Can't use Bluetooth HSP/ HFP input when using A2DP output

[Stephan Wissel]

Binary package hint: pulseaudio

I'm testing a Nokia BH-905i headset (see http://www.wissel.net/blog/d6plinks/SHWL-8AZGGF ) on Ubuntu 10.10. The Bluetooth module correctly identifies the headset and the both audio profiles "HSP/ HFP Telephony duplex" and "A2DP High Fidelity Playback". For music playback only A2DP is suitable (HSP/HFP sounds like listening to music played through an old telephone). A2DP does not have an INPUT mode, so use of the headset for VoiP isn't possible.
What would be needed is a separate selection to allow to select A2DP for output and HSP/HFP for input. Smartphones (a lot of them *nix based) phones do that (or they switch on the fly?).

Formal structure:
1) Ubuntu 10.10
2) Pulse-Audio 1:0.9.22~0.9.21+stable-queue-32-g8478-0ubuntu21.1
consisting og pluseaudio, pulseaudio-esound-compat, pulseaudio-module-bluetooth, pulseaudio-module-gconf, pulseaudio-module-x11, pulseaudio-utils
3) Select high quality audio output and still use the Bluetooth microphone
4) Had to choose: either high quality audio or "telephone quality" with microphone

I can change the profile without the Bluetooth connection dropping, but that's ridiculous. E.g. listening to music, a call comes in. Then I would need to switch the profile before answering.

[Luke Yelavich (themuso)]

You should be able to switch profile by going into the volume control preferences, and opening the Hardware tab. Select your bluetooth headset, and choose the profile from the profile drop down box.

[Stephan Wissel (stw-linux)]

That's not the point.
I CAN switch the profile, but it is not practically usable.

On other OS (including smartphones): A call comes in, I click Accept and
take the call.
On Ubuntu/Pulse: A call comes in I click Accept and then hurry to find the
sound menu, the hardware tab, the profiles dropdown and change the profile
-- by then the caller has dropped since she couldn't hear me.
Another Hardware profile is needed that allows to use HSP/HFP *input* while
using A2DP output.

On Tue, Nov 9, 2010 at 11:38 AM, Luke Yelavich
<email address hidden>wrote:

> You should be able to switch profile by going into the volume control
> preferences, and opening the Hardware tab. Select your bluetooth
> headset, and choose the profile from the profile drop down box.
>
> --
> Can't use Bluetooth HSP/ HFP input when using A2DP output
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/672850
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “pulseaudio” package in Ubuntu: New
>
> Bug description:
> Binary package hint: pulseaudio
>
> I'm testing a Nokia BH-905i headset (see
> http://www.wissel.net/blog/d6plinks/SHWL-8AZGGF ) on Ubuntu 10.10. The
> Bluetooth module correctly identifies the headset and the both audio
> profiles "HSP/ HFP Telephony duplex" and "A2DP High Fidelity Playback". For
> music playback only A2DP is suitable (HSP/HFP sounds like listening to music
> played through an old telephone). A2DP does not have an INPUT mode, so use
> of the headset for VoiP isn't possible.
> What would be needed is a separate selection to allow to select A2DP for
> output and HSP/HFP for input. Smartphones (a lot of them *nix based) phones
> do that (or they switch on the fly?).
>
> Formal structure:
> 1) Ubuntu 10.10
> 2) Pulse-Audio 1:0.9.22~0.9.21+stable-queue-32-g8478-0ubuntu21.1
> consisting og pluseaudio, pulseaudio-esound-compat,
> pulseaudio-module-bluetooth, pulseaudio-module-gconf, pulseaudio-module-x11,
> pulseaudio-utils
> 3) Select high quality audio output and still use the Bluetooth microphone
> 4) Had to choose: either high quality audio or "telephone quality" with
> microphone
>
> I can change the profile without the Bluetooth connection dropping, but
> that's ridiculous. E.g. listening to music, a call comes in. Then I would
> need to switch the profile before answering.
>
> To unsubscribe from this bug, go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/pulseaudio/+bug/672850/+subscribe
>

[Michael A. Phillips (maphilli14)]

I agree it's more complicated than it needs to be. I don't know all the bluetooth recommended negotiaion paramaters, but is there a profile that is like A2DP but includes mic/input??

Mike

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.