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Nobby
Tablet PC Trainee
7 Posts
My Tablet PCs: |
 Posted - Jan 27 2005 : 1:54:25 PM
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Hi Everybody,
Just found this forum, because I'm considering buying a tablet PC.
Most laptops don't have a line in socket (only a mic in), but I intend to use my laptop for audio/video work!
I notice that Acer claim the socket for inputting is a duel mic in/line in socket, but dowloading the manual doesn't seem to shed any light on how the change is made between mic in and line in.
Different voltages etc... I assume it done in software with the preloaded audio program.
Can any kind soul confirm that a line in source (minidisc etc) can be succefully recorded onto the Acer 302/303.
Thank you in advance,
Best wishes,
Nobby.
PS I say Acer 302/303... I'd like a 303, but they're not available in the UK yet 
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Crippit
Tablet PC Trainee
41 Posts
My Tablet PCs: Acer Travelmate C302xmi |
Posted - Jan 27 2005 : 2:34:43 PM
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| Sound seems ok on my C302xmi so i don't see as you should have any problems! But it might be worth asking around as to exactly what you want to do!! |
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Nobby
Tablet PC Trainee
7 Posts
My Tablet PCs: |
Posted - Jan 27 2005 : 4:50:40 PM
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Thanks for your answer!
I'll try to explain in more detail.
I'll be using the laptop/tablet for making radio shows and mini video presentations.
I intend to record stuff onto minidisc that will need to be transferred onto the laptop for editing and sometimes syncing up with video. I'll be using Cool Edit Pro/Adobe Audition.
When using normal hifi equipment to record (tape, Minidisc etc) the recording device would have separate mic and line inputs, because output from a microphone is usually so small that it needs to go through a preamp to boost it to a level that can be accepted by the minidisc etc.
If I plugged a microphone directly into a line in socket the sound would be very quiet.
Conversely, if I plugged a line source (minidisc, tape, cd player etc) into a normal mic in socket the sound would be incredible distorted, because it would have been boosted unneccesarily.
I'm just trying to establish that if you record from a CD player or minidisc onto the 302/303 via the mic/line in socket, using a program like Cool Edit, that the sound recorded onto the Acer is at the correct level.
There has to be a switch (either hardware or in software) that says either "I'm plugging in something quiet, you're gonna have to boost this" or "here comes something at normal line level, leave it alone!!!"
I'm just trying to find out how it does this.
Sorry for the long winded explanation!
Kind regards,
Nobby. |
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Tuen
Tablet PC Trainee
Singapore
19 Posts
My Tablet PCs: Acer C300 |
Posted - Jan 27 2005 : 5:19:56 PM
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| I've not come across a hardware switch, neither a software switch. Could there be auto gain control? |
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Nobby
Tablet PC Trainee
7 Posts
My Tablet PCs: |
Posted - Jan 27 2005 : 5:43:31 PM
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OK...
Please let me try and ask it another way.
What audio software is included with the tablet?
If you were going to record something, you'd click an audio icon somewhere and if it's like the regular windows mixer it would bring up some faders and a level indicator.
What faders does it show?
Are there separate ones for mic and line?
If a CD player/minidisc/mp3 player is connected to the input socket and the line in fader is around 80% up, do the level indicators look healthy or are they slamming the end stop?
If you slide up the mic in fader does it peak with the fader at a low level?
Thank you once again for your help.
Regards,
Nobby.
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Nobby
Tablet PC Trainee
7 Posts
My Tablet PCs: |
Posted - Jan 27 2005 : 5:54:21 PM
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I've just thought of another thing that very important.
Is the mic in/line in jack mono or stereo? |
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Tuen
Tablet PC Trainee
Singapore
19 Posts
My Tablet PCs: Acer C300 |
Posted - Jan 27 2005 : 6:35:32 PM
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I just looked at the audio controls. There does seem to be separate mic in and line in controls and you can select between them.
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CamperMan
Tablet PC Thinker
USA
126 Posts
My Tablet PCs: Acer C111TCi |
Posted - Jan 27 2005 : 8:42:41 PM
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If audio quality is important to you, you might consider an external USB audio system. That would have a dedicated line-in and allow for a cleaner audio capture. The audio equipment that is built into laptops is notoriously poor.
Jim
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Nobby
Tablet PC Trainee
7 Posts
My Tablet PCs: |
Posted - Jan 28 2005 : 12:33:40 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by CamperMan
If audio quality is important to you, you might consider an external USB audio system. That would have a dedicated line-in and allow for a cleaner audio capture. The audio equipment that is built into laptops is notoriously poor.
Jim
Thank you very much for all the replies...
I appreciate that a USB audio system would be better, I'm just trying to find out the basics first.
I downloaded the audio drivers from the Acer site and has a look around. The drivers have something called "20dB microphone boost" in them, so I get the impression that the socket is just a simple line in socket with +20dB "tick box" somewhere for mic inputs.
Probably the best thing is to find somewhere that has a demo model on dsiplay so I can have a play.
Best wishes,
Nobby.
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arebelspy
Tablet PC Intellectual
USA
585 Posts
My Tablet PCs: Current: Sony U70P, Acer C302XMi-G. Former: Acer C111, HP TC1000. |
Posted - Jan 28 2005 : 01:42:35 AM
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The mic is built in, and there is only one line in, which I believe is a line in and not a mic in, but I could be wrong..
-arebelspy |
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gnosis
Tablet PC Ponderer
68 Posts
My Tablet PCs: |
Posted - Jan 28 2005 : 06:40:13 AM
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| Actually you can configure the mic in jack as either mic in or line in using windows multimedia thingy in control panel. Generally,tablet pcs were not designed to be power toys, they are very effective table pcs though. |
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Crippit
Tablet PC Trainee
41 Posts
My Tablet PCs: Acer Travelmate C302xmi |
Posted - Jan 28 2005 : 10:53:08 AM
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| Why don't you give acer support a ring? |
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Nobby
Tablet PC Trainee
7 Posts
My Tablet PCs: |
Posted - Jan 28 2005 : 1:55:57 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Crippit
Why don't you give acer support a ring?
Tried that today and after a half an hour waiting before I finally got through.... they "think" it's a stereo line in socket!?
It's difficult finding somewhere that has them "on display" to try myself, but I think gnosis may be on to something here!
Thank you all once again for your help.
Best wishes,
Nobby.
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Topic |
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Line In confirmation with Acer Tablet 302/303 
