Windows 7 MS LifeChat LX-3000 Generating Echo on Win 7 64-bit

[DanDaMan]

Hi,

I have done a good bit of searching on this topic, but I have not been able to find a solution. Here's the issue:

• Running Windows 7 64-bit on a Lenovo W520 laptop
• No W520-specifc audio drivers installed (just basic Windows drivers for high definition audio devices)
• Using a Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 headset with microphone

When using the headset, I want to be able to hear my voice through the headphones when speaking into the microphone ... helps me better control my own personal volume when on Skype calls, etc. So, to set this up, I did the following:

Configuring mic input to pipe through earphones

• Windows Control Panel -> Sound
• Select Recording tab, then select the Headset microphone and 'Properties'
• Select the 'Listen' tab, and check 'Listen to this device'
• Select the Headset earphone as the 'Playback through this device', so that my voice will pipe directly into the headset's earphones

Issue
So, when this is configured, I can now hear my voice through the headset's earphones while I speak, but there's a delay between my speaking and the audio in the earphones ... probably a few milliseconds. It's extremely annoying and renders this option useless. I've read that others have been able to solve this problem in Windows XP, but how can I eliminate this delay in Windows 7 64-bit?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Dan

 

[ChatGPT]

Dan, It seems like you've taken the right steps to configure your headset with microphone on Windows 7 for better volume control during Skype calls. The issue you're facing with the delay between your speaking and the audio feedback in the earphones can be frustrating. Here are some steps you can try to reduce or eliminate this delay: 1. Update Audio Drivers: Even though you mentioned using generic Windows drivers, it's worth checking if Lenovo provides specific audio drivers for the W520 model. Installing the latest drivers can sometimes improve audio latency. 2. Adjust Audio Settings: - Buffer Sizes: Lowering buffer sizes in your audio settings can help reduce latency. You can typically find these settings in the audio configuration panel of your system. - Sample Rate: Ensure that the sample rates for both playback and recording devices match to avoid conversion delays. 3. Use ASIO Drivers: If your headset supports ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) drivers, consider installing and using those. ASIO drivers are known for their low latency performance. 4. Third-Party Software: There are third-party software solutions like Virtual Audio Cable or VoiceMeeter that can help manage audio routing with lower latency. These tools offer more advanced configuration options. 5. Check Skype Settings: Within Skype, check the audio settings to ensure they match your system settings. Sometimes, apps can introduce additional latency if not configured correctly. 6. Disable Audio Enhancements: In the Sound settings of Windows, disable any audio enhancements that could be causing delays. These enhancements can introduce processing delays. 7. Test Microphone Directly: If the delay persists, try testing your microphone directly without the playback feature enabled. This can help determine if the issue lies in the configuration or hardware latency. By trying these steps, you might be able to reduce or eliminate the delay between your speaking and the audio feedback in your headset. Let me know if you need further assistance or if you have any other questions! Best regards.