Severely distorted mic sound in video chat

Hello,
I am running video chat (http://chatroulette.com/). Some users are complaining that other users hear them in a distorted way.
In particular, they are mentioning that their voice sounds much lower than it should be and is unrecognisable.
Here are examples of feedback I receive from users:
1.
I used to have no problems talking with other people on Chatroulette, but now people say I sound like "darth vader" and that my sound is severely distorted. I am using a Macbook ProOSX version 10.6.8 and I have tried updating my flash player, playing around with the sounds on preferences, along with other things and nothing works. Is there something I should be doing to fix the problem?
2.
I've been using you guys for fun for well over a year. I have a Windows 7 64 bit machine and Microsoft . Lately sometimes people I connect to complain that I have bad sound. I have heard it on a occasion and it the sound is halved in frequency and sounds like Darth Vader. I think this is a Chatroulette/Flash sound codec issue, as I don't have these issues with Skype or anywhere else. I hope you look into it, as it is not good. You can always email me for more information. Oh yes, sometimes I also but not also use ManyCam.
Please help.
3.
I have a problem when I use your website. I check my mic and it sounds fine, but then I check it again, and it sounds like I'm 2 octaves lower and doing a darth vader voice. People can't understand me. Can you help me out?
4.
The sound on my computer randomly started screwing up. People say that my voice sounds like Darth Vader. It's always really deep. It just randomly happened one day. It is happening on my Mac and my roommates PC. How do we fix it. We've tried messing with the settings but nothing works. Why is it doing that? Thanks!
Many users have started to complain about this problem since beginning of 2012, and they didn't do that before.
Please fix the issue.
Thanks,
Andrey
P.S:
I have posted this bug to Adobe BugBase here:
https://bugbase.adobe.com/index.cfm?event=bug&id=3321914

This worked for me!
To install and use an alternate version of Flash Player:
Download and install the appropriate system plug-in. This plug-in could be a debugger, prerelease, or release version of Flash Player. (Archived release versions of the system plug-in are found here.)
Type “about:plugins” (without quotation marks) into the address bar at the top of a Chrome browser window.
Click “Details” at the upper-right corner of the page.
Find the “Flash” (or “Shockwave Flash”) listing for the integrated plug-in on the page and click the corresponding “Disable” button. To identify the integrated plug-in, see the table of plug-in filenames above.
Find the “Flash” (or “Shockwave Flash”) listing for the system plug-in on the page and click the corresponding “Enable” button. To identify the system plug-in, see the table of plug-in filenames above.
Close all Chrome windows and restart the browser.
Chrome uses the installed system plug-in. To confirm the version of Flash Player that is currently running in your browser, see Find Flash Player version (tn_15507).
Essentially just disable any flash plug in under the /chrome folder, and only enable the
/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Flash Player.plugin
plug in!
Hope this helps!

Similar Messages

No sound when video chatting - 'microphone enabled' grayed-out during chat

Recently, whenever I video chat there is no sound on the other end. 'Microphone enabled' is grayed out. It is not grayed-out when I am not video chatting. All sound preferences appear to be set correctly. This problem just appeared recently.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Bob

Hi
Would tend to work towards deleting that file as part of a process.
The original reply was quite long in the first place and trying to incorporate more "If that does not work... " statements I felt would only make it more confusing.
com.apple.ichat.plist
This holds all the info in the iChat Preferences except the Accounts pane stuff.
It also holds the results of a hardware check at each iChat Launch which includes checking the Internet Speed available and re-writing the .plist accordingly.
The Hardware Check also reads some info from the System Profiler info (at least the same places System Profiler gathers it's info).
This means if the System Profiler would not be able to "See" a Mic or a camera then any App cannot either.
Some of this info is held in the PRAM memory as are some volume settings and resetting the PRAM may have helped.
The reason I hold off suggesting the Deletion of the .plist is that it does hold so much info especially if you have changed the settings:-
Any Changes to the Font, it's colour, the background of the IM colour in Messages.
As Messages also show you any Background Pic you have for Text chats that gets deleted even though set in a Menu item
The Overrides of incoming IMs
Save Transcripts and and sub items
Which Mic is selected in the Drop down in the Video Section. Same for Output choices if you have them (and cameras if you have two attached).
The Menu Bar icon and it's sub items in the General section.
Changing to Available at iChat Launch.
In the alerts section anything you have set to a Different sound or to have an Apple Script activated.
As the above can be set individually in the Buddy list (Highlight a Buddy and then do a Get Info (CMD+I keys) and Alert tab) you also lose those settings.
Several menu choices such as Enabling Screen Sharing (Video Menu) and the Show items in the View Menu, plus the Message style (Sub menu item in the View Menu).
These are what I consider to be the more important changes/losses deleting the .plist involves as I have changes in most of them.
Obviously not everyone does the same and the effect for you may be less involved.
It is hard to pinpoint the .plist itself as the item that is corrupt as it reads so many things from other sources.
It is possible that it is not getting written to after an update for some reason.
Upgrading from Leopard to Snow Leopard can leave some iChat 4 info in there. Mostly these are just floating bits of info at this point, but can contain the path to reading something that got moved in the OS Upgrade.
At the end of the day, like any other bit of info on your computer, it can get given erroneous info. This is most like to occur if iChat is subject to a Force Quit or suffers an Unexpected Quit or a particular chat fails dramatically.
There have been no updates to iChat since OS 10.6.3 when it got updated to iChat version 5.0.3 so I don't see it as an "update" issue.
Summary.
It can be anything that causes it.
Of any changes to the OS then an Upgrade may be more likely.
Deleting the .plist is best reserved as a last resort as it holds so much info about settings you may have changed.
I have given you a list of many of the things that get changed.
It is most likely caused by some other info that the .plist has read into it by the iChat Launch.
Hope this explains things a bit further.
That's not to say that sometimes someone may post with enough info and clues to what they have done so far to suggest deleting it straight off.
8:41 PM Saturday; January 15, 2011
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

T420 --no sound when video chat with windows live messenger or skype?

there is no sound when i tried to video chat using msn or skype.
I dont know what to do with it .really frustrated
who could help me ?thank you very much

This issue is resolved by installing the latest drivers. Lenovo has the driver and this is in another discussion:
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/T400-T500-and-newer-T-series/T420-sound-card-problem-causing-Skype-crash...
However, the Lenovo ThinkVantage Toolbox thinks everything is current.

Sound in video chat using external iSight stops

Hi,
I've been having sound problems in video chats. I start a video chat with no problem, but if I stop and then start a new video chat, or use the effects or something of that nature, the sound will no longer work. Turning the camera off and then back on does not solve the problem, nor does quitting iChat and starting up again. And not even restarting the computer. Sometimes the sound doesn't even work from the beginning of a chat. But usually the first time I use iChat in a day, the sound will work for a while.
I've tried all the different preference settings, volume settings, repaired permissions, etc. to no avail. The video is fine, and I can hear the other person, but my microphone won't work.
Any suggestions?
Thanks very much.

Hi,
You loosely mention Preferences.
Does System Preferences > Sound > Input tab show the same device selected every time ?
Does this match the devices selected in iChat Menu > Preferences > Audio/Video Section > Microphone Drop Down ?
In the Video Menu is the Microphone Enabled item ticked ?
Does it stay ticked ?
Is System Preferences > Quicktime > Streaming set to 1.5Mbps ?
9:21 PM Monday; March 30, 2009

Sound in video chat

When using video chat my friend can hear me but I can't hear her. We're both using macs. After this happened, she brought her computer to the apple store where they checked it and said it wasn't a problem on her side. I've looked at the solutions that have helped other people with this problem but none worked. Nothing is muted, input and output are fine. I did the connection doctor and everything was ok. I also tried switching the port. We can both hear each other on skype and all my software seems up to date. How do I fix this?

Hi,
Welcome to the  Discussions
Did you see the Recent Users Tips Above the Post New Topic Button ?
Did you happen to read the title of the first one ?
Ralph Johns (UK) - kiChat With Video Chat I can hear my Buddy but cannot see them. What to do? (May 2, 2009)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1994557
It links to here http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1994557
8:52 PM Sunday; July 12, 2009
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
Message was edited by: Ralph Johns (UK)

Since firefox upgraded to to 3.6 version, google video chat no longer works - freezes and sound is distorted.

The sound now on google video chat is distorted and I freeze - very annoying as use it every day and used to work perfectly....no answers from browsing your supposed help section.
== This happened ==
Not sure how often
== firefox upgraded

You need update your Firefox up version 3.6.6 and if your problem till occur you can try disable all add-on.
If this erros still I think you need re-install Firefox with lasted version. Good Luck !!!

Deep distorted audio during mac / pc video chat

Hi - has anyone encountered this problem when using ichat to speak with a PC running aim 6.5? The PC can hear and see me fine, and I can see the PC fine, it's just that their voice sounds too low and distorted on my end. I tried changing my audio outputs, and sample rates, but no good.
any ideas welcome.
thanks

Hi Cartilynne,
I am afraid this problem has been around for some connection since iChat 2.
There are some things you can try but I promise nothing as nobody has reported any disappearance of this issue once it appears.
1) make sure it is the latest issue of the AIM App
2) Make sure the Tuning and XP Service pack 2 Firewall has AIM enabled through it http://www.ralphjohnsuk.dsl.pipex.com/page12.html Although it sounds like this is done.
PC End Tweaks
Start a Video chat.
You have the Connection Doctor open to show Frame and Bitrates.
They click on the back tab (Preview) to bring it to the front.
To the right there should now be a small squarish icon.
They click on that.
This brings up a slider.
They slide this to the left.
This reduces the Video quality and consequently increases the frame rate and bit rate.
You tell them to stop when the best Framerate V pic quality can be achieved.
The purpose of this is to have more frames per sec to avoid something that used to appear in the Console logs during chats, which was dropped frames. My theory (unproven) is that the freeze happens when the dropped frames exceed the number of frames in one sec. iChat 3 is supposed to have a buffer to get around this problem but I have only seen this come into action in iChat to iChat Video chats.
Ralph

Sound problems with video chat?

I looked through a good amount of pages and didn't see anything on this but..
my boyfriend and i chat through ichat and we both have the same macbook. when we video chat there is this horrible ringing noise. sometimes it comes and goes, but sometimes its unbearable. anyone know how to fix this? any help would be appreciated

Go to System Preferences > Sound > Input and drop the volume on the input slightly.
Do this on both ends and come to some sort of compromise about the loudness of each.
Alternatively try headsets.
Or USB External Mics.
The issue can be the sound transferred through a hard surface under a laptop that is using internal Speakers and mic.
If the Laptop is placed on anything it should leave the largest possible area clear for cooling under the laptop (support at corners only). Try those double sided sponge sticky things without removing the backing strips.
The Software is supposed to reduce the chances of this by cutting output to the Speaker with the Mic in the grill (the one opposite the On Button)
9:52 PM Saturday; August 2, 2008

Whoever starts video chat 1st gets to hear audio, other person: no sound?

Weird issue:
Person A: 24" iMac, 10.6.1 Snow Leopard, iChat 5, built in iSight and Mic
Person B: MacBook Pro, 10.6.1 Snow Leopard, iChat 5, built in iSight and Mic
Problem:
Person A starts a video chat with Person B. Person B answers and sees video and hears the audio from person A. However, Person A can not hear Person B, but can see the video.
Vice Vera.
Person B starts a video chat with A. B can see and hear A, but A can not hear B, only see them.
Obviously, I've check the audio settings on both ends and that is not the issue as the mics and speakers are working, its just they only work depending on who STARTS the video chat?
Any ideas?
-Scott

Hi Ryan,
A successful chat depends on several things.
Your Processor speed, what the processor is doing and your Internet Speed with normally the Upload being the controlling factor.
Alongside this you have what a particular Buddy is sending you in terms of a data feed.
At 64 bit your Processor will try to make a 640 X 480 pic at the best framerate it can manage. (15fps 20fps and 30fps tend to be the splits)
So lets say your processor is a Core 2 Duo and can do 64 Bit but it is an early Model and you have a web Browser and mail open.
If the Web Browser is n a site that refreshes the page it will make demands on the Processor, so will Mail periodically on mail fetches. If you happen to be doing a download even more processor will be used.
The Processor also has to deal with the incoming Video feed.
This is where the speed of your Buddy can come into play.
If they have a better Processor and a better Upload speed they can send you more data than iChat can buffer (or at least organise in to a constant stream).
The Upshot is that Audio tends to get dropped first or pixelation occurs.
Using 32 bit is like an extra layer of Capping that can smooth things out over and above the Bandwidth more direct method.
11:38 AM Sunday; October 25, 2009
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

Sounds disabled while in Video Chat

I use video chat just about every day... but I still chit-chat with others at the same time, when video chat is active, the IM sending/receiving sounds are disabled by iChat, is there a way to re-enable them, I can't seem to figure it out.

My apologies. I understand what you are saying now.
I have two computers sat on my desk.
One is Running Tiger and the other is running Leopard.
Although they have different Screen Names I do have some of the same Buddies in both Buddy Lists. So I have been hearing the sounds when people come and go whilst in Video chat not realising that what you siad about Leopard was in fact the case.
I tested my calling myself and turning down the vol on the Tiger computer and then logging out of AIM (As the Video Chats are Peer to Peer you can do this)
As the Leopard computer also signs me as Away if I leave it for too long I have the coming and leaving sounds all the time and had not noticed.
Sounds like time for http://www.apple.com/feedback/ichat.html again.
Unfortunately this page often suffers from being behind on the OS level
It is certainly behind on the iChat version level despite several prompts by me to the Hosts to pass onward.
You have to enter this info with your Text.
9:00 PM Tuesday; December 18, 2007

Can I use a Bluetooth headphone/microphone for capture sound instead of normal iPhone mic when shooting video?

Can I use a Bluetooth headphone/microphone for capture sound instead of normal iPhone mic when shooting video?
The sound when I record video is not so good, so I'm trying to use the Bluetooth headphone/microphone to capture a person voice but not know which setting to use.

Hi Robert
Thanks for answering. I didn't know where to post other than the bluetooth forum which is relatively quiet and had no answers forthcoming.
Yes the voice isn't reaching the amp although it is registering on the input bar in the Sound System Prefs, just won't "play through" as it were. I can't see how it could be done I was just hoping someone might see something I am missing.
It seems a shame that you can't do it as iTunes on an old iBook makes a good juke box for DJ'ing and with everything becoming wireless these days it seems sensible that you could cut that one last wire.
Mike

G5 powerBook; intel cpu; recently upgraded 10.3.9 to 10.5.8 along with iLife6. After several upgrades from Apple, iMovieHD is a mess. Clip indicator runs 3 clips ahead of the sound and video. Jerky. Unusable.

G5 PowerBook; Intel cpu; recently upgraded 10.3.9 to 10.5.8 also upgraded to iLife6. After several downloads suggested from Apple, iMovie6 is a mess. Clip indicator runs 3 clips ahead of the sound and video. Jerky. Unusable. All the movies were created with iMovie 4 and loaded all into this version and saved all in this version.
Video card is GeForce FX 5200; Quartz Extreme: Supported: Core Image: Hardware Excelerated.
Perhaps in the multiple downloads, Apple sent me a version that outruns my aged video card?
Help is most appreciated

The uptime of your Mac is more than 10 days. How about a simple reboot?

Sound Bleeps during Video Chat

Just purchased a Kindle Fire HDX for my dad so we can video chat, he is a novice computer user and was able to answer a chat from me with no changes to Skype as it was installed. During our chat on his side he kept getting sound bleeps every few minutes. I use Skype on a laptop so couldn't help much. He said the only setting he could find regarding sound was to uncheck a box for notification sound, but that didn't change anything. Can anyone using Skype on a tablet please advise me how to coach him to set up his Skype to eliminate this problem?

Have him check his outgoing video format the next time he hears the beep. The default outgoing video for the HDX is 1280x720 (16x9 widescreen). When the connection is slow, it drops down to 640x480 (4x3). When this happens, it gives a beep. He can see the change in format and quality on the inset image. If he finds it annoying, he can change the default resolution to "low" in Skype settings, and it will stay in the 640x480 format.

Need Video Chat for several users / one platform

Need Video Chat for several users / one platform
I thought Facetime might be good, but it works only for Apple. So, Skype it is.
Need a way to let users to video chat. Any suggestions?

You can use Skype group video call which is free.
Want to record Skype calls, check out at:
hereandhere

My facetime doesnt work. If I call somone they see I call but when they accept it doesnt work and when they call me the green camera light turns on but no sound or pop up of the video chat screen appears, please help! Macbook pro user. MacBook Pro, OS X M

My facetime doesnt work. If I call somone they see I call but when they accept it doesnt work and when they call me the green camera light turns on but no sound or pop up of the video chat screen appears, please help! Macbook pro user.
MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion

I just wanted to follow this up by saying that you were entirely correct in your diagnosis of the situation. My computer did have the faulty part you linked to. I brought my laptop in and specifically told them to run that test, had it fail and then argued with the person at the genius bar and the manager. Eventually they offered to have it sent out and have everything replaced for free of charge. They did so mainly because I had complained about graphical issues almost every other time I had come in with problems and no one ran the test. They should have caught this problem during my warranty, but they didn't, even though I mentioned the problem.
Anyhow, after having the part replaced, I haven't had my computer crash a single time since, or had many of the issues mentioned above. I've never had this experience before. Even brand new, I got occasional crashes. Hopefully this new trend continues.
I do find that web browsing is still incredibly slow. Web browsers just chug along at a slow pace, even though I have great internet speed. Maybe I'll try just deleting my web browsers and reinstalling them...
Anyhow, thank you for your help and knowledge Clinton.

Severely distorted mic sound in video chat

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for