Help request - Skype audio problem

Dennis · #1 12-10-2005, 09:47 PM

Hi

We have just used the Skype VOIP service on our PC for the first time this week. On the 3rd usage we experienced some audio problems - our own outgoing voice message is broadcast back to us, with a slight delay, on our external computer speakers as we continue to talk live. Our friend does not hear this echo repeat at their end in the UK - they hear my voice just fine.

Here is our set up:
1. I am wearing a headset with a boom microphone.
2. The microphone plug (pink) is plugged into the microphone socket (pink) on our computer sound card.
3. The microphone earpiece plug (black) is not plugged in anywhere – it dangles.
4. The external computer speaker plug (green) is plugged into the speaker socket (green) on the same computer sound card.
5 .When I unplug the external computer speakers and then plug the headset earpiece plug into the speaker socket on the same sound card, the delayed playback of our voice can also be heard in the headset earpieces as we speak.

We have made two calls to a (different) friend in the UK since joining the Skype community and everything was fine at both ends.

We have also used the Skype test call service several times and do not experience any problems when we speak for the 10 seconds after the beep. That is, our voice does not playback on the external computers as we continue to speak.

Therefore, it appears that the delayed playback of our voice over our external computer speakers as we talk is limited to a particular friend who we have only called once so far. Maybe they have got their sound system set up incorrectly?

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

Dennis

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #2 12-10-2005, 10:00 PM

Dennis, I can't even get my Skype to work properly at all! Could be coz I am on dial-up.

When it does rarely work I get the echo all the time. I hear myself about a second later!!

The connection doesn't last long either.

avandonk · #3 12-10-2005, 10:43 PM

Skype is marginal at best with dialup.With broadband depends on the hardware.

That is sound card,microphone and earpiece.Stop any feedback!By isolating microphone from speaker!

Get a good quality noise suppressing microphone and it works even on dialup.
More noise in the background more info to send!

Bert

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #4 12-10-2005, 10:46 PM

Makes sense Bert. Thanks.

RAJAH235 · #5 12-10-2005, 11:13 PM

I'm only on dial-up & Skype works O.K. for me. With your volume controls open on desktop, try connecting with someone & adjust whilst talking. May be able to get it right that way. Make sure you follow Skype set-up correctly tho.
If you are behind a firewall, this MUST be configured to allow ALL outgoing on TCP ports,(1-65535). All hosts = allow. I run Sygate & it's a snap to configure. Any other firewall, probably similar. See below-----
Open Skype,> tools>options>sound devices> ? learn more>scroll to bottom>advanced guide> & select your pc etc. If this still doesn't work goto the Help Centre @ the bottom of that(pc) page. Q= support connections> Q=which ports?.................
This gave all relevant info on firewalls etc.
HTH.

L.

Dennis · #6 13-10-2005, 07:44 AM

Thanks for the replies guys.

We are on broadband and there are no problems with firewalls - everything works just fine except with one friend in the UK. It appears as if our voice output is being routed to their PC in the UK and then from there played back to us over our own computer speakers with a 1 second delay.

Our friend says that their mike is not too near their speakers, so it is unlikely that our voice which is being broadcast from their speakers is then being picked up by their mike locally and re-sent to us? So, is there another way where somehow our speech is being re-sent by their PC in the UK back to us in Oz?

Cheers

Dennis

Howzat (Phil) · #7 13-10-2005, 09:10 AM

Easiest way to check if it's your voice being re-sent through his mic is to get him to turn his speakers off/down then for you to say a couple of words and see if they still echo

Dennis · #8 13-10-2005, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howzat

Easiest way to check if it's your voice being re-sent through his mic is to get him to turn his speakers off/down then for you to say a couple of words and see if they still echo

Thanks Phil - the simple ideas are the best! I'll try that next time.

Cheers

Dennis

acropolite (Phil) · #9 13-10-2005, 01:52 PM

Sound routed at either end through speakers will result in echo. Get the person at the other end to use a headset and your problem will disappear....

Dennis · #10 13-10-2005, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acropolite

Sound routed at either end through speakers will result in echo. Get the person at the other end to use a headset and your problem will disappear....

Hi Phil

We Skyped another friend in the UK that had the same set up (desktop mike and external computer speakers) whilst we had our usual set up here in Oz, (headset mike and external computer speaker) and we did not get any re-play of our voice as we spoke.

Both parties in the UK said that they were receiving us loud and clear with no problems. It was us at this end that had the delayed 1 second replay with one of these friends.

We'll get them to turn down their speakers next time and see what happens. I assume that the Skype software would not have got its knickers in a twist and routed our voice back to us as well as to our UK friend?

Cheers

Dennis