Level 1

45 points

Bluetooth Headset mic records static sound only

Hi Everybody.

I see there are some posts here that talk about difficulties using bluetooth headset on a Mac. I just wanted to outline my own specific issue in hopes that someone had the same experience and have a solution.

I have a MacBook Pro (current line) which I have tried to use a bluetooth headset with in order to use for Skype calls. First I tried using the Sony Ericsson HBH-PV703 which paired without problems and I can hear audio just fine. However, the mic does not record my voice, it gives off this strange static sound that beats periodic. I thought this was due to using a cheap headset so I decided to get a nice one. I got the Jawbone 2, but same thing happens. The audio comes out clear, but static on through my mic.

This is not a Skype issue, because I can easily record the static sound through Quicktime pro or I can just observe the sound with the Sound Input system preference.

Anyone else experience this?

Thanks.

MacBook Pro 2.5GHz 4GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Sep 2, 2008 5:12 AM

143 replies

wkarma

Level 1

4 points

Jan 27, 2009 6:56 AM in response to mud(tm)

I too have this problem. And I have to say, I think it is absolute ******** that I'm sitting her staring at a $3400.00 piece of equipment and something as simple as an old technology like Bluetooth (if technology is more than 6 months old, its OLD), and renders one of the reasons I spent my hard earned money on this thing, USELESS.
Totally unacceptable.

mkrol

Level 1

0 points

Jan 27, 2009 7:50 AM in response to mud(tm)

Based on the recommendation of others I purchased the Callpod Drone (found it on Amazon for $37) and it fixed my problems. I'm now able to make and receive calls with my Plantronix 925 with no issues. It ***** that I had to spend $40 to make it work, but the convenience (and sound quality) was worth it. Hopefully Apple is well aware of this issue and will fix it SOON.

boya11

Level 1

0 points

Feb 5, 2009 1:23 PM in response to mud(tm)

Same problem here with my brand new MacBook Pro 2.8ghz. Happy to hear I'm not alone, but I would be even happier if there was an official fix. As many here, I find it surprising (to say the least) that after spending $3100 on the top of the line MBP I would have to buy a dongle to resolve this issue.

I have the paltronics 925 and the Apple iPhone headset and they both have the same problem.

Restarting the machine or re-pairing the device will fix the issue for the 1st use. After I hang up or do something else and try again, the sound in becomes the infinite static loop I think we all have.

This problem has persisted since Sep. 08, how much longer do they need to update the drivers or whatever the problem is!!

Plz fix!!

actwon

Level 1

0 points

Feb 7, 2009 12:19 PM in response to mud(tm)

Hello All. I would like to add some information to this thread. I, too, am having the bluetooth static problem on my macbook pro. However, I am NOT having the static issue on my Mac Pro (both are running 10.5.6) when I paired my bluetooth device (a Motorola H12). My Mac Pro has 6gb of ram, 2 2.8ghz quad-core processors. This is very strange to me. Why would it work on the Mac Pro and not my Macbook Pro? My macbook Pro is the latest generation (I purchased it in early December of 2008). The bluetooth software on my Mac Pro and my Macbook pro are the same version. Does anyone have a Mac Pro that they can try?

Wiggling

Level 1

0 points

Feb 7, 2009 2:38 PM in response to actwon

You are lucky but it might stop working on your Mac Pro.

My bluetooth works randomly without the static issue for a short period before the static resumes with a Plantronics 925 on a mac pro (10.5.6.). I think bluetooth does work fine with an older plantronics headset which probably uses an older version of bluetooth.

What the **** is the hold up with Apple's bug fix people? This should be high priority.

lix

Level 1

10 points

Feb 8, 2009 2:50 PM in response to actwon

That confirms the fact that this is a hardware issue with the MacBooks and MacBooks Pro.

Feb 8, 2009 3:57 PM in response to lix

...and the PowerBooks, and the iBooks and the G5s, iMacs, MacPros... 😝

camson

Level 1

4 points

Feb 8, 2009 7:27 PM in response to actwon

I've had this issue with my Mac Pro (2008 edition) running all version of 10.5.
It worked for the first 5 minutes or so.. then the static problem began.. and here we are.

Have you had a long extended chat using the Mac Pro?

lix

Level 1

10 points

Feb 8, 2009 11:26 PM in response to Stefan Ernst

This is not true. I had no problems with my old PowerBook G4, and I used it for years with different bluetooth headphones, from SonyEriccson to my current Plantronics Voyager!

Feb 9, 2009 12:31 AM in response to lix

10.5.4 is not years old.

We have it on all our machines with builtin bluetooth. Without exception, just read the whole thread, it's by far not limited to just MBs/MBPs.

It just confirms that it is a software issue, as it starts acting up after a certain software update. I can reproduce this as it stops working after installing a fully patched Leopard when it was working fine before.

lix

Level 1

10 points

Feb 9, 2009 7:52 AM in response to Stefan Ernst

I'm sorry, but I know my facts: I have at least two cases that confirms my theory: my old PowerBook G4 (with Tiger, not Leopard) that works perfectly and the PowerBook G4 of a good friend (who upgraded to Leopard). Neither have any issue with bluetooth, at least with the afoermentioned friend I Skype almost daily.

So I don't know what you have there, maybe you have another type of problem, but definitely the PowerBooks and PowerMacs have not the issue of bluetooth on Leopard giving static on the microphone input (at least not on versions older than 10.5.5).

Feb 9, 2009 8:21 AM in response to lix

Unless I missed something and both Tiger and 10.5.4 arrived AFTER 10.5.5 the only fact is that you didn't read my post before replying.

10.5.6 ≠ Tiger
10.5.6 ≠ Anything below 10.5.5

Upgrade to 10.5.6 and you'll be very, very lucky if you have a working bluetooth headset based mic. I've had a 100% ratio of reproducing this on a large amount of Macs aslong as it's 10.5.5 or 10.5.6 - As soon as an older OS gets installed it works "flawlessly".

boya11

Level 1

0 points

Feb 9, 2009 8:20 AM in response to lix

I too have a PowerBook G4 running leopard and it works fine. Before reading the entire thr I was guessing that its a problem affecting the unibody series only. But as I dont have a Mac Pro I can't guess why its affecting them too.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for a speedy update of bluetooth. However, I still don't plan on holding my breath till it happens.

lix

Level 1

10 points

Feb 10, 2009 2:14 PM in response to Stefan Ernst

You're definitely missing something.

To summarise what I claim: Macs based on Power PC processors are OK with bluetooth, no matter what MacOS X they're running; I only wanted to say that the first Leopard versions 10.5.1 to 10.5.3 (if I am correct) had some bluetooth issues on Power Macs, but of o totally different nature, and are irrelevant to our case. Secondly, most if not all Macs based on Intel have the static issue on bluetooth microphones. Therefore I suspect that there is hardware problem in the new bluetooth module Apple uses on the Intel Macs.

My current computer is a MacBook Pro unibody, I started with MacOS X 10.5.5 (I believe) and now I am on 10.5.6. Since I have this Mac I could not use any bluetooth headset, except as a headphone, the mike is unusable.

I hope I was clear this time, and you finally understood what I mean. I strongly believe this is not a software issue.

Feb 10, 2009 2:26 PM in response to lix

I understand what you're trying to say, I can't confirm the thesis though. It is like this for me:

No matter what computer I am on, on every single one, as soon as I get a recent Leopard on I get static.

I downgrade to 10.4.x and/or 10.5.0 it works.
I upgrade again, I get static.
I downgrade, it works.

Dual 2ghz G5
White iBook G4
PowerBooks ranging from 12" to 17"
Mac Pro
MacBook (aswell as MacBook pro)
First gen Core Duo iMac 20"
iMac 24" which is less than 3 weeks old

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Bluetooth Headset mic records static sound only