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I don't know if this is a fault or something I didn't expect but would be glad to here how others have found it.
I have had the ameo for a few weeks and have noticed that if I use a bluetooth or wired headphone everything seems to be fine on a phone call. However when I try to use it as a speakerphone, whoever I am speaking to complains that my voice is breaking up (I have a strong signal strength). It appears that if there is any response from the person I call or any noise in their background then the microphone at my end is interrupted making my voice unintelligible. I know the manual says to use a headset but what is the point of having a speakerphone if you can't use it? Does anyone else have the same problem or have I got a faulty unit?
bobg said:
I don't know if this is a fault or something I didn't expect but would be glad to here how others have found it.
I have had the ameo for a few weeks and have noticed that if I use a bluetooth or wired headphone everything seems to be fine on a phone call. However when I try to use it as a speakerphone, whoever I am speaking to complains that my voice is breaking up (I have a strong signal strength). It appears that if there is any response from the person I call or any noise in their background then the microphone at my end is interrupted making my voice unintelligible. I know the manual says to use a headset but what is the point of having a speakerphone if you can't use it? Does anyone else have the same problem or have I got a faulty unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get this on full volume in a small room. Turning the volume down a bit usually seems to solve it. I think the mic is pretty sensitive and can get flooded a bit too easily.
bobg said:
I don't know if this is a fault or something I didn't expect but would be glad to here how others have found it.
I have had the ameo for a few weeks and have noticed that if I use a bluetooth or wired headphone everything seems to be fine on a phone call. However when I try to use it as a speakerphone, whoever I am speaking to complains that my voice is breaking up (I have a strong signal strength). It appears that if there is any response from the person I call or any noise in their background then the microphone at my end is interrupted making my voice unintelligible. I know the manual says to use a headset but what is the point of having a speakerphone if you can't use it? Does anyone else have the same problem or have I got a faulty unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used both the Ameo and the Dopod rom on the same device and can conirm that this problem is worse on the Ameo rom
Could other dopod users tell their experiences regarding hands-free calling
bobg said:
I don't know if this is a fault or something I didn't expect but would be glad to here how others have found it.
I have had the ameo for a few weeks and have noticed that if I use a bluetooth or wired headphone everything seems to be fine on a phone call. However when I try to use it as a speakerphone, whoever I am speaking to complains that my voice is breaking up (I have a strong signal strength). It appears that if there is any response from the person I call or any noise in their background then the microphone at my end is interrupted making my voice unintelligible. I know the manual says to use a headset but what is the point of having a speakerphone if you can't use it? Does anyone else have the same problem or have I got a faulty unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I experienced something similar but only when the caller has a lot of background noise on their end. It's not a consistent problem here so I assume it's not the same issue you're having.
Thanks for the replies - it looks as if the unit is working to spec but that there is a 'built-in' problem when using the phone as a speakerphone. I didn't get this on the spv2000 I replaced with the ameo so wasn't expecting it. Background noise does seem to trigger it - I just tried phoning using the speaker phone to call an answerphone and it worked fine with clear audio at the other end. I think a day or 2 of playing with the volume to minimise the problem is the next step. I'll post back when I can be more definite but would be grateful for any other opinions.
Cheers
BobG
On my U1000 the mic works fine in speakerphone mode. There are no brakeups of voice even while walking mid-traffic. Yes, I have to speak loud but that is expected with background noise over 85db.
However, the speakers do not return sound very loud at all (for a speakerphone). I have to lean way forward and almost put my face on the screen to be able to clearly hear the other side (even in a totally quiet environment).
Would have been great to have had a decent speaker phone, but as it is I'm sticking to my bluetooth headset.
The 2 drawbacks with bluetooth is the answer delay, it takes a good 1 second before the connection is established between the headset and phone. The second thing is the sensitivity of the mic, it picks up everything that goes on around you, and drowns out your voice. I have to move the mic close to my mouth if there is other noises going on around me (but this is most likely a bluetooth headset problem, and not related to the U1000).
OK several calls later and after fiddling about with the volume I've found that the best way for this problem to be overcome is to set the 'in call' volume to its lowest! I've also set the main unit volume to about 40% but that shouldn't really have any effect. It's odd that the best way for the speakerphone to work is on minimum volume - fine for single calls but not much use if I want a few other people to listen in. However this is a very small problem now and the benefits of this device hugely outweigh this small drawback.
I have been experiencing call quality issues with my X7501. The problem seems to occur when the other person is in a noisy environment like in a noisy car or club. The result sounds like a broken or intermittent connection, where each of us can only hear bits and pieces of our conversation.
This does not seem to occur under any other circumstances so I am wondering if it is related to the Athena's in-built speakerphone. Maybe the microphone and speaker are interacting to cause this?
I am going to experiment with the microphone AGC, try covering the microphone, adjust the volume level, etc. next time this happens to try and track down the cause.
If anyone has experienced similar issues please post here.
Thanks!
Is anyone else having this problem? 65 views and no replies makes me wonder if I have a defective unit. I have determined the following:
1. The microphone AGC has no noticeable effect
2. The voice call is broken and intermittent if either party is in a noisy environment, not just the party being called
3. Covering the microphone with a fingertip restores the conversation to normal
It's almost like the phone is not full duplex...
Update...
I have found out that covering the microphone (like with a fingertip) solves this issue. This works at either end of the conversation, wherever the noise is. Of cource this does not help if calling a conventional handset (ulesss the other party uses the "mute" button...
I am still wondering if onyone else is having this problem? Please let me know.
toyfreak said:
I have found out that covering the microphone (like with a fingertip) solves this issue. This works at either end of the conversation, wherever the noise is. Of cource this does not help if calling a conventional handset (ulesss the other party uses the "mute" button...
I am still wondering if onyone else is having this problem? Please let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have te same effect if not using headset. That is way I mostly use my Jabra stereo headset. Works well in any conditions.
The reason is that the mic is close to left speaker. Solution would be to switch it off, but I haven't heard of anybody done it.
I also use voip, but not the WM6 inbuilt one. I use Aget phone. Normaly it uses only speakerhone, but with stereo headset, incoming audio goes through headset, and my voice is picked up by mic builtin the Athena. It works well.
i do get the same problem if the person i am speaking to is in a noisy environment.
I have just got into the habit of holding the phone with my finger over the left speaker since i noticed it and it seems to be fine now.
A niggly little thing really, but not a deal beaker in my opinion. Such is the life of the gadget freak.......!
I am having issues with the mic on the iconia. Volume is pretty low. While using gtalk the other side can barely hear me. Has anyone else been experiencing this?
Same here. Testing Fring and using the built-in mic or a headset mic, it is impossible to hear what I am saying. There is no mic adjustment in the Fring app and I can't find one in the tablet settings? Am I missing something that should be very obvious? How do you adjust microphone senstivity?
same problem with gtalk. It's sometime hard to hear what I say
I ve been having the same issues with gtalk. Havent tried any other voip app yet.
Mic works fine in voice recording apps though, so it can't be hardware related.
Maybe honeycomb issue??
Where are the mics?
i think the mic is atthe top of the screen in the crack dead center .click the vol up and click on the/pop up the middle i think is the mic volume .if/im/wrong sorry
I have the same problem on my galaxy tab 10.1 but mic volume seems low on all apps.
Just got the a500 and have experience similar results, mic volume is extremely low.
I have tried it with various voice apps, including gtalk, voice recorder, camcorder, etc, and the voice is really low.
Im begining to wonder that this is a hardware issue.
Is this issue consistent with all a500s? or only some models?
My mic is so low volume as to be virtrually useless. I tried plugging in an external mic and that was slightly better but not enough.
When using the voice recorder app I notice that the meter hardly moves off the stop, something wrong here.
I wonder if this issue is more common than it should be?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1162054
But some people here have said their mic is fine. I am going to check a few out in the shops and see if they are any better. Really, at the moment it's not suitable for skype or google talk which is what I got it for.
I still think its a honeycomb noise canceling issue. Plug In headphones while u record and u will see the difference.
I bought a second A500 yesterday and the microphone records my voice far better than the unit I've had for almost 2 weeks. With the old unit I can barely hear what I speak, but the new one I can hear myself clearly. Manufacturing date of the old one is may, the new one is manufactured in april. It did not get the 3.1 update yet so it's still running stock 3.01. One other thing I like about the new one I just got is that the volume buttons work a bit easier and don't require as much force to push them down.
Rob
silverball.slayer said:
I bought a second A500 yesterday and the microphone records my voice far better than the unit I've had for almost 2 weeks. With the old unit I can barely hear what I speak, but the new one I can hear myself clearly. Manufacturing date of the old one is may, the new one is manufactured in april. It did not get the 3.1 update yet so it's still running stock 3.01. One other thing I like about the new one I just got is that the volume buttons work a bit easier and don't require as much force to push them down.
Rob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the key right there.
It's a software problem not a material one.
I experienced the exact same thing as you.
Bought a new tablet and tested the mic with stock 3.0.1. The volume was fine.
Updated to 3.1 and the volume was very low.
Well, my mic sucks in a big way. I tried many times to use google talk, tango and so on with horrible results. I have to yell like crazy and they can barely hear me.
So... as a lot of ppl are complaiing and it's a software problem, is it possible they do nothing to solve it????? It shouldn't be that difficult...
dominuspaulus said:
I am having issues with the mic on the iconia. Volume is pretty low. While using gtalk the other side can barely hear me. Has anyone else been experiencing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I opened up my acer and moved the microphone to the front because before when recordingi couldnt catch a sound coming from recording eg. a person talking.
Now I can at least hear the voices of the people im filming.
For gtalk and skype and stuff i use a headphone set with a mic via the headphones jack, much nicer.
Cheers!
Johnny0906 said:
I opened up my acer and moved the microphone to the front because before when recordingi couldnt catch a sound coming from recording eg. a person talking.
Now I can at least hear the voices of the people im filming.
For gtalk and skype and stuff i use a headphone set with a mic via the headphones jack, much nicer.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't say things like these and not tell us the how's and the what's. For example, what headset did you use? How did you move the mic to front?
BTW, I'm on 3.1 and have never had an issue with the mic. Just did a recording while I was driving and talking. Still sounds pretty good to me.
goodintentions said:
You don't say things like these and not tell us the how's and the what's. For example, what headset did you use? How did you move the mic to front?
BTW, I'm on 3.1 and have never had an issue with the mic. Just did a recording while I was driving and talking. Still sounds pretty good to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is actually a thread further back if you bother to look that I opened and described everything and also uploaded a video to see the mic improvement.
Edit: Here is my thread, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1169050
Edit: Headset I used is a brand called EXIBEL Art.no 38-4061, cheap and works PERFECTLY I can hear and be heard as if in the room.
same issues. Sound seems to just stop as well after I use camcorder
Mine works well on any app except gtalk. Although I recently installed voodoo on my rooted Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the mic adjustments helped. Without Voodoo I usually just plug in headphones when I use gtalk and that solves the issue 100%.
I have the OG Droid as phone and have gotten quite used to speech input, particularly with Vlingo. THe recognition is surprisingly good.
So I was disappointed (probably my only disappointment) when the speech input on my A500 wasn't producing equivalent results.
Part of the problem, I thought, was that Vlingo doesn't run yet on the A500. Part of the problem might be the tiny little microphone in the crevice between glass and frame (I think), which is coverec by the Acer case that came with the A500.
So I tried my Motorola S305 stereo headphones on bluetooth and imagine it was a little better, but still not like the old droid.
So I am wondering if someone can guide me on what to do to improve speech input on the A500. Also find myself wondering if there is a really good headset (stereo + good mic) that works well with voice input.
I'm having similar mic issues. I find the mic to be sub par in talk and absolutely awful with skype. So far after almost 2 months solid use this I my only gripe with this lovely device. I'd also love to have a recommendation on a headset to use with the A500.
Thanks.
I've been wondering this too... for use with GTalk and/or GrooVe IP.
mic is sub standard.
i got my a500 replaced and found the mic on the new one much more effective.
Where is the microphone exactly?
If you hold the tablet with the multiport at the bottom, the mic is just above the screen where the black glass part of the bezel meets the metal part... there's a tiny hole you can see there, and that's the mic. I vaguely remember reading in the dev section that someone took it apart and there is some noise cancelling thingy that's causing issues. I even tried recording using a high quality recording app like PCM Recorder (set at 44.1KHz), and it sounds like it was recorded off of someone's old landline telephone... kind of a shame.
excuse my stupidity but I still can't find the mic.
By "multiport" you mean the dock port at the bottom?
Hi, guys Ive been looking for microphone fix on my A500 , when i record any video it has this loud background noise...which in fact my room is silent , also when I'm recording videos outside & using Skype . Im using HC 3.2.1 rooted with thor's CMW ver 1.5 . I been searching the forum for a fix but i cant find it or so as I read that they will fix this issue on HC 3.2, but still i get this issues . Is this a Hardware problem or OS issue?
Also can I still return this tablet to walmart & get a refund? I already exchange the first 1 cuz It got a charging issue. SO basically I'm returning an exchange tablet. It hasn't been 14 days yet. as they mentioned for returns & refunds.
Thanks.
hatyrei said:
Hi, guys Ive been looking for microphone fix on my A500
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny, I was coming here to ask for help about something similar...
In my case, I have a refurbished A500 which has been awesome so far, with the exception of the microphone. It records terribly, lots of noise and distortion in any recording I make (using Recorder as the test app I made a short .amr recording which I attach 7zip-compressed).
A friend has an A500, and it doesn't seem to display this issue. While it's no deal-breaker (I can live without recording audio...playback of tv shows loaded on the card works better-than-fine!), I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to fix it, or at least make it a little less...noisy.
I believe the culprit has to do with the speakers creating feedback. The workaround is to use headphones. Hope this works for you.
Take a look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1065219
tabasco22 said:
Take a look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1065219
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did read that entire thread, which only tells me there are multiple unrelated issues around audio recording on the A500...these issues seem to get all mixed-together in that thread, with people who only care about Skype focusing on that and cross-talking to people who have completely different recording issues. I was hoping this thread could avoid the whole need-to-use-Skype distraction and focus on the specific issue of seemingly over-driven recordings. (With the refurb, I'm also out of the whole keep-complaining-to-acer-until-they-do-something-to-fix-it focus there seems to be on that thread. I can't really complain, and any warranty I had expired a while ago.)
The earlier suggestion to use a headset is, however, something I should have considered first (even read in the earlier Skype-centric thread), and am a little embarrassed I didn't. Sometime this weekend I'll pick up a cheap 3.5 mic/headphone set and see if that makes any difference. If it does, and the recordings though it are cleaner, I can be more comfortable it will work for one thing I care about...using the A500 with the SquareUp CC processor.
Mic - Solution for me.
Problem: Microphone recordings sound terrible. Soft, Choppy, Mechanical, like a bad cell call, bathroom (NOT the severe helicopter sound as others have reported). My hypothesis like others have suggested, seems to be noise cancellation issues. Especially since the issues vary app to app. These mics are right beside each other and I assume they're pretty much hearing the same thing, and the rear is trying to cancel what it hears, which is the same as the front! End result being filtering what it hears, ie filtering everything? FAIL.
Test 1: Using Recorder and Skype Test call, I tested different distances talking to the front/back, covering front mic, covering back mic, case on, case off, headphones plugged in/out, etc. In some instances you could hear some, and other hear nothing, some sound ok, some sound horrible. I wasn't satisfied with ANY.
Test 2: Popped off back of tablet and disconnected REAR facing mic. They are side/side, make sure you disconnect the correct one, the one with the diaphragm pointing out. Simple connector. Then tried Recorder/Skype Test call and both sounded Excellent. I have not tried a call with Skype, just the test. EDIT: Tested a real Skype call last night. No sound issues on my end or other end.
Conclusion: Removal of rear mic provided the best quality. There is zero filtering/cancellation/etc.
Gotta try this
Hmm!
Should of thought of this myself. Going to give it shot and post back later!
Unhooked the rear mike --it helps the front m ike is usable now. Not perfect but works.
So for me
1 Run Flexreaper ICS by Civato = better mike
2 Drill hole for front mike = not as muffled
3 Disconnect rear mike= almost as good as a phone but not as sensitive.
Okay on recording and search but Skype still noisy without headset.
Damn connectors were a pain to unhook.
appoaf said:
Problem: Microphone recordings sound terrible. Soft, Choppy, Mechanical, like a bad cell call, bathroom (NOT the severe helicopter sound as others have reported). My hypothesis like others have suggested, seems to be noise cancellation issues. Especially since the issues vary app to app. These mics are right beside each other and I assume they're pretty much hearing the same thing, and the rear is trying to cancel what it hears, which is the same as the front! End result being filtering what it hears, ie filtering everything? FAIL.
Test 1: Using Recorder and Skype Test call, I tested different distances talking to the front/back, covering front mic, covering back mic, case on, case off, headphones plugged in/out, etc. In some instances you could hear some, and other hear nothing, some sound ok, some sound horrible. I wasn't satisfied with ANY.
Test 2: Popped off back of tablet and disconnected REAR facing mic. They are side/side, make sure you disconnect the correct one, the one with the diaphragm pointing out. Simple connector. Then tried Recorder/Skype Test call and both sounded Excellent. I have not tried a call with Skype, just the test. EDIT: Tested a real Skype call last night. No sound issues on my end or other end.
Conclusion: Removal of rear mic provided the best quality. There is zero filtering/cancellation/etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did and I agree this is a fix if you want to use recorder, Skype, talk, tango, etc. But I also learned to forget using the video camera UNLESS you have it using the rear camera (this is one you use by default when you Skype). Looks like it uses the microphone that points in the direction of the active camera.
So I would suspect the noise cancelling algorithm settings are to blame for poor sound recordings.
I solve this issue by using my stereo earphone with mic that came with my Nokia phone. I have tried a bluetooth stereo headset with mic and another wired earbuds with mic, there was either still a lot of noise or the sound level was very low. Basically, it is the same as using a headset. Finally I found one earphone with mic that works well. I actually have two of the same earbuds from 2 identical Nokia 5230. I tested them on two Iconia A500 with voice chat and video chat, it works very well both ways. I have also tried to turned off the Dolby Mobile as suggested by someone. It actually makes it worse and the sound level went down a lot.
acer a501 microphone fix
hi all
today i finally got to the bottom of the microphone issue
versions 3.x had some issues with the mic that cant be fixed - tried different internal and external mics but no good - i thought it was a hardware issue
and not able to solve but after ota update of ics the external mic is perfect - crystal clear and no noise and heaps of level.
the internal mic is crap so i decided to change the microphone with anything i could find - it has to be electret mic.
I had a few lying around and some worked well and some did not - i eventually found one that worked really well will heaps of level - the
only prob was that it was twice the size of the original.
i had to cut some of the plastic away but eventually got it installed.
The internal mic works great now - much better than the muffled one that came with the unit.
I left the second mic connected as it seems to make no difference in or out.
So what i have found -
firmware on 3.x no good for mic
ics makes mic work well if you use exeternal.
internal mic - get rid of it as it is useless.
hope this helps someone as i spent lots of time trying to fix this
OK but...
jzaiter said:
hi all
today i finally got to the bottom of the microphone issue
versions 3.x had some issues with the mic that cant be fixed - tried different internal and external mics but no good - i thought it was a hardware issue
and not able to solve but after ota update of ics the external mic is perfect - crystal clear and no noise and heaps of level.
the internal mic is crap so i decided to change the microphone with anything i could find - it has to be electret mic.
I had a few lying around and some worked well and some did not - i eventually found one that worked really well will heaps of level - the
only prob was that it was twice the size of the original.
i had to cut some of the plastic away but eventually got it installed.
The internal mic works great now - much better than the muffled one that came with the unit.
I left the second mic connected as it seems to make no difference in or out.
So what i have found -
firmware on 3.x no good for mic
ics makes mic work well if you use exeternal.
internal mic - get rid of it as it is useless.
hope this helps someone as i spent lots of time trying to fix this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HoneyComb 3.2 disconnected the rear microphone, Resulted in Better Quality without helicopter noise specially better for skype Etc.
Video recording still Just hardly acceptable. but quality is still bad.
Wont buy from acer anymore.