[sharp-spark]

Hi,

I have some new bluetooth headphones that I am using to listen to music. I would like to disable the mic (as I am feeling paranoid about having a transmitter next to my head for long periods ).

I have found that under the devices properties I can disable various 'bluetooth services'. This seems to prevent the pc from receiving audio input from the mic. I was wondering if this actually stops the mic, or whether it is still transmitting only the pc does not recognise it?

Many thanks,
SS

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Bluetooth device: Sony DR-BT101

[Silverhazesurfer]

You could test with Sound Recorder.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...Sound-Recorder

[sharp-spark]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

From checking Control Panel -> Sound -> Recording, the pc stops receiving audio from the device when I disable the service. Wouldn't any programs installed on the computer therefore also not receive audio?

I am interested in whether audio is still being transmitted from my headset even when I have disabled the service on my pc.

I am not sure whether the functionality of the device is affected by adjusting settings on the pc.

Thanks,
SS

[Silverhazesurfer]

Originally Posted by sharp-spark

Hi, thanks for your reply.

From checking Control Panel -> Sound -> Recording, the pc stops receiving audio from the device when I disable the service. Wouldn't any programs installed on the computer therefore also not receive audio?

I am interested in whether audio is still being transmitted from my headset even when I have disabled the service on my pc.

I am not sure whether the functionality of the device is affected by adjusting settings on the pc.

Thanks,
SS

This is the point of the sound recorder test. If control panel settings show disabled, you can use sound recorder to test that applications are not getting sound. Now, depending on which device you have configured for the program will depend on whether or not your mic is not picking up. BT mic may be turned off but a 3mm plugged mic may still be picking up. Just be sure to turn all microphone pickups off and you will be fine. See the aforementioned link for testing.

[sharp-spark]

Originally Posted by Silverhazesurfer

This is the point of the sound recorder test. If control panel settings show disabled, you can use sound recorder to test that applications are not getting sound. Now, depending on which device you have configured for the program will depend on whether or not your mic is not picking up. BT mic may be turned off but a 3mm plugged mic may still be picking up. Just be sure to turn all microphone pickups off and you will be fine. See the aforementioned link for testing.

The sound recorder test doesn't pick up any audio.

Just to clarify however, the mic is enabled under the control panel sound settings, no audio is received when I disable the "Headset" bluetooth service under the bluetooth headset's properties. It seems as though when I do this what the computer is doing is uninstalling a "Bluetooth virtual device" driver.

So I guess it is the computer that stops recognising audio from the headset rather than the headset no longer transmitting audio. Unless bluetooth technology is more intelligent then I give it credit for and it can recognise when there is no device using the mic and stops transmitting?

[Silverhazesurfer]

disabling is not the same as uninstalling. Period.

If you disable the device, naturally, no audio will come through. If your mic is enabled and the device is not disabled, then you should get audio.

If sound recorder does not pick up audio and you have installed and configured your mic properly, sounds like there is no issue.