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Bluetooth audio in OSX Lion

In Snow leopard, I would use a plantronics bluetooth headset for facetime and skype chats. Now, in Lion, I can't. I keep getting a bluetooth audio error. I live in a dead zone, so this is a pretty important thing for me.


The console shows the following errors:


7/22/11 3:21:11.000 PM kernel: REQUIRE failure: mClientResponseTimedOut == false - file: /SourceCache/IOBluetoothFamily/IOBluetoothFamily-2500.4.17/Core/Family/Drivers/ IOBluetoothSCOAudioDriver/IOBluetoothSCOAudioDevice.cpp:711

7/22/11 3:21:11.000 PM kernel: REQUIRE failure: result == kIOReturnSuccess - file: /SourceCache/IOBluetoothFamily/IOBluetoothFamily-2500.4.17/Core/Family/Drivers/ IOBluetoothSCOAudioDriver/IOBluetoothSCOAudioEngine.cpp:270

I have also noticed that odd things happen to my audio as long as the device is paired, wether or not it is active. Audio is sometimes output as mono, volume controls do not work for the line out, and audio mutes (even thoguh it is shown as unmuted) at random moments. None of this can be resolved as long as the headset is paired.

Is there anything I can do to get my iMac to use the bluetooth earpiece that worked just fine in Snow Leopard?

iMac 7,1, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Jul 22, 2011 12:30 PM

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Posted on Apr 9, 2017 5:02 PM

I did download and install the latest xCode, once it is installed.

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Click in the Xcode icon and open it.

In the top menu: Click on Xcode

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then 'Open Developer Tools' -> 'More Developer Tools'


You will need to sign in or create an account as Xcode developer. When you sign in just type in the search field 'hardware io'.


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Select and download the latest version of Hardware IO Tools for Xcode.


Once is download open the *.dmg file. In the other hand, in your application Xcode app folder do a right click and select: 'show package content'


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Drag and drop all the tools from the 'hardware io' dmg file you just downloaded and place them in the 'contents->applications folder inside the Xcode app folder.

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Now if you open the Xcode->Open Developers tools->Bluethoot Explorer

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With Bluethoot Explorer open select from the top menu: Tools->Audio Options


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I played with the options and realized that the problem was in my case with the bit rate. So I increased the number of packets that can be buffered to 50 and also the latency.


There are many bluethoot tools and graphs that you can use to troubleshoot and check where is the problem with the Xcode Hardware IO.


Let me know, with what configuration you were able to fix your problem.


Greetings.



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391 replies

Aug 31, 2012 12:59 PM in response to sgginc

I can tell you that the Plantronics BackBeat 903+ works just fine, if you are not trying to use it simultaneously for iPhone and computer. See my post on Aug 3, 2012. This has proven to be a functional solution for my previous gen BackBeat, as well. I am no longer experiencing disconnections. Listening to music all day at my work computer, powering down headset and charging overnight, powering headset connects it back to computer.

Aug 31, 2012 2:22 PM in response to Prezeau

Prezeau - indeed it looks like there is an issue with I-Con headsets; they don't seem to support "Enhanced SCO" and that trips up the Apple Bluetooth stack. I'll file a bug report on this. There is no workaround that I know of, unfortunately. I think if you get a headset that supports enhanced SCO (jawbone, for example), you should not run into this issue.

Aug 31, 2012 3:33 PM in response to sgginc

It indeed appears you have the same issue as "Prezeau":


520Plantronics:

Address: 00-23-7f-e4-b6-c4

Type: Headset

Services: Headset, Hands-Free unit

Paired: Yes

Favorite: No

Connected: No

Manufacturer: Cambridge Silicon Radio (0x3, 0x98a)

EDR Supported: No

eSCO Supported: No

PLT 510:

Address: 00-03-89-8b-6c-67

Type: Headset

Services: Headset, Hands-Free unit

Paired: No

Favorite: Yes

Connected: No

Manufacturer: Cambridge Silicon Radio (0x2, 0x958)

EDR Supported: No

eSCO Supported: No


Both of these headsets don't support eSCO, and due to what looks like a a bug in the OS, the connection gets rejected:


[Aug 31 15:10:00.531] [HCI COMMAND] [0428] Setup Synchronous Connection - Connection Handle: 0x002F

[Aug 31 15:10:00.543] [HCI EVENT] Synchronous Connection Complete - Status: 0x1A - Connection Handle: 0x002F


I've filed a bug with Apple. Meantime, looks like your only answer is to find a more "modern" headset, like a Jawbone, or Motorola, etc. Most modern headsets that aren't 19.95 will have EDR/eSCO features.

Sep 1, 2012 11:54 AM in response to sgginc

If the Bluetooth device is "2.1" that is good, but it needs to be EDR. Usually if they have implemented 2.1 spec it has EDR so you -should- be safe.


However, I cannot recommend the Etymotic Blue 2 - it has a bug in it where it "forgets" the host and then you have to keep re-pairing it.


What features are you looking for, and what is your price range? I can recommend a few headsets based on those criteria.

Sep 1, 2012 1:02 PM in response to gtmagnet

It is incredibly difficult to find a Bluetooth headset that will work.


No where is the EDR listed for the Etymotic Blue 2 and often not specified for the headsets I’ve looked at.

eSCO support is also not listed for any headsets I’ve seen.

The version of Bluetooth is often not stated.


Any price up to $130.

Any help is appreciated.


Thanks ... Ken

Sep 1, 2012 1:10 PM in response to sgginc

Just to confirm. Have you tried your BT devices in Mountain Lion. For me all problems were fixed after I upgraded. Both my Sony Ericossn MW600 and Jawbone Era headsets work perfectly now (well there is an occasional crash, but very rarely). I dont have to disconnect/reconnect to listen to music, talk on skype or anything.

Bluetooth audio in OSX Lion

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