Thanks very much C.J. That's a great help.
Jan
-----Original Message-----
From: Christopher Chaltain <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2022 11:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: [VICUG-L] Best way to separate the Zoom and desktop computer audio?
They have small cushioned cups that sit on the ear. They don't go inside the ear or surround it. I find them comfortable, and they don't block much ambient sound, which is what I want given how I use them.
--
Christopher (AKA CJ)
Chaltain at Outlook
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2022 10:51 AM
To: 'Christopher Chaltain' <[log in to unmask]>; [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: [VICUG-L] Best way to separate the Zoom and desktop computer audio?
Hi all,
Could someone describe the earphones? The website just says "cover the ears", but are the big clucky things that cup over the ears, or small things just sitting on the ear?
Thanks very much.
-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Christopher Chaltain
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 2:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] Best way to separate the Zoom and desktop computer audio?
I meant to include a link to the V7 headphones from AT Guys, which is https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.atguys.com%2Fstore%2Findex.php%3Fmain_page%3Dproduct_info%26cPath%3D16%26products_id%3D316&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce1d34c38b0614a9e76a608da208a07ca%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637858074450654078%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=tyOOZ3bP%2F33ODE1fVqqUiOsmnJwVg%2FRfvn46fycvuqU%3D&reserved=0
--
Christopher (AKA CJ)
Chaltain at Outlook
-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Christopher Chaltain
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 4:45 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] Best way to separate the Zoom and desktop computer audio?
I got the V7 Bluetooth headphones from AT Guys. They were only $40. They've become my go to pair of wired headphones to use on my PC. I just find them to have better sound quality and a bit easier to use then my 3.5MM headphones. They also have their own volume and mute switches on the wire, so it's nice not to have to look for a button in Teams or use a hot key. I know you can get 3.5MM headphones with similar options.
I never worry about my Bluetooth headphones losing power during the day. I keep them charged, and they have good battery life. I guess I should point out that I use the Trekz Titaniums for work and meetings, which have good battery life and will last through an entire work day on one charge. I don't tend to use my Airpod Pros or Bose Frames for work and meetings, but if I did then I would worry about the batteries dying, since they don't keep a charge for very long.
As for whether to go wired or wireless, I think that just depends on the situation. For my laptop, which pretty much just sits on my desk right now, I tend to grab my Bluetooth headphones, but if I'm going mobile with my phone then I'll grab a pair of Bluetooth headphones.
--
Christopher (AKA CJ)
Chaltain at Outlook
-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Ana G
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2021 9:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] Best way to separate the Zoom and desktop computer audio?
About the type of headphones to use with Zoom and a screen reader, I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on that.
At home, my usual Zoom setup is a Windows 10 desktop with a 3.5 jack headset. This works great 95% of the time. Every once in a while, in the middle of something important, of course, bad things happen, and the headset stops working properly. I've used different models, so I don't think the problem is the headset per se.
Another home setup is Zoom on an Android with a Bluetooth headset or with 3.5-jack headphones. This works fine about 90% of the time.
problems are more likely to occur with the Bluetooth. Part of that is that Android Bluetooth is buggy in some versions. I am paranoid about Bluetooth batteries dying and about the connection dropping, both of which have happened, so Bluetooth tends to be my second choice and something I use mostly at home.
At work, my setup is a Windows 10 laptop with a USB headset. I tried several 3.5-jack and USB headsets, and after a week or so, each failed at some crucial moment. Finally, I broke down and bought the exact headset provided by my employer to colleagues on their desktop computers. It's the Logitech H570E, and I've never had a problem with it (knock on wood).
I'm still trying to figure out my work setup. When I use Zoom, I'm listening to a legal proceeding on Zoom, interpreting into another language into a telephone, and trying to control the screen reader so that it doesn't disrupt what's going on or block what I'm listening to.
Until the middle of last week, Two of us were sharing an office. Now that we've been moved into separate spaces, I'm thinking about sending the screen reader to an external speaker at a low volume. I found a little USB computer speaker on Amazon, so I'm going to experiment.
On 3/8/2021 8:03 AM, Duane Farrar wrote:
> Thanks, Everyone, for the feedback. I have a follow-up question: Do
> you think it is better to go with wired (3.5 MM or USB) or wireless
> (presumably Bluetooth) headsets and microphones?
>
> Thanks,
> Duane
>
>
> On 3/7/2021 7:48 PM, Ana G wrote:
>> I've thought about ordering this external sound card to help me with
>> my Zoom issue, but I don't think it would work for what I'm trying to
>> do. As I understand it, I'd have to wear two sets of headphones, one
>> to hear the screen reader coming from the sound card and another to
>> hear and speak into Zoom on the computer.
>>
>>
>> I do think that what the host does affects how my computer behaves.
>> For example, when I Zoom with friends, I can use a microphone without
>> a headset, and things seem to work well. When people try doing that
>> at work, we all hear echos and other feedback.
>>
>>
>> On 3/7/2021 2:35 PM, Steve Hoad wrote:
>>> What about this idea?
>>> It is a 2 channel device that plugs in your USB port from AT Guys.
>>> Aluminum USB Sound Adapter for Windows/Mac + USB Extension Cabl•
>>> Model: usb-sound3
>>> • Shipping Weight: 0.45lbs
>>> • Manufactured by: generic
>>> $12.00
>>> Now packaged with a handy USB extension cable, for more flexibility.
>>> Have you ever wished you could play music or audio without the
>>> chatter of your screen reader going over the speakers? Do you want
>>> an affordable audio device to take with you while you travel? Our
>>> affordable USB sound card is easy to use and is the solution for
>>> your portable audio needs.
>>> About the size of a thumb drive, our plug and play USB audio device
>>> is compatible with both Windows (XP or later), Mac, and Linux.
>>> Simply plug the device into an available USB port and your computer
>>> will usually recognize the card and set it up in seconds. It comes
>>> with both speaker and microphone jacks and has sturdy aluminum housing.
>>> Includes a 90-day warranty against defects.
>>> Plus, we've included a 6-inch USB extension cable. Now, you can plug
>>> in our USB sound card, and not cover up any nearby ports.
>>> Features
>>> • 3D stereo USB audio adapter.
>>> • USB 2.0 Hi-Speed specification.
>>> • Compatible with USB 1.1, 2.0, and 3.0 • Connectors: USB type A,
>>> 3.5MM stereo output jack, 3.5MM microphone input jack.
>>> • No external power required.
>>> • Plug & Play, no drivers needed.
>>> System requirements
>>> • Windows: XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 (Both 32-bit & 64-bit versions) • Mac
>>> OS 8.6 or above • 6-inch USB extension cable included
>>> Web:
>>> https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fww
>>> w.atguys.com%2Fstore%2Findex.php%3Fmain_page%3Dproduct_info%26produc
>>> &data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce1d34c38b0614a9e76a608da208a07ca%7C84df9e7fe9
>>> f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637858074450654078%7CUnknown%7CTWFp
>>> bGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6
>>> Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=NfZAJslYY6NVof6r1ZER9UOD7Odua3ldVWViYm3Rb7U%
>>> 3D&reserved=0
>>> ts_id=277
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3/6/21, Ana G <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>> I think the topic of Zoom with screen readers is complicated. I use
>>>> Zoom at work with a headset and microphone, and other people still
>>>> hear the screen reader.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The version of Windows 10 I'm running at work is not current, so
>>>> Narrator is buggier. On that version of Narrator, I don't have the
>>>> option to send the screen reader to a different sound card.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Mostly I use NVDA with Zoom at work, and after much searching, I
>>>> finally found the commands for changing The soundcard for NVDA. The
>>>> command is
>>>> NVDA+ctrl+s, then tab once. I'll have an opportunity to try it next
>>>> week.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> At home, I've experimented with Jaws and the Soundcard settings,
>>>> which are located in the Jaws Utility menu. Sometimes it works, but
>>>> not always.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The long and the short of it is that I suspect some behavior is
>>>> determined by the host.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> To make my life easier I do the following:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sometimes, I turn the screen reader off once I'm in the session.
>>>> This isn't idea, especially if I have to keep track of things like
>>>> chats, but sometimes it's more practicable.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sometimes I just prepare to tap the ctrl button as needed. I've
>>>> found that some screen-reader chatter is not unwelcome. For
>>>> example, many people don't mind hearing that someone came or left
>>>> the meeting. But a lot of screen reader chatter is disruptive, so I
>>>> tap the ctrl key frequently.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Most of the time, I use the headset controls to mute myself. I have
>>>> a Logitech; I think it's an H540. I hit the headset mute button as
>>>> soon as I know I'm in the call. Then I can explore the screen,
>>>> adjust settings, and listen to my screen reader all I want. When
>>>> it's time for me to speak, I unmute using the headset and
>>>> immediately tap the ctrl key to stop people from hearing that I'm
>>>> unmuted.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> What I do depends on the specific situation.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 3/5/2021 10:59 PM, Albert Ruel wrote:
>>>>> Zoom meetings done with a screen reader should always have a
>>>>> headset and microphone, either built-in or separate. It’s the only
>>>>> way to isolate the screen reader sound from your voice input.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thx, Albert
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mar 5, 2021, at 6:40 AM, Duane Farrar <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi All,
>>>>>
>>>>> I have a Windows 10 desktop PC computer running JAWS 2021 as my
>>>>> screen reader. I have a USB webcam that also acts as my
>>>>> microphone. It is mounted on top of my 23-inch display screen. On
>>>>> either side of the display screen are my separate speakers for the
>>>>> computer's audio output. These are connected to and powered by a
>>>>> separate sub-woofer box underneath my desk.
>>>>> These speakers connect to the computer's sound card in the back of
>>>>> the desktop box via a standard 3.5 MM jack. There are also
>>>>> available jacks for speakers/headphones and microphones on the
>>>>> front of the desktop unit.
>>>>>
>>>>> When I am connected to a Zoom session my webcam microphone will
>>>>> pick up the computer speaker audio and this is often problematic
>>>>> when I am trying to use JAWS to navigate around the screen or JAWS
>>>>> is reporting things that are happening on the screen, such as a
>>>>> new user joining the meeting or updates in the chat and Q&A areas.
>>>>> Everyone else connected to the meeting can also hear this audio
>>>>> output so I usually have to mute my computer unless I need to
>>>>> speak, which can be a real annoyance, especially in an animated
>>>>> discussion with friends.
>>>>>
>>>>> How have others solved this problem? Should I acquire a pair of
>>>>> headphones with a built-in microphone, or even a separate USB
>>>>> microphone? Can I route the JAWS output to the headphones and
>>>>> other computer audio to the external speakers? What are your
>>>>> recommendations?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Duane
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
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>>
>>
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