Cheap Skype Headset

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RB

RB

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Just started using Skype at home & using it on the laptop that we plan taking os in May. Do I go for a cheap & nasty set of headphones or is there real value in spending extra $$$. Do sets need to be specifically skype & should I jump towards sets with USB connection? Any experience & recommended brands appreciated.
 
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I have no experience with Skype (I have a fundamental issue with Skype from a security/privacy perspective, but recognise that many people still choose to use it). However, when using commercial VoIP Sotphone clients such as Nortel i2050, Nortel MCS client, Cisco Communicator, and generic SIP clients like X-Lite etc, I have experienced significant quality improvement when using a USB external DPS headset rather than a laptop built-in microphone and speakers or a microphone and headphones.
 
NM said:
I have no experience with Skype (I have a fundamental issue with Skype from a security/privacy perspective, but recognise that many people still choose to use it). However, when using commercial VoIP Sotphone clients such as Nortel i2050, Nortel MCS client, Cisco Communicator, and generic SIP clients like X-Lite etc, I have experienced significant quality improvement when using a USB external DPS headset rather than a laptop built-in microphone and speakers or a microphone and headphones.
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Pretty much the same thing, an external USB DPS headset seems to work wonders. Only issue i have seen on some is that AGC (Auto gain control) is activated and you need to find it in the setting of the sound device in windows and switch it off.
The Plantronics wired or bluetooth headsets seem to work well, and are for the bluetooth ones are ok with most if not all SIP clients which some other bluetooth headsets are not.
 
I also have used the Logitec USB headset with swing down microphone - only trouble is that you are physically restricted (connected to the PC) whereas I have also bought and use a Logitec portable webcam for my laptop which has its own inbuilt microphone - no more restrictions - can walk about the room and chat. Would recommend that you buy a good quality unit as there are some cheapies - usual story U get what you pay for.
 
Zorro said:
I also have used the Logitec USB headset with swing down microphone - only trouble is that you are physically restricted (connected to the PC) whereas I have also bought and use a Logitec portable webcam for my laptop which has its own inbuilt microphone - no more restrictions - can walk about the room and chat. Would recommend that you buy a good quality unit as there are some cheapies - usual story U get what you pay for.
Click to expand...
I refuse to load Logitec software onto my PC after some bad experiences in the past. Their web cam drivers replace some original MS files and even after removing the Logitec software the original MS files are not replaced. Subsequently other software that uses those files does not work. I have twice had to re-install Windows XP to recover the ability to use other software after installing a Logitec web cam for video conferencing capability.

I have a Nortel USB-DSP headset that is very lightweight and folds into a pencil case sized padded travel bag that slips nicely into my laptop bag.
 
I've just had a thought!!!! (Yes, they come at odd times!)
I'm going to try my Bose QC3 headphones and the built-in microphone in the laptop.
If it works, I won't need to carry the logitechs with me!
Logic says it should work, but then we all know that's not logical
 
FlyboyAl said:
I've just had a thought!!!! (Yes, they come at odd times!)
I'm going to try my Bose QC3 headphones and the built-in microphone in the laptop.
If it works, I won't need to carry the logitechs with me!
Logic says it should work, but then we all know that's not logical
Click to expand...

That will work ok. A thing to note about using the stereo jack. You won't hear the phone ring as it will ring through the headphones. THe only way around that is to use a USB head or one of these:

DealExtreme: $3.46 Virtual 5.1-Surround USB 2.0 External Sound Card

Very handy gadget. We used them last year in Beijing. The advantage of using this is that you can specify your audio to play on the USB device and ring on your laptop speaker.

Personally i have a plantronics ear/boom piece. Small and works very well and it is USB. It works on any VOIP software etc. as you are only specifying the audio input/output to use.
 
I always used a cheap Doro usb phone on my travels, but in the end I found that I could connect my mobile phone's bluetooth ear piece to the bluetooth connection on my laptop and use that (It took a while to figure it out). It was very handy as the earpiece could just fit in my pocket.

Since then I have changed my phone (treo pro) which runs Skype on it (even easier) great for free internet hot spots.

:D
 
On my home pc I just use a cheap mic - $15 adn the normal sound for skype. it works fine. Sure there are some other issues with a laptop, but I don't see any need to go out and spend then the bare minimum.
 
FlyboyAl said:
I've just had a thought!!!! (Yes, they come at odd times!)
I'm going to try my Bose QC3 headphones and the built-in microphone in the laptop.
If it works, I won't need to carry the logitechs with me!
Logic says it should work, but then we all know that's not logical
Click to expand...

It will work for you. However, the person at the other end will hear a combination of your voice, the room acoustics, and other noises - not so good. With a headset microphone, the signal to noise ratio improves hugely, as your voice sounds "closer" to the person at the other end. To prove this, try calling the Skype test call, and leave a message using your laptop mic. Repeat using a headset mic.

As an aside, to do real conference calls, buy the ClearOne Chat 150. This relatively small conference unit (mics and speaker) sits on the table so that your colleagues can take part in the call. It has an Acoustic Echo Canceller built-in, and uses USB. It works really well, and comes in a small leahter pouch. I always chuck it in my suitcase.
 
An alternative approach;

For Skype I have converted to a handset like NETGEAR SPH200W WiFi Phone with Skype®

This handset will access a wifi network (usual access conditions) and log you onto the Skype network. No laptop, no headset required. Basically it looks like a normal mobile, but will only work on a wifi network.

I use it daily at home in Australia, bypassing Telstra, and making all of our calls. The main advantage is that we don't have to sit at a PC to make Skype calls.

I did take it on my last trip to China. Sitting in (or standing outside Starbucks) allowed me to make low cost calls home. No laptop, no headset.

One advantage is that no Skype access is required on laptop, avoiding security issues in that regard.
 
albatross710 said:
One advantage is that no Skype access is required on laptop, avoiding security issues in that regard.
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Ah, I believe the security issues are more so in regards to the fact your call can be snooped on; in which case this would make no more difference :p
 
I hope everybody knows how easy it is just to bridge a port and use wireshark or similar to pick all traffic from the correct port numbers, reverse it and save it to a wav file and listen to the conversation.

Unless your voip has encryption is all too easy to listen to what people say.

It was fun trying it at work while we had encryption switched off on our viop solution to do some troubleshooting, just showing people how easy it was. Even IT were surprised how easy it was.

Of course who wants to listen to my personal conversations is welcome... if i have something sensitive to say i wont do it on un-secured voip.

E
 
Evan said:
I hope everybody knows how easy it is just to bridge a port and use wireshark or similar to pick all traffic from the correct port numbers, reverse it and save it to a wav file and listen to the conversation.

Unless your voip has encryption is all too easy to listen to what people say.

It was fun trying it at work while we had encryption switched off on our viop solution to do some troubleshooting, just showing people how easy it was. Even IT were surprised how easy it was.

Of course who wants to listen to my personal conversations is welcome... if i have something sensitive to say i wont do it on un-secured voip.

E
Click to expand...

When shall we book in a time Evan? ;)
 
Flashware said:
Easy sounds like the good option :p
Click to expand...

Ok i will setup a little test, not tonight though, trying to make a stupid machine clone P2V VMware. Silly converter software is not working so well. grrrrr.
E
 
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