I use a 1st gen macbook. I’m deciding on what headset to get, I would like something inexpensive as possible, however good sound quality is important. What would be better, a headset that uses the mic/headphone ports, or a usb headset? Is the usb headset compatible with our site?

I know a few of us just use the iPhone headphone things and it just works fine. Plus pretty inexpensive and you look a little cooler than if you’re wearing those big earmuff things (not that I have anything against big earmuff things! :)).

Well I’ll know for sure tomorrow when I take my first class. I have a very nice set of earbuds that I got for my iphone & ipod, I can use those. I am just unsure of using the built in mic on the laptop, as its quite far away from my mouth, being in the lcd lid. We shall see….

The iPhone earbuds have the built-in mic that you can use if you don’t want to use your laptop mic. That tends to work pretty well….

I actually use a separate mic. You just put it on the table in front of you. That way you dont need to wear anything, except for in-ear headphones if you dont wanna listen through the speakers.

@Tim Yep, though I would advise not listening through speakers as you will more than likely get a loop – the microphone will pick up the sound.

If your a gamer, I’m going to recommend nothing but Sennheiser Headsets to go for listening to music, classes, voice chat, & gaming. I’ve had mine for about 4 years now, it still works and has amazing sound quality including good mic quality.

I use one of the high end Logitech USB headsets, excellent sound for teaching, both the headphones and the microphone. The one disadvantage to a USB headset is:

- if you want to use use ordinary speakers through the audio out, you have to reset your audio controls to allow sound to come out from the audio card’s speaker / headphone outlets (the small round jacks).

That issue occurs in Windows, I don’t know if it is a problem in a Mac.

There is an audio jack version of my headset, maybe next time I would buy that instead of the USB version.

Philip

Tim, I really second what Michael has suggested. We really do not recommend having any audio coming through your speakers. I know it sometimes works ok on things like Skype, but Skype (and others) are specialised voice/video packages using different technology and are limited only to communication, i.e. it isn’t a ‘classroom’.

If you want to use a free standing mic then absolutely wear headphones or earbuds.

Ideally a headset or earbuds with built-in mic is the best solution.

Thank for the help. The headphones are fine, but I do need to get a mic, i’ll look into that later.

However I am now having some latency issues. I’m on a dsl line, however acrobat is telling me im only upping at .008 kbs per second. The download speeds are fine though

Hi Brendan! Could you do a speed test from here to see if it still reads the same? speed test

2393k Down
686k up
40ms ping

Also: Macbook CD, 2GB ram, OSX 10.5.6, Firefox browser 3.0.5, latest shockwave & acrobat plugins

Also, about the headset mic. I forgot I have a nice bluetooth headset, I’m going to try and get that working. Its been a while since use, its charging now…

BTW: Its a Jawbone ver2

@ Micheal & Marco:

That is right…. that echo happens sometimes when using the speakers.
For the classes I ll have my in-ear headphones, so this would solve the problem….

Thanks for the advice though ;-)

Hi Brendan! Send Marco a message and he will have a chat with you. :)

Thanks Debbie! I’ll hit him up….

Oh and I figured out the headset thing. Bluetooth is soo convenient

Maybe I am way too late, but since I also teach lessons by internet services here is what I always use(d): a Logitech headset and camera. In my opinion it is (maybe??) the best you can get for good money-value. And Sennheiser (as described by “Zad Imam”) is of course the top in reference to headsets – although I use mine mainly for listening to music (and especially when taking a flight back home – they are just perfect). Hope this helps a little.

@Brendan Great! :)
@Klauss I am a big Sennheiser fan too!

I use a logitech headset specially adapted for notebooks.
It’s smaller than the normal ones and you can fold it away when travelling.
very nice sound quality, too.

I use a maxell skype headset I got for 10 pounds from play.com in UK. Sound quality is brilliant!

the most important is skype’s condition I think-then the other probems can be solved.My headset is just an ordinary one but stereo of course.
See you everyone :-)
yasemin

How do I get my webcam to only show video and no audio and let my headset work as a microphone and speakers? Is this possible?

@Jesse…. when I set my headset as the default device for both audio and voice (in sounds and audio devices in my control panel), it automatically cancelled the mic on my webcam as well as my speakers.

Well I think I need to update my headset or look at free standing mics. I am using the mic on my laptop and it works ok but I think I want something more. Any great headsets or free-standing mics that anyone recommends? I also need to update my webcam, again any suggestions?

@ Tyler, Logitech rules. I use Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless Stereo Headset and Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 Webcam. You have to invest about 200 Dollars, but it´s worth.

Tyler…. indeed Logitech headsets are great…. my webcam is a microsoft and it’s really sharp!