HELP!! Skype + bluetooth headphones = terrible quality

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novastorm

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#71770 16-Nov-2010 21:17

Ive recently got some bluetooth headphones, and have connected to my computer (running Windows 7), however when i use skype on the computer using the headphones as audio output, all of the outgoing audio to the headphone, including the skype audio drops and becomes terrible. This only happens when i use skype to call someone, recieve calls, etc, its fair to say, with these headphones i cannot use skype. But when i am not using skype, the sound quality is great. As soon as skype comes into the equation, the quality drops instantly and remains as such until skype finishes. Anyone know how to fix this?

Cheers

PS: Headphones are: Sony DR-BT101
Skype v5
Windows 7 64bit

freitasm

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#405567 16-Nov-2010 21:41

How is the CPU utilisation during the call?

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Niel

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#405588 16-Nov-2010 22:31

Skype will enable the microphone while other programmes will not. The microphone uses bandwidth. Should not be an issue unless you have an older Bluetooth dongle/module in your PC/laptop which is not EDR (enhanced data rate), perhaps a number of years old. You can test the theory by listening to music and then run something like Windows Sound Recorder (from XP, don't know what the equivalent is in Win 7) to see if the issue comes up.

Try setting the record bit rate lower, no need for high bit rates on Skype.

Or perhaps somewhere in Skype the quality setting is low so while Skype runs it reconfigures your headphones as such.

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jjnz1

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#405603 16-Nov-2010 22:59

Are you using a wireless (wifi) internet connection by any chance?

On some older bluetooth chipsets, I have experienced choppy bluetooth connections when the wifi connection on the same device is being heavily used, ie downloading or video chatting.

I have found that in my cases, only an upgrade to a newer spec'd bluetooth chipset/card fixes all.

novastorm

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#405610 16-Nov-2010 23:16

freitasm: How is the CPU utilisation during the call?

Its fine, less that 2%

Niel: Skype will enable the microphone while other programmes will not. The microphone uses bandwidth. Should not be an issue unless you have an older Bluetooth dongle/module in your PC/laptop which is not EDR (enhanced data rate), perhaps a number of years old. You can test the theory by listening to music and then run something like Windows Sound Recorder (from XP, don't know what the equivalent is in Win 7) to see if the issue comes up.

Try setting the record bit rate lower, no need for high bit rates on Skype.

Or perhaps somewhere in Skype the quality setting is low so while Skype runs it reconfigures your headphones as such.

I have a very new laptop, about a month old. When i just run music through it without skype in a call the quality is perfect. But did as you suggested, but everything was fine.

jjnz1: Are you using a wireless (wifi) internet connection by any chance?

On some older bluetooth chipsets, I have experienced choppy bluetooth connections when the wifi connection on the same device is being heavily used, ie downloading or video chatting.

I have found that in my cases, only an upgrade to a newer spec'd bluetooth chipset/card fixes all.

I am using ethernet cable.

Thanks for the replys guys, hopefully i find a solution soon