Why Is There an Echo in the Meeting?
If you hear an echo in the meeting (whether it is your own voice or someone else's voice that is echoing), you are not the cause of the echo.
If you do NOT hear an echo in the meeting, but other participants DO hear an echo, follow the tips below:
- Either use headphones or a speakerphone with echo cancellation or select the echo cancellation check box in the IBM Lotus Sametime audio preferences. To verify that you are using echo cancellation with your headphones or speakerphone, refer to the documentation for your headphones or speakerphone.
- Ensure that only one microphone is selected for recording in the system mixer. In the Meeting Room, choose Tools - preferences. In the Recording section of the Audio tab, click "Adjust Input Device Settings." When the System mixer appears, make sure that only one microphone is selected. (If you use a microphone that is plugged into a laptop, you might see more than one microphone option. Make sure that the microphone you use is selected.)
- Use the latest version of your computer's audio driver. Ask your system administrator which audio driver you are using; you might be able to download the latest version from your sound card manufacturer's or computer manufacturer's Web site.
- Use a supported sound card and ensure that it functions properly. If your sound card is the problem, you can reduce the echo by turning down the playback volume in your system mixer. In the Meeting Room, choose Tools - preferences. In the Playback section of the Audio tab, click "Adjust Output Device Settings." When the system mixer appears, turn down the volume of your playback components.
- Ensure that the Microphone option in your system mixer is set properly for playback. In the Meeting Room, choose Tools - preferences. In the Playback section of the Audio tab, click "Adjust Output Device Settings." When the system mixer appears, make sure that the Microphone option is either muted or not selected. (The Microphone option should not be muted for recording.)
- Ensure that your speakers and microphone are not too close together.
- Ensure that you are using a microphone with headphones.
- Ensure that the Microphone is the only device chosen for recording in the system mixer. In the Meeting Room, choose Tools - preferences. In the Recording section of the Audio tab, click "Adjust Input Device Settings." Make sure that the Microphone option is the only option that is selected and click OK.
Tip If everyone in the meeting is using echo cancellation and you still hear an echo, someone in the meeting might have the microphone or speaker volume turned up too loud. Everyone should adjust the volume of their microphone and speakers to eliminate the echo.
Tip If you tested your audio and video before the meeting and heard your voice echo back to you more than once, other people in the meeting will hear their own voices echo back to them during the meeting. Follow the instructions above to make sure that the Microphone is the only device chosen for recording.
Note Because your sound card driver determines the user-interface options in the system mixer, the exact procedure for changing the system mixer options might vary. The above procedures should work for a variety of sound cards. See your sound card documentation for more detailed information.