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Thinkpad 600 Microphone Socket
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:39 pm
by Dr_Frankenmiga
After giving up on a USB phone to use Skype since its just plain crap (mic just would not work), I thought about doing it the old fashioned way and using a mic/speaker headset, but I am sure i read somewhere that the Thinkpads 600 mic socket is not standard?
Can anyone confirm this?
It looks a little larger than the headphone socket next to it, do I need a special adaptor or anything to be able to use it with a standard mic?
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:39 am
by WarMachine
Hi,
Headphone Jack and Microphone Jack are the same size (3.5" jacks).
W.
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:56 am
by AlphaKilo470
Yeah, for some mics, you might need an adapter but in my experience, most mics work when plugged directly in.
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 5:10 am
by WarMachine
There are, in my knowledge, 3 types of connectors :
- Jack 2.5 mm,
- Jack 3.5 mm,
- Jack 6.5 mm.
You'll find the 2.5 mm ones in certain walkmans (the Neo Sensi, for example), the 3.5 mm ones on the computers (like the 600s), and the 6.5 mm ones on musical keyboards.
W.
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 4:25 pm
by jamiphar
They're also referred to as 1/16"(sub-mini), 1/8"(mini), and 1/4"(phono).
Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:11 pm
by nitro2k01
The only special thing I can see about it is that it has some shielding, probably a good thing. The only advice I have is to check your mixer, and make sure to turn line in and turn off CD audio! (Because the CD audio makes a weird noise, that you may not want your Skype partner to hear)
Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:46 pm
by jruschme
My recollection is that the 600 mic plug (at least the one on the 600e) is a standard 1/8" mini jack providing a line-in. It differs from a standard jack in that it has an outer shell (why it appears larger) which provides power for an external microphone amplifer. This is why 600's are said to need a special microphone.
If I am correct, then this is similar, technically, to an Apple PlainTalk microphone, but with a different connector. (Apple uses a longer mini plug with an extra contact.)
I suspect that some regular microphones work because either a) they provide a higher impedance than the standard IBM one or b) the circuitry in the sound card is able to provide enough minimal amplification.
Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:52 pm
by jruschme
Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:42 pm
by WarMachine
Hi !
I've used a standard microphone, and there's no problem. I don't think our friend will need an high end microphone just to use Skype.
But if he can try the two solutions, why not ?