asked on cannot get headphone/mic port splitter to work with Dell laptop
I have a Dell Inspiron laptop. I want to use a mic and external speakers but only have one headphone/mic port. I found a splitter and when I plug in the mic to the mic port and the external speakers to the headphone port on the splitter and then the other end into the laptop, it does not work. I can only get the mic to work. Is this a laptop specific problem or a splitter problem?
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☠ MASQ ☠
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According to Dell's own information here https://www.dell.com/community/Laptops-General-Read-Only/Headphone-Jack-FAQ/m-p/3550216#six it would seem to be the splitter.
If it's the wrong splitter a pair of CTIA / OMTP should fix it. The mic works because it's still connected to Mic and Gnd but the headphone/speakers are not connected to grould except through the microphone. You probably need TR or TRS to TRSS for the microphone as well, probably cheaper to get the USB splitter Masq pointed out in the long run.
ASKER
Looking at the amazon site. Is there any advantage to buying the startech one with a volume control? See screenshot.
Screen-Shot-2020-01-31-at-8.47.11-AM.png
Screen-Shot-2020-01-31-at-8.47.11-AM.png
Can you post a photo of your mic jack pls.
Unless you really need digital audio out you're paying a lot there for an analog output (Startech's kit is excellent though!)
Do you need a separate volume control?
A simple pair of headphone/Mic sockets at the end of the USB cable and then splitting with two ring plugs would be simpler.
Do you need a separate volume control?
A simple pair of headphone/Mic sockets at the end of the USB cable and then splitting with two ring plugs would be simpler.
ASKER
so will this one work fine?
Screen-Shot-2020-01-31-at-9.33.34-AM.png
Screen-Shot-2020-01-31-at-9.33.34-AM.png
Yes, but the headphones and mic you plug in need to have only two insulating rings (this is the point andyalder has been making throughout).
If you want to split the input/output then you'll need conventional stereo splitters in each socket.
If you want to split the input/output then you'll need conventional stereo splitters in each socket.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/QueenHome-Universal-Interchange-Headphone-Converter/dp/B07WD9N611/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=omtp+ctia&qid=1580406788&sr=8-4
See the pictures to see what it does - swap ground and mic contacts.