SP2309W webcam problems

I have the SP2309 W and am having a problem with the audio.  After I have been on Skye or Yahoo Messenger for a little while, the people on the other end are complaining that my voice is scratchy.  Two different people have told me this is happening.  Is this a common problem and is there a fix? Thank you in advance. Judy

Have you tried using a mic attached directly to your computer? Also, try replacing the USB cable. That'll narrow down the possibility of it being the monitor or not.

I am having the EXACT same problem, both in OSX and Windows, thus,I think it's a problem with the device itself.

I might send it back  in a little while...

By the way, notice that if you unplug and plug back the cable in the back of the monitor the problem disappears ;P

Still... annoying

I think I am sending it back in about 10 days. If any of you guys already tried to contact Dell, please let us know how it went by posting a message here.

Are you all using the monitor microphone? If yes, have you tried disabling it and testing a stand alone microphone via the sound card to see if the issue remains?

Yes, and the chances of three people having the same monitor to have the same audio card is basically zero...

Hi Chris

Yes, this only occurs with the Monitor's mic.

An external mic does not have this issue.

All,

Use your Skype name and log into their forum and ask about issues with our monitor microphone.

Hello Chris,

this is not a problem of skype only. I had the same problem with google (voice) chat, and

the audio chat systems built into some videogames, like left 4 dead and call of duty 4.

Also it's not an OS problem either. I used the microphone under both OSX and Win7

with exactly the same result...

Since you are a dell representative.. how can we obtain support? Monitors don't have a

service TAG, and dell doesn't even allow you to go on the online support chat without that

code.

The only Dell monitors witha Service Tag number are the 27" and higher. Since you only have a Dell monitor order number, you should contact Order Support, not Technical Support. They will need the following data -
Name:
Email Address:
Shipping address:
Phone number:
Monitor Order number:
Monitor 20 digit PPID number found on the back on a label or on the slider card on the left rear:
Reason:

USA Order Support
Canada Order Support
UK Order Support

While looking at this thread, it seems to me that some of you have a definate issue with the equipment not functioning with free or third-party software.  I have problems with skype using any type of microphone from several computers.  It varies from time to time.  After all, it is free and you get what you pay for.  Have you tried the webcam/mike on the monitor with the supplied software?

Personally, I didn't buy the monitor for the webcam or mike - I have one on my laptops and desktops.  I have no issues.  Why would you buy a monitor for the mike?  The monitor performs like a monitor, and it works for me and most other people.  It's just like people who complain about picture quality on their cell phones.  I think the webcam/mike is extra, and I didn't know about it until I opened the box - the selling point was the HD capabilities, which are great.

So, before you return/threaten to return, think about what you bought the monitor for and ask yourself, "do I really want to go through this hassle over the mike?"  If so, get rid of it.  Since I could use a few more, I'll take it off your hands at a 'used' price, of course...

I would like to say one last thing and close this issue.

I contacted Dell about the problem. Phoned them and lost about 6-7 hours on the phone to get myself connected to the proper person as there is NO entry for monitors in their phone-based help system. Because of the long phone calls I also went over my minutes (even though on a 1-800) and was charged over 100$ from my mobile phone company...

After all this frustration Dell recognized this was a problem: they remote-login in my windows OS, tried to install their "magic" drivers... which didn't do anything at all. With much frustration and only by being extremely rude with their customer support and requesting to speak with their supervisor, they released a replacement monitor for me.

Turns out it's a defect in the design of the product as the same microphone issue still happens (albeit not as intensely/frequently as before). I now consider this as a life lesson. Even though it's still defective I do not have any more patient to deal with the horrible Dell customer support to get a product replacement. I should have bought from COSTCO (which takes responsability for defective products) and not from the DELL website directly.  It clearly was not worth saving $50 on the monitor's price.

Please feel free to cite me if you need somebody to back your requests with Dell. I run out of patience to deal with them, but I can still help you.