Seera wrote:
> On Fri 31 Aug 2007 12:52:10, ChrisM <chris_mayersblue@suedeyahoo.com>
> wrote in alt.comp.hardware:
>
>> In message Xns999D77CAA7940winka@127.0.0.1,
>> Seera <seera@com.invalid> Proclaimed from the tallest tower:
>>
>>> Am in the UK. I just got a Bluetooth phone and need a Bluetooth
>>> dongle.
>>>
>>> Are all modern Bluetooth dongles effectively the same?
>>>
>>> ------
>>>
>>> I started to Google Bluetooth and saw lots of really tech stuff.
>>> For example the Wikipedia talked about "Bluetooth profile"
>>> referring to A2DP stereo files etc. It's too much!
>>>
>>> I just want to make a decent connection beyween my PC and my
>>> phone! Later I probably want to connect other Bluetooth devices.
>>>
>>> What shortcomings are there with an own-brand Bluetooth dongle
>>> from Tesco for about £10 or £15?
>>>
>>> If that type is crap then what Bluetooth dongle would you
>>> recommend?
>> Basically, though there is a large variation in terms of quality of
>> build and range.
>> If you just want a simple connection between your phone and your PC
>> to transfer piccys and ringtone or to sync your contacts and diary
>> etc then I can't see any problems with using a 10 quid Tesco job.
>> I use a cheapo un-unbranded dongle that I bought on eBay for about
>> 8 quid, and that does me just fine...
>>
>
> What about a certain feature(???) on Bluetooth to transfer *stereo*
> audio files?
>
> Does that sort of thing come with most basic Bluetooth dongles?
Notice here, that only the headset section mentions profiles. It implies
that it is possible to buy a headset and a phone which don't work with
one another. All devices need profiles, as the profiles define how the
devices can work with one another successfully. Some retailers do
a better job than others, of listing profiles, so that a customer
knows two devices will work. (Expect the dongle for the computer to
understand a lot of profiles. Windows has a Bluetooth stack, presumably
if you are using a certain Service Pack, and in that case, you might
not need to use a separate Bluetooth stack. Hardware devices support
a profile in logic gates, so they cannot support an infinite variety
of them.)
"Connecting Your Devices"
http://www.bluetooth.com/Bluetooth/C...structions.htm
You'll notice the same thing here. More than one profile for audio, implying
some older gear might not work with some newer gear. Sending audio to
a headset, is different than moving files between a phone and a computer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_profile
Take a sample product. First, read the specification section for this
one.
"TRENDnet TBW-105UB USB 2.0 Compact Bluetooth Adapter - Retail"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156069
Now, read the reviews and the amount of work you have to do to make
this cheap thing work.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156069
1) Hacking an INF, and not using provided CD.
2) "On two different XP machines, (stereo) AD2P support was unavailable"
(I think the person is referring to A2DP there.)
3) "keeps disconnecting the virtual serial port"
The reviews on this one are more positive. I don't know if the
references to Widcomm, are for the chip inside it or not.
MSI Star Key 2.0 USB 1.1 Bluetooth2.0 Transceiver, 3Mbps, 100 Meters - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833158122
A Dlink product...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127117
"This D-Link support page shows that there are FOUR (4) different
chipsets that have shipped under this model number"
"D-Link unfortunately named new Bluetooth 2.0 version of this dongle:
DBT-120, the same as BT 1.1 version. The difference to look for is
the revision number. Revisions A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, B4 are BT 1.1;
Revision C1 is the BT 2.0 version with black housing. So don't get
confused. support.dlink.com/products/revision.asp?productId=DBT-120"
So far, it looks like the MSI one has the best reviews. If you can find
reviews, that will take a lot of worry out of the selection process.
Paul