Wireless audio headsets
INTRODUCTION
have been around for some time using proprietary
analog and digital transmission protocols. These
technologies were hampered by the constant tuning
required by analog systems and the fact that they
could only be used with accessories from the same
manufacturer. The Bluetooth technology standard is
finally achieving global acceptance so that any
Bluetooth enabled device can connect to any other
Bluetooth enabled devices in close proximity.
For the newbies, Bluetooth enabled devices connect and
communicate wirelessly through short-range, ad hoc
networks called piconets. Piconets support up to seven devices
simultaneously.
The backbone of the standard and the bane for users
are device service descriptions known as profiles. Profiles are standards
based definitions of
how device types communicate with each other. Without matching profiles, Bluetooth enabled devices
are unable to properly communicate with each other.
For example the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile
(A2DP) allows a device such as
Bluetooth enabled pair of headphones to receive a stereo
audio data stream from a Bluetooth enabled PDA or
Music Player with the same profile. If your PDA or
Music Player does not support the A2DP profile you
will not be able to use the headphones. GlobalSat has implemented the A2DP profile in their Bluetooth
version 1.2 class 2 certified stereo headset
receiver/transmitter BTH-820 and audio gateway transmitter BTA-830. Let’s see if they can provide quality Bluetooth stereo sound!
WHAT’S HOT
BTH-820 stereo
headset…
- Built-in
microphone - Play/Pause,
Volume up/down, Forward/Backward, and
Stop/Disconnect buttons - Supports the
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), the
Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP), the
Headset Profile (HSP), and the Hands-Free
Profile (HFP) - Bluetooth
version 1.1 / 1.2 / 2.0 compatible - Operation
range up to 10 meters (~30 feet) - Play time up
to 5 hours - Stand-by time
up to 100 hours - LED indicator
for low power and charging
BTA-830 audio
gateway…
- Compatible
with portable CD player, MP3 player, TV, DVD
player using a 1/8" stereo plugs - Supports the
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) - Bluetooth
version 1.1 / 1.2 / 2.0 compatible - Operation
range up to 10 meters (~30 feet) - Play time up
to 5.5 hours - Stand-by time
up to 100 hours - LED indicator
for low power and charging
SETUP
(all images link to higher resolution)
GlobalSat’s stereo
headset and audio gateway BTH-820/BTA-830 Bluetooth
entertainment pack.
The kit comes with
stereo ear plugs, the rectangular BTH-820 stereo
headset,
the puck size BTA-830 audio gateway, power adapter, and dual
recharging cable.
The charging of
the BTH-820 and BTA-830 is performed using one cable
connected to the power adapter. This cable splits into two
mini USB type connectors for simultaneous charging
of both the BTH-820 and BTA-830. Red LEDs on
the right of the BTA-830 and around the play/pause
button of the BTH-820 remain lit until the units are
fully charged. The charging time is 2 to 3 hours.
Pairing of the BTA-830
audio gateway on the left with the BTH-820
stereo headset on the right is accomplished by
depressing their respective power buttons
(identified by the arrows) for 6 seconds. A Blue and red LED will flash to indicate pairing
mode.
A flashing blue LED will remain active once
successful pairing is achieved.
Pairing of the
BTH-820 with the Nokia 6310i phone was painless.
The Windows Mobile 5.0 Dell Axim
X51v pairs successfully with the BTH-820 but no
profiles are available. Even though both devices see
each other, without matching profiles they will not
work together. The current Microsoft
Windows Mobile 5.0 Bluetooth stack does not contain
either of the Advanced
Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) or the Audio/Video
Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) required to
communicate with the BTH-820. The ROM updates
that are based on Windows Mobile 5.0 Adaptation Kit Utilities version 2.0
(AKU 2.0) to be released by Pocket PC vendors will contain
these profiles. Some vendors have chosen not to wait
for Microsoft and have included
the WIDCOMM Bluetooth stack which contains both the A2DP
and AVRCP profiles on their devices.
This is also true
with Windows XP and the Microsoft Bluetooth stack. The
third party WIDCOMM and IVT BlueSoleil Bluetooth stacks for
Windows XP both support the A2DP and AVRCP
profiles.
PRODUCT FEATURES
The BTA-830 audio gateway can plug into any device
that accepts 1/8" stereo plug such as the iPod’s
headphone jack.
The BTH-820 stereo headset has a D-Pad type
control with +/- for volume, <</>> for previous/next
track selection, and play/pause center button. When
using the BTA-830 audio gateway, the volume control
works and the play/pause button acts as a mute but
does not pause the selection. When using the BTH-820
stereo headset with the BTA-830 audio gateway, the previous/next
function does not work.
The BTH-820 stereo headset’s side has one button for
power, stop, and call reject. Pressing this button
for 2 seconds turns the unit on, pressing it for 4
seconds turns the unit off. The mini USB charging
connector under a rubber cover is located towards
the bottom.
The back of the BTH-820 stereo headset has a spring
loaded clip and a switch to lock all of the keys.
The BTH-820 stereo headset can be connected to a
cell phone and audio device simultaneously. The top
of the BTH-820 contains a microphone next to the
headphone jack. When a call comes in while listening
to music, the cell phone will take precedence and
allow the answering or the rejection of the call.
Unfortunately while connected to the BTA-830 audio
gateway the music selection is not paused.
Only devices compliant with the Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
will pause the audio selection. In this
configuration pressing the play/pause button button
for 2 seconds while music is playing will activate
the cell phone for outgoing calls and with certain
cell phone models, such as the Nokia 6310i, initiate
voice dialing. The microphone has a range of about
one foot.
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Support is handled by BUGS AND WISHES The three issues I had with the units were: the battery run times of only 5 hours, The BTH-820 and BTA-830 worked very well, type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
HELP SUPPORT
GlobalSat US web site here. The BTH-820 stereo headset and BTA-830
audio gateway worked well. I had no support issues.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
stereo headset and BTA-830 audio gateway Bluetooth entertainment pack
contains everything you will need to wirelessly listen to music from any
audio source that provides a 1/8" stereo plug output. In addition the
BTH-820 can be paired to any Bluetooth enabled device that supports
the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), the Audio/Video Remote
Control Profile (AVRCP), the Headset Profile (HSP), and the Hands-Free Profile (HFP).
The units worked very well, and the sound quality was excellent. The included
earphones are adequate, however using high end earphones like the Etymotic
Research ER-6 Earphones, we previously reviewed, provides a superior listening experience. The
distance matches the Bluetooth class 2 device specification of 30
feet in a line of sight operation. The only time I
had dropout was when the BTA-830 unit was not in
direct sight at the 30 feet range. At several feet I
encountered no problems regardless of where the
units where placed . The published charge time
of 2 to 3 hours is accurate. A flashing
red LED identifies a low battery condition. The embedded microphone functions
adequately for cell phone conversations with some noticeable background
noise.
the inability to use the stop, pause, next, and previous remote functions
with my iPod, and having to re-pair the devices when switching from one A2DP
compliant device to another. Another minor issue came up when watching
videos using the BTA-830 audio gateway, the audio was slightly out of sync
with the images. I am surmising that this is due to the processing time
required to convert the analog audio signal to digital. The only remedy
possible for this situation is to eliminate the conversion by using a
Bluetooth enabled video device with the A2DP profile. I am dismayed that Microsoft's Bluetooth stack lacks the A2DP and AVRCP profiles. When
Microsoft adds these profiles, the BTH-820 stereo headset will be
able to achieve it's full potential. Both units are small and lightweight.
Here are some wishes I would like to see incorporated:
to make full use of the A2DP and AVRCP profiles.
combination
compliant devices
PURCHASING
The BTH-820/BTA-830 Bluetooth entertainment pack can be
purchased from GlobalSat’s US web site for $114.99 here. It is available from Amazon for $87.99 here.
PROS
connections
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
the Audio/Video Remote
Control Profile (AVRCP)
volume
CONS
compliant devices
Value
Ease
of Use
Features
Overall
OVERALL IMPRESSION
and the ability to simultaneously listen to my iPod
and have my cell phone available to answer or dial
is excellent. The drawback was the inability to
pause and skip tracks on the iPod or my PDA.
However, the GlobalSat BTH-820 and BTA-830 devices
are ahead of their time with the implementation of
profiles in a small, lightweight device. Unfortunately
vendors such as Microsoft have not kept up with the
implementation of the Bluetooth standard. Once they
do, we will all take a big leap into fulfilling the
dream of a completely wireless lifestyle.
GlobalSat’s Bluetooth entertainment pack would then
becomes an essential improvement to one’s wireless
life. With a street price of $87.99, it is a
very good value.
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