Samsung Series 7 3.5mm Combo Audio Port

I have found several posts regarding problems with having the NP700Z7C detect headphones when connected to the 3.5mm combo audio jack. However, I have had no problems connecting external headphones at all.

My question relates to connecting a microphone. Has anyone tried connecting an external mic to this 3.5mm combo port? When I connect one, it simply isn't detected.

With headphones connected, "Left Panel 3.5mm Audio Jack" appears in the Speakers Properties window. This port appears only when 3.5mm headphones are connected to the jack, indicating that the connection is "detected" by the sound card:



However, regardless of whether a microphone is connected, I always see this in "Microphone Properties":



The "Analog Jack" is just the computer's internal microphone. It never detects the externally connected one through the combo port.

Has anyone actually had success connecting a 3.5mm microphone to the port?

Maybe this combo port can accept both a microphone and stereo headphones simultaneously using an adapter. Some smartphones and Apple laptops apparently support this:



Notice the 4-pin male to dual 3-pin female ports on that adapter. I believe it works like this:



Has anyone tried using an adapter like this to connect both a mic and headphones at the same time? Does the port support this? I'm asking here since none of Samsung's manuals or specs seem to reference how to actually use this combo port and Samsung support hasn't got a clue either.

Thank you!

 

The easy test would be to try using one of the combo earphone / microphone headsets that people use with their mobile phones. Have you got / can you borrow one?

I've just run this test on my X4C using a phone headset and the Skype call testing service. The external earphones and mic worked fine although they were reported as the same Realtek audio devices as the internal speakers and microphone (but there is a pop-up notification in the notification area when inserting / removing an external audio device). I would therefore expect your headphone / mic splitter to work.

John

 

And your phone headset does have 4 conductors on the connector, correct? I'm asking because some of the headsets only have 3 conductors - I think they're mono and not stereo.

Anyway, trying out a headset is a good idea. While I don't know of anyone who has one available, I could make a quick trip to Best Buy and purchase one to test out and then return it. I hear competition has forced their return policy to be pretty accepting these days.

Thanks!

 

Yes, the headset I tried has 4 contact zones with a plug like the one shown here.

John