microphone/ recording issue

For quite some time I am facing the issue with the chatting in skype. So I bought a new pair of creative headphones (basic: HS-330) to make chatting audible and clear.

But don't know what's going on and

1. Still the person at other end is not able to listen my voice properly.
2. Their is sound in headphone when mic is enabled. And when I disable it the static noise is gone from the headphone.

I have disabled the microphone array of the laptop. But still when I try to record the audio by mic through sound recorder. I can hear noise and very low recording as playback. Any help !

 

Do you have any electrically driven gizmo's next to your computer, like batterychargers, or any powercables underneath the computer, that the computers rests upon, a lamp or something resting very close to the microphone socket/periphery of the computer, are you downloading/uploading stuff, running memory intensive programs at the same time that you're chatting?

These are things that can create interference.

And of course, I forgot to mention,make sure that only Volume, Wav and mic is enabled in the volumecontrol. the other things might influence the mic.

Is the speakers internal in the computer, or do you use external ones. make sure that they aren't to close to other electrical 'objects' that might create interference/noise.

Are eventually cables from those speakers in a big bundle or are they free and away from electrical cabling. again, a source of interference.

 

Near the laptop I only have my modem. And the laptop is mounted on the wooden table. Also I do not download any stuff while chatting as it interrupt the video quality. Music i listen from the inbuilt speaker of the laptop and some times the headphone.

I guess need to contact the dell support and go for replacement. I found some threads though about this defect in Dell systems.

 

Ah. thanks for the info about using the webcam during chat.
This may very well be the issue at hand.

make sure you have the latest Skype version (I believe you might be using Skype) (Are you using IE or Firefox? -IE have a better updated version of Skype). Also make sure you have an updated webcam-driver. If it is a creative webcam, go to creatives page, that solution in particular helped me/my dad. -had to get him update his stuff too.

 

I have the skype version 5.1.0.112 installed. And chatting through the built integrated webcam in dell 1558. Also web browser's IE, Firefox, opera, crome are latest version.

 

mmkay.

This is the latest version of the Webcam Monitor, aka Webcam Central. Webcam Central.

I also found this one; audiofix It doesn't say if it will work in your rig or not, but it would be worth a try, since it is actually covering said issues, quote:
"Fixes issue:
Audio intermittently lost when recording video in wmv format.
Video intermittently lag during recording via Dell Webcam Central application
"

And this is, afaik, the latest driver for the webcam: Creative integrated webcamera

Try to uninstall old drivers, and webcam central, reboot, install driver, fix, then the webcam central.

Crossing my fingers.

 

thanks for the help bear123. I have reinstalled the audio driver R261324. Also I tried to installed the latest web cam version. but it gave a popup that existing version is comprehensive for the system. so install will exit.

The issue really need some dell support.

 

Well finally I tried some options and found the cause of the problem.

Steps
1. I disconnected all the devices from laptop and reconnected my headphone/mic and recorded a message. The playback was Cristal clear.

2. Then I connected the mouse and tested the same and got the same result.

3. And finally I connected the LAN cable and the interference started like anything. The ADSL2+router is connected to the extension cable that is plugged in the power point. I also tried to connect the router power directly to power point. But no luck. Lot of interference.

4. I checked the other power point in the apartment room and the same result while the net cable is plugged in.

5. I guess proper earthing is not in the apartment.

Looking for any workaround to prevent this interference.

 

Ok, I see. that must be categorized under the 'sucks'-tab.
There are no other wallsockets in your place that has grounding either?

If the router is the main culprit, try borrowing another router from a friend or something, to see if it makes a difference. if it does, I don't think there are any other options than to kick the router out the window, and buy another one, perhaps another brand.

Although,do check to see if there is a firmware update for the router first.

I hope you'll solve the problem, nothing hurts the mind more than a faulty computersystem.

 

So, tried my headphone in different room's power plug, laptop and router. Still got the same problem.

The earthing of the house is the main culprit. Still not got any good solution to reduce the static from the playback voice.

 

Yes this would be a difficult thing to sort out, but I will try to give some inputs. Are you running lots of electrical items on one or on only few electrical circuits? Fridge/freezer and oven is difficult to do anything about, but if you are using dishwasher, washingmachine, aquarium-airpump, tv(s) radio(s), microwaves, router(s) (w or w/o wifi), toasters, flycatchers... ...you name it...
Basically turn e v e r y t h i n g off, basically lay your house dead, and try only the computer/mic. Even go so far as to make sure there are no electric trains passing by outside your house, if any.
Considering the router, where is it placed related to the pc? -In the same floor/room? If it is wireless, make sure there are no armed concrete walls between it and the computer (armed concrete walls works like a farradaycage, and degenerate the signals badly. Same goes with waterpipes and aquariums.)
Funny, yes, but seriously to.

 

Thanks Bear123 for the inputs. All the electric appliances are running on dedicated power outlet. And my laptop power is connected to multi plug extension cord which is also connected to a dedicated power outlet in the room. Electric train is no no situation in this case.
Router is the wired one and placed below the laptop. And at good distance from the wall. I guess need to catch some electrician for quick fix.