Travel Technology - Question about Bluetooth headset and using Skype

I bought a Bluetooth headset, which I have been able to use with my Blackberry. Now I wanted to try and connect it to the computer, in order to be able to use Skype with it. I can connect (at least it says that I added the Bluetooth device in the standard Windows XP Bluetooth thing), but when I use Skype, the sound still comes out of the computer speakers, not from the headset. Also, I cannot manually select the headset within Skype as the micro/speaker device.

Any advice would be appreciated, many thanks.

In your control panel, click on "sounds and audio devices", then change the default device to "Bluetooth Audio" and do the same for "Audio Recording".

Thanks ScottC...I actually tried to do that before I posted, but for some odd reason, I can only select my standard sound card there - there is no option to change to Bluetooth audio... :(.

It is possible that the Bluetooth software you have doesn't have the Bluetooth Audio Profile. What brand of adapter is it, and what version/make of software are you using?

Only the newer versions of the Widcomm software support BAP, Microsofts own Bluetooth stack doesn't support it.

I did not install any software...I was perhaps naive by thinking that it should just work with XP. I am using a cheap Vivanco BT22D headset. It did not come with any software. Do you have a link to some software I could download to make this work?

Thanks again!

I did not install any software...I was perhaps naive by thinking that it should just work with XP. I am using a cheap Vivanco BT22D headset. It did not come with any software. Do you have a link to some software I could download to make this work?

Thanks again!

OK. If you didn't add any Bluetooth software then I assume your PC or laptop came with Bluetooth standard, in which case I assume it is just the standard microsoft Bluetooth stack, which doesn't support Bluetooth Audio. In which case you are screwed :(

Best option is to buy one of those $20 adapters and use that on the computer.

Best option is to buy one of those $20 adapters and use that on the computer.

Where can I buy that? Do you have any recommendation? Do you mean software or hardware by "adapter"?

Thanks! :)

Where can I buy that? Do you have any recommendation? Do you mean software or hardware by "adapter"?

Thanks! :)

By Adapter I mean the physical USB Bluetooth device. Ebay is a good start, which country do you live? In the US you can find a cheap one at places like Compusa.

By Adapter I mean the physical USB Bluetooth device. Ebay is a good start, which country do you live? In the US you can find a cheap one at places like Compusa.

I am using an IBM T40 laptop with built-in bluetooth. I actually downloaded the Widcomm bluetooth stack with some patches, but it seems like the IBM/Microsoft bluetooth software keeps re-installing itself even after I uninstall it and I cannot use the Widcomm instead (XP SP2). I live in Germany.

I am using an IBM T40 laptop with built-in bluetooth. I actually downloaded the Widcomm bluetooth stack with some patches, but it seems like the IBM/Microsoft bluetooth software keeps re-installing itself even after I uninstall it and I cannot use the Widcomm instead (XP SP2). I live in Germany.

Your local Mediamarkt or Saturn would be the best bet.

Thanks...but how would the USB adapter be different from the built-in Bluetooth adapter in the IBM? Could I even run both of them at the same time?

Thanks again, ScottC.

Thanks...but how would the USB adapter be different from the built-in Bluetooth adapter in the IBM? Could I even run both of them at the same time?

Thanks again, ScottC.

You couldn't run both at the same time, you'd need to disable one of them.

Your other option is to try and get rid of the Microsoft Bluetooth stack and get the Widcomm stack installed on it, but I don't know enough about IBM's to help you out there.

I did not install any software...I was perhaps naive by thinking that it should just work with XP...
You don't have a Macintosh. Get over it. :)

Go to www.thinkpads.com in the T-Series forum and do a search.

This was discussed quite a bit.

I have a T42p and use my Bluetooth headset with Skype. But you do have to uninstall the Microsoft Bluetooth stack. You'll find the instructions for how to do it in that forum.

Typically if you have installed the Widicomm drivers the Microsoft drivers in XP take over. What I've done (not on a thinkpad) is to go into the Device Manager and and under "Bluetooth Devices" delete the Microsoft Bluetooth device. When you do this and you have installed the Widicomm drivers the Widicomm Bluetooth driver should show up and start working. Of course YMMV.

I am currently living in Tallinn, Estonia. My first several days here were very frustrating - primarily from communications limitations and related issues. I purchased a local cell phone and a prepaid calling card. Unfortunately, I cannot call the calling card’s free local access numbers from my cell phone. No problem. I just went to nearby pay phones to dial international long distance using the card. The next problem was that I could not call toll free numbers in the United States using my calling card. I was certain I would be able to use my prepaid calling card (AT&T) for this, even if the calls were billed as toll calls at normal rates. I could call US 800 numbers from my cell, but they were very expensive.

Skype solved all of my problems. It is phenomenal, and I am the biggest Skype fan in the history of ever. Learning that an Estonian was instrumental in its development was even better. I am currently using a headset that I bought at a local electronics store – over the head, two leather-ish cups over ears, wraparound microphone, etc. This works great, and at less than $15 US I am delighted. However, when I leave here, I want to be able to find a more transportable replacement.

Enter the Scala 500. I read about this in another thread, and it seems perfect for my needs.

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?DPNo=511668

After reading this thread, I now know that I will need software to use the headset with my Dell Latitude D610 that I bought from Dell in March. I am running Windows XP, and I have installed nothing.

Will the Scala 500 come with whatever I need? If not, what will I need to buy?

Is there a better choice for my specific purpose of using with Skype: battery life, reception, size, cost, quality?

Also, I have a BalckBerry 7110t that I bought in March from T-Mobile. Is this Bluetooth enabled?

Thanks for helping a complete amateur.

Sam

Does anyone have answers to my two previous questions re: Cardo Scala 500?

1. do I need additional software to use this headset with Skype on my new Dell D610?

2. can i use with my blackberry 7100t ? - from T-Mobile: This is one sweet little phone loaded with all of the cool features you want, like Bluetooth® connectivity, speakerphone, and downloadable ringtones. Plus Web surfing on a big color screen. i don't need anything else, right?

thanks,

sam

1. do I need additional software to use this headset with Skype on my new Dell D610?I've never used a BT headset with a computer, so I don't know if this will work or not. The Scala is intended for use with a cellular phone. I didn't see anything in their user manual that would indicate use with a computer.

2. can i use with my blackberry 7100t ? - from T-Mobile: This is one sweet little phone loaded with all of the cool features you want, like Bluetooth® connectivity, speakerphone, and downloadable ringtones. Plus Web surfing on a big color screen. i don't need anything else, right?The Scala is a generic BT headset. It will work with just about any BT phone (I used it with a Treo 650). It worked well enough for me, but I had to re-pair it wgenever I turned off either the phone or the headset, and it fell apart in my pocket one day. It comes with a clip/protector that probably would have prevented that had I used it. I replaced it with a Treo BT headset, which doesn't have to be re-paired and seems sturdier.

1. You can definitely use the headset with your laptop. That's what I'm doing.

You shouldn't need any additional software so long as you've already got the Bluetooth drivers installed on your computer. If your computer came with Bluetooth then I'd imagine it came with the drivers preinstalled.

2. Yes, you'll definitely be able to use it with your phone. Should not be a problem at all.

It worked well enough for me, but I had to re-pair it wgenever I turned off either the phone or the headset...
Strange. Hasn't happened to me - it stays paired fine.

1. You can definitely use the headset with your laptop. That's what I'm doing.

You shouldn't need any additional software so long as you've already got the Bluetooth drivers installed on your computer. If your computer came with Bluetooth then I'd imagine it came with the drivers preinstalled.

2. Yes, you'll definitely be able to use it with your phone. Should not be a problem at all.


Strange. Hasn't happened to me - it stays paired fine.

Thanks for the post. I have been able to determine that I do not have BT on my notebook. Apparently I opted out of the Dell 350 BT nodule to save $45. The good news is that I see numerous Bluetooth adapters available at tigerdirect.com and other places starting at $10-$15. They plug into the USB port. They look like memory stick things (the size of a key).

Is that all I need - a BT adapter?

Thanks,

Sam

Yeah, just get a BT adapter. There's another thread I started asking for advice on them, so you can run a search for it.

Once the BT adapter is set up, you can tell it to look for BT devices and put your headset into "pairing" mode and they'll find eachother. And that's about it. Takes 2 minutes.

Yeah, just get a BT adapter. There's another thread I started asking for advice on them, so you can run a search for it.

Once the BT adapter is set up, you can tell it to look for BT devices and put your headset into "pairing" mode and they'll find eachother. And that's about it. Takes 2 minutes.

That would be here:

http://64.78.185.85/forum/showpost.php?p=4282978&postcount=1

Thanks,

Sam

I have a Belkin USB Bluetooth adaptor in my Dell Optiplex desktop. I was able to pair both a Motorola HS850 and a Jabra BT200 with the desktop and use them with Skype. Just tried yesterday in fact. I told the computer to pair with a new device, selected headset as the device and put the headset in discover mode. The only problem I had at first was that I hadnt told Skype to look for audio from the BT adaptor as ScottC said above. Unfortunately I didnt see this thread until after I fixed it myself. If I had, I could have avoided some use of profanity. I hate when I am forced to swear ;)

I am using an IBM T40 laptop with built-in bluetooth. I actually downloaded the Widcomm bluetooth stack with some patches, but it seems like the IBM/Microsoft bluetooth software keeps re-installing itself even after I uninstall it and I cannot use the Widcomm instead (XP SP2). I live in Germany.

For all IBM T40, T41, etc. laptop users with XP SP2, the solution is to go to this link and exactly follow the instructions:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-50245

Nothing else will work...none of the standard tricks for disabling the Microsoft Bluetooth stack (very nicely described for instance in http://forum.skype.com/viewtopic.php?t=10822 and http://forum.skype.com/viewtopic.php?t=14646&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0), neither does buying an external dongle and installing their software over the MS stack and trying to prevent the MS stack from re-installing itself do the trick.

However, going to the IBM link, downloading the software and following the instructions will make it work.

Currently using Skype with a Logitech Mobile Pro Headset on an IBM T40 with XP SP2.

Any good bluetooth headset ? Don't want spend over $60.

Thanks

Any good bluetooth headset ? Don't want spend over $60.

Thanks

Several people recommended the Scala 500, and I hate the way it fits - or doesn't as the case may be.

It sits at a very bad angle, and adjusting the rubber piece does little to correct this.

I have no basis of comparison, but I suggest you try these before buying them. This is a case where buying online was a bad idea for me.

Sam

Several people recommended the Scala 500, and I hate the way it fits - or doesn't as the case may be.

It sits at a very bad angle, and adjusting the rubber piece does little to correct this.

I have no basis of comparison, but I suggest you try these before buying them. This is a case where buying online was a bad idea for me.

Sam

Thanks. I will try before I buy the Scala 500. but it's not easy to find in my area. :(

Slightly OT, but the past two weeks I was alternately using Skype and Google Talk with my laptop, through a WiFi connection, to talk with my wife and daughter. Google Talk had a distinctly better sound clarity and quality, and I found the interface simpler. However, it dosn't (yet) have a feature equivalent to SkypeOut for calling land lines and cell phones.

You can d/l it at http://www.google.com/talk/
They claim it even works over 56k dialups. My wife was on a 144k connection and the quality was excellent. We were both using cheap ($19 to $24) headsets.

You can have both Google Talk and Skype installed and running at the same time, but can only talk over one of them at a time, so you can compare easily.