Weird Skype Microphone Problem

Raiden616 · 2012-12-06 22:34:06

Hi all, got a strange problem using Skype.

I have a Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD. Alsamixer recognises it fine, but if I load Skype and attempt to access the Sound Devices section in the menu then Skype just crashes. If I unplug the Webcam and use my headset plugged into the front mike jack, there are no problems AT ALL.

Here's the weird part - if I unplug the webcam, load skype and wait for skype to login (which it would do smoothly) and THEN plug the webcam in, I can select it from the audio menu and it work's PERFECTLY.

I imagine it is something to do with conflicting sound devices, but I don't know much about it. Can anyone offer any input?

I should mention that if I run up Skype in the terminal with the webcam plugged in, when I attempt to access the audio options Skype crashes and I get the following error in the terminal:

ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:1018:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave

Thanks in advance!

Last edited by Raiden616 (2012-12-06 22:40:54)

Raiden616 · 2012-12-07 17:34:23

No one got any ideas?

Arctus · 2012-12-07 18:27:06

Checked the Skype log?

Raiden616 · 2012-12-10 01:38:47

How do I check the Skype log?

Any suggestions would be very welcome - I am completely at a loss here.

drrossum · 2012-12-21 17:26:47

Same problem here. Using the same workaround too (unplug usb camera before starting skype). I noticed the usb webcam can become the primary audio device (in alsamixer) and then Skype doesn't start properly. Raiden616, does that happen to you too?

I don't know how to prevent the usb webcam from becoming the primary sound device. Perhaps, one needs some kind of udev rule for this. Anyone?

PReP · 2012-12-23 11:59:22

I am also struck by odd problems like this the latest versions of skype.

What happens is that even if i have my headset selected as in/out in the audio-device-settings
- skype always default to outputting the sound on my speakers.

What i do for a quick non-fix is to press "test sound settings" each time i start skype, and the sound get's set to what it should.

Arch Linux

#1 2012-12-06 22:34:06

Weird Skype Microphone Problem

#2 2012-12-07 17:34:23

Re: Weird Skype Microphone Problem

#3 2012-12-07 18:27:06

Re: Weird Skype Microphone Problem

#4 2012-12-10 01:38:47

Re: Weird Skype Microphone Problem

#5 2012-12-21 17:26:47

Re: Weird Skype Microphone Problem

#6 2012-12-23 11:59:22

Re: Weird Skype Microphone Problem

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