Selecting default bluetooth connection type

Question

I'm having a bit of trouble configuring my bluetooth headphones on Windows 7. I can pair them and connect them just fine, when I disconnect and reconnect them, for some reason, the default profile selected is "headset" over "Stereo audio device". When headset is selected the audio quality is dreadful, it can't be listened to and there is a green tick next to "Forward VoIP Calls to Handsfree". If I click "Disconnect" then "Listen to Music" the tick transfers next to "listen to music" with the "Connected to" showing as "Stereo Audio Device".

Is there a way to set the default connection to "Listen to Music" and "Stereo Audio Device"?

Thanks

Answer 1

I think I figured this out.

short story { the trick is "pressing the volume buttons on the headphones" }

long story -

Here are my specifics:

1. HP Folio 9470m with Intel Centrino Bluetooth Radio
2. Only driver from SP61660 will install the correct - Bluetooth Radio driver
3. The laptop comes with separate packages for each comm device:

a. Bluetooth Radio driver (sp61660.exe)

b. Wireless Radio driver (sp58782.exe)

c. Ethernet Controller driver (sp60775.exe)

None of the direct download Intel drivers will work properly, they are not recognized by Windows as applicable to the PCI hardware identifiers.

If you leave one of the driver packages out that feature will not function:

bluetooth, wifi, ethernet .. et. al.

After install the Bluetooth Driver looks like this:

And all three drivers look like this in the Device Manager.

After pairing your headset

(The ones I tested are LG HBS730 Bluetooth Headphones)

You should power them [off]

Powering them on a voice will say "Power On, Battery XXX"

• do "nothing" will connect you to "HandFree"
• do "UP on Vol" will connect you to "Listen to Music"

The trick seems very time dependent, wait too long and it ignores your command.

I also think this might be a remote control feature of the bluetooth device that can switch between the two modes remotely.. but there are some "locks" on Advanced tab of the active channel (mode) in the Sound Playback tab Mode Properties that are only visible when the channel is active.. they state

[x] Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device

[x] Give exclusive mode applications priority

The Advanced tab for each channel only appears when its active.. so you cannot preconfigure it.. but they might be set in the registry some place. The user interface is very difficult to use.

The "reason" I think this is meant to be remote control and it might work if unlocked, is because when I manually disconnect both channels, then I can use the UP and DOWN buttons to apparently "choose" which channel mode to go into "handsfree" or "listen to music" -- ultimately I guess they wanted you to be able to take a call while pausing your music, but if the music player has an "exclusive" lock or control over this channel.. it can't get out of that mode from your remote "command" conveyed by the UP and DOWN buttons..

I don't have any more time to work on the theory tonight.. but its a big improvement for me.

Previously I had to open the [Device and Printers] window, and the [Services/Tasks] window to disable "Handsfree" and enable "Listen to Music"

With this "trick" I just have to know after the PowerON and Battery XXX statement.. I have a small window of opportunity before "Handsfree" gets an exclusive lock on the channel and can choose to change over to "Listen to Music" without opening any menus. -- It just works