"OK, I should have been cautious before buying !!!"
Dell keeps it a closely guarded secret.
" isn't it a full duplex board ?"
Yes, but it is not setup to record streaming audio like 'whatuhear' in Soundblaster cards.
Open the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties box (right click on the volume icon on the taskbar and click 'adjust audio properties', or go through the Control Panel).
Select the Audio tab.
Click on 'Volume' under 'Sound recording'. The Recording Control opens.
Click on the 'Options' menu, then 'Properties'.
Select 'Adjust volume for recording'.
Put a checkmark next to all of the volume controls you want to have appear on the Recording Control. If stereo mix is an option it should be there. Mine has it (1100 with Sigmatel).
A workaround for recording the soundcard's output is to use a short cable to connect the line out to the mic in. Or get an external SB card. The one I have (usb MP3+) doesn't have 'whatuhear' but it records streaming audio anyway.
"Put a checkmark next to all of the volume controls you want to have appear on the Recording Control. If stereo mix is an option it should be there. Mine has it (1100 with Sigmatel)."
Yes of course but problem is that there is no such check box as I have on my other PCs...
"A workaround for recording the soundcard's output is to use a short cable to connect the line out to the mic in." only output is for headphones and I am not sure about compatibility of levels between out and in... furthermore, if I use the in to connect the out, there is no possibility to have a mike anymore !!!!
"Or get an external SB card. The one I have (usb MP3+) doesn't have 'whatuhear' but it records streaming audio anyway." I will investigate, did not even know it does exist !!!
"Yes of course but problem is that there is no such check box as I have on my other PCs..."
Which is why I said "if stereo mix is an option" ... on your machine it is not. I don't know whether it's disabled in the Registry or what. I've never come across a key for it but it's probably in there. You could try the Intel AC 97 driver which has more options than the Sigmatel.
> Go to Start/Control Panel/System/ Hardware tab, then click on Device Manager. Go down to Sound, Video and Game controllers and right click on SigmaTel. Choose properties.
(Or instead right click on the speaker icon, click on Adjust Audio Properties, click on the hardware tab, select SigmaTel, and click Propertties.)
> Click on the Driver tab and click on Update Driver. The Hardware Update Wizard will open.
> Answer "No" to the Windows Update question.
> Choose "Install From List or specific location". Ignore the 'Insert CD' instruction.
> Hit next and then choose "Don't Search, I will choose driver I want to install".
> You will get a list of SigmaTel drivers. Uncheck the box that says "show compatible hardware".
> Select Intel, and then select "Intel AC 97 Audio Controller". XP replaces the SigmaTel driver with the Intel AC97.
> To reinstall the original driver later just go back to Properties and select "Rollback Driver".
There are no Dell techs that respond to this board.
I have been thinking that your 9400 had the Sigmatel 97 chip like the 9300 but instead it has the 92xx chip. Dell has been releasing so many new models lately that I'm having a hard time keeping straight.
All of my previous suggestions were for the 97xx chip. The 9250 chip & driver is so new that not much is known here about it. If you want to browse thrugh the Registry and try to find a value for stereo mix here is a place to start:
If you find any key that looks promising, change its value: 00(false) to 01(true), or 01 to 00. If you find the right key then the option will show up as we discussed before. I do have instructions for getting a 'microphone' option to show up in the volume control (it's already in the recording control) if you want. It allows for direct monitoring of the mic input through the speakers.
Right, and for me 9400 also lacks digital sound output. I have an external DAC that can utilized digital sound out.
But I have to say, the sound quality of headphone jack on the 9400 is great! very detailed high, very low noise (no audible noise), good bass. It is not as balanced as my $1000 Benchmark DAC1, but is much better than any sound card I've heard.
And for recording, I have M-Audio black box usb; for digital output, I have M-Audio transit USB.
I have a newly refurbished B130 with this same problem. The choices for recording control are only microphone and line in. No mixer or wave. Also the playback only gives you the volume control, synth, CD, and wave as options. I used to be able to play music into chat rooms. Now I cant with this new laptop.
I treid contacting Dell who said it is a software issue. I contacted Sigma Tel (it is a ST high definition audio codec sound card) and they said their new codec is made for kareoke and a mixer is not needed. It should automatically be able to play music AND hear me talk on the mic. Em.. it doesnt. I need to get more than mic and line in on the recording control. I was then told that I needed to get an older version sound card. Now I am perplexed.
I tried the above suggestions and they did not work for me either. Anybody have any ideas??
I too am very disappointed with the soundcard for the new 9400. It sounds terrible. I asked the Dell Salesperson as to whether or not it was a standard card and he said that was it. Then after purchasing my 9400 I see on the website that you can get the Soundblaster Audigy Advanced HQ Audio Card. I can't help but to wonder as to whether on not I would be better off with that card.
I blame myself for not checking this out further before purchasing, but in my opinion at least the salesperson could have told me about the other card.
I bought an 8250 years ago and the soundcard was terrible with that one also. I guess I'm two for two so far.
Does anybody now as to whether or not I might still be able to ungrade to the other card for my Inspiron 9400?
Soundblaster Audigy Advanced HD is a _software_ suite. The _hardware_ remains the same - SigmaTel 92XX chip. I do have that Audigy stuff and it's pretty useless in my opinion. Takes up memory and CPU cycles though. Oh, also take long to load initially. That is pretty much it. I believe you can download it from Dell updates and check for yourself.
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
March 21st, 2006 11:00
Dell keeps it a closely guarded secret.
" isn't it a full duplex board ?"
Yes, but it is not setup to record streaming audio like 'whatuhear' in Soundblaster cards.
Open the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties box (right click on the volume icon on the taskbar and click 'adjust audio properties', or go through the Control Panel).
Select the Audio tab.
Click on 'Volume' under 'Sound recording'. The Recording Control opens.
Click on the 'Options' menu, then 'Properties'.
Select 'Adjust volume for recording'.
Put a checkmark next to all of the volume controls you want to have appear on the Recording Control. If stereo mix is an option it should be there. Mine has it (1100 with Sigmatel).
A workaround for recording the soundcard's output is to use a short cable to connect the line out to the mic in. Or get an external SB card. The one I have (usb MP3+) doesn't have 'whatuhear' but it records streaming audio anyway.
Jim
gsnt
4 Posts
0
March 21st, 2006 13:00
"A workaround for recording the soundcard's output is to use a short cable to connect the line out to the mic in." only output is for headphones and I am not sure about compatibility of levels between out and in... furthermore, if I use the in to connect the out, there is no possibility to have a mike anymore !!!!
gsnt
4 Posts
0
March 21st, 2006 17:00
Thxs but :smileymad: IntelAC97 does no good... Can't admit there is no solution to that ! No full compatibility with Sigmatel board ?
Are Dell techs reading that forum sometimes ?
Gilbert
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
March 21st, 2006 17:00
Which is why I said "if stereo mix is an option" ... on your machine it is not. I don't know whether it's disabled in the Registry or what. I've never come across a key for it but it's probably in there. You could try the Intel AC 97 driver which has more options than the Sigmatel.
> Go to Start/Control Panel/System/ Hardware tab, then click on Device Manager. Go down to Sound, Video and Game controllers and right click on SigmaTel. Choose properties.
(Or instead right click on the speaker icon, click on Adjust Audio Properties, click on the hardware tab, select SigmaTel, and click Propertties.)
> Click on the Driver tab and click on Update Driver. The Hardware Update Wizard will open.
> Answer "No" to the Windows Update question.
> Choose "Install From List or specific location". Ignore the 'Insert CD' instruction.
> Hit next and then choose "Don't Search, I will choose driver I want to install".
> You will get a list of SigmaTel drivers. Uncheck the box that says "show compatible hardware".
> Select Intel, and then select "Intel AC 97 Audio Controller". XP replaces the SigmaTel driver with the Intel AC97.
> To reinstall the original driver later just go back to Properties and select "Rollback Driver".
Jim
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
March 21st, 2006 18:00
There are no Dell techs that respond to this board.
I have been thinking that your 9400 had the Sigmatel 97 chip like the 9300 but instead it has the 92xx chip. Dell has been releasing so many new models lately that I'm having a hard time keeping straight.
All of my previous suggestions were for the 97xx chip. The 9250 chip & driver is so new that not much is known here about it. If you want to browse thrugh the Registry and try to find a value for stereo mix here is a place to start:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\
{4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0005\Settings\
If you find any key that looks promising, change its value: 00(false) to 01(true), or 01 to 00. If you find the right key then the option will show up as we discussed before. I do have instructions for getting a 'microphone' option to show up in the volume control (it's already in the recording control) if you want. It allows for direct monitoring of the mic input through the speakers.
Jim
gsnt
4 Posts
0
March 21st, 2006 19:00
yfei
17 Posts
0
March 22nd, 2006 01:00
But I have to say, the sound quality of headphone jack on the 9400 is great! very detailed high, very low noise (no audible noise), good bass. It is not as balanced as my $1000 Benchmark DAC1, but is much better than any sound card I've heard.
And for recording, I have M-Audio black box usb; for digital output, I have M-Audio transit USB.
hollep
3 Posts
0
April 7th, 2006 03:00
I have a newly refurbished B130 with this same problem. The choices for recording control are only microphone and line in. No mixer or wave. Also the playback only gives you the volume control, synth, CD, and wave as options. I used to be able to play music into chat rooms. Now I cant with this new laptop.
I treid contacting Dell who said it is a software issue. I contacted Sigma Tel (it is a ST high definition audio codec sound card) and they said their new codec is made for kareoke and a mixer is not needed. It should automatically be able to play music AND hear me talk on the mic. Em.. it doesnt. I need to get more than mic and line in on the recording control. I was then told that I needed to get an older version sound card. Now I am perplexed.
I tried the above suggestions and they did not work for me either. Anybody have any ideas??
Berkut391
8 Posts
0
May 2nd, 2006 00:00
t_comer
6 Posts
0
June 6th, 2007 19:00