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    Vaio SA / SB audio jack: headphone only or combination?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by ozaz, Aug 29, 2011.

  1. ozaz

    ozaz Notebook Geek

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    There seems to be conflicting information as to whether the audio jack on the Vaio SA / SB series is a headphone only jack or a headphone/mic combination jack.

    I have just bought a Vaio SB (VPCSB2C5E). The manual only refers to the audio jack as a headphone jack. Also, when I plug my iphone headset into the jack, the laptop does not seem to be picking up from the iphone heaset mic and continues to use the built in mic instead. I tested this by tapping on the iphone headset mic when it was positioned distant from the laptop compared to tapping on the laptop itself. The latter, but not the former caused fluctuation in the microphone test bar in skype.

    On the other hand, I have seen reviews and posts on this forum that claim it is a combination jack. e.g.

    Sony VAIO SB review - Techworld.com
    (see final paragraph)

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/600197-vaio-sa-sb-negative-points-2.html#post7778847

    I believe my iphone headset has 4 contacts (4 silver sections separated by 3 white rings) so based on the reply to the referenced post I would expect it to work. What are users opinions on this? Do I need to modify any settings to get combo functionality? I am running the factory install.

    I'd like very much to get combo functionality so that I can make skype calls without the receiever hearing everything that is going on in the room around me.
     
    ozaz, Aug 29, 2011
    #1
  2. jeremyshaw

    jeremyshaw Big time Idiot

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    iPhone headset is reversed from ANYTHING ELSE that is TRRS in the world (not TRS)
     
    jeremyshaw, Aug 29, 2011
    #2
  3. darelyng

    darelyng Newbie

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    Ugh.. that explains it. Damn Apple... why the heck do I keep buying their iPhones and iPods.
     
    darelyng, Nov 13, 2011
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  4. jhandel

    jhandel Newbie

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    Hate to be a downer but its not an Apple thing, its a headphone only port. I have universal headset that work in iPhone, Android, Windows Phone 7, Palm Pre (don't ask) Lenovo W510 & W520 (actually all Lenovos) and my Macbook Air, and my Samsung Serise 7 Slate.. But they only work as headphones (no mic) in my Sony SA

    Anyone that thinks their headset is working should test by rubbing their headset mic, not by talking.. The laptops mic is pretty sensitive and picks up talking.. Its very easy to be confused and think your headset is working when its actually using the internal mic... I jumped thru many many hoops to confirm this (sadly :-()
     
    jhandel, Nov 14, 2011
    #4
  5. jeremyshaw

    jeremyshaw Big time Idiot

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    The laptop mic on my SA is under the HDD light, for reference.
     
    jeremyshaw, Nov 14, 2011
    #5