[Skibum]

Lately I've been looking for a way to be able to monitor things on my PC and on my phone while outside. (It's summer after all)

What I decided was best would be an audio link that I could use to pipe computer audio, music, police scanner, Homeseer, IM sounds, email sounds, etc. to me via a long range Bluetooth network.

The equipment I've decided on:

IO Gear Bluetooth USB Dongle (Class 1)
Motorola S705 Class 1 BT receiver

Test results and photo's coming soon.

[Jay]

long range Bluetooth ?

[Skibum]

ya

[Jay]

just looked it up. new to me. Amazon had the rcvr for under $40.

[Skibum]

I got the receiver for $25 at Tigerdirect.

[Jay]

your synopsis, doctor?

[Skibum]

So far results have been very encouraging.
Full report soon.

[Jay]

Cool.
I can't seem to find a use for it because I have outside speakers connected to a PC.
But gadgetwise, I'm interested

[Jay]

So wacha got on this?

[Skibum]

LOL... Well here is a brief synopsis

I put the class 1 BT adapter on top of a 6 foot fiberglass whip and stuck it out the window.
Using the class 1 S705 I have coverage all over the property and out to the mailbox.
Using the S9HD I have about 1/2 that range.

I use a program called virtual audio cable to route line into the sound card to the Bluetooth Stereo out.
Windows sounds are souted automatically by making the BT the default device (Vista) Vista is smart enough to remember the past 2 default devices, so it switches automatically when you turn on the headset.

So I currently have routed to the headset:

Cell phone calls
Winamp for music
Homeseer
Police Scanner
SIP Phones
IM "beeps" (Thinking of going TTS for IM's)

It is a great setup for when I want to get away from the desk for a few minutes during the day... for a dip in the pool or to mow the lawn or whatever.

[Jay]

Very cool

[Skibum]

BTW I just love the styling of the S9's

[justonemore]

Let me know how the headset works out while taking a dip in the pool

[Jay]

HE'S ALIVE!

[jon00]

Intrigued by this thread, I purchased a new S705 off ebay. Just hooked it up and I can control WMP directly with it Pause/Play/Next/Prev (My bluetooth dongle provides software for that). Had an issue streaming audio to it so used the Audio Repeater app that comes with Virtual Audio Cable to route the stereo mix output to the Bluetooth. Have to say the quality is not bad at all (with good earphones).

[Skibum]

I believe media player integration is default when you connect using A2DP.

It is cool though. Have you extended your adapter yet? (Is it class 1?)

[Skibum]

Also Media player will work by default is you make the BT stereo the default device and then restart media player.

In Winamp you can specify the BT stereo directly as the audio device.

[jon00]

Yes it is a class 1 dongle but I have not extended it yet. I'm quite happy with the A2DP using the Audio Repeater as all sounds (IM, Homeseer, Players etc are all routed through) but was more impressed with the AVRCP as that just worked!

[Skibum]

Now Jon... have the wheels started turning yet? How about grabbing the input from the BT buttons and doing an integration to HS?

[jon00]

Interesting thought!

It looks like the AVRCP driver just emulate keystrokes to control media players. For instance if you enable Global Hot keys in Winamp, the S705 controls it immediately. Play is CTRL + ALT + INSERT for example.

You would need to intercept these key strokes somehow. Goes in to the realm of Key loggers!