USB Headphone / Mic +Skype

wicky · #1 March 15th, 2007, 11:27 AM

I'm trying to get Skype set up on my desktop machine... has anybody got it all working correctly?

I've just learnt the hard way the difference between line in & mic in, so now I want a good (not too expensive) USB option that definitely works with Mac & Skype?

Ta

ora · #2 March 15th, 2007, 11:53 AM

I'd buy an iMic, its a USB sound interface that will let you use normal PC-style headphones with mics (and other things too), its that or the logitech usb-interface headsets are quite nice.

andychrist · #3 March 15th, 2007, 12:26 PM

I am quite happy with my Plantronics DSP-400 Digitally-Enhanced USB Foldable Stereo Headset.

Works perfectly for VoIP on my Mac.

simbalala · #4 March 15th, 2007, 01:26 PM

What a pity. When I first signed up with Skype they had a Mac Starter Set.

It's USB, earbuds with a mike on the cord and it works great, I like it better than any headset. It cost $20 + shipping but they don't show it on their site any longer. It did take a long time to arrive.

simbalala · #5 March 15th, 2007, 01:30 PM

Here it is, I found it via Google but it appears to be on the UK site.

http://accessories.skype.com/item?SI...0&sku=CSRSKUMP

wicky · #6 March 15th, 2007, 02:55 PM

Thanks guys, that's really helpful.

The question gets a little more complicated....

My friend has had issues setting Skype up in a way that makes sense and I'd like to avoid the same problems if possible? Not sure if this is hardware related or not?

He uses a Logitech 250 USB headset. Given that he doesn't wear the headset all of the time, it would make sense for the Skype to ring through the main computer speaker (to announce the call). When the call is answered it would make sense for Skype to automatically route the calls audio through the headset (for privacy if nothing else).

It doesn't seem to work that way though. He has to have the main system audio output set to internal speaker (so that he can hear skype ring), and then needs to manually change the pref's to Logitech headset during the call. Is there a way to avoid this problem and make it happen automatically?

wicky · #7 March 15th, 2007, 03:01 PM

... also, has anybody got a link to a decent mic only option. I've got five sets of headphones already... I really don't feel like I need to own a sixth.

simbalala · #8 March 15th, 2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wicky

It doesn't seem to work that way though. He has to have the main system audio output set to internal speaker (so that he can hear skype ring), and then needs to manually change the pref's to Logitech headset during the call. Is there a way to avoid this problem and make it happen automatically?

Skype supports Growl ( http://growl.info/about.php ) so I imagine you can set up a Growl alert for the ring.

I played with Growl briefly but it seemed like something I didn't have much use for so I tossed it.

It seems to be very popular though.

Edit: Skype does have a built in option to ring through the speakers when you have a headset connected. I just checked.