Author Topic: Sending Sound to and From a Bluetooth Headset/Earpiece (mono) (Read 9637 times)

Was_Just19 · « **on:** July 05, 2009, 07:03:03 AM »

This is one of those things I have not been able to get working in PCLOS. This thread is by way of invitation to those interested and even more so to those with some hardware and the inclination to get it working.

I have a BlueTooth USB dongle (Broadcom).
A Nokia Phone with BlueTooth capability.
A Logitech earpiece and boom Mic, also BT.

I can use the Earpiece to pair with the phone and take phone calls. Works as it should.
I can send and receive files to & from the PC and the Nokia.
I cannot send sound between the Earpiece and the PC.
I want to be able to do that. The earpiece could be very useful for VOIP or Skype calls.

The first problem may (or may not) have something to do with which kernel is in use.
Using 2.6.26.8 the BT dongle uses hci_usb and is listed under "Other Hardware".
Using 2.6.27.21 the BT dongle uses bt_usb and is listed in its own section in PCC - Hardware.

Second item of interest is that from reading (which may be out of date) I am told that btsco is needed to enable sound over BT.
The sco (not btsco) module is provided with bluetooth-alsa.

Currently I use the 2.6.26.8 kernel (the .27 does not have v4l for my webcam) and have tried every method I could think of to connect the dongle and the Earpiece.

I can scan from a terminal and the Earpiece is seen,

Code: [Select]

hcitool scan
Scanning ...
        00:0D:44:02:E1:80       Logitech HS01-V14

but if I try to get info or connect to it I get operation not permitted ...

Code: [Select]

 hcitool info 00:0D:44:02:E1:80
Requesting information ...
Can't create connection: Operation not permitted

If I launch Skype with the devices in place, then Skype triggers a request for a PIN which when provided does nothing, and many such requests are repeated. I have set up different methods of supplying the PIN but nothing seems to work .... as in the PIN never seems to be accepted. The PIN for the Earpiece is "0000" and is entered just about anywhere I can find that would take it!

So I am at a stage where Skype wants to use the BT device, but cannot set up a pairing due apparently to some PIN problem.
I cannot using CLi set up a connection either.
Yet both devices are functioning with the phone ...... although I suspect there may be some parts of the PC-Phone combination that I am missing ..... like sending sound in either direction.

Which brings me neatly back to the problem of sending sound over BT from my PCLOS.

So are there others here who would consider looking into this in an attempt to get it working?
I have no problem installing some extra package if it will get it going. {It is about time this install was replaced anyway

}

Some collaboration would be appreciated ... I am beginning to give myself hassle for not sorting this out!

regards.

CtrlAltDel · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2009, 08:09:08 AM »

Hi there JohnBoy..

I'm in a similar position..

Nokia phone connects to computer fine..

Phone connects to BT Logitec earpiece fine and works for calls / music on phone..

BT Logitec Earpiece is paired with the computer dongle but can't figure how to send sound from the computer to the earpiece..

This is in both PCLOS & Mythbuntu 9.04 fully updated running kernel 2.6.28.13..

I never tried Skype but will now on Mythbuntu to see if I get the same repeated PIN request you do..

Quote

I am beginning to give myself hassle for not sorting this out!

Go easy on yourself man..

Cheers,

CtrlAltDel

Was_Just19 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2009, 08:50:13 AM »

Hi CAD,
thanks for posting. At least I know I am not alone with this frustrating situation.

You said

Quote

BT Logitec Earpiece is paired with the computer dongle but can't figure how to send sound from the computer to the earpiece..

Would you tell me please what you are using to determine whether the two are Paired or not.
I don't want us to go at cross purposes because of terminology.

When the phone connects to the Earpiece the phone displayed a "Paired" list and then also an "Active Device".

On PCLOS I can see the pairings of both the Phone and the Earpiece (under "Paired/Trusted Devices) but nowhere can I see anything about a Connected Device.

It then seems that what we have is a complete failure to connect and maintain a connection which it seems would be needed for audio to work, whereas we can send and receive files between phone and PC but that makes a temporary connection for the duration of the file transfer.

This might be of interest but may be out of date
http://www.linux.ie/articles/bluetoothheadset.php

Have you enabled the sco module?

Let me know what results you get with Skype.

regards.

Jaycoke · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2009, 09:15:30 AM »

Found this at

http://wiki.bluez.org/wiki/HOWTO/AudioDevices

Known issues
---snip---
* Skype at version 2.0.0.72 may not work out of the box with your headset. It seems like this may be due to Skype not handling the sampling rate your headset is fixed at. A workaround is to create a plug device so resampling can be done transparently. You can do this in your .asoundrc file, for example:

Code: [Select]

pcm.bluetoothraw {
   type bluetooth
   device 00:11:22:33:44:55
}
pcm.bluetooth {
    type plug
    slave {
        pcm bluetoothraw
    }
}

Although I could not find the file ~/.asoundrc

Hope this helps

CtrlAltDel · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2009, 10:16:28 AM »

OK update..

I installed Skype static in both Mythbuntu and PCLOS 2009.2..

The Mythbuntu version gives a "Headset" option under audio devices.. Doesn't work with bluetooth.. It should read "Bluetooth Headset" from what I gather..

The PCLOS version only lists my audio card with it's various ins and outs..

Kernel 2.6.27.21 won't boot on my machine so I'm gonna compile 2.6.28.10.. It works great with bluetooth AND all my hardware..

Be back later..

CtrlAltDel

Was_Just19 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2009, 10:23:13 AM »

When my BT dongle is plugged in I get the bluetooth options appearing in Skype, but it locks up. Taking out the dongle Skype is OK, and I can see the options for the various devices there, like this pic.

Jaycoke, that for the reference ... I had already tried that and still no go unfortunately.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Was_Just19 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 05, 2009, 10:35:33 AM »

A couple of pics showing what prompts I get

[attachment deleted by admin]

CtrlAltDel · « **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2009, 11:42:55 AM »

OK.. I'm baffled..

Here's a sceenshot showing my bluetooth earpiece paired with the computer and active.. It's configured as an input device..

Skype still shows no bluetooth in sound devices section.. I removed Skype Static and added Skype to see if that changed anything..

Cheers,

CtrlAltDel

Was_Just19 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 05, 2009, 11:47:42 AM »

Did you post the correct pic?

I see no mention of BT devices

EDIT ..... I see it has changed!

CtrlAltDel · « **Reply #9 on:** July 05, 2009, 11:49:33 AM »

Wrong pic.. Having a blond day..

CtrlAltDel

Was_Just19 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 05, 2009, 12:03:32 PM »

Well you have gone a step further than I have been able to.

I would love to know how you achieved that. What kernel are you using?
Have you enabled the sco module? It may be needed for sound over BT .... can't of course be certain ....

Do you have alsaplayer installed?

If so try
arecord -l | grep card

and see if the BT device is listed along with other devices.

If so then you can send sound to it just like you would any of the other devices, and record from it in similar manner.

Until I get this Earpiece connected I cannot even try that.

So whatever you can tell me about connecting the Earpiece would be appreciated.

regards.

CtrlAltDel · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2009, 12:12:51 PM »

I'm using the stock kernel in 2009.2

How I got it connected:

Open KBluetooth > Configuration > Input Devices

Hold down the lower button on the earpiece until it registers in KBluetooth, then pair with 0000 code..

KBluetooth lights up blue to show the device is paired and active..

Funny Skype shows no signs of bluetooth on my machine though..

I'll install alsaplayer and try what you said..

[test@localhost ~]$ arecord -l | grep card
card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC888 Analog [ALC888 Analog]
card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 1: ALC888 Digital [ALC888 Digital]
card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 2: ALC888 Analog [ALC888 Analog]

Looks like it's not recognised as a sound card..

CtrlAltDel

Was_Just19 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2009, 12:21:32 PM »

You could try finding it with aplay also just in case ....

I trigger my device to pair ... suitably flashing lights ..... but I cannot get it to connect with the PC ....

I am beginning to think it might be time to uninstall all the BT packages, delete all the config files wherever they may be located, and then reinstall again to see if there is any change.

[attachment deleted by admin]

CtrlAltDel · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2009, 06:06:30 PM »

Hey again JohnBoy..

I got that error twice but it worked on the third go!! Remember it is "silly season" here.. Maybe BT devices are affected too?

CtrlAltDel

Was_Just19 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 06, 2009, 02:07:56 AM »

Quote from: CtrlAltDel on July 05, 2009, 06:06:30 PM

Hey again JohnBoy..

I got that error twice but it worked on the third go!! Remember it is "silly season" here.. Maybe BT devices are affected too?

CtrlAltDel

If it worked here after a couple of attempts I would be ecstatic!
I tried in root account also with no go, so it is not a permissions problem it seems.

Until I can find a reliable way to get this thing connected to the PC I cannot do much with it.

Did you say whether or not you started the sco module? If not, it might make a difference to you.

regards.

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