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Headsets & VOIP
I think pretty much any, if it's on the mic socket... more complicated with USB. The Tesco basic headset works very well with Skype for me - the one with the jack plug. Sean -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
[ubuntu-uk] Headsets & VOIP
Hey, I'm interested in talking with a friend who uses Windows over the internet. I'm going to have to buy a headset and use a service that's available on Windows and GNU/Linux (I'm thinking Skype). I also need a headset that works with GNU/Linux fine so that I can talk to and hear the person on the other end. They live in Sweden so talking to them over the internet seems like the cheapest option (as the only cost is me buying the headset). Can anyone point me in the direction of a headset they've used with Ubuntu and provide me with any tips setting something like this up? Thanks, Jai -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
