FINAL COLUMN

The Bluez, Pt. 2: Audio

As previously mentioned, I’ve connect a set of bluetooth headphones to my computer.  Specifically, they’re Insignia NS-BTHDP.  Note that Insignia is a private label of Best Buy, much like Costco’s Kirkland Signature or Target’s Archer Farms.  These will set you back about $50.  If you’ve been doing your research on bluetooth headphones, you’ll know that you can’t expect a world of performance at this price.

Linux:

• Works on Banshee and Rhythmbox using the instructions from the FOSSwire article in Part 1.

Mobile Devices:

• Despite this article being about bluetooth headphones, this device can actually serve as a headset.  So you can hook it up to your phone, listen to music, and make calls without ever having to switch anything around…right?  I gave it a try with my Blackberry Pearl have found that music does not connect through the headphones, but calls can be made; possibly due to the fact that it’s not a walkman phone.
• I tested it on a second phone:  Sony Ericsson W580i.  Not only did it play music through the headphones, placing/receiving a calls worked without a problem.

Video Game Consoles:

• Connecting the headphones to the Playstation 3 was easy.  As for the chat quality…well, as soon as the PS3 becomes a multiplayer gaming platform that can live up to the Xbox 360, I’ll let you know.  My contact list on the PS3 consists of two people who seldom sign on.  It’s too bad my 360 doesn’t support bluetooth.
• Ah…and the Nintendo Wii.  There isn’t any official news pertaining to any bluetooth headset support.  In fact, there isn’t even a voice chat feature built in to that little box.  For die hard Wii fans who want to hear their opponents scream during Super Smash Brothers Wii will have to talk on cellphones while gaming, or settle for the WiiSpeak.

Digital Audio Players (DAPs):

• The Sony A820 was designed for bluetooth headphones.  In fact, it’s the easiest device to sync with.  The player itself has a dedicated button to activate bluetooth mode.  If you’ve already synced a headset to it, you’ll never need to do it again.  Just turn that bitch on.
• I have an iPod Classic.  I hate my iPod Classic.  It’s slow as hell, and the Cover Flow system needs a lot of work.  C’mon, Steve.  The iPhone isn’t the only thing that needs work.  Anyway, I picked up a Sony bluetooth adapter for it.  You wouldn’t believe the fuckin packaging.  Nonetheless it works just as well.  The connection is solid, and the sound quality might even be better than my standard wired headphones.

Click image for ubervision.

Click image for ubervision.

Bottom Line:  Syncing bluetooth devices can sometimes be a pain.  For some devices, it’ll take a few tries to sync the headphones.  But once it does, it works.

Tags: a2dp, banshee, blackberry pearl, bluetooth, inisignia, iPhone, ipod, ipod classic, ns-bthdp, playstation 3, ps3, rhythmbox, sony ericsson w580i