Use Bluetooth headphones *when BT is switched off* on a Win10 laptop

March 4, 2021 3:58 AM

Is there a way to turn the headphone output of the laptop into a BT signal we could connect our headphones to?

So the IT have decreed BT to be a "security risk" and will not allow us to use it on our work laptops. In present circumstances, with the advent of so so many teams call type meetings, this is a real pain to go back to cabled headphones...

So is there a way to turn the headphone output of the laptop into a BT signal we could connect our headphones to?

Security risk. FTLOG.

TIA!

DB

posted by DrtyBlvd to Computers & Internet (17 answers total)

You are looking for a "bluetooth transmitter with 3.5mm jack/plug/adapter"
posted by rozcakj at 4:05 AM on March 4, 2021 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Genius.... Hmmm - but, does it do "both ways" for the microphones, do you know? Having a quick look, it also appears to require USB connection - but if BT is disabled in the laptop, will it still...
posted by DrtyBlvd at 4:09 AM on March 4, 2021

Oh darn - two way... then try adding the "receiver" to your search, in addition to transmitter. But no - I have never seen anything that does both, apologies. (Just searching now and cannot find anything)
posted by rozcakj at 4:11 AM on March 4, 2021

Response by poster: Not finding a solution- lots of transmitters, but no two-way modes for microphones :(
posted by DrtyBlvd at 4:23 AM on March 4, 2021

I have an old Bluetooth Sennheiser usb dongle that does this. I also have a Jabra headset with a boom mic from a previous job that connects via a dongle. The Jabra headset particularly works great for work calls that doesn’t work with Bluetooth. I’ve never managed to get anything to work via the microphone jack - USB is your best bet, I think.
posted by ElasticParrot at 4:51 AM on March 4, 2021 [1 favorite]

Bluetooth dongles are essentially adding a BT interface to your device, which is going to be a "security risk" in the same way as the built-in BT. Also, it's likely that there's a similar policy forbidding some or all kinds of USB devices.
posted by pipeski at 5:36 AM on March 4, 2021 [5 favorites]

Response by poster: @ ElasticParrot -As @pipeski says, unfortunately... Which is why what I am after is an after-the-fact bluetooth transmitter... :(

The Sennheiser dongle sounds interesting, will have a google-trawl to see what I can find
posted by DrtyBlvd at 7:27 AM on March 4, 2021

The problem is ANY solution you add is likely to run afoul of the security policy as well, as it will be equally wireless.

With that said, there *are* non-Bluetooth audio transmission kits out there, but they are likely to be one way only, and since they're not really designed for headphones, but speaker setups, they will likely be expensive.

Most "Bluetooth adapters" are designed to turn a non-BT headset into a BT headset, with the adapter itself acting as the microphone.

What you want INSTEAD is either

a) A BT dongle to "replace" the one IT disabled, which is OBVIOUSLY a security violation

or

b) A TWO WAY-BT transceiver, which doesn't seem to exist. All the devices I've found so far are TX only (i.e. turns audio signal into BT connection) but not the other way.

or

c) you can buy a purely NON-Bluetooth headset, but those are EXPENSIVE. Something like a Plantronics/Poly SAVI series. They start at 250 and can go up to 400 with accessories, as it's really meant for something that replaces desk phone, BT headset for your personal phone, AND PC headphones, while in the office.
posted by kschang at 7:28 AM on March 4, 2021

I'm not sure if this device might be suitable. Looks like it has its own microphone, so as long as it's on your desk, you'd have a microphone as well as audio via bluetooth to your headphones. And since it's not a BT interface to the laptop as such, it might be permitted.

It might be a silly question, but does the laptop not have a microphone?
posted by pipeski at 7:39 AM on March 4, 2021 [1 favorite]

@pipeski -- looks about the same as my b) above... It'll do EITHER TX or RX, but not both simultaneously (which is needed for a headset)
posted by kschang at 8:01 AM on March 4, 2021

You may get IT to agree to the computer to headphone transmitter, but you would still need a new microphone. Most apps will let you set different input/outputs, so even if you are using a wireless headset for audio you can use a wired mic for video. Don't let your company demand you buy your own replacement stuff, they need to be ordering an entire new set of equipment for all impacted employees .
posted by AlexiaSky at 8:34 AM on March 4, 2021

The Sennheiser dongle mentioned above is quite ancient, there must be a newer equivalent, but it is model BTD 500 USB.

Since I’ve been working from home for almost a year now, I ditched the headset and use a speaker phone (jabra Speak 510 USB). I really like being able to answer the phone easily without checking headset is switched on, putting on headset, pressing ‘answer’ etc. It lights up really clearly when you are muted! Also not having to charge a headset is good. Obviously very much depends on your surroundings.

At a previous job I had a fairly cheap plasticky Logitech headset that paired with a dongle and had no Bluetooth functionality at all - I think it was H600. That could maybe work?

I spent most of last April wrestling with this - so good luck!
posted by ElasticParrot at 8:56 AM on March 4, 2021

Best answer: Non-Bluetooth wireless headset with a dongle.

Logitech and it works right out of the box. No transmitters or receivers to deal with.
posted by wile e at 9:55 AM on March 4, 2021 [1 favorite]

Seconding that the easiest way forward here is probably a non-bluetooth wireless headset. The logitech one wile e posted looks like a good inexpensive option, but you can definitely spend more for audio quality and comfort with most of those aimed at gaming. I personally use a Steelseries Arctis 7, though I don't know whether it would work out of the box without a driver installation.

Note that any wireless option here will require that IT hasn't locked down your USB ports to not allow the dongle to work, which is possible to do, though isn't typically done. Some headsets may also require a driver installation, which is also a bit dicey if IT doesn't allow you to install software either.
posted by Aleyn at 11:28 AM on March 4, 2021

On the microphone: if you're using a laptop, how's the built-in one? I find that even when using headphones, at normal distances and office sound levels, it works perfectly well if I use the microphone in my laptop rather than the one built into my headphones. Perhaps you can get away with only one direction of bluetooth transmission?
posted by mosst at 4:38 PM on March 4, 2021

Response by poster: All - thank you so much for your answers, suggestions and thoughts.

@wile e for the solution I'm going to give a shot at, @kschang for a really comprehensive reply, and great thoughts from @Elasticparrot, @pipeski, @rozcakj, @AlexiaSky (Good point! Work cost!)

@Aleyn Ooo nice but I can't see work stumping up for those :(

@pipeski & @mosst, yes, laptop mic is a possible but a test with a set of Sony BT's, in cabled mode, caused the headset mic not to work - no power maybe in non-bt mode? Don't know.

Have pulled the pin on the Logitec ones so hopeful they will be the solution!

Thank you all - Metafilter for the win once again!

db
posted by DrtyBlvd at 3:21 PM on March 6, 2021

One more thought. Join the meeting "using phone audio" (most meeting software allows this) and pair the Bluetooth headset to the _phone_ instead. Use your personal phone and I don't _think_ you would be violating work policy
posted by TimHare at 5:58 PM on March 8, 2021 [1 favorite]