I am trying to pass audio from a laptop to a desktop via a headphone jack from the laptop to a line in on the desktop but it provides constant static. I have tried two different aux cords (new). I currently think I might need an USB to Audio Jack Sound Card Adapter but don’t want to buy this too and have to return both if it does not work. Do I need it to be a line out and not a “Headphone Jack” or a sound card?

Thanks

  • @[email protected]English
    4•1 year ago

    Headphone out isn’t identical to line out, but is generally close enough to be used for the purpose. This should be working with a minor degradation in sound quality.

    First thing is first: have you plugged headphones into your laptop to make sure the headphone out jack is working? Assuming you have done that…

    I suspect you are dealing with the laptop jack being a “headset” jack and not specifically a “headphone” jack. Headphone jacks are “TRS” headset jacks are “TRRS”. See the picture at the top of this.

    On the PC side, the line in jack is probably just TRS… if it’s a line in. Is it line in or microphone in? A mic in jack could just be a TS jack.

    Are you using a TRS to TRS cable to hook this up? Or a TRRS to TRRS? Or a TRRS to TRS? I’m guessing you tried the first - TRS to TRS. If that’s the case, I would give a TRRS to TRS cable a try. TRRS out of laptop, TRS into desktop.

    Edit: actually, assuming you are using a TRS to TRS cable, I’d get this adapter: https://a.co/d/aSMseh4 Adapter plugs into the laptop headset jack, then your TRS cable goes from the headphone jack on the adapter to the Pc. Mic jack stays empty.

    I think this is more likely to work than a random TRRS to TRS cable, as those cables can come in a variety internal wirings, so a random cable may not be dropping the mic wire (like you want) and instead be dropping one or both headphone wires.

    • BlxterOPEnglish
      2•1 year ago

      I did a TRS to TRS, then TRRS to TRRS had no idea they had TRRS to TRS. This might work thanks.

      Edit both would work probably. I returned the TRS to TRS one and have the TRRS one currently

      • @[email protected]English
        2•1 year ago

        In case you didn’t see my edit… see my edit. I think this adapter would be better than a trrs to trs.

        If I remember right, the mic wire is getting bridged with the ground by the TRS jack on the computer.

        • BlxterOPEnglish
          2•1 year ago

          Yes, Thank you. I am going to return the double TRRS and re get the Double TRS with the adapter. Hoping it will work :)

          • @[email protected]English
            1•1 year ago

            I think there’s a good chance it will work… but to be clear I’m not positive this will solve it. Fingers crossed! And please let me know if it works. I’m happy to help you keep troubleshooting if it doesn’t.

            • BlxterOPEnglish
              2•1 year ago

              Great thanks :). Do you think the “Ground Loop Noise Isolator” would fix anything even if the static is still there when on battery?

              • @[email protected]English
                2•1 year ago

                Possible, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

                If you want to do more testing while you wait for parts…

                See if you can find a substitute device to act as the “laptop” in your setup (something that is putting audio out over a 3.5mm headset jack) and plug into the Pc to see if the issue is still occurring.

                Then see if you can find a substitute “desktop” (something with line in) to see if things work. Depending on results you may be able to better isolate where the problem is… I suspect it’s the cabling and the solution will work, but this test may show there is an issue specific to one of your devices.

                • BlxterOPEnglish
                  2•1 year ago

                  ctually, assuming you are using a TRS to TRS cable, I’d get this adapter: https://a.co/d/aSMseh4 Adapter plugs into the laptop headset jack, then your TRS cable goes from the headphone jack on the adapter to the Pc. Mic jack stays empty.

                  this did not work. It in fact made the left side of headphones have no sound and right have sound but static stayed.
                  Last thing I can think of trying is the ground loop thing since that is the issue.

                  • @[email protected]English
                    1•1 year ago

                    Dang. Also, that’s a weird result. There are different standards for trrs jacks, but I can’t think of any way that could result in losing one of the L/R channels when going through that adapter.

                    1. are you sure you are plugged in to a “line in” and not a “mic in” on your PC? If it’s a mic in, I think it’s just a mono TS jack, which would explain all the noise and weirdness. A mic in will not work for your purpose.

                    2. On your laptop, do you know if you are able to set the type of device you have plugged in to the headphone jack? It may be possible to set the jack for “headphones”, headset”, or “microphone”. Having the wrong setting there could be a problem.

                    https://superuser.com/questions/1487112/trying-to-switch-my-headphone-jack-settings-in-windows-10

                    1. if you are able, on the laptop, mute your mic.

                    2. I don’t thing the ground loop isolator will fix it, but I’ve run into plenty of “that shouldn’t work… but it did” situations. No harm in trying.