Information

Using a Bluetooth Headset with your PC

By: Geet Singh
Submitted: 2008-03-18 15:16:55
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

If you use your computer for Voice over IP (VoIP) applications, chances are that at some time you’ve experienced frustration with the cords associated with traditional PC headsets. Imagine being able to roam throughout your home whilst talking to people around the world using a PC headset unencumbered by the constraints of wires. Whether you use a headset for PC to Phone conversations, instant messaging, gaming or video-conferencing, a Bluetooth solution may be just the ticket for your wireless cravings.

Bluetooth

For those of you not familiar with the term, Bluetooth refers to a wireless protocol (or set of rules) designed for short range electronic applications (usually less than 30 feet in distance). Although the technology has been around for several years, Bluetooth support for PC users has been limited due to hardware manufacturers focusing on the more traditional 802.11 wireless network protocols (Wi-Fi). In reality, Bluetooth and wi-fi achieve different purposes and each has its pros and cons.

Cellular Telephone Bluetooth Headsets

The cellular telephone community has long embraced Bluetooth technology, developing and refining numerous wireless devices. One of the more popular Bluetooth applications for cellular telephones has been cordless headsets which enable users to leave their telephone in their bag or pocket while still being able to make and receive calls. Bluetooth headsets are generally very lightweight, worn over one ear and achieve talk times from 1-4 hours before needing a recharge.

Bluetooth PC Headset?

So if cellular telephone users have warmly embraced Bluetooth headsets, why not the PC community? At the time of writing, this author knows of no PC hardware manufacturer who has designed a Bluetooth Headset primarily for use with a PC. However, there is nothing to prevent a PC user from using a cellular phone Bluetooth Headset with their PC. Keep in mind though, these headsets were originally envisioned for cellular phone use and may need a bit of ‘tweaking’ before they’ll perform as well as ‘corded’ headsets on your computer.

USB Bluetooth Adapter

Unless you own a relatively expensive notebook PC, odds are that your computer doesn’t natively support the Bluetooth protocol. If this is the case, you’ll need an ‘Adapter’ or ‘Dongle’ in order to make your computer ‘Bluetooth enabled’. Bluetooth adapters are generally very small (a few inches long) and insert into a vacant USB port on your computer. When purchasing an adapter it’s critical that you buy one that supports the ‘headset protocol’. The headset protocol is merely a set of rules which enables your Bluetooth adapter to communicate with and make use of Bluetooth headsets in its vicinity. If your adapter does not support the headset protocol, no amount of ‘tweaking’ will get your headset working with your PC. Adapters generally run between $20 - $80 USD and can be purchased at most PC retailers.

Buying a Bluetooth Headset

Bluetooth headsets for cellular phones are generally very expensive when compared with conventional ‘corded’ PC headsets. Depending on where you buy your headset, you could spend anywhere from $20 to $200+ USD. If you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive headset that’ll simply enable you to make wireless VoIP calls using your PC, I recommend looking on Ebay. Although prices vary considerably on Ebay between merchants for similar products, overall they are considerably less expensive than purchasing the same headset from a telephone store. A word of caution about Ebay though; ensures that you read the fine print associated with shipping costs. Some Ebay merchants advertise Bluetooth Headsets for $5 USD however the real cost quickly rises to $35+ when you account for their often exorbitant shipping charges.

‘Pairing’ the Headset with your PC

Once your computer is ‘Bluetooth enabled’ and you’ve obtained a Bluetooth headset, you’ll need to ‘pair’ the headset with your computer in order to use it for VoIP applications. This is usually just a matter of setting your headset in ‘discovery mode’ and allowing your PC to ‘search’ or ‘discover’ Bluetooth devices. The steps needed to enable discovery mode on your headset and adapter will vary between devices and should be clearly explained in the documentation accompanying your devices.

Adjusting your Audio Settings

Depending on your hardware and operating system, you may need to make adjustments to your audio settings after the headset is ‘paired’ with your PC. In the Windows operating system, this will involve accessing ‘Audio Properties’ through the ‘Control Panel’ and setting the audio and voice devices to your newly paired Bluetooth headset. Again, adjusting these settings should be covered in the documentation accompanying both your headset and Bluetooth adapter.

Once you’re up and running, you’ll wonder why you didn’t adopt this wireless headset solution sooner. The freedom to wander away from your computer whilst maintaining voice over Internet conversations is something you’ll come to appreciate and love.

For More Free Resources visit www.greateducationonline.com

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Wireless Networks category

  • Photocopiers Become WiFi Enabled - By: Jennifer Chilton
    WiFi technology can be found in almost every modern computer, which has given people the freedom to connect to the internet whenever it is needed and for offices to connect all their computers to a single network without needing any wires. This technology has now been introduced to photocopiers, printers and multifunctional devices, meaning they too can be connected wirelessly to any computer network.
  • Some Tips For Buying home computers Wireless Routers - By: Avesh Dahiya
    The advent of wireless routers has helped small offices and home computers interconnect and function fast. No more sharing of files with thumb drives or squabbles over who will access the internet fast.
  • Internet telephony - By: Mark Merissa
    Presently, Internet telephony is preferred all over the world, due to the fact that it is much cheaper compared to traditional phone services. Many people have friends and family living in foreign lands, and they often have to use long distance phone service for communication purpose. But the long distance phone calls are quite expensive for low budget users.
  • Satellite Internet Service is The Answer for Individuals in Rural Communities - By: Kimberly Green
    Living in a remote part of the world can be both tough and inconvenient. Not only must a resident of such secluded areas travel miles for simple things like groceries and entertainment but are almost always limited in the types of internet connections available to them.
  • What Will It Be Like When You Are Online All the Time? - By: Sandra Prior
    A man walks down the street, waving his arms and talking to himself. No problem, he's dictating an email. A woman sits on a park bench, stabbing at a pocket computer with a plastic stylus. Is she selling shares or checking the contents of her fridge?
  • Cable vs. DSL - Which is Better? - By: Sonu Kumar
    As broadband Internet becomes more mainstream, one of the most common questions we get is: which is better, cable or dsl? The answer to that question is not so definite. Many factors come into play when deciding which high-speed connection to choose. Regardless of which you choose (DSL, Cable, or even Satellite) it's going to be a ton better (and faster) than that ancient dialup modem you've been using. Not to mention, your Internet experience will be much more enjoyable.
  • 7 Easy Steps to Secure Your Wireless Router - By: Andy Jones
    When you buy a wireless router it is not secure and its default configuration will allow unwanted users that are in the vicinity of your router to connect to the internet and "steal" your wireless router internet connection. They could also gain access to your PC and steal files and folders of data. Manufacturers leave the configuration "open" so that the user can easily set up the router and get it up and running quickly. However, there is a risk if the router is not secure.
  • Using a Bluetooth Headset with your PC - By: Geet Singh
    If you use your computer for Voice over IP (VoIP) applications, chances are that at some time you've experienced frustration with the cords associated with traditional PC headsets. Imagine being able to roam throughout your home whilst talking to people around the world using a PC headset unencumbered by the constraints of wires. Whether you use a headset for PC to Phone conversations, instant messaging, gaming or video-conferencing, a Bluetooth solution may be just the ticket for your wireless cravings.
  • Internet History: Beyond ARPANET - By: Ron Porter
    The Internet's beginnings took place in a United States Department of Defense program for a strategic computer network. It was designed to carry sensitive and critical data over a computer network that was supposed to be able to remain intact in the event of nuclear attack. The project was called ARPANET, for "Advanced Research Projects Agency Network. The ARPANET was based on a packet-switching network. Any given unit of data could be divided into packets, and these packets could be sent computer to computer, to be reassembled by the receiver. Along the way, these packets of data were routed through various computers along the network, requiring that each computer be able to communicate with all the others. The network was designed to provide simultaneous links among all the computers on the network.