How can I get calls from a REMOTE pc?
March 10, 2022 7:57 AM

How can I get sound from my Remote Work computer?

I'm using "remote pc" to connect to my work computer from home. One of the programs on the work computer is one that automatically dials numbers that we have on a list and the sound/mic goes through my work headset. (This headset at work happens to be a bluetooth with a usb toggle, but it doesn't have to be this type).

When I use my home computer to log into my work computer, I can easily run the call program... however I don't get any sound/mic connection at home. I guess the sound is still funneling through the work headset at that point. Is there a way I can take those calls at home too?

*Note that the program will not run unless there is a headset attached to it. So some sort of headset has to be attached at the work computer for the program to even run when I access it at home. When there is no headset attached an error message pops up on the program saying that a headset is needed.

At home I have a bluetooth headset as well, but can purchase another type of that's what's needed. Currently i'm not getting any sound from the work computer at home.
posted by fantasticness to Computers & Internet (5 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
When you say "remote PC," what is the actual name of the program you are using to connect to the work PC (the remote machine) from your home computer (the host machine)? If it is Windows Remote Desktop Connection or Chrome Remote Desktop, you will need to fiddle with connection options and maybe gather more instructions from a web search to get remote audio to play on the host computer and host mic input to be sent to the remote computer's applications.

It is possible you will also need help from your IT provider to change administrative settings on the remote computer.

If you are using a different tool, like TeamViewer, LogMeIn, UltraViewer, or something more obscure, you will have to check the specific instructions for that tool, but "share audio" and the software name are probably the keywords you want to search for.

Because live back-and-forth audio is extremely sensitive to latency, you may be better off trying to find a way to install and configure your work phone call software dicrectly on your home/host computer, instead.
posted by All Might Be Well at 8:47 AM on March 10, 2022


On the local computer: make sure "Enable Sound" is enabled.

On the remote computer: start some music or a YouTube video, so you know when the sound starts working. Left Click the sound/volume icon by the time. Click the little caret at the top right above the volume bar (Win10) or the arrow to the right of the volume bar (Win11). Change the audio device to one of the other ones. Repeat.
posted by gregr at 8:48 AM on March 10, 2022


I don't think you can do it if the headset has to be plugged in there (at work), because the program will send the audio to the headset, as it should, and block audio from going to other audio outputs - because the whole point of the headset is to have "private" conversations.

I think the solution is to get permission from your employer to install another copy of the software at home. Then everything is "local" for that application, _unless_ the program itself needs to access some database at work
posted by TimHare at 9:29 AM on March 10, 2022


I am actually using the "Remote PC" program. That is the name of it.
posted by fantasticness at 9:36 AM on March 10, 2022


Most remote PC programs should be able to transfer sound as well. However, if your IT department has configured it so it doesn't show anything, it's hard to tell whether you can configure it so or not.

You may be able to right click the icon and figure out where it leads, which may give you more clue on what's actually behind it.
posted by kschang at 7:31 AM on March 11, 2022


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