When testing a Skype installation (using Skype's Test Call), there is no pavucontrol facility to specify "Use webcam microphone". (default is 'builtin mic')
Submitted by mau..@..org.uk
Assigned to pul..@..op.org
Description
Using: pulseaudio-5.0-6 skype-4.3.0.37 on 64-bit Mageia-4 & -5
When testing a Skype installation (using Skype's Test Call) using a USB webcam, there is no GUI facility to specify "Use webcam microphone". (Default is 'builtin mic')
Steps to Reproduce:
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Install Skype. Connect. Select Menu/Options/Audio
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Note that audio option 'Microphone' has only 1 option ("Pulseaudio")
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In Pulseaudio Control (a.k.a. 'pavucontrol') note that webcam is shown 2nd in 'Input Devices' list, but no means of specifying 'Use webcam mic' (although if its volume button is moved to the right, any use of the webcam mic is reflected in the 'blue line' meter.
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Select 'Test Call' and speak into webcam mic.
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Note that Skype plays back no audio.
N.B. The only way to select webcam mic seems to be to select it in the "Recording" section of pavucontrol, BUT if no recording is in progress then nothing appears in that section! So must proceed as follows:
(a) Open the pavucontrol 'Recording' section
(b) Start a Test Call
(c) In 'Recording' the default input source (builtin mic line) is now shown. Click on that and a line appears showing the webcam info.
(d) Click on the webcam info to set 'webcam mic' as the default input for Skype. (This appears to persist across later startups of Skype from then on.)
All that seems a bizarre hoop to have to jump through, and I have seen reports on the web of others who failed to find that clumsy workaround and so ditched pavucontrol altogether in favour of e.g. ALSA.
Suggested solutions:
- In Audio options, allow 'webcam' to be selected in the Microphone line
OR:
- In pavucontrol 'Input Devices' provide an option to select webcam mic.