streaming Bluetooth audio questions

[sojourner]

This T41 is equiped with a BT daughter card. I use it for BT mouse only. Works great with the Logitech V470 mouse! Would also like to setup for streaming audio via BT, but don't know how. Was looking at these headphones (here). Can the laptop simply connect with these headphones? When WinAMP is played can that audio be streamed via BT and the headphones hear it (or is this wishful thinking)? If so, how?

Also, there is a dongle which is supposed to stream BT audio (here). Is this NECESSARY being I have built-in BT card (would rather not use it if built-in BT will work)? Also, what is A2DP? Is that needed software?

Lots' of questions I know so if there is a forum or whatever which can explain setting up streaming BT audio, please let me know.

This is one area I have very little knowledge so appreciate your help!

Sojourner

[Zender]

I have Bluetooth headphones/headset with A2DP support which I originally bought to use with my phone, but have already used them with my computer to listen to music / movies.

A2DP is a Bluetooth profile for transmitting quality stereo sound, is supported by newer Bluetooth devices.

Unfortunately, T41's integrated Bluetooth probably does not support A2DP. Even though my headeset can connect to a Bluetooth-equipped computer without A2DP support, it's in headset profile and sound quality is really poor - everyone will hear the distortions. It's okay for voice calls, maybe one could even try films with that, but forget about enjoying music.

To utilize that headphones fully, you'll need the dongle. Something like this might be more convenient, not sure about driver/build quality though.

In all cases, the Bluetooth headphones will connect as a new "soundcard". It will be automatically (at least with Widcomm drivers) set as default one after establishing connection, so quit&start WinAmp and it goes to your headset. Basically all sounds will go there, just applications which use the soundcard all the time (music, movie players) might require restart.

A story for amusement: Once me and my friend were coming home from a trip. Two and half hour journey in a train meant we decided on watching a movie. The slight problem was there were other people in the compartment, who we didn't want to disturb (trying to sleep). But you can't connect two pairs of headphones to one machine... the ordinary way, that is. A thought came, wired headphones connected, BT headphones connected. But how does one get sound to both soundcards? Just open another instance of movie player, give it only sound and set it to the BT soundcard... synchronize start, don't pause

Edit: Forgot to say that you might experience problems with using BT mouse together with the headset. Either gaps in audio or erratic mouse behaviour. It does not have to happen, just might.

[sojourner]

Zender, thanks so much for a very informative, very helpful response!

After considering what you said and doing more research I went ahead and bought a Jabra A320s BT dongle and a Jabra BT620s headset (dropped the Motorola prospect). Wow, both work great. Stereo music sounds fabulous and there are NO dropouts when using the BT mouse (I think Jabra's literature says the dongle will operate up to four consecutive devices).

FYI, for those interested in more T41 - BT knowledge:
On my T41 the built-in BT adapter will not work consecutively with the dongle (was hoping it would). Wondered if the built-in BT adapter would work with the new Widcomm drivers (would possibly eliminate needing the dongle) ... nope. A messages pops-up when trying to initialize the card saying this adapter is NOT LICENSED for use with the software. Hmmm, it worked fine (was licensed for use) with the older Widcomm software. Then the software prompted for a LICENSE.DAT file! So, if anyone knows how to resolve this licensing issue would appreciate hearing it.

In summary, it's REAL nice having the wire-free functionality of BT. Having wire-free stereo audio is sooo nice too!

Thanks again Zender

Hope any others will chime in with their BT experiences too.

[schen]

I have a T41 that I upgraded to BT and therefore wondering which BT CDC that you are using.

Also as a side-note, I noticed that my Logitech DiNovo KB/Mouse combo had a warning specifically to not use BT headsets while using that set. I guess there BT hub has some limitations that would cause interference and dropouts.

[sojourner]

I have a T41 that I upgraded to BT and therefore wondering which BT CDC that you are using.

schen, I have the 91P7315 CDC. Do you happen to know whether it can transmit stereo and support A2DP software?

Also as a side-note, I noticed that my Logitech DiNovo KB/Mouse combo had a warning specifically to not use BT headsets while using that set. I guess there BT hub has some limitations that would cause interference and dropouts.

Hmmm, I'm assuming Logitech provided a dongle. Wonder if changing to a different dongle (like the Jabra A320s) would change that?

[schen]

I have a T41 that I upgraded to BT and therefore wondering which BT CDC that you are using.

schen, I have the 91P7315 CDC. Do you happen to know whether it can transmit stereo and support A2DP software?

Also as a side-note, I noticed that my Logitech DiNovo KB/Mouse combo had a warning specifically to not use BT headsets while using that set. I guess there BT hub has some limitations that would cause interference and dropouts.

Hmmm, I'm assuming Logitech provided a dongle. Wonder if changing to a different dongle (like the Jabra A320s) would change that?

I'll have to check, but I'm fairly certain that my daughter card will not transmit stereo or support A2DP, so I was curious which one you were using.

I have another dongle that I can try, but the Logitech DiNovo has the Bluetooth receiver built into the base of the mouse charger, so even if it works, it wouldn't be that good of a solution for my situation. I was just curious about that warning though.