Sound input keeps changing

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Level 2

266 points

Sound input keeps changing

I have a VXI Parrott Translator USB mic. It works fine for everything, including iChat. The only problem I have is that under the sound input options, it shows as 3 devices – External Line Connector / Microphone / External Line Connector & Microphone.

The problem is that when I start an audio iChat, the input automatically switches to the first option, which doesn't actually receive any audio. I can then switch it to the second option and have the conversation. When the conversation finishes, it switches to the first option again.

Any thoughts of how to get it to stay with the "Microphone" source? I've tried this both on my Mac Pro (10.5.5) and eMac (10.4.11).

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Nov 25, 2008 12:38 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 30, 2008 6:09 AM in response to Ray A

The drop down for the Mic input in iChat should match the choice in System Preferences > Sound > Input.

I have not heard of it Switching like this in the iChat Preferences before - just not getting Audio as the two settings do not match.

2:09 PM Sunday; November 30, 2008

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Answer 2

Ray A Author

Level 2

266 points

Jan 1, 2009 4:56 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Thanks for the thought, Ralph. You are correct that they match. However, each time I start a chat they switch to the wrong input.

I've found that it happens with other applications as well, so will try to approach VXI for a solution – although I haven't found anything useful there yet.

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Answer 3

Jan 3, 2009 1:35 PM in response to Ray A

Umm,

Does sound like (Pun intended) like a driver issue.

9:35 PM Saturday; January 3, 2009

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Answer 4

Ray A Author

Level 2

266 points

Jan 3, 2009 8:07 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

…except that there is no (included or downloadable) driver with the headset, and while I've only tried it on two computers (10.4 & 10.5) it did the same thing with both.

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Answer 5

Jan 4, 2009 5:43 AM in response to Ray A

Hi,

I have Line-in and a USB Mic plus the Mic in the Camera I currently use also shows up.

I do not have a Link between Line-in and USB that you appear to have.
Do you have something external that is linking them ?

I also have an USB Headset that I sometimes use but it only uses USB (My Older Headset does not conform to the G4 Tower's Line In (3.5mm jacks for Line in and Line Out - the Line in is a special size that did fit my old 233Mghz iMac).
Even then though that does not link the USB and Line-In.

It looks like this device may be causing that Bridge.

1:42 PM Sunday; January 4, 2009

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Answer 6

Ray A Author

Level 2

266 points

Jan 4, 2009 11:21 AM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Unfortunately, this is probably the thing which is causing the issue to appear.

There isn't an external adapter to this headset, but I believe the electronic components behave in this way. Still, I wish the OS would remember what I asked it to use and not change it every time I actually want to start a chat 😟

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Answer 7

Jan 4, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Ray A

Hi,

So despite the Pic I found it does not have something like this ?
http://www.vxicorp.com/storefront/pc-237-32-talkpro-2-way-usb-pod.aspx
From the manufacturer's site.

I can not see the Translator on their site
May This has replaced it.

However it still does not look like you can connect one jack to the Line In and another to the USB port which is what I was thinking about.

It is the iChat Preferences that Change ?
The choice would be kept in the com.apple.ichat.plist and I suppose there is a chance it is not being written to that file properly.
GO to your Home Folder (Little House iCon) and the Preferences folder.
Choose a view method where you can see the Modification date/time.
Does it list the time you last changed it ? (It should change the time in front of you if you do it while that folder is open)
(You can always click on the Modification column header to highlight/use that column)

8:39 PM Sunday; January 4, 2009

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Answer 8

Ray A Author

Level 2

266 points

Jan 4, 2009 1:40 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hi Ralph. Thanks for the effort you've made. It is very much like that model you found.

I've just tried it on a third computer (that brings it to a Mac Pro, an eMac, and an iMac DV G3 so far) and displays the same issue.

But when I went back to the VXI site via the link you embedded, I explored a little further and found mention of there being a firmware upgrade to 7.02 for their USB headsets, which makes the headset fully Mac compatible.

While their instructions were for XP, I checked under the System Profiler and it gave a V1.00 for the attached USB audio device.

I'm kind of optimistic that a firmware upgrade may be the solution. I won't be able to test it until I get hold of an XP machine (update won't even run under Vista, let alone Mac).

So should be able to let you know what the outcome was in about 6 hours.

🙂

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Answer 9

Jan 4, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Ray A

Don't you just love the fact that to get a Mac Update you have to use a PC ?

9:48 PM Sunday; January 4, 2009

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Answer 10

Mar 21, 2009 7:11 AM in response to Ray A

I and several posters have a similar problem so perhaps its related. The System preference for input volume is being reset by something. It will persist through reboots often but often we find that it will change. In my case, I find that its changed from about 3/4 to about half. Although other posters report that its been increased. Its as though some function that is not used as often is overriding that pref. Perhaps this is what's happening to you as well.

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Answer 11

Ray A Author

Level 2

266 points

Mar 29, 2009 9:31 PM in response to Ray A

Hello everyone. Thanks to all that posted a reply in the effort to help me out.

I managed to get through to VXI to see what they could suggest. They informed me that the problem was the chip in the headsets were a few years old and nothing could be done to fix it, so I should instead buy one of their newer models.

So after spending some money, my issue is now solved. I went and purchased a new mic from their opposition (Revolabs xTag wireless mic – really cool).

🙂

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Answer 12

Mar 30, 2009 1:08 PM in response to Ray A

Hi Ray,

Thanks for letting us know.

Spending money does not seem ideal but you seem to like the new device.

9:07 PM Monday; March 30, 2009

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