Crazy Sound Problem

[TheDukeofNothing]

I have Vista 32 Ultimate running on an Asus P5Q Deluxe Motherboard with an Intel dual core 3 GHz processor and 4 GB of RAM. The motherboard uses an ADI AD2000B 8-channel high definition audio codec but I am using it on a simple 3 speaker desktop 2.1 sound system. The audio playback through the speakers is good and fully sufficient for my purposes. I also use a Microsoft VX-3000 webcam with a built in microphone for VOIP calling; the camera uses a USB 2 connection. For some unknown reason when I use the camera's microphone the playback has a loud low frequency hum in the background. I have also tried a second microphone plugged into the 3.5mm socket on the motherboard and I get the same result, a bad background hum in the 50 to 60 Hz range is my best guess.

My first guess with this sort of problem would be a ground loop, but in this case I don't see how that would be possible since the speaker playback is clean and only the recorded sound is affected. If anyone can suggest a solution or just a cause I would be happy to hear from you. I am a total idiot when it comes to sound and am at a loss.

TIA,
Cec Britton

 

[kjv1611]

Are you saying the sound only has the hum when you have the webcam attached? If so, it sounds most likely like a mild power problem with the web cam. If it is at other times as well, then it could be your power supply. Is the power supply a cheapie one or a name-brand "good" one? I'm sure there are other possible causes as well, but to me I'm thinking it's the web cam or the power supply.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[G0AOZ]

Presumably your 3 speaker desktop setup is an amplified system. Eliminate this from the equation by disconnecting and using a pair of basic headphones. Still get the hum when the webcam is plugged in?

ROGER - G0AOZ.