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XPS 8940, what are the audio ports?
I love my new XPS 8940. But the audio ports are unfamiliar to me.
On the back, I know green is Audio Out, but I don't recognize black or orange. I think it really is orange, not pink for mic. I don't know what those icons are representing.
On the front there is a headphone port, which I guess will work as a mic port? It is also black, though.
See photos.
speedstep
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9 Legend
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47K Posts
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October 29th, 2020 20:00
The headset/headphone jack is CTIA TRRL
If you want the Red and Green for mic and headphones you need a splitter.
Speaker out will Drive Headphones (Speaker and Headphones are usually one and the same) probably 5 volts, line out would be max around .5 to .7 volts.
Some sound cards adjust the voltage based on what is detected plugged into the Green Jack. Mic in is usually .05 volts.
6
surround sound connector
Use the (black) surround sound connector to attach multichannel-capable speakers.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
7
line-in connector
Use the (blue) line-in connector to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
8
line-out/headphone connector
Use the (green) line-out connector to attach headphones and most speakers with integrated amplifiers.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
9
microphone connector
Use the (pink) microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
10
center/subwoofer LFE connector
Use the (orange) center/subwoofer connector to attach a center speaker or a single subwoofer.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
NOTE: The LFE (Low Frequency Effects) Audio channel, found in digital surround sound audio schemes, carries only low frequency information of 80 Hz and below. The LFE channel drives a subwoofer to provide extremely low bass extension. Systems not using subwoofers can shunt the LFE information to the main speakers in the surround sound setup.
11
side surround sound connector
Use the (gray) side surround sound connector to attach multichannel-capable speakers. The side-surround output provides enhanced surround audio for computers with 7.1 speakers.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
12
S/PDIF connector
Use the S/PDIF BLACK connector to transmit digital audio without going through an analog audio conversion process. (Digital Audio Output)
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M8G1U0C
A TRS or Tip Ring Sleeve plug has three conductors and can exist at least as 1/4″ and 3.5mm, and can be used with mono balanced connections (especially when there isn’t sufficient space for the preferred XLR 3-pin), although much it’s used more commonly for stereo unbalanced, at microphone level, line level or speaker level..
A TRRS or Tip Ring Ring Sleeve plug has four conductors and is very popular with 3.5mm, and can be used with stereo unbalanced audio with video… or with stereo unbalanced audio plus a mono microphone conductor. The TRRS connector is extremely popular with smartphones and tablets, and to some degree with computers, including Chromebooks and Macs. Unfortunately, there are two conflicting standards associated with its use with stereo unbalanced audio plus a mono microphone conductor..
The older OMTP wiring standard calls for Tip to be used for left audio, Ring 1 to be used for right audio, ring 2 to be used for microphone, and the sleeve to be used for ground. According to my research, this older OMTP standard is found in old Nokia (and also Lumia starting from the 2nd generation), old Samsung (2012 Chromebooks), old Sony Ericsson (2010 and 2011 Xperias), Sony (PlayStation Vita) and the OnePlus One I used to own before migrating to a Nexus 6 for use with Project Fi.
The newer CTIA/AHJ wiring standard reverses the last two mentioned, so it calls for Tip to be used for left audio, Ring 1 to be used for right audio, ring 2 to be used for ground, and the sleeve to be used for microphone. According to my research, this newer CTIA/AHJ wiring standard is used in products from Apple, HTC, latest Nokia, latest Samsung, Jolla, Sony (Dualshock 4), Microsoft (including Surface, Lumia, and XboxOne controller with chat adapter) and most Android phones.
NEW headsets follow the TRRS like the old Iphone 6 headset etc.
To convert OLD headset to the new TRRS is the reverse.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088HBBHP8
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
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47K Posts
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October 30th, 2020 06:00
TRRS CTIA can be converted back to Old School Headset with this
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071DMCZQF
OR you convert it to USB
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSA/dp/B00IRVQ0F8
DELL-Cares
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October 29th, 2020 18:00
Thank you! We have received the required details. We will work towards a resolution via private messages to ensure the security of your information. In the meanwhile, you may receive assistance or suggestions from the community members as well.
FredericaMG
6 Posts
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October 29th, 2020 18:00
I thought I was just asking the community. Am I getting support services instead?
FredericaMG
6 Posts
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October 30th, 2020 06:00
Thank you! I understand as much as I need to, I expect.
I know the green is speaker-out, and that there is no separate mic-in on this desktop tower.
I know that if I want to use the front port for separate headphones and mic i would need a splitter.
I guess I could use this instead, right?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072BMG9TB/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I bought it when the sound card on my XPS 8700 was getting crackly. It provides separate mic and headphone ports.
That would work, right?
John-Jay
358 Posts
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October 30th, 2020 16:00
Hi, @FredericaMG ,
You wrote:-
"I thought I was just asking the community. Am I getting support services instead?"
As far as I'm aware it is just simply a "Dell-Bot" that is monitoring the Posts, it seems to be posted whenever it "thinks" it has detected a new Query - unfortunately, in my experience, it is just as likely to be responding to a Reply-Post!!
John-Jay
358 Posts
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October 31st, 2020 00:00
Hi, @FredericaMG ,
Following on from my previous Post, just as an example, I've also received a similar message from the "Dell-Bot" (approx 4 hours after posting my earlier response to you) via their Private Message System.
FredericaMG
6 Posts
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October 31st, 2020 09:00
I've never used a headset with my computer. I just need to transfer audio to the computer.
With my old XPS 8700, I used to run a cable from the source (eg, a cassette recorder) to the mic port. I'd use Audacity and click "Record." That worked fine.
Recently I wanted to play a homemade CD on the computer and record it with Audacity. I ran a cable from "Line In" to "Audio Out" and that worked.
What can I use as a mic port / line in now? I have been trying different things and getting confused.
I'm disappointed that my USB sound card adapter (akin to the Sabrent) appears to be no help, even though it has mic and ear ports. (I don't know how to make Audacity recognize it.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072BMG9TB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The "Headset" port on the front has me confused. I have tried different things with it, using a splitter, a headset mic, etc. but don't seem to be getting anywhere.
Suggestions?
Vidgamer
2 Posts
0
November 24th, 2020 18:00
One of the photos above labels the black port as SPDIF, however, looking at the User's Guide, it appears to be rear surround speaker outputs. I don't see a digital-out on the machine, unlike my old XPS.
XPS 8940 Setup and Specifications (dell.com)
There also is no proper line-in port. Not sure if the mic port is a good general-purpose input, but I guess the intention is that if you want to do something serious with audio creation, you'll get an external box.
Vida Maleki
1 Message
1
April 20th, 2021 00:00
Check out this link.
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/xps-8940-desktop/xps-8940-setup-and-specifications/back-panel?guid=guid-2259dc07-73ac-48eb-a6a2-9d8fc6a40e2b&lang=en-us