Inspiron 6000 - beware input audio problems

There is inherent input audio problem with Inspiron 6000. Those planning using VoIP applications such as Skype are likely to bump into severe background noise problems when trying to use audio input (mono) jack for external microphone (Dell Inspiron 6000 has no internal microphone). A typical setup with inexpensive microphones (that work fine with other computers) when one just plugs the microphone in just will not work. There will be too much of unwanted all-time present background noise. The issue is the result of electronic design flaw and can be traced back quite some time ago (see, for example this website with background noise example or this forum).

Even though Dell diagnostics will show that microphone test passed OK, the annoying humming noise will be there. Replacing the motherboard will not help. If one buys Inspiron 6000, he will have this problem with audio. I will be happy if someone will prove me wrong.

 

That is great info.

In this forum I posted information on the 6000 problem with Verizon Broadband Cards. The fix is a new motherboard.

Warning Inspiron 6000 user wanting Verizon Wireless Broadband
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=29905

The 6000 is a great laptop but aparently has a few issues.

Is Dell working on a fix for this audio problem?

 

aha so im not insane. Ive been trying to record guitar forever now it looks like im gonna have to fix this problem. keep us updated on this issue it would be nice to see if they fix it.

 

Nope, from my experience they like it that way and prefer to remain in the position of being "a little-bit pregnant".

Cheers,

 

I've got a 6000 arriving Thursday. If this problem is present, it looks like I'll be moving on to another manufacturer.

 

There will be no "if" (even though I would be very glad to hear about the exception).

Wasn't it a smart move by Dell to remove the internal microphone from many notebook models and that way to automatically remove complaints of those annoying customers who actually want to record some decent sound with the notebooks they purchased? I guess the next move would be to remove the microphone input jack all together...

 

If that's the case, I'll be sending it back for a refund. I wish I had come across this before ordering.

 

Hi,

Don't have any problem with my 6000 and an external microphone it works fine no buzz only me talking! Sorry!

Jon.

 

recording guitar via the input is a bad idea. you should be using some form of external mixer. trying to record guitar via a mic just plugged into the input jack is a guaranteed way to get noise in the mix. you should do a vocal test to see if the problem persists.

for the record, i just plugged an old mic in and tested mine and it works perfectly. it was a piece of junk mic that came bundled with an old desktop sound card and it worked fine.

for the original poster, when did you purchase your 6000? i bought mine in feb/march '05. maybe there was a bad batch or something?

 

I have been reading up on it, and it seems as though people might be using some funky microphones the unit (stereo, etc.)

I guess we'll see what happens when it arrives.

 

Good to hear. And the microphone is?

 

Manufactured end of November 2005 in Malaysia. Motherboard replaced December 2005. Could be a bad batch or "improved" design.

 

While there is a bit of interference in the mic signal, it was extremely quiet. In fact, I tested it with Google Talk and Skype, and those I spoke with didn't even hear it, even when I asked them if they heard any hum or buzz.

I think this is a microphone selection problem - otherwise it would be getting more attention than it currently is.

 

Try 'Mic Boost' & microphone sensitivity at maximum to see whether the interference remains unnoticable. Under such conditions one should be able to talk rather far from a typical desktop electrete microphone - at least that was the case with Dell Latitude D800, but not Inspiron 6000.

There's not a word about microphone specs in Inspiron 6000 manual, and a consumer should naturally presume that any average microphone from the store should work.

It is getting less attention partially due to the fact that there are many USB microphones (with headsets or webcameras), so microphone jack remains unused. Also, audio recording enthusiast would not count much on built-in audio but rather use dedicated sound card (could be USB as well). Which doesn't mean that customers shouldn't expect Dell notebook to perform well in audio input department...

 

Its a Trust Headset from here;

http://www.trust.com/products/product.aspx?artnr=13585

Jon.