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XPS 8950, rear mic port, TRS or TS, phantom power?
XPS 8950
I want to use a microphone connected to the microphone port on the rear of my XPS 8950. Some microphones are designed to connect to cameras and cell phones as "boom" mics and require a voltage from the device to operate. Does the microphone port on the XPS 8950 supply voltage to a microphone? And if so, how much voltage?
OkieDokie2
11 Posts
0
December 13th, 2022 18:00
I discovered the 3.9 VDC is called "plug-in" power; typically 3 to 5 VDC. Whereas, phantom power is 12 to 48 VDC. Plug-in power is used by lower-cost condenser microphones, like those connected to the mic input on digital cameras. Phantom power is used by more expensive condenser microphones used for professional recording. Also, a topic I initiated was answered by a "Gold" member who said the microphone port on the rear of the computer is a TRS connector.
In summary. The microphone port on the rear of the computer is a TRS connector, and has 3.9 VDC plug-in power. It appears that a condenser microphone that needs plug-in power can be plugged into the microphone port and function as a input audio source. I'll try it out when I receive a budget microphone I ordered.
OkieDokie2
11 Posts
0
December 13th, 2022 07:00
I called Dell technical support and asked them is the microphone port on the rear of my XPS 8950 TRS or TS. They said "yes, it is TRS and TS". I asked is the port physically a TRS connector. They said "yes, it supports TRS and TS". Useless! They couldn't answer my question. Does anyone know is the microphone port on the rear a TRS connector, or is it a TS connector?
OkieDokie2
11 Posts
0
December 13th, 2022 07:00
I "kinda" answered my own question. I plugged in a TRS extension cable and measured the voltage. Sleeve to Tip, and Sleeve to Ring both are 3.9 VDC. I didn't try a TS cable. I asked if the microphone port is physically a TRS connector on another post. (Dell technical support was useless.) I'll let you know what is the answer.
redxps630
7 Technologist
7 Technologist
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11K Posts
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December 13th, 2022 08:00
TRS.
XPS8950 audio:
These ports accept the widely popular 3.5mm TRS Audio Connector.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
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17K Posts
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December 13th, 2022 22:00
No.
It's just input to the on-board analog audio-device (likely just a single or mono channel).
I didn't think the smaller mics required additional power to operate.
OkieDokie2
11 Posts
0
December 19th, 2022 09:00
Here’s what I learned connecting a Movo VXR10 microphone to my XPS 8950 computer. This is a popular budget microphone made to connect to a digital camera as an external mic. It is an electret condenser microphone, and needs plug-in power (PiP) to work. PiP is a DC voltage ranging 2 VDC – 5 VDC.
The Tip Ring Sleeve (TRS) microphone input jack on the rear of the computer has 4VDC on the tip, 4VDC on the ring, and the sleeve is ground. This microphone WORKS plugged into the microphone jack on the rear of the computer. I can hear myself talking using Zoom. However, the microphone signal is very weak. It is actually weaker than the microphone built into my Logitech webcam. So, my experiment failed to connect a better sounding microphone.
P.S. If you are interested, the microphone signal can be boosted, but a different Realtek Audio driver needs to be installed. Here are the steps using Device Manager.
"Device Manager | Sound, video and game controllers | Realtek Audio | Update Driver | Browse my computer for drivers | Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer | High Definition Audio Device"
This driver provides a Microphone Boost option in "Sound | Recording | Realtek Audio Microphone | Properties | Levels". However, I didn’t pursue it much further because I was disappointed with the results.