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47721
XPS L502X w/ Intel 6230 chip supporting Bluetooth* 2.1, 2.1+EDR, 3.0, 3.0+HS: Appropriate stereo Bluetooth earbuds, headphones, etc.
I want something to let me transmit stereo audio using the Bluetooth radio already in my laptop.
I bought a pair of Plantronics BackBeat Go earbuds. They could pair with the laptop, but then in the next step, Windows (7 Home Premium) failed to install appropriate drivers. I went through all the Windows suggested troubleshooting steps to no avail. I called Plantronics tech support. I was told I would need to buy an additional USB adapter from them, so I'm sending the earbuds back.
I asked Dell sales support what they recommended, but the only thing they could find available from Dell needed an additional USB adapter too. Also, it was mono.
I definitely want something that won't require committing a USB port for an adapter since the computer already has Bluetooth hardware. Ideally, I'd like a small dongle that allowed the use of powered speakers, headphones or earbuds. Otherwise, I would consider dedicated Bluetooth headphones or earbuds.
I'm not interested in the device having a mic or telephone controls, but if that's what it takes to get other features I do want, I'd consider it.
Has anyone had success with this issue? What works?
Thanks,
John
johnemig
35 Posts
0
March 25th, 2014 07:00
I solved my Bluetooth audio problem!
My Dell L502x laptop came with Windows 7. But Windows 7 does not have native support for the Bluetooth profile (a2dp) needed to use a stereo headset. The headset would pair with the laptop, but would not connect.
I found these instructions useful
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/how-to-pairconnect-bluetooth-audio-device-to/fb49798d-9fb5-451f-95fc-301f8f76942b
After checking Windows Update and the Dell driver support site for new drivers, I finally had to resort to the manufacturer's site. Since the laptop has an Intel 6230 chip, I used the Intel Driver Update Utility at
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Default.aspx?lang=eng
which found these two relevent updates for me.
Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software and Drivers for Windows 7
Wireless_16.7.0_s64.exe
and
Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software for Bluetooth® technology for Windows 7*
BT_3.1.1311_s64.exe
Following the instructions here,
http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&docid=268873
I chose to run Wireless_16.7.0_s64.exe first. After then running BT_3.1.1311_s64.exe and rebooting, I paired the computer with my headphones and was finally able to connect.
It's a shame that Microsoft didn't include a2dp with Windows 7. I have an iPod touch and a Win 8 machine that effortlessly connected to my headset since they have a2dp built in.
Oh well, I'm just glad there was a solution.
Hope somebody finds this useful,
Cheers
johnemig
35 Posts
0
March 21st, 2014 12:00
...posted this in the Audio forum, but figured it belonged here as well.
I want something to let me transmit stereo audio using the Bluetooth radio already in my laptop.
I bought a pair of Plantronics BackBeat Go earbuds. They could pair with the laptop, but then in the next step, Windows (7 Home Premium) failed to install appropriate drivers. I went through all the Windows suggested troubleshooting steps to no avail. I called Plantronics tech support. I was told I would need to buy an additional USB adapter from them, so I'm sending the earbuds back.
I asked Dell sales support what they recommended, but the only thing they could find available from Dell needed an additional USB adapter too. Also, it was mono.
I definitely want something that won't require committing a USB port for an adapter since the computer already has Bluetooth hardware. Ideally, I'd like a small dongle that allowed the use of powered speakers, headphones or earbuds. Otherwise, I would consider dedicated Bluetooth headphones or earbuds.
I'm not interested in the device having a mic or telephone controls, but if that's what it takes to get other features I do want, I'd consider it.
Has anyone had success with this issue? What works?
Thanks,
John
johnemig
35 Posts
0
March 21st, 2014 12:00
Here are some additional details I now realize are relevant to my previous post.
I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium.
TheBackbeat Go earbuds specs show:
Bluetooth v2.1 A2DP 1.2, AVRCP, HFP v1.5, HSP v1.1
Note: "A2DP".
...next, I tried:
iLive Wireless Bluetooth® Headphones IAHB64B using Bluetooth version 3.0.
The same thing happened as with the earbuds earlier. The headphones pair as a Bluetooth device, but won't connect for actual use as an audio device.
iLive customer service suggested the needed A2DP Bluetooth profile is not supported by my operating system. Indeed, as I look at Wiki, it seems Windows 7 does not have A2DP in the "Bluetooth Stack" that comes with Windows 7.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_stack#Windows
By the way, the headphones connected effortlessly with a Windows 8 machine as well as my older iPod Touch.
I'm now looking for a third party source for Windows 7 A2DP support.
At the moment, this thread in a Windows forum looks promising...
How to add A2DP support to Windows 7
http://windowsforum.com/threads/how-to-add-a2dp-support-to-windows-7.8235/
Did anyone get further down the road solving this than me yet?
Thanks,
John
johnemig
35 Posts
0
March 21st, 2014 12:00
Here are some additional details I now realize are relevant to my previous post.
I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium.
TheBackbeat Go earbuds specs show:
Bluetooth v2.1 A2DP 1.2, AVRCP, HFP v1.5, HSP v1.1
Note: "A2DP".
...next, I tried:
iLive Wireless Bluetooth® Headphones IAHB64B using Bluetooth version 3.0.
The same thing happened as with the earbuds earlier. The headphones pair as a Bluetooth device, but won't connect for actual use as an audio device.
iLive customer service suggested the needed A2DP Bluetooth profile is not supported by my operating system. Indeed, as I look at Wiki, it seems Windows 7 does not have A2DP in the "Bluetooth Stack" that comes with Windows 7.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_stack#Windows
By the way, the headphones connected effortlessly with a Windows 8 machine as well as my older iPod Touch.
I'm now looking for a third party source for Windows 7 A2DP support.
At the moment, this thread in a Windows forum looks promising...
How to add A2DP support to Windows 7
http://windowsforum.com/threads/how-to-add-a2dp-support-to-windows-7.8235/
Did anyone get further down the road solving this than me yet?
Thanks,
John