Skype/iChat Mac to Mac whistling problem

Welcome to Discussions, Nickrober

Nickrober wrote:
I'm having a problem with a very high pitched whistling noise whenever I use Skype or iChat video/voice chat. At first I thought it was feedback, so I plugged in headphones and the noise just keeps going into the headphones. I've adjusted input volume for the built-in mic and checked "Use ambient noise reduction". The other person I'm talking to also hears the noise. The high pitched noise stops whenever I'm talking or making noise. Although, using FaceTime on my mac and talking to someone using FaceTime on ipod touch makes no high pitched whistling noises.

Could the problem be the fan? I don't want to slow down the fan and risk overheating my computer.

If you don't hear the fan whistling when you are not using Skype or iChat, I doubt the fan is the source of the problem.

Restart the Mac and record a short test movie clip with QuickTime to see if the whistle occurs while you record, playback, or both. If the sound is related to all your video but you do not hear it at other times, I would think the video card is causing the trouble. However, only an Apple Authorized Service Provided would be able to troubleshoot the problem with certainty.

Especially if your Mac is still covered by warranty, you should have the problem checked out ASAP unless you find a way to fix it. If you don't have local access to an AASP, other technical support contact options are shown here:

  http://www.apple.com/contact/





Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.2.1

if you make a skype test call; do you have the issue then?
if not, you might want to suggest to the person your skyping with to use a headset as well.

Nickrober wrote:
@EZ Jim - No whistling in QuickTime recording. The problem also occurs when using only voice without the video in Skype/iChat, so that makes me think it's not the video card but some kind of settings issue with either OS X or Skype and iChat....

Well done, Nickrober!

(1) I agree that your test results mean the problem is not likely to be in your Mac's video.

(2) Moreover, if you also recorded voice while doing QT test, and if you sat the same distance from your Mac's mic and spoke the same loudness as when you do you video chats, your microphone and audio components are also unlikely to be the source of your trouble.

(3) Because all AV apps for Mac (includingFaceTime, Skype, and iChat) use QT, I think you have also eliminated your Mac's software as a potential cause of your problem.
 
(4) There is no "setting" in Mac OS or iChat that I know that might be causing the symptom you describe. I couldn't find anything that looks likely in Skype either, but I use Skype so little that I am less certain about it than iChat. 

If you can't find anything that changes the whistle in Skype either, I don't think that "settings" will be you the answer you seek.

(5) If you have not already done so, both you and your friend should test Skype and iChat with others so you can be certain the problem is only with you and is EXACTLY the same with everyone you contact. If it is, I suggest that it is time to contact Apple or your AASP.

Backup your Mac before you relinquish it for testing or service.


Message was edited by: EZ Jim


Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.2.1

Nickrober wrote:
I appreciate the suggestions and help EZ Jim. As soon as I can do the test with someone else I will. I'm pretty sure the person who is also having the whistling sound issue over Skype has the same year MacBook, probably the exact same model but not 100% sure about that. I'll get back to you if I haven't discovered any fix after testing with someone else.

You're welcome.

We will watch for your status update.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim


Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5)
MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11)
iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.2.1

I am having this same problem. Both my girlfriend and I are using Skype 2.8.0.866 and we both have 2010 Alum Macbooks. We are both running 10.6.6 also. The noise is just like as described above. When we stop talking, the noise begins. It's kind of like a fast creaking/squeaking. I just tried to take a video so that I could post it and you guys could hear it but I think it's too high of a frequency for the camera to pickup. Any help from Apple and/or Skype would be awesome. Thanks

jondrum418 wrote:
I am having this same problem. ... Any help from Apple and/or Skype would be awesome. Thanks

I know you posted in response to: Nickrober, but until you hear from him, consider the following:

We are users like you: http://discussions.apple.com/help.jspa

• Help from Apple: http://expresslane.apple.com/ or http://www.apple.com/contact/

• Help from Skype: http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/support/user-guides/


Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.6); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.6)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.2.1