Buzzing/humming sound in TG50 with earphones

[darkness]

My TG50 produces this buzzing/humming sound when earphones are plugged into the earphone jack when no sound is playing. I believe the sound is due to electrical noise getting into the sound system, probably due to some interferance or bad filtering. This noise is worse when the MS is being accessed. (Can try by ejecting and inserting the MS)

I'm wondering if you guys are having this same behaviour or did I just buy a lemon? This makes the TG50 a very unattractive mp3 player... :(

[mugwump]

Hi -

I've had my TG50 a few weeks, and to be honest, I hadn't tried the MP3 player until your post. I used an MS that I've used before on my N760C, and older Sony ear-bud headphones that have served me well on many trips to Japan and DC over the years. So I think they are OK.

Having said that, I do indeed notice a faint buzzing, whether the MS is in the slot or not. It's not noticeable to me when a song is playing.

But I do notice much better overall sound with the TG50 - great bass !!

And I should confess - I don't use my Clie for an MP3 player. That's why I have an iPod . . . :)

Any other reports from the group ??

Steve

I'm going to see if rewriting the files on the MS or another MS changes things, and will also try another set of headphones.

[pigburger]

I think it has something to do with the headphones. I had the same problem on my NR and it annoyed the hell out of me. I went out and picked up a set of MDR-EX73 headphones and not only was the buzz gone, I actually enjoyed my mp3s, as opposed to just listening to them. Try a different set of headphones of decent quality and see if you still get it.

Good luck.

[icruise]

I don't think it is the headphones, if it is the same thing that I have. I don't normally listen to things with the headphones (have an iPod which kicks any PDA's but when it comes to MP3s) but I tried it recently and the buzz is really terrible. From what I hear it is only a problem with some machines. I'm using a pair of ~$80 Sony headphones that sound great with everything else, so I don't think the headphones are to blame. I don't know what to do about it -- I heard that one person exchanged his as defective. It's definitely connected with the electrical system, as you get a stronger buzz when you press a button or when the memory stick is being accessed, etc.

[s_n_m]

It is because the headphone port is too close to the MS slot. Many many devices have this problem.

Once sound is playing though you can't hear it.

I have my iPod handy, but for movies of course I have to use my clie!

[hansschmucker]

Sony MDR-Q33LP
http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/ss5/generic/accessories/wear/index.shtml
My personal favourite

but as I admit, I wouldn't hear the humming, as they are more like headphones, attached to each ear individually.

[ngwailung]

It seems that you won't hear the humming noise if you use Sony headphones.

[typecoon]

no,that is not the point. i tried many sony earphones, such as mdr-888,mdr-838,mdr-741, even panasonic earphones,
the noisy buzzing sounds still exist. i think that is hardware bug. why sony release a good product with such a huge bug, :(
i hope there will be a software patch for this matter, but i am not optimistic about that.

[s_n_m]

Did you NOT read my post???

[graph101]

are there cases that buzzing does not exist? will a simple exchange solve it? (given you got a defective one)

[mugwump]

I tried another Sony headphone (the noise-cancelling MDR-NC11), and while it's less, the buzzing is still there. So s_n_m is probably right - the connector on my N760C is clear on the other side of the Clie, and not near the MS, and there's no buzz.

Good thing I have my iPod - although it would be nice to take just the TG50 and a few MS's on a trip . . .

Sigh . . .

[darkness]

It kinda sucks to have that buzzing sound considering that my (aged) N710C didn't even have this problem. It seems like this problem could have been solved by introducing a grounding plate somewhere near the analogue output of the headphone to prevent the inductive effect of the electric system, why didn't Sony do it?? (Esp. they have all the audio engineers there)

I wonder if this problem similarly affects ALL TG50s or just some of them. It seems like some of you guys don't have the problem?? This problem is *very* apparant in quiet places like the library when I do studying. Other than that while on the streets or something it's ok.

[Take1]

I've seen complaints about buzzing on the TG series, but can't say that I've experienced this on my unit. My TG sounds as good (better, actually) as my old NR-70. I don't get beeping or any poping when pushing buttons or anything related to the MS being accessed. Perhaps this IS a hardware bug in some units.

[T1000X]

Originally posted by s_n_m
It is because the headphone port is too close to the MS slot. Many many devices have this problem.

Once sound is playing though you can't hear it.

I have my iPod handy, but for movies of course I have to use my clie!

Yeah, I love the MP3 playback features in my Clie but for the extra kick I couldn't pass up getting a Nomad Jukebox Zen USB 2.0. For $300, it has a nice 20GB Hard Drive. Too bad I only have 3GB or so of MP3s. I'll have to fix that problem soon... hopefully when I get DSL.

[hansschmucker]

Probably, as it doesn't appear on my NX. And I guess, when it comes to software, both are pretty much identical.

[darkness]

Thanks Take1, perhaps I should bring my unit back down to my retailer and show him the problem and see if I can change for another one.

[TechnoCat]

Originally posted by hansschmucker
Sony MDR-Q33LP
http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/ss5/generic/accessories/wear/index.shtml
My personal favourite.
Mine too; use them especially for long (10hr) flights. Normal headsets are too bulky and get in the way of wearing a light-blocking baseball cap, and earbuds never did it for me.

Plus these pups have great sound for the $30 price.

[Kesh]

No buzzing problems with my TG-50, though it does pop when starting/stopping playback.

[darkness]

Kesh, can you just try this simple experiment: go to a quiet place where there is no background noise at all, then plug in the earphones and then press any of the hard keys (and hold it) and see if you can hear any buzz/noise? When you let go of the button it's less apparant, but when you press it, the sound is louder.

[wilsonch_98]

This have been discuss previously.

I think this is a design flaws, that every TG50 have it

[Jeff]

New to the forum and the TG-50. Got my unit about two weeks ago, have the buzzing problem. Contacted Sony, they seemed to admit a vague awareness of the problem. So, my CLIE is currently en route to San Diego to get looked at and hopefully fixed by the repair shop. Sucks to send a two-week old unit (replacement for an older CLIE that I used daily) in for a repair, but hopefully they'll be able to do something. 'll let you folks know if it works. In theory, they should be able to either shield the headphone jack (if proximity to MS slot is the problem) or add something to filter the noise prior to the jack. We shall see. Anxious to get the thing back.

[Unregistered]

I can't hear any Buzzing or Humming Sounds on my TG-50... I use the headphone that come with my old T665. Is the problem related to the place it is selled or the serial (some sort like the Rom Problem)... I buy mine at Hong Kong...

[GummyDancer]

That's me... and I did try other headphones, still I can't hear any buzzing or humming sounds...:confused:

[redtani]

no buzzing sounds and no effect from memory stick on my unit.... i use sony earbud headphones with volume control... dont have flash rom though. what do you guys think is worth more? the none-buzzing or the flash rom? just wondering...

[Jeff]

I was under the impression that the buzzing was a universal problem, and that one could hear / not hear it depending on the set of headphones. I have the buzzing (as I said above) but no flash rom. I'm not sure the too are linked. However, I would rather have the buzzing gone.

Actually, the audio leak is not just through the headphone jack. If you hold the speaker on the back of the unit right up to your ear, you can hear the same sounds. In any case, I mainly want my TG as an organizer, and am happy for any additional functions. It's my second day away from it, and I'm just itching to get it back from Sony.

[VetPsychWars]

Hrm, just tried mine with my Koss R/200 Pro headphones, and it's dead quiet. Perhaps that's another revision Sony made from early to later models?

Interestingly enough, there used to be sort of a click when going from one mp3 to the next, but I no longer hear it. I think it's the Pro memory stick.

Tom

[redtani]

nope, really no buzzing. did some extensive testing today, and the most "defect" i could find was a little sound (kind of like when turning on pc speakers) when loading large games like GTS racing and insaniquarium, and those sounds dont even last a second. and you could barely here them too. mp3 is just excellent, especially with bass 3. was in a concert once and recorded one of the songs. listened to it in the car through the built in speakers and it was ok. but when i tried listening on earphones....WOW.. it was like i was there! every detail, even the conversation i was having with my friend was so clear!

[snowx]

Originally posted by darkness
Kesh, can you just try this simple experiment: go to a quiet place where there is no background noise at all, then plug in the earphones and then press any of the hard keys (and hold it) and see if you can hear any buzz/noise? When you let go of the button it's less apparant, but when you press it, the sound is louder.


I have tried it on my TG-50 and I do hear the low buzz noise when I press and hold any hard keys. It could only be heard at a very quite environment though. Also I think it should not be a issue since it only happens when you are holding a button. Everyone please try to test it again, I think it is common to all TG50


Snowx

[madmaxmedia]

I honestly don't hear buzzing on mine, nor do I get interference from the Memory stick (mine has NO flash).

I am sure that if I go somewhere with absolutely NO sound and really try, I'd hear something. But for all practical purposes at least I don't have sound interference.

The TG50 has absolutely GREAT sound quality, IMO it's better than any other PDA (that I've tried), and as good as almost any dedicated mp3 player (that I've tried). There's no equalizer, but to be honest the 3 bass levels are all I really need, the treble level is perfect for me for almost all the mp3's I own.

[redtani]

nope snowx, really no buzzing whatsoever... consolation for no flash rom i guess... :)

[snowx]

I didn't hear it at first... but then I try it again at a very quite environment and I could hear that buzzing. Mine has no flash rom too.

[darkness]

The buzzing sound occurs in all TG50 I think. The only way to hear the buzzing sound is to listen to the earphones in a dead quiet environment. The buzzing sound is really really soft and not audible in any "normal" environment.

[Porter]

I have the buzzing, but i do have flash ROM. The buzzing doesn't bother me to the point of losing enjoyment of the music. Like many have already stated, i to think that this is a design flaw and part of every TG50. The headphone jack should not be positioned next to the MS slot. That is my one big gripe about the TG50. I wish they had left the headphone jack on the side and included the wired remote. It it had those, and built in wi-fi, it would perfect. There would be no reason to ever buy a new clie, and sony won't have that.

[T1000X]

Mine has the buzzing sound, and no FLASH ROM but I could care less about both problems. I use my TG50 as an MP3 player when I can't take my Nomad Jukebox Zen 20GB with me, and the lack of FLASH ROM doesn't impact my daily use of the device.

[Porter]

Not to get off topic, but the nomad zen, aswell as the ipod have hard wired batteries. Once those batteries wear out, the device is a paper weight. Creative labs and Apple have stated that they cannot or will not replace the batteries in their hard driver mp3 players. Luckily the battery is accessible and replaceable in the TG50.

[a_clie_er]

Originally posted by Porter
Not to get off topic, but the nomad zen, aswell as the ipod have hard wired batteries. Once those batteries wear out, the device is a paper weight. Creative labs and Apple have stated that they cannot or will not replace the batteries in their hard driver mp3 players. Luckily the battery is accessible and replaceable in the TG50.



i thought the tg50 batteries is not replaceable. Its true that there is a small accessable plate for battery on the TG50 but i have n't found any battery replacement anywhere on the net.

Althought if the battery is replaceable.. one thing i think will not be replaceable or hard to replace is the flourecent tube that provides the lighting inside the LCD screen. avg life of those might be 3 yrs?

back to main topic... i don't relize any humming .. if there is sound being played that should overwhelm any humming sound.

[TG50Lover]

I never heard a humming sound on my TG50 when I use headphone. I have try to used a few model from Sony, Compaq and a cheapo one, I still can't heard anything. But, when I connect to my car stereo, I heard the humming sound very clearly.

It's never happen to me when I used my T665 (sold to friend) before.

Is there anyone try to put a ferrite cores to headphone cable before?. I heard this thing can filter the noise from electrical equipments. it's might work on Clie also. I don't have one to test.

[madmaxmedia]

I tried listening in more quiet conditions, and I do hear a pretty quite humming-type sound. To be honest, it doesn't bother me at all since it's only audible when the headphones are on with no music. I've definitely heard more interference on other PDA's, and the TG50 has killer sound quality.

[madmaxmedia]

Having listened to both an older model with flash rom, and a newer model without it, I am sure there is a difference in sound quality. The old flash model has the interference the original poster mentioned, the newer TG50 did not.

It doesn't bother me since I own a Rio Karma, and I needed the extra memory in the flash model.

[malf]

Honestly, I haven't heard any humming neither using sony headphones nor coby, and the sound quality is really good in both cases for watching videos and listening mp3s.

[bobbyb]

I completely agree. No problems

[sparkyclie]

Originally posted by TG50Lover
I never heard a humming sound on my TG50 when I use headphone. I have try to used a few model from Sony, Compaq and a cheapo one, I still can't heard anything. But, when I connect to my car stereo, I heard the humming sound very clearly.


 

There's so much stuff around a car dashboard that interferes with audio kit - it's no surprise. I don't think you can blame the Clie.