multiple headsets

[Daniel Contois]

We are using messenger 6.0 and would like to use multiple
headset/mics with one PC for web conferencing. Currently
we are using 2 headsets with "Y" cables connected to the
soundcard Input and output, however this scenario
degrades the sound quality and I would like to connect 4
people to talk simultaneously by connecting to one PC.

If I purchase a USB Hub and connect 4 usb headsets to the
hub, will messenger see the 4 headsets as 1 in the audio
tuning wizard and allow me to talk using any of the 4 usb
headsets simultaneously?

Thank you.
Daniel

 

[Bruce Lawrence]

I don't think so. If I'm not mistaken, windows sees USB headset/mic combo's
as an additional (seperate) audio device. Almost like another sound card in
a way. It's not the same as plugging into an existing sound card with a
regular jack type combo headset.

The reason for this is because USB devices are "smart" devices and require
drivers. These can act on their own because of the drivers. When you use a
"dumb" device such as a jack type headset/mic combo, they depend on another
peice of hardware to work properly... such as a soundcard.

If you use a hub, windows will detect all 4 as individual audio devices and
you may run into issues with this.

Now there may be some usb headsets that can work with your existing
soundcard but I'm not sure if you'll be successful with 4 of them plugged
into 1 PC.

I'm not sure of a quick solution for this. The biggest downfall is the
messenger does not support conference voice communication which IMO stinks.

Perhaps you can setup 2 desktop mic's and give them all their own headphones
by using some splitter or something.

GL!

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Daniel,

Like Bruce indicated to you, multiple USB devices aren't supported by Messenger for voice
conversations (or any other Messenger application).

You might investigate better "Y"-like cables, as they really shouldn't decrease the quality
all that much.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[JW]

Since a microphone changes the electrical characteristics of the circuit
and does not in itself generate a voltage the results obtained by putting
multiple microphones in parallel with a y cable could be very strange
especially if more than one person is talking at a time. I beleive you need
to purchase a device called a Microphone Mixer which is specifically
designed for using multiple microphones together. For speakers the y cable
should work allright since the speaker line is feeding out an actual
electirc signal and putting multiple headset speakers in parallel will
require a higher volume setting to drive both settings but that is all that
should be required.

 

[JW]

Ignore my previouos post if it appears.

In order to keep the inputs from interferring with each other you should
have a Microphone Mixer. Here is the URL of a site i found that appers to
have resonable priced mixers.

http://www.samash.com/catalog/department.asp?DepartmentID=5

Is the reason that you want multiple headsets that you a single mic and
speakers causes too much feedback or is there another reason?

JW