Skype test call fails after Skype update

[ternor]

Hello.  I am going around in circles with this.  A few months ago I updated to Skype 4.  Since then I haven't been able to get the test call to work.  I tried going back to the old version but that no longer worked.

I have read through the thread Trouble with skype (SOLVED).  The solution found there (as far as I can understand it) doesn't work for me.

My device is a Logitech headset.  With regard to the snapshots, should I upload these to postimage instead and replace the images with thumbnails?

This is a snapshot of the configuration tab of PulseAudio:



This is a snapshot of the Input Devices tab:



This is a snapshot of the recording tab:



This is a snapshot of the Skype options.  I subsequently selected the option to allow Skype to adjust mixer levels but that made no difference.



I did the speed test with the following results:
ping : 46 ms
download: 4.91 Mbps
upload: .66 Mbps.

[Just17]

Hello.  I am going around in circles with this.  A few months ago I updated to Skype 4.  Since then I haven't been able to get the test call to work.  I tried going back to the old version but that no longer worked.

You did not say what part of the test call ....  or if all of it .....  is not working.

From your pics it appears that Skype is indeed recording from your Headset MIC, but you have not shown a pic of the Playback tab where Skype should also be using the Headset.

If the sound indicator on the Recording Tab is varying with your voice (the headset MIC is NOT muted) then that is OK.

If you could specify what is going wrong exactly it might help us understand the problem.



BTW, if you do not use a MIC connected to the internal sound card, it might make things simpler to set that card from Duplex to Analogue Stereo Output

[ternor]

Thanks for the reply.  Instead of hearing my message played back I hear a message telling me that if my microphone is configured correctly I would have heard my message played back but that if I am hearing the message telling me that then the microphone is not properly configured.  FWIW, this is a snapshot of the playback tab of the PulseAudio controller taken while that message was being delivered:



Using the PA controller OR the headset (I don't know which) plays havoc with my X session but I'll post separately about that.

[A summary of that problem: I have disconnected the headset but I cannot change the device on the playback tab or hear sounds through my speakers.  When I try to launch PCC, the gui starts to display and stops, so I have to restart the computer.  If I close the PA controller it will go into an endless loading process when I try to use it again.]

[Just17]

OK, understand the Skype problem.

Skype is apparently NOT recording from your MIC.

So the first question to ask is if you have been able to hear the MIC input in any other application .......  the MIC might be muted, or its 'sensitivity' reduced to near zero or other such problem which could affect that.

For instance, I test MICs I attach, when using PA, with this script.

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,105160.msg898029.html#msg898029

It will record from any of the audio streams exposed by PA .....  whether a monitor of what is being sent to the speakers or a MIC input.
If I can record from a MIC using this, then I know it is some simple setting that is the problem.
I can adjust the settings & levels in PA Vol Cntrl while recording to ensure I get a valid recording.

That would be my first suggestion - to ensure the MIC is recordable.

****

Using the PA controller OR the headset (I don't know which) plays havoc with my X session but I'll post separately about that.

[A summary of that problem: I have disconnected the headset but I cannot change the device on the playback tab or hear sounds through my speakers.  When I try to launch PCC, the gui starts to display and stops, so I have to restart the computer.  If I close the PA controller it will go into an endless loading process when I try to use it again.]

If you disconnect the headset you will have no choice of device to use because you only have one left.
I suggest you change the internal audio from Duplex to output only, as you do not have a MIC attached to the sound card.

[ternor]

Thanks again.  The sole device left is the disconnected headset.  I can't change to the sound system.

I will have to play with this later.  I will change the setting you mention after I have re-enabled PA.  I changed to the 'duplex' setting after reading the thread to which I referred in my first post.

[pclinmike]

Your screen shots show output is disabled ! (Speaker with red cross, click on it to turn on ).
    Maybe not ?.
Just looked at mine.
I have the first one in the 'synaptic' package manager list 'skype' 4.0.0.7-1 pclos2012 installed
You need to configure PA mixer settings while your test call is taking place (you do get the test call small window up ? do you as some times it seems busy and does not work  ).

Does a normal skype call work ?.

My wife was on a 'facebook'  game in 'firefox' last night when my daughter skyped her and not matter what I tried I could not get the sound to work on skype ! we had to phone her and still see her on skype.
It was only after we finished the skype call and my wife closed the facebook game that the sound came back On !.

[ternor]

Thanks for the reply.  I do see a test window.  I am going to work on this as much as I can today.

When connected to someone by call (they ring me) I can hear them loudly but they can't hear me.

Yesterday, with PA disabled, I tried to record to audacity.  When I played the recording I heard nothing but in the edit section of the menu it showed 'Undo record'.  The audacity help did not tally with what was showing in the interface on my computer.

I have removed audacity and re-enabled PA and will tinker with it today.  In particular I will change the settings on the configuration tab indicated by just17 and run the script he mentions.  I am pessimistic about the result.  

EDIT: The Configuration tab now shows the Profile Analog Surround 5.1 Output + Analog Stereo Input.  Perhaps I should disable the 5.1 option in PCC?

[ternor]

Hello.  I have now tested the microphone twice using the script mentioned by just17.

I 'recorded' each time to a .wav file.  When played back using VLC neither recording played back anything I said while 'recording'.

On the PA controller the input device was shown as "Logitech Wireless Headset Analog Mono Port: Microphone" (volume 74%) and I selected that device when running the script.

The headset was switched on.  The USB adapter was plugged in and showing a steady green light.

[Just17]

Hello.  I have now tested the microphone twice using the script mentioned by just17.

I 'recorded' each time to a .wav file.  When played back using VLC neither recording played back anything I said while 'recording'.

On the PA controller the input device was shown as "Logitech Wireless Headset Analog Mono Port: Microphone" (volume 74%) and I selected that device when running the script.

The headset was switched on.  The USB adapter was plugged in and showing a steady green light.

Were you looking at the Recording Tab input indicator when recording, and if so was it showing variations with your speech?

If yes to both above questions, the only other thing that comes to mind is this post

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,112440.0.html

That deals with speaker output, but maybe there is something that would affect the MIC input in that file .......  I do not know .....

[ternor]

Thanks.  I 'recorded' again looking at the recording tab and it showed no variations.

Were you looking at the Recording Tab input indicator when recording, and if so was it showing variations with your speech?

If yes to both above questions, the only other thing that comes to mind is this post

This is a snapshot of the tab at the time:

[Just17]

You appear to be getting no output from the headset MIC.
But an earlier pic showed you were 

It seems you have a misconfiguration .....


I would try this to attempt to eliminate any misconfiguration through PA .....

On the PA config tab, turn off all sound devices except for the Headset. (be sure to enable at least one of them before unplugging the headset)

Check the Input & Output tabs to be sure you have only the headset showing.

On the Input tab You should have the Headset MIC, with sensitivity control and level indicator.
I need to put the slider to Max to see any indication of voice, but touching the MIC does show the indicator jumping.

My headset has a switch built in to the earpad which will mute the MIC.
If the MIC is muted here I see no indicator level movement.
Does your headset have such an switch?

After ensuring you do indeed have a level variation from the MIC, play an audio file and ensure you can hear it in the headset.

Assuming that is OK then switch to the Recording tab of PA and run the script again.

This time you should have only two choices to record from .....  a 'monitor' of the speakers (in the headset) and Analogue Mono which is the MIC.
{if you wish to prove the recorder is working then play an audio file so you can hear it in the headset, and select to record from the 'monitor' of the headset. It will record the audio being played. You should also be able to record the other end of the Skype test call if you wish to test it.}

In the Skype options, ensure that allowing Skype to manage levels is unticked.
Make the Skype test call, and when you speak ensure that all sliders are at max and that you see some indication that your voice is heard (on PA tabs).

Note: Lightly tapping the MIC with your finger nail will often max out the slider where your voice might have little effect.

[ternor]

Thank you for your reply.

On the Config tab I switched off all devices except the headset.  Only the headset is shown on the Input and Output tabs.  On the input tab I have only one control, a slider which I set to 100%.  Touching the microphone does NOT show the indicator jumping.

My headset does NOT have a switch to mute the microphone.

I can hear audio files in the headset.  I am unsure what you mean by "After ensuring you do indeed have a level variation from the MIC."

When running the script I had only the two options from the headset.  The Recording tab displayed as in my previous post when I select the monitor as the input device.

When 'recording' from an audio file, the Recording tab is completely blank.  In other words it doesn't even mention a device let alone show an indicator.  Is there something I have to do to have PA record the file being played?

When using the Skype test call, the Recording tab mentions Skype and the blue line indicates activity when Skype is playing messages relating to the test call but NOT when I speak.  Do you know where the Skype message is recorded?

I unticked the option to allow Skype to adjust mixer levels before making test calls.

There are several configuration files which refer to the microphone and they show the microphone volume as 'off'.  I will attempt to find out which (if any) configuration file(s) to edit and what changes to make.

When I change the 'Show' option on the Playback and Recording tabs to "All Streams," the setting switches back to "Applications."

I cannot work out how to re-set the output device to the speakers.

[ternor]

In the end I had to reinstate my previous home backup.  Although I selected the inbuilt system on the Configuration tab, it didn't show on the Output tab and wasn't recognised by the system.

[Just17]

Thank you for your reply.

On the Config tab I switched off all devices except the headset.  Only the headset is shown on the Input and Output tabs.  On the input tab I have only one control, a slider which I set to 100%.  Touching the microphone does NOT show the indicator jumping.

My headset does NOT have a switch to mute the microphone.

I can hear audio files in the headset.  I am unsure what you mean by "After ensuring you do indeed have a level variation from the MIC."

When running the script I had only the two options from the headset.  The Recording tab displayed as in my previous post when I select the monitor as the input device.

When 'recording' from an audio file, the Recording tab is completely blank.  In other words it doesn't even mention a device let alone show an indicator.  Is there something I have to do to have PA record the file being played?

When other sound devices are off and only the headset enabled, you are presented with two option for recording from the script.

1. Headset Analogue Mono
2. Monitor of Headset Analogue Stereo

As mentioned previously,  '1' refers to the Microphone and '2' refers to the headset speakers.
Choose '1' to record the MIC and '2' to record the sound being sent to the headset speakers.

That is all that is required. If there is sound on the channel it will be recorded.

When using the Skype test call, the Recording tab mentions Skype and the blue line indicates activity when Skype is playing messages relating to the test call but NOT when I speak.  Do you know where the Skype message is recorded?

I unticked the option to allow Skype to adjust mixer levels before making test calls.

There are several configuration files which refer to the microphone and they show the microphone volume as 'off'.  

Check the Input tab of PA again ......  there are three icons to the right of each device listed --- make sure the speaker icon is not 'pressed' which would mute the device (MIC in this case) and prevent any variation in the level indicator.

I will attempt to find out which (if any) configuration file(s) to edit and what changes to make.

When I change the 'Show' option on the Playback and Recording tabs to "All Streams," the setting switches back to "Applications."

I cannot work out how to re-set the output device to the speakers.

I guess you mean the internal sound card?
If it is enabled on the config tab, look to the three icons previously mentioned, on the Output tab ...  the rightmost one determines the default/fallback device. Of course each application can have its own default .....  whichever output device was last used by that application ......  and if the device is not available, when the app is next launched, an alternate device will be used.

I too am confused by what you are reporting.
You seem unable to record from the headset MIC channel or from the sound stream going to the headset speakers.
If that continues to be the case then this whole situation requires a re-think.

[Just17]

In the end I had to reinstate my previous home backup.  Although I selected the inbuilt system on the Configuration tab, it didn't show on the Output tab and wasn't recognised by the system.

OK, so all previous stuff can be forgotten as you now have a new user set up.

Have you tried creating a new 'test' user to see if things work there?

The new user will have everything 'default' and it should be left so while testing.