USB headset and PS3??

[soldierguy]

I'm trying to get my USB logitech headphones to work with my PS3, and I guess it should but maybe I'm not adjusting the Settings of the PS3 correctly.

I've tried a couple things but still no sound of game coming through the headset. I can see that I've got the headset microphone working--not really important but just to mention it. And still no game audio output is coming into the headphones? When I say the mic is working I mean after selecting the mic in the PS3 Settings I can adjust the mic level and talk to myself as a test and hear the mic sound OK etc. Haven't tested in game etc. But I selected it OK in the PS3 settings and PS3 saw it plugged in.

In the PS3 settings AudioOutputSettings it lists three categories either HDMI, or Optical Digital, or a multi category that includes four various devices--and pic of AV Multi looks a little similar to USB.

And next in the Settings section of the PS3 it shows AudioMulti-Output and it goes on to say that it sets the output audio through multiple connectors simultaneously. And that audio output to connectors that are not selected in the "AudioOutputSettings is downscaled to 2 Ch. I wasn't sure if it would find the headset as no headset appeared to choose etc--or any other device so I turned that setting to "ON". It had been on "OFF".

I'm not concerned about quality I just want sound through the headset of the game. Good or bad quality I don't care at this moment. Just want some sound.

I've got the PS3 running to my monitor with a HDMI cable plugged into the PS3 and then using adapter at monitor to DVI . And the video is fine. Just no sound. My monitor doesn't have speakers. But I can use the PS3 with sound if I just use the HDMI cable to a different TV etc that receives a HDMI connection etc, so I know the PS3 audio is working fine then, but not when I try to use a monitor--much better resolution with the monitor so I'd rather use it than the TV etc. But no sound?

Any help on that please.

[soldierguy]

Oh one thing I didn't make complete. Regarding the 3 different categories on the PS3 AudioOutputSettings that I mentioned in paragraph 3 I've selected the multi category.

[soldierguy]

I just now went back into the multi PS3 game and I guess I am getting "some" sound from in the headphones but I can barely hear it. I thought there was none. I first tested them in solo play and I didn't hear anything, but now i do in multi and I"m guessing I'm hearing the audio of the game that is being picked up by other players as they talk into their mic etc. In other words I'm just getting some game background noise from the chat. But that's all.

[deadlysyn]

As far as I can remember, unless someone has a link showing otherwise, the only use for headsets on the PS3 is for in-game communication between players.

[soldierguy]

As far as I can remember, unless someone has a link showing otherwise, the only use for headsets on the PS3 is for in-game communication between players.

Really? Well for sure that could be. I've never used my PS3 much and I'm just starting to play multi on it, because I want to get better with a console and controller etc. Most of my play has been on the PC and will continue.

So I need to use a TV or similar/or a monitor with a built in speaker?

[soldierguy]

That could be right though. Because i do recall once playing a car game like Formula1 on the PS3 and I used a headset, but it was connected to my TV not to the PS3 itself.
Maybe that's the way it has to be, unless there's some kind of adapter/device etc.
I'll have to look around.

[deadlysyn]

You could always just get a pair of computer speakers for the sound. Some of them even come with the adapter so you can hook up the PS3 using the A/V cable that comes with it. There are several sets of computer speakers with optical input as well.

Have a look around, and see if you can find something showing that it can be done. If you can find a way to get the sound through the headset instead of speakers, I am sure there are others that will be interested.:D

[soldierguy]

You could always just get a pair of computer speakers for the sound. Some of them even come with the adapter so you can hook up the PS3 using the A/V cable that comes with it. There are several sets of computer speakers with optical input as well.

Have a look around, and see if you can find something showing that it can be done. If you can find a way to get the sound through the headset instead of speakers, I am sure there are others that will be interested.:D

I'd be happy with the computer speakers that would connect to the PS3/that would be good for me. I'll look for that.
Thanks

[soldierguy]

I've briefly looked around and I've found the two below listed possible solutions for me: 1.The Gefen Digital Audio to Analog Audio Converter would allow me to plug a SPDIF cable into the PS3's Optical Audio Out and then connect to this Gefen converter. And then I could plug headphone with two-plug analog RCA jacks into the converter coming out, etc. I have the headphones and the converter is $60+S&H. I think that would work, but I suppose? i couldn't use the mic? feature of the headsets. And I'd still have to plug a mic in the USB PS3 slot. Dont' know this for sure. Just guessing. So with this I guess I'd get the game sound through the headphones which is great, but would give up using the mic on the headphones. Not sure about that? Amazon.com. 2. The other solution is the SONY PS3 Surround Sound System. And it "implies" that I'll be able to use it by plugging directly into the PS3 console itself--which is what I want. I say implies because it lists a Optical Cable included,AC adaptor,Remote Control,AC power Cord etc. So all that sounds like its a stand alone. Its confusing when lookng for audio PS3 devices--I think-because often they're just selling standard types of gaming headsets, but they wouldn't plug into your PS3?! You'd have to plug them into your TV etc. Unless I'm misunderstanding all that. I suppose I could find other similar speakers-maybe better priced and or quality than these? I'll look some more. And I only see 3 reviews at NEwegg.com, and two are positive and one negative. They all think at $180+S&H its too expensive for the sound one gets etc. In my case it might be OK though because I need less space used on my desk top and this takes up less space-to me-plus I watch movies sometimes on my PS3 and not wearing headphones is a plus-so that's a nice feature for me. And also if i understand correctly I should still be able to plug in my USB headphones and chat in game if I want. So for me this is all good. I'll think about it. But unless I find a better quality and less expensive optical intake speaker system , this is probably what I'll go with.

[soldierguy]

I kept researching this and reading reviews and all and this is what I ordered:

Ear Force DPX21 Headset and a Ear Force DSS 7.1 Channel Dolby Surround sound optical audio adapter. $140 for the both at Amazon

I just ordered so it will be a week or so and I'll report back after I've used it etc. And I decided on this setup because I mostly do gaming and while the exterior speaker system for movies etc appealed to me, the likely more effective in game audio from a headset appealed to me more.

I'm not a great techie, but i would describe this setup as an Optical Adapter that allows one to pretty much use any kind of headset with the PS3. I guess. Haven't used it yet, but so it appears.

And they're promising some kind of Dolby 7.1 experience. I'm skeptical about all that, because in general reports I hear about such products regarding headphones etc. have been exaggerated claims. So I hear from buyers in general. But the reviews of this specific headset--which by the way is super popular with PS3 players irregardless of the whether they're using this DSS 7.1 optical sound processor or not seem to suggest that "they" believe they're getting a good sense of the direction of the opposition. And from the chat I hear in multi PS3 network this mic and all works well and is configured in a handy manner regarding volume controls etc. I don't know that but those are the users claims. We'll see when I get it and use it. But I'm hopeful.

Also I ordered a seperate Optical audio cable because some criticized this cable. I dont' exactly understand why, but cables are cheap so I did.

[soldierguy]

I got the Ear Force DPX21 Headset and 5.1/7.1 Channel Dolby setup. It seems to work great. I've only used it about an hour or so. I'm trying to figure why the World at War add-on maps that I purchased at the Playstation store aren't working??? Maybe I didn't download them or correctly. But anyway I'm finding a few old maps to play etc. and the sound is great and all connects just fine--so far anyway. I'm using the PS3 with my PC monitor that has no speakers. And as I think I mentioned earlier that I'm connecting the monitor and PS3 with a HDMI cable at the PS3 and then with a DVI adapter added to the cable at the monitor. This headset/Dolby setup comes with a Optical Audio configuration that connects to the PS3 optical out. There's some nice looking switches/operator controls of volume ++ and various switches to mute/switch between 5.1 Stereo and 7.1 Dolby, plus volume controls that are seperate for the game sounds and the chat sounds. I haven't used the mic yet--I don't talk much I'm getting owned in these unfamiliar maps and my clunkiness with the controller etc, so I'm mostly hiding from my angry teamates wondering about my bad bad kill ratio etc. But I'll get better. It seems to come with all the cables I need plus some extra stuff too, but I did buy a different optical audio cable than the one supplied because so many reviews criticized the supplied cable because its such a thin/delicate looking cable etc. Its probably fine but cables are cheap and I didn't know what to expect and didn't want to get held up so I bought a Belkin AV20000603 Digital Toslink Cable--I hope that's the right number but any similar cable will work. And by the way the DSS Dolby sound device is powered by a standard USB cable to mini USB that is included and can be connected to your PC or to the PS3 USB slots.

Like i said the sound is great. One can switch between 5.1 or 7.1 and I see why. I'm using this for gaming mostly and as they mention the "more surround" sound of the 7.1 channel--with this setup anyway--causes one to mostly lose the sense of "where" the sound is coming from, ie left or right or behind etc. But this sound in 7.1 is awesome. Even the sound of firing my Thompson smg is remarkable. So in some maps where the source of sound is not so important i use the 7.1 and when it is important I switch to the 5.1. The switch is right on the headset cord etc--for this choice and many others too.

Happy so far.

[soldierguy]

Spent some more time with the new sound setup and still liking it. I also figured what i did wrong with the Playstation store add-on maps etc, and got all installed and working fine. Just haven't ever done this much with the PS3 so I'm a new operator getting a little lost. There's a Network area to install the downloads and I must have never installed the maps etc. I bought and downloaded, but didn't install. Good to go now.

I also played a disc of the Matrix movie/one of my favs/and it has some great sounds/music et al. I listened with the new headphones and was very pleased. I'm not an audiophile and haven't used other hi end headsets so I can only say the DSS set at 7.1 surround gives me a great sound. I can and did switch back and forth during the movie from 5.1Channel sound to 7.1 channel and noticed a difinite improvement listening at 7.1. This also has a bass level adjuster etc so it can be tuned somewhat to one's taste etc.

All seems good to me.