Hiss Sound on hx4705 [Archive] - Thoughts Media Forums

OSUKid7

10-29-2004, 12:54 AM

Well, this is my first big disappointment from my hx4705. Until now (since Saturday), I haven't used earphones on my new iPaq, but I did tonight, and I was very suprised. :? I think I remember reading about this hissing noise, but it was much worse than I ever expected. Music hides it for the most part, but it's still there...and it just plain sucks.

Anyone know of a solution? Is this a problem on all 4705s or should I return it to HP for a new one? Not the worst news in the world, but I'm very disappointed with this hissing noise.

jasondearyou

10-29-2004, 12:58 AM

Solution, return the defective product, get a Dell x50v or the loox 720

OSUKid7

10-29-2004, 02:04 AM

Solution, return the defective product, get a Dell x50v or the loox 720ok, no offense, but I'm happy with every other aspect of it, and I'm not interested in a different PDA.

Steven Cedrone

10-29-2004, 02:47 AM

Any chance that you can get to a display model to confirm that it is an inherent problem with all 4705's???

Steve

OSUKid7

10-29-2004, 02:53 AM

Any chance that you can get to a display model to confirm that it is an inherent problem with all 4705's???Perhaps...but I was hoping other 4700 owners would answer that question for me. ;)

Darius Wey

10-29-2004, 03:40 AM

OSUKid7, this hissing sound you're referring to is heard through the headphones right?

I've always had this on my h1940 as well.

OSUKid7

10-29-2004, 04:12 AM

OSUKid7, this hissing sound you're referring to is heard through the headphones right?Correct.

I've always had this on my h1940 as well.Yeah, I've heard of this problem before, but haven't heard if it's on all devices, or only the "defective" ones.

Darius Wey

10-29-2004, 04:19 AM

Yeah, I've heard of this problem before, but haven't heard if it's on all devices, or only the "defective" ones.

I'm hoping it isn't across all devices. Although, I have gone through two h1940s before (the first was a dud) - and both devices presented with the same problem. Either I have a defective batch (although my current one has lasted me for a long time), or it applies across all devices. I always thought it to be something applicable to all the devices, so I never really bothered with it. But now that you mention it, it has got me thinking...

Anyway, it may be handy to wait for more hx4700 users to post here. :D

And h1940 users too. :P

ctmagnus

10-29-2004, 06:12 AM

fwiw, I've had this on all my 3670s and both my 5550s (gotta love NBD exchanges!) as well as on my Nomad Jukebox 3.

jimski

10-29-2004, 06:13 AM

OSUKid7,

When are you hearing the hiss? As soon as you plug in your headphones or while a song is playing (quiet parts of song)?

I honestly have not noticed any appreciable hiss, but just plugged in two different sets of headphones on my 4700 as a test. First I turned the volume up to max and just bobbed around the today screen listetening to beeps and taps, but there was no hiss or it was barely noticable.

I then launched Simple Tunes and WMP (not at the same time). I tried a couple different tracks that have quiet passages within the song and did not hear any noticable hiss before, during or after the songs played using either player.

Maybe its my ears but I could not hear anything that I would consider irritating or troubling. Sorry to hear you are having trouble. BTW, my device is definitely an hx4700, as indicated in Asset Viewer and on outside of brown box. I know its not supposed to matter (you reference a 4705) but thought you might want to know.

manywhere

10-29-2004, 07:24 AM

Darius Wey

10-29-2004, 08:09 AM

Have you tried turning off WiFi and Bluetooth and then playing around with the equalizer? I would suspect that the equalizer could be enhancing some of the static radio noise from the WiFi (or Bluetooth) radio chip, which it should not do! ;)

Is the hissing sound high in the frequency? Start with the higher frequency 10kHz, and move to the left, trying different equalizer settings.

I don't think this is the problem. It still occurs when the radios are switched off. I have also tried manipulating the audio settings on the iPAQ and this doesn't solve the problem either.

The problem only starts when you first initiate a sound effect on the Pocket PC (e.g. tapping the start menu). When you first turn the Pocket PC on, this hiss sound is not heard. However, once you initiate a sound effect, a hiss can be heard in the background after the sound effect has finished.

OSUKid7

10-29-2004, 11:14 AM

The problem only starts when you first initiate a sound effect on the Pocket PC (e.g. tapping the start menu). When you first turn the Pocket PC on, this hiss sound is not heard. However, once you initiate a sound effect, a hiss can be heard in the background after the sound effect has finished.Yes, I think that's the problem exactly. As soon as I plug headphones in after a soft reset, and execute any sound command, I hear this constant hiss...forever (until I soft reset again).

So who should I contact about returning this? HP or Best Buy?

Darius Wey

10-29-2004, 11:18 AM

So who should I contact about returning this? HP or Best Buy?

I think HP should be your best bet. It is their product after all, so I'm sure they should (shouldn't? ;) ) be aware of this problem. I've been using it for a year and I can't believe I never kicked a fuss about it. :lol:

It would be great if you could keep us posted on any updates. :way to go:

OSUKid7

10-29-2004, 11:52 AM

It would be great if you could keep us posted on any updates. :way to go:Sure thing. :) Hopefully I'll get the process started tomorrow.

OSUKid7

11-01-2004, 10:45 PM

Here's the scoop.

I tried the HP online chat on Saturday, and got someone who knew almost nothing. I spent over an hour and he kept saying he was trying to contact the case managers...and then at the end that changed to they weren't there, and then that they were just busy. He told me to return to the chat on Monday during normal business hours. Needless to say, I wasn't pleased.

I returned about an hour ago, and the case had an addition that told me to call the HP tech support phone number. I did so, and after waiting about 10 minutes to get to a real tech support person (their voice recognition wasn't understanding "Handheld" or "iPaq hx4705"...either it's such a new product, or my Vonage service is messing that up), they were finally able to help me. I should have a box delivered to me later tonight or early tomorrow to ship back my iPaq. It has a number on it to call for pickup - so I'll never have to leave my house. :D They'll repair my iPaq (they better repair it or I'll be really unhappy :lol:) and ship it back to me. I should have it back in 4-5 business days. :D Not bad HP, not bad at all.

So I guess I'll be back on my 3870 for a week lol...not the worst news, but man QVGA looks terrible after a two weeks on VGA. (Heck, QVGA looks terrible after five minutes on VGA. :lol:) Anyway, I'll be doing another hard reset on my 4705, and I guess deleting all of the iPAQ File Store data? Is that the safest way to wipe the entire device?

ctmagnus

11-01-2004, 11:35 PM

Anyway, I'll be doing another hard reset on my 4705, and I guess deleting all of the iPAQ File Store data? Is that the safest way to wipe the entire device?

I hope so. I've been having issues lately and that's what I've ben doing whenever I do a hard-reset.

Darius Wey

11-02-2004, 03:31 AM

Here's the scoop.

I tried the HP online chat on Saturday, and got someone who knew almost nothing. I spent over an hour and he kept saying he was trying to contact the case managers...and then at the end that changed to they weren't there, and then that they were just busy. He told me to return to the chat on Monday during normal business hours. Needless to say, I wasn't pleased.

I returned about an hour ago, and the case had an addition that told me to call the HP tech support phone number. I did so, and after waiting about 10 minutes to get to a real tech support person (their voice recognition wasn't understanding "Handheld" or "iPaq hx4705"...either it's such a new product, or my Vonage service is messing that up), they were finally able to help me. I should have a box delivered to me later tonight or early tomorrow to ship back my iPaq. It has a number on it to call for pickup - so I'll never have to leave my house. :D They'll repair my iPaq (they better repair it or I'll be really unhappy :lol:) and ship it back to me. I should have it back in 4-5 business days. :D Not bad HP, not bad at all.

So after all that, do HP actually know what hiss sound you're talking about? If the hiss sound is fixed, be sure to let me know. I don't want to be shipping my iPAQ as well to have it returned with the same hiss sound. If it's fixed, then I'll be shipping as soon as you let me know. :D

Anyway, I'll be doing another hard reset on my 4705, and I guess deleting all of the iPAQ File Store data? Is that the safest way to wipe the entire device?

Probably should be enough. If you're worried, just do consecutive formats over and over again. Recovering data from flash memory isn't as easy as recovering data from hard disks.

OSUKid7

11-02-2004, 05:02 AM

So after all that, do HP actually know what hiss sound you're talking about? If the hiss sound is fixed, be sure to let me know. I don't want to be shipping my iPAQ as well to have it returned with the same hiss sound. If it's fixed, then I'll be shipping as soon as you let me know. :DWell, they never admitted that, but they sure didn't seem to question me today after I said I had tried different earphones and done a soft and hard reset.

Probably should be enough. If you're worried, just do consecutive formats over and over again. Recovering data from flash memory isn't as easy as recovering data from hard disks.Alright. Not too much on it anyway, and my friend also had iPAQ serviced by HP, and they reformat it for you again there.

ctmagnus

11-02-2004, 06:07 AM

What a coincidence! I have an iPaq going back for warranty work as well.

linky (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33886), if you care to read the story.

Darius Wey

11-02-2004, 06:12 AM

What a coincidence! I have an iPaq going back for warranty work as well.

linky (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33886), if you care to read the story.

Hmm, you have a nice collection of ants at the bottom of your post. :P

Well, if the hiss sound is rectified on OSUKid7's device, add mine in there as well and three's a crowd! :D

VegasRook

11-02-2004, 06:40 AM

I have no hiss on my 4705. Here is what I did to see if I had it.

TEST ONE:
a. grabbed out of craddle, plugged in head phones.
b. listened, heard nothing. Played with volume to make sure headphones worked.
c. opened media player 9 and played some Kryptonite (3 doors down).
d. stopped, no hiss.
e. started and moved all around starting and stopping. No hiss.

TEST TWO:

a. did soft reset
b. repeated steps c-e in test one. No hiss.

Looks like I have no hiss unless there is another test you can think of.

ctmagnus

11-02-2004, 06:49 AM

It may also depend on the headphones used. However, through two models, several units of each model, and three sets of headphones being revolved through the current-at-any-particular-point-in-time unit, I kinda doubt that.

Darius Wey

11-02-2004, 06:50 AM

Looks like I have no hiss unless there is another test you can think of.

That was fine VegasRook. Really appreciate it. I'd be interested in seeing how many people out there have this hiss sound and what devices they own. It would be great to see whether HP have sent out faulty batches of certain devices or whether some models just have this hiss sound as a problem.

ctmagnus

11-02-2004, 08:39 AM

As I (may have) mentioned previously, my digital audio player (Nomad Jukebox 3) does the same thing. Based on that, I would conclude that the hiss is a feature (call it what you will) of the device and I would suspect that it's a result of some form of digital audio processing. And based on my expericne with CarePaqs/Care Packs, I'd say that it's model lines rather than individual units that exhibit the hiss.

One thing I've noticed is that the hiss on a given device is greater or lesser, depending on the headphones I'm using at the time.

OSUKid7

11-04-2004, 11:30 PM

Darius Wey

11-05-2004, 03:58 AM

An HP rep just called me to ask me to describe the problem again. Apparently they couldn't hear it, but I explained that it was a fairly quiet, but nociable hiss. Hopefully they'll be able to detect it this time and fix it.

They are probably using a set of earphones/headphones that can't really pick it up. I've tried it on my device with (1) the normal earphones you get bundled with MD/CD players - and the hiss is very noticeable, (2) a set of high-quality earphones that pick up a wide frequency range - and the hiss is very noticeable, (3) a set of bass-enhanced headphones - and the hiss is hardly noticeable. :|

ctmagnus

11-08-2004, 01:03 AM

The problem only starts when you first initiate a sound effect on the Pocket PC (e.g. tapping the start menu). When you first turn the Pocket PC on, this hiss sound is not heard. However, once you initiate a sound effect, a hiss can be heard in the background after the sound effect has finished.Yes, I think that's the problem exactly. As soon as I plug headphones in after a soft reset, and execute any sound command, I hear this constant hiss...forever (until I soft reset again).

My current 5550 exhibits similar behaviour. I plug the headphones in, nothing. I fire up WMP, nothing. I hit play, hiss. However, I only have to unplug the headphones, turn off and turn back on to eliminate the hiss, at least until the next time I hit play in WMP.

Darius Wey

11-08-2004, 03:49 AM

My current 5550 exhibits similar behaviour. I plug the headphones in, nothing. I fire up WMP, nothing. I hit play, hiss. However, I only have to unplug the headphones, turn off and turn back on to eliminate the hiss, at least until the next time I hit play in WMP.

That's the exact point. Once you turn it off and on again, it eliminates the hiss until you generate an SFX again on startup. You don't even have to unplug your headphones for it to exhibit that behaviour. :|

OSUKid7

11-08-2004, 03:57 AM

Once you turn it off and on again, it eliminates the hiss until you generate an SFX again on startup. You don't even have to unplug your headphones for it to exhibit that behaviour. :|That's the strange thing - I'm pretty sure mine was making the hissing noise about two seconds after my iPAQ restarted from a soft reset. I didn't even have time to get past the PIN/login screen.

Well, I haven't heard anything since the HP rep called on Thursday. The package I sent my iPAQ in had a note that seemed to say it needed to be fixed in three days, so hopefully I'll hear something from them in the next day or two.

Janak Parekh

11-08-2004, 03:59 AM

FWIW, it sounds like a noisy amplifier to me. On most handheld devices, it starts out off to prevent power drain, and only turns on with the first sound. Usually, the amplifier will shut off after some period of no sounds (i.e., if you continue listening, the hiss should stop after some time with no sounds played). The original iPAQ was noticeable that you could hear pops when the amplifier turned on and off.

(Interestingly, my i600 Smartphone hisses slightly out of the speaker in the back whenever its flip is opened, and continues for some time after the device's flip has been closed until it gently "pops" off. You have to put your ear right up to the device to notice this, though.)

--janak

OSUKid7

11-09-2004, 02:13 AM

Just got an email from HP. Looks like they've finished it and are shipping it back. My fingers are crossed...hope they fixed it. Hopefully I'll get it sometime tomorrow - although, it requires a signature, and I'm gone most of the day. :| Maybe I'll have some luck. :lol:

OSUKid7

11-09-2004, 04:32 PM

DHL just delivered it...I'm lucky I was home...I'm only home for about an hour, and they delivered it about 2 minutes after I got home.

And...

Bad news. :( :evil:
Dear HP Customer:

Thank you for choosign HP to repair your product. HP created this repair program to ensure it is repaired to the original product specifications. HP is committed to creating superior products which offer the highest standards of quality, durability, and reliability.

Product: iPAQ Pocket PC H4705 (yes, they truely did call it the H4705 instead of the hx4705)
Serial Number: XXXXXXXXXX
Problem Description:
What was wrong with your HP product? Problem reported could not be duplicated.
What was done to repair your HP product? No repair completed.
Steps to take to resolve this issue. If the unit continues to exhibit the problem reported, please return all accessories associated with the problem on your next return to HP repair.

...

Darn. :frusty: I just turned the device back on, and the problem remains. The hissing started right after the hard reset setup screen/sound occured. And when I did a soft reset, the hissing started before I heard any sounds.

Well, guess I'll be calling HP back this afternoon. :( :grumble:

Darius Wey

11-09-2004, 05:11 PM

You know...either they used a set of headphones that masked the sound out, or it's just a recognised problem in most of the iPAQs... :roll: :(

I think for now, I'll delay my decision to contact HP...

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

11-13-2004, 01:25 AM

OSUKid7

11-13-2004, 03:56 AM

For what it's worth, I also own an hx4705 and notice the same hissing. Actually the hissing itself doesn't bother as much as the prospect that my device is using more battery power than necessary by leaving the amplifier on after playing sounds.Hrm...well I guess it's nice to know I'm not alone.

I haven't called HP back...I'm really torn whether I should send it back again. Being without such a great device for another week, when HP still may not fix it, isn't appealing at all.

Any thoughts? Should I just give up and live with the problem, or bug HP some more?

Darius Wey

11-13-2004, 04:28 AM

Based on people's responses, it seems as though this problem affects a large number of iPAQs so I'm not sure if sending it back will be of any use because they probably have this set protocol to follow. I doubt they'd replace an amplifier, etc. if they can't recognise the problem in the first place - and after your initial experience, I'd be beginning to think that sending it back a second time would be a little pointless.

I've learnt to live with it for a long time, and although at times, it can get on my nerves... in the broad scale of things, I'm okay with it.

vansu

12-14-2004, 05:40 PM

I've bought a hx4700 from Compusmart on Dec. 1st and noticed there was something strange witht he headphone jack. There was a low level hissing coming from the headphones (Sony Ear bud style) no matter what level the volume was set to or even off for that matter. I called up HP tech support and they tested a unit that they have in their labs and said they didn't hear any noise from their unit. They said it was probably a physical problem with my headphone jack and maybe I should return it to the store for an exchange. That's exactly what I did and i tested the new unit right away so i don't end up with another dud. Sadly to say, i tested that unit and the results were the same and we'd even tested another demo unit they had on the floor and it was the same. We used my Sony ear buds as well as a pair of Bose full size headphones to do the test. The noise was more prominent on the mini ear buds and negligible on the Bose. Just to make sure it wasn't the head phones causing the problems, we've tested it on a h4150 and there was NO noise whatsoever. I guess HP needs to fix this in their ROM update if there is any?

I can't believe I got ripped off paying so much money for a piece of SH!T device.
0X

Wiggster

12-15-2004, 09:18 AM

I can't believe I got ripped off paying so much money for a piece of SH!T device.
0X

Yes, because you only bought the device to hear crisp sound with headphones, and no other reason, right?

Which headphones are you using? I splurged and bought some Sony MDR-E888LP earbuds-- $80 for earbuds. In my hx4705, it sounds crisp and clear. I haven't heard any noticable background noise at all. If you're using the regular $10 earbuds that practically every retailer in the world carries, chances are that they are what's causing the problem. It's like the old addage, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link; if you expect good quality sound, you'll need a good sound card, a good processor, and good speakers.

The fact that the noise was neglible on the Bose seems to be an indicator that the problem lies in your earbuds. How many other headphones have you tried in your device? How many other speakers have you plugged the earphones into to see if you can reproduce the noise? Before you go calling your PDA a piece of something based of a tertiary feature, you might to well to put the accessories through its paces. If you still want better sound quality, buy an iPOD, it's dedicated to the task of music.

hetmet

12-17-2004, 07:24 PM

I hear that noise on my 4700 and i use a pair of mid range earphones.

About 30 GBP worth. It doesn't occur when listening to music only when there is silence. I also tried it with a pair of 70GBP shure in ear ones. It was still there. Infact it was more audiable...only due to the better quality of the phones making it more noticeable.

Personally I put it down to miniaturisation of electronics, maybe its just some interference like I get sometimes on my PC.

On another note I had this problem on every Ipaq I have had. 3630/2210/axim x30 high.

I feel it is a problem that HP cannot help with. thats why I am living with this (small) annoyance.

Darius Wey

12-18-2004, 04:55 AM

On another note I had this problem on every Ipaq I have had. 3630/2210/axim x30 high.

Axim X30? It's not an HP product, but you get the same hissing sound as well?

hetmet

12-18-2004, 11:11 AM

yes I got a hissing sound from the Dell also.

Couldn't say if it was worse or better on the Dell though.

jefflaplante

12-21-2004, 05:40 PM

I have a 4700 and it does have a very noisy headphone output. If you put your headphones on and plug them in with the device off you hear nothing. Turn on the 4700 and I hear a 'white-noise floor' in the headphones. Seems typical to pocket pcs but not necessarily 'right'. Cheap audio amplifier circuitry...

It's annoying when you're not listening to anything but playing rock music totally drowns it out. However, if you're playing something delicate like a trumpet jazz solo or a Yo-Yo Ma cello solo and you'll hear the hiss.

If you're serious about listening to music on your PPC, a headphone amp might help out with this. Although, it may just amplify the existing noise, depending on the amp..

boyce

12-23-2004, 11:19 PM

I have a 4700. I have a good and a cheap set of ear buds. Same problem with both - hissing as soon as the iPaq is powered on.

I rang HP and they said they would replace it.

Other than this problem it is the best iPaq I have owned.

OSUKid7

12-23-2004, 11:37 PM

I rang HP and they said they would replace it.
Said they would replace it?! 80 Well maybe I should think about sending mine in again. What did you say to them to convince them to replace it? If I'm gonna lose my iPAQ for another week, I'd like it to work when I get it back. :|

KuroNeko

02-19-2005, 02:09 AM

Curious since I'm considering a 4700: did your replacement have the hiss fixed?

Neko

OSUKid7

04-04-2005, 09:31 PM

Curious since I'm considering a 4700: did your replacement have the hiss fixed?
Sorry for the delay...must have forgotten to reply after you posted. I haven't sent in for a replacement. I really don't use my Pocket PC for music too much, and have learned to live with the hiss when I do. It still really bothers me, but until I'm 100% sure HP will replace it, I'm not gonna give them my iPAQ for another two weeks.

edit: hmm, were you asking boyce if his replacement hx4700 had the hissing problem? I'm interested in that as well.

Tye

04-04-2005, 10:30 PM

Why not take you headphones to the local electronic megastores and see if other PPC's have the same hiss? If you go to three stores and they all hiss then sending it in probably won't do much good.

I know my 4700 has it too. It bothers me a bit, but I'm no audiophile.

shady

04-05-2005, 09:18 AM

any samples of the hiss sound ? is it irritating and affects the sound quality. i wonder whether my 4150 has this problem too.

Darius Wey

04-05-2005, 12:25 PM

any samples of the hiss sound ? is it irritating and affects the sound quality. i wonder whether my 4150 has this problem too.

It's probably not the easiest thing to record, but the best way to describe it is a tyre slowly deflating. It's a soft, mellow sound in the background, and you really need some good ears to pick it up. Some headphones mask it out, but if you're wearing in-ear headphones and your Pocket PC suffers from the problem, you'll notice it. You usually won't hear it until you initiate an action which triggers a sound event (e.g. tapping on the Start menu).

shady

04-05-2005, 03:17 PM