Intermittent bluetooth audio issue on ThinkPad T410s [ Edited ]

[brianmeek2]

Hello folks,

I have a new T410s (2901-CTO) running Win7-64.  Experiencing a strange issue with a bluetooth headset installed using Hands Free profile: during the course of a VOIP conversation (Skype or Google Voice), the call audio will be perfectly clear one moment, then become garbled a static noise overrunning the audio, then sound clear again.  This happens repeatedly every 30 seconds or so (but not at a regular interval). 

The garbled sound sounds almost like a blown-out speaker - like flapping static over the speech or other audio coming at me...  Then it goes clear again and sounds great. VOIP calls using the built-in speakers and microphone(s) sound fine. 

I've tried two different headsets that show the same problem - both work fine on other machines and via my cell phone. 

All drivers are current, reinstalled etc.

I suspect some kind of radio interference?  Driving me nuts because VOIP is now "the law" where I work. 

If relevant, I have the multitouch display (worthless), and the top-of-the-line "Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN" WiFi. Supposedly this WiFi has the triple-antenna so...

Any thoughts?   

[Ideasmiths]

Self deleted....wrong suggestion as I didn't read your post correctly

[brianmeek2]

Bump - anyone else experience this bluetooth noise issue?

[JameZ]

@brianmeek2,

I am not sure if the T410 bluetooth module is the same as the ones that T410s has however am able to stream music and use my headset for VOIP (Avaya) calls.

Just wondering if you could try doing VOIP calls when the laptop is connected directly to a LAN cable and see if you are getting interference?

//JameZ

[brianmeek2]

Well, I had purchased the on-site service option, so Lenovo sent out a guy with a replacement bluetooth adapter for the laptop. 

The problem noise now seems to occur less frequently...  In fact, I had thought we had it beat, but doing a Skype call just now it surfaced again.  Sigh...

JameZ - thanks for the thought regarding use of WiFi.  I had tried disabling the WiFi adapter and using just a wired connection at my home office as part of my troubleshooting process, but it made no difference. At my other office, my only Internet connection is a Verizon 4G USB modem (the Pantech UML 290), and it happens there too.  Although it's somewhat high-latency, the LTE modem's throughput really rocks, btw :-). 

Still looking for ideas to troubleshoot this one...  Due to the differences of the two BT interface cards, I speculate that we may have an inherent interference issue in the T410s - perhaps a result of mine having the darn Multitouch display?

-- brian

[ColonelONeill]

Try running DPClat from:
http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml

Look for spikes when it garbles.

[bananaman]

Hi derekfrank, and welcome to the Lenovo User Community!

I think your post is empty because of the temporary problem we're experiencing with Internet Explorer 9. Sorry about that! Here's the forum announcement and suggestions for ways around that:

15th March 2011

Users of Internet Explorer 9 are experiencing problems creating posts and private messages. The content is lost and appears blank when posted. While this is being investigated and fixed, please use Quick Reply, Internet Explorer 9's Compatibility Mode, or an alternate browser to post. Thank you.

Keep on posting!

[derekfank]

Hi BrianMeek2 and all others,

I am having the same exact problem with my Edge 14's bluetooth. Have updated all and tried 2 different headsets with the same results. If your problem gets fixed please advise. Getting same garbled sound intermittently.