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My girlfriend has a continuum and I can't take talking on the phone with her anymore.
No not because she's annoying ;D
The mic picks up everything, and it sounds like shattered glass and over modulation.
I have a recording if anyone wants, but I'm sure it's the mic as I bought her a decent plantronics bluetooth headset and it takes care of the problem, except for the fact that she doesn't use it 90% of the time.
Is it a microphone gain setting I can adjust, or simply a defective unit since I can only find good reviews about call quality online
Not sure if there is a gain or not but mine does the same thing and like you I bought the plantroics mic
Sent from my SCH-I400 using XDA App
As we all know very well our A500 mic sucks in a big way. I was wondering if an USB headset/michrophone would work. Did anybody ever tried? How did it work?
I've never actually tried the Mic on mine.. is it really that bad?
don't think so...
I have tried a Logitech USB headset I normally use on PC with Skype, doesn't work ... I'm on 3.1...
Marcher
That's really a bad news. I was hoping on that usb mic.
And no, it's not that bad... it's worse! I am using computers since 1980 and I never ever experienced such a bad microphone. Not even the cheapest crappy ones are this bad. I really like my a500 and I am happy with it but this mic issue is a big problem for me. To the point that if I can't solve it I will be forced to sell it. I even wrote to Acer asking for explanation but nobody ever bothered to answer. When, months ago I called them (Acer Italian Assistace) asking: "Where is the mic"? Nobody was able to give me an answer... The guy didn't even know the a500 had a mic. I do believe this is unacceptable.
bluemax137 said:
That's really a bad news. I was hoping on that usb mic.
And no, it's not that bad... it's worse! I am using computers since 1980 and I never ever experienced such a bad microphone. Not even the cheapest crappy ones are this bad. I really like my a500 and I am happy with it but this mic issue is a big problem for me. To the point that if I can't solve it I will be forced to sell it. I even wrote to Acer asking for explanation but nobody ever bothered to answer. When, months ago I called them (Acer Italian Assistace) asking"Where is the mic"? Nobody was able to give me an answer... The guy didn't even know the a500 had a mic. I do believe this is unacceptable.
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I agree with you on this issue....I feel the mic is good...but its placement is made in such a way that the sound barely reaches there....
Sent from my XT720 using XDA App
I've tried the Microsoft Lifechat LX-3000, but neither the microphone nor headset worked.
Surprisingly, the in-line-volume controls worked...
My microphone bottom line
I bought an A500 about 6 weeks ago from Costco for $479, rounded up to about $520 by the time tax was added. I was quite happy with it, until I tried to use speech input, when I discovered the mic problem. I had come to rely on the generally excellent speech input on my OG Droid from 2 years ago. Then Staples came out with their $100 off coupon and the A500 priced at $399, meaning I "overpaid" about $220. I decided to return it, and WAIT. Prices will come down. In the meantime, I miss the tablet.
But here is what I think I learned in the interim.
First, I believe the mic problem to be a hardware issue, rather than software. I could be wrong. Some people claim their problem was fixed when they exchanged units. Some brave types are replacing the hardware.
Workarounds:
I tried a Motorola Bluetooth headset, with mic, but it didn't seem to be much better. That was apparently because the mic portion of the bluetooth spec hasn't been deployed yet. So if that gets fixed, there might be a workaround. I do prefer to be able to speak straight to the tablet however.
I also tried one of those little in-ear wired phones with the 4 contact jacks and an in-line mic. I had high hopes for that, but it didn't seem much better. The fact that that wasn't good either makes me think there is a software/firmware problem IN ADDITION to a hardware mic problem. But I am happy waiting, particularly because Costco's return policy was quite good.
see this photo of the guts
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=21019185&postcount=18
could it be the following? hmmmmm .... ACER?
The 2 mics could be for some type of noise cancellation. If by some chance one was wired backwards they would mostly cancel each other, leaving very little audio. Hmmmmm ... didnt research this but maybe that's what everyone is complaining about. Low low recording level would certainly fit the symptoms of a mis-wire. Manufacturing defect? I haven't done any reading or research on this idea just a thought.
I'm actually trying to find out; for a friend, if it's yet possible to get a Bluetooth mic recognized and working ... anyone?
flloydlloyd
Vancouver
Canada
Hello,
I got the mic -problem, too. I called Acer regarding the issue and they said I should send in the device for repair. 6 days later I got a brand-new device, where the microphone is working OK. It's not as crystal-clear as the iPad's mic, but I can do Skype pretty well with it now ;-)
Woody
Sent from my A500 using XDA
woodywoodstock said:
Hello,
I got the mic -problem, too. I called Acer regarding the issue and they said I should send in the device for repair. 6 days later I got a brand-new device, where the microphone is working OK. It's not as crystal-clear as the iPad's mic, but I can do Skype pretty well with it now ;-)
Woody
Sent from my A500 using XDA
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On the work invoice they sent with it, what did they claim was the fix?
I wonder about it being a hardware problem only because you can record your own voice and hear it playback fine. It's only in voip applications that it gets too low to hear. At least thats the case with mine.
It is a hardware problem, no question. A couple of months ago I took my a500 back to the assistance center and they have substituted it with a brand new one.
As somebody else said, things have improved a lot but my mic is still far to be good. Said that, I believe not all the a500 have the same hardware. Probably different tablets get different components. Some mics are better some mics are awful. I solved the problem buying a headset with mic. Now I can talk perfectly using skype, google talk etc etc. That evidently means the problem is not a sw one.
There is thread on this forum about the "right headset to buy". To make it short, we need the "Apple style" ones (sigh) having a plug with 3 little rings.
Hello,
There was no information given on the work-invoice. They just mentioned the issue "audio not recording" and "audio abnormal sound". They then sent me an exchange device.
Best
Woody
Sent from my A500 using XDA
No usb yet
Tried Logitech G35 headset volume an track skip controls work but no mike or sound
I have looked through source of HC I am not a developer but can read. There is Linux salsa sound support. Even USB sound card support but not turned on or supported. There are people urging Google to turn it on in ics . It hasn't happened yet. My experience was my tablet was almost deaf, I even opened it up switched mikes, disconnected rear mike, drilled small hole as mine was completely covered over. I could see a small rectangle opening in the front mike compartment covered over by the glass. I made a small hole just above it. All these tests and mods made very little difference. Only solution so far--use a Sony PSP headset with mike in cable, was only mike combo that worked. It has 4 segments on the plug---same configuration that some camcorders have. Not a common plug.
USB sound works but very poorly
Well I tried USB Audio Tester root -- free on playstore and with a little fiddling with the controls I got sound and mike on my Logitech G35 headset working. Alas the sound was very poor and the mike was always in. ALSO the regular mike and speakers were on as well. Maybe some other USB sound card would work better with this program. At least it proves the Tablet is capable of USB sound FYI. Running Civato’s Flexreaper extreme oc 1200 on v6 bootloader.
I will keep digging for program or controls to make this work.
As I had problems with microphone (sound very metallic and very low) I did a test, that is, I removed the back cover and I have unplugged one microphone because there are two, one for the front camera and one camera back (the one on the cover).
Before disconnecting a microphone two, I had a rotten side of his hood and side camera screen and acceptable side mainitenant that I have unplugged the microphone, I have a good quality sound in all cases of figures. Now I ask myself the question, is there no conflict of microphones? (interférences. ...) when the two are connected. If anyone wants to try to confirm my intuition I'm sure of myself and be able to offer the problem to Acer.
traduction French to English by Google
Thanks
I would LOVE to get this microphone problem fixed. Voice input, which I have come to rely on with my Droid 1, 2 years old, is unusable on my A500. Aside from that, I love it. But this problem makes me want to return it.
My mic has never worked. Can't record sound at all. And try as I might with a jewelers eyeloop, I cannot see the mic hole where it's supposed to be (in the groove, just above the glass near the center.) I'm tempted to try to take it apart and swap the mics to see if there's any difference.
The mica are where everyone says they are.the rear mic is not for sound pickup but to cancel out background noise.I can see how unhooking it could improve the Mic loudness.but at the same time I think it would cause.static in its quality or feedback.
I am considering going to radio shack and replacing the mics.
from what I have heard the hardware is not the issue. I hear it worked fine before a certain 3.1 OTA.
Why the hell the mice is on the back where the unit has a front facing camera obviously for talking that's just wrong.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
dito33 said:
Why the hell the mice is on the back where the unit has a front facing camera obviously for talking that's just wrong.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
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As someone already said it's for noise cancellation. The front mic picks up voice + noise, the back one picks the same noise. So you can cancel the noise using proper dsp techniques.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App
I just bought GrooVe IP and made a test call last night. The other person could hear me just fine. I'll make some more tests, but maybe I'm not having the mic problems that others are having. I've never had any problems with the wifi not connecting or being slow after waking.
msimindlessmsi2 said:
from what I have heard the hardware is not the issue. I hear it worked fine before a certain 3.1 OTA.
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That is what I have read too, but cannot confirm as I updated to 3.1 right after I received my Iconia.
I've tried the whole plug in a wired Cell Phone Headset/Mic, but that does not resolve the low mic volume for me (the other side still can barely hear me, even with their speakers on max)
I am hoping one of the custom ROMs or Kernels that are being developed fix this issue. So far, I have not seen it addressed, and does not seem many people are concerned :-( (with exception of a few people here)
GShyneDM said:
That is what I have read too, but cannot confirm as I updated to 3.1 right after I received my Iconia.
I've tried the whole plug in a wired Cell Phone Headset/Mic, but that does not resolve the low mic volume for me (the other side still can barely hear me, even with their speakers on max)
I am hoping one of the custom ROMs or Kernels that are being developed fix this issue. So far, I have not seen it addressed, and does not seem many people are concerned :-( (with exception of a few people here)
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The last A500 I owned had a good working microphone. I tested it multiple times and playback volume was good even if the sound was slightly muffled. As soon as I updated it to 3.1 OTA, the microphone recording level became very low and barely audible unless I spoke loudly and directly into the microphone. I flashed a backup of 3.01 and the microphone recording level was still poor. I returned the A500 and decided to buy a different brand of tablet.
Rob
So there is a huge issue in the most basic function. the call function.
I have tested it with my google nexus 4 from Canada and my friend's which was purchased in Hong Kong. They both have the same issue.
The issue is:
When you are talking to someone on phone, not just the "speaker" by you ear have sound, the back speaker actually have sound too! So probably people beside you may have heard your whole conversation with your friends! Also, if you used earphones and stuff it does "fix it".
Try to test it out by yourself and see does all the nexus 4 have the same issue and hopefully google will release a fix. hopefully a software fix.
Sorry for my bad english.
Cheers.
Matthew
Lol the sound is still coming from the top speaker, you can hear it because it's inside the device and the bottom happens to have that large opening.
Hi guys, I didn't see anything posted here about this so maybe it's just my phone, but does anyone else seem to have a quiet microphone? People are telling me they can barely hear me. I notice this issue on all ROMs including stock, and even though I have the phone NV unlocked for AT&T, even the sound recorder app is playing back my audio at a low volume.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is there any fix (software or hardware)?
If you have taken the phone to the gym and sweat or simply haven't cleaned out the mic area that will probably fixture issue. I took the phone to the gym a couple times and my fiance couldn't hear me afterwards whatsoever. Cleaned the mic and all of as back to normal.
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app
Jersey846 said:
If you have taken the phone to the gym and sweat or simply haven't cleaned out the mic area that will probably fixture issue. I took the phone to the gym a couple times and my fiance couldn't hear me afterwards whatsoever. Cleaned the mic and all of as back to normal.
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app
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Hmm, well the mic area looked clean to me, but this was a pre-owned phone I bought from Swappa so I'm not sure if the previous owner did anything. In any case, I called some friends and they said they could hear me fine. I don't know if cleaning the mic did the trick, because using a voice recorder app it still sounds low, but as long as other people can hear what I say, I'm fine with it. Thanks a lot for your help!
phantomsniper773 said:
Hmm, well the mic area looked clean to me, but this was a pre-owned phone I bought from Swappa so I'm not sure if the previous owner did anything. In any case, I called some friends and they said they could hear me fine. I don't know if cleaning the mic did the trick, because using a voice recorder app it still sounds low, but as long as other people can hear what I say, I'm fine with it. Thanks a lot for your help!
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Glad it's working better.. let me know if it persists and I'll do some more research.
I recently snagged an M from Craigslist. The phone is in pretty much brand new condition, not a scratch on this thing, the guy even threw in a brand new Otter Box case for it. It works great, except for the terrible mic quality. No matter who I call, they all complain about the quality, whether I have 5 bars of 4G or not. I've downloaded a few voice recorder apps, and they seem to record in fairly reasonable quality, so I'm not quite sure what the deal is. I've been looking for any reference to poor mic quality for the xt907 for a few days now and this is one of maybe 3 threads on the topic. So obviously it's not a very widespread issue. But I'd still like to be able to use my new phone without resorting to Bluetooth or a wired headset.
Does anyone have any experience with this issue? Or replacing the actual physical mic inside the phone? I've found replacement parts here and there, but they all just say 'XT907 Replacement Mic" etc. If someone has an actual model/part number for the microphone, or know where to find it, I'd greatly appreciate the info.
For the OP, when you cleaned your mic, how exactly did you go about it? I've hit it with compressed air but I haven't taken the phone apart yet.
Thanks again for any help.
WusteHase said:
I recently snagged an M from Craigslist. The phone is in pretty much brand new condition, not a scratch on this thing, the guy even threw in a brand new Otter Box case for it. It works great, except for the terrible mic quality. No matter who I call, they all complain about the quality, whether I have 5 bars of 4G or not. I've downloaded a few voice recorder apps, and they seem to record in fairly reasonable quality, so I'm not quite sure what the deal is. I've been looking for any reference to poor mic quality for the xt907 for a few days now and this is one of maybe 3 threads on the topic. So obviously it's not a very widespread issue. But I'd still like to be able to use my new phone without resorting to Bluetooth or a wired headset.
Does anyone have any experience with this issue? Or replacing the actual physical mic inside the phone? I've found replacement parts here and there, but they all just say 'XT907 Replacement Mic" etc. If someone has an actual model/part number for the microphone, or know where to find it, I'd greatly appreciate the info.
For the OP, when you cleaned your mic, how exactly did you go about it? I've hit it with compressed air but I haven't taken the phone apart yet.
Thanks again for any help.
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Compressed air would probably work, I just blew into it to clear any dust, and I tried to take a small microfiber cloth and insert the corner into the mic piece just in case there was any extra dust, though the mic hole was pretty clean to begin with.
I mostly had the problem when I called my dad though, and I found out the problem was a problem with the earpiece in the Droid 2 Global that my dad was using. When I switched him to an older Sony Ericsson w518a, the voice still seemed a *tiny* bit quieter than I think it should, but by no means was it as bad as with the Droid 2 Global.
tl;dr: I pretty much came to the conclusion that the earpiece of the other person was faulty, not the mic of the Razr M.
I also have the same issue with the outgoing voice quality of the Razr M. After a lot of researching I have come to the conclusion that it is actually the Noise-Cancelling feature of the phone that is not tuned correctly or outright defective on some devices. The secondary mic is located on top of the back camera. If you try to cover it completely with tape or something rigid, the voice quality improves somewhat.
Since the default phone application is the only one that seems to utilize the noise cancelling feature, it also seems to be the only one that suffers from horrendous outgoing voice quality. All my other apps that use a mic, like Viber, Voice recorder and VoIP apps, do not have this problem.
There is no way to disable this feature, on some phones it's a simple toggle but not on the Razr M with JB. I know of other mods where it can be disabled in the Phone.apk by disassembling it and removing the lines of code that way, but I have no knowledge of doing that. If someone is able to shed some light on this process, please help us out.
Problem with noise suppression, nothing else. Try to remove second mic from the board.