Do Lync Online Meetings require all attendees to have a microphone? (I'm sure the answer is no...)

I have a standard deployment on 1 FE and 1 edge server.  Nobody is connecting through the edge server - the presenter and all participants are all on the same domain and on the same lan.

The intention is to have one presenter who needs a microphone and a few dozen participants that won't speak and don't have microphones.   I found that when an online meeting is set up, I can invite people with webcams and they join without any problems.  Those without webcams get an error when joining:  Audio device is not configured.

Our OCS 2007r2 didn't have this issue, so I'm pretty sure that I just have something misconfigured.  Any ideas what that could be?

 

April 12th, 2011 7:04pm

It is like that by default...but maybe there are way.

Anyone knows??

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April 12th, 2011 7:54pm

Could anyone let me know if they can have one presenter with a microphone/webcam and a pile of participants without?  I found another guy with the same problem (http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/ocsconferencing/thread/ee500996-c0fd-42f9-b012-b281b97a2686?prof=required) who isn't getting anywhere either.

If this is a bug, it's a really big one.  Effectively, we can't have online meetings unless we buy microphones or webcams for every employee.  If you are skimming through this, could you reply just to say that you can or cannot have an online meeting (was called livemeeting with OCS) in the manner explained above?  Thanks to all.

April 13th, 2011 6:53pm

I was under the impression that there must be an audio output device (speakers/headphones) but a mic was not required.  Even so, I don't see a reason for why this completely prevents someone from joining a meeting.  Why not just a nice warning message?
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April 13th, 2011 7:49pm

New info:  I found that plugging any cable (even just an extension) into the mic port will allow the participants to join the meeting and hear the presenter.
April 13th, 2011 8:28pm

Hi everyone,

I have tested this problem for you.

Like KC said even if you plug any cable you can join the meeting directly.

But if you don't want to plug any device you also can join it by choosing "connect to a meeting" option.

This option only appear when you fail to join the meeting when no device is plugged.

Hopt it can help you.

Best Regards!

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April 15th, 2011 12:03pm

Thanks for the reply!  That and other comments in other threads (http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/ocsconferencing/thread/ee500996-c0fd-42f9-b012-b281b97a2686?prof=required being one)  lead me to submit a service request to MS.  I should receive a call from them in the next 4 hours.  I'll report back with what I learn.

April 15th, 2011 7:07pm

Microsoft has already documented this as a bug with no comments on if it will ever be repaired.  

This means that audio cannot be received by a participant in a Lync Server Online Meeting unless the participant has a microphone plugged in.

I was asked by the MS support tech (who was as helpful and polite as he could be) to submit a BIS (Business Impact Statement).  Hopefully the BIS will be viewed as worthy of getting the developers to repair this problem.

I'm surprised that I had to go this far to find an answer if not a solution.  Is it really that odd for a typical training to be held using Lync/OCS or do most companies install a microphone or webcam on every PC?

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April 19th, 2011 9:45pm

Microsoft's reply:

 

"I have checked with the product team and got the confirmation that the DCR has been accepted and the fix will be available in Lync CU4, which is expected to be released by the end of the year."


May 16th, 2011 8:12pm

Microsoft's reply:

 

"I have checked with the product team and got the confirmation that the DCR has been accepted and the fix will be available in Lync CU4, which is expected to be released by the end of the year."


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May 16th, 2011 8:12pm

Microsoft's reply:

 

"I have checked with the product team and got the confirmation that the DCR has been accepted and the fix will be available in Lync CU4, which is expected to be released by the end of the year."


May 16th, 2011 8:12pm

Microsoft's reply:

 

"I have checked with the product team and got the confirmation that the DCR has been accepted and the fix will be available in Lync CU4, which is expected to be released by the end of the year."


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May 16th, 2011 8:12pm

Microsoft's reply:

 

"I have checked with the product team and got the confirmation that the DCR has been accepted and the fix will be available in Lync CU4, which is expected to be released by the end of the year."


May 16th, 2011 11:12pm

Microsoft's reply:

 

"I have checked with the product team and got the confirmation that the DCR has been accepted and the fix will be available in Lync CU4, which is expected to be released by the end of the year."


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May 16th, 2011 11:12pm

Microsoft's reply:

 

"I have checked with the product team and got the confirmation that the DCR has been accepted and the fix will be available in Lync CU4, which is expected to be released by the end of the year."


May 16th, 2011 11:12pm

Microsoft's reply:

 

"I have checked with the product team and got the confirmation that the DCR has been accepted and the fix will be available in Lync CU4, which is expected to be released by the end of the year."


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May 16th, 2011 11:12pm

Sorry for the new name - I haven't used the old one in a long time and forgot the password.

 

Microsoft just sent me an update:

 

"During our review we noticed that the Microphone parameter is intertwined to the nerve center of the MCUs.

Making a change would involve too many components and the high cost associated for making these changes would not justified to qualify it as a Cumulative Update within this product release lifecycle.

Unfortunately, the bug that has been filed for this case has been rejected. "

He goes on to recommend buying a few hundred microphones from Amazon. 

Insane.

 

 

August 30th, 2011 8:02pm

As far as I can tell, the software is satisfied as long as you plug anything into the microphone jack (even a disconnected plug from an old headset worked for me), though you can't unplug it afterwards without the call getting interrupted (so multiple people can't share the same plug).
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August 30th, 2011 9:37pm

I found that out and ended up buying 500 audio adapters for less than a quarter each.  Explaining over and over to people why they have to be plugged in was pretty humiliating.  I tested about 20 machines and found 2 that had sound cards/sound card drivers smart enough to recognize that the adapters weren't microphones.  I'll have to get them real mics. 

I haven't yet tried to find out what happens with outside callers using web app.  I have a good guess as to what the results will be... 

MS recognizes this is a bug, and decided to fix it it CU4, but then decided not to.  The only thing I can come up with for that is the recent purchase of Skype.  Maybe the more difficult repairs will be delayed/cancelled while Skype is being integrated into the next version of Lync?  I really don't have any idea if that's the plan or not - I'm just speculating.

 

September 2nd, 2011 11:13pm

Just seen the update saying they won’t be fixing this issue. Very disappointing news for us, just had this issue re-occur with another client when trying to do an online meeting. It’s niggles like this that really detract from Lync being a “first class” online meeting offering, trying to explain to customers that can’t join a screen sharing session because they don’t have a microphone plugged in is laughable.

 

Ben.

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September 19th, 2011 4:38pm

Q:I haven't yet tried to find out what happens with outside callers using web app. I have a good guess as to what the results will be...

A: web app doesn't support audio.

September 19th, 2011 4:47pm

I have found that I have this same issue when the computer has a combo audio jack where the microphone and speaker icon is on the same 3mm jack. We have some model computers that have only 1 microphone jack and 1 speaker jack while other models have 1 combo jack which can be mic and speaker and 1 speaker jack only. I cannot join Lync meetings when on a computer that has one of the combo jacks but i can join without issue on the computers that have the individual jacks. I have not yet found a workaround and it is a big issue for us.

Computers we have with this issue are:
   HP Compaq 6000 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 6200 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra Slim Desktop

We do not see this issue with computers that do not have the combo mic/speaker port. Still testing though too so I could find more.


  • Edited by mderosia Wednesday, June 06, 2012 3:25 PM more info
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June 6th, 2012 3:23pm

I have found that I have this same issue when the computer has a combo audio jack where the microphone and speaker icon is on the same 3mm jack. We have some model computers that have only 1 microphone jack and 1 speaker jack while other models have 1 combo jack which can be mic and speaker and 1 speaker jack only. I cannot join Lync meetings when on a computer that has one of the combo jacks but i can join without issue on the computers that have the individual jacks. I have not yet found a workaround and it is a big issue for us.

Computers we have with this issue are:
   HP Compaq 6000 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 6200 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra Slim Desktop

We do not see this issue with computers that do not have the combo mic/speaker port. Still testing though too so I could find more.


  • Edited by mderosia Wednesday, June 06, 2012 3:25 PM more info
June 6th, 2012 3:23pm

I have found that I have this same issue when the computer has a combo audio jack where the microphone and speaker icon is on the same 3mm jack. We have some model computers that have only 1 microphone jack and 1 speaker jack while other models have 1 combo jack which can be mic and speaker and 1 speaker jack only. I cannot join Lync meetings when on a computer that has one of the combo jacks but i can join without issue on the computers that have the individual jacks. I have not yet found a workaround and it is a big issue for us.

Computers we have with this issue are:
   HP Compaq 6000 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 6200 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra Slim Desktop

We do not see this issue with computers that do not have the combo mic/speaker port. Still testing though too so I could find more.


  • Edited by mderosia Wednesday, June 06, 2012 3:25 PM more info
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June 6th, 2012 3:23pm

I have found that I have this same issue when the computer has a combo audio jack where the microphone and speaker icon is on the same 3mm jack. We have some model computers that have only 1 microphone jack and 1 speaker jack while other models have 1 combo jack which can be mic and speaker and 1 speaker jack only. I cannot join Lync meetings when on a computer that has one of the combo jacks but i can join without issue on the computers that have the individual jacks. I have not yet found a workaround and it is a big issue for us.

Computers we have with this issue are:
   HP Compaq 6000 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 6200 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra Slim Desktop

We do not see this issue with computers that do not have the combo mic/speaker port. Still testing though too so I could find more.


  • Edited by mderosia Wednesday, June 06, 2012 3:25 PM more info
June 6th, 2012 3:23pm

I have found that I have this same issue when the computer has a combo audio jack where the microphone and speaker icon is on the same 3mm jack. We have some model computers that have only 1 microphone jack and 1 speaker jack while other models have 1 combo jack which can be mic and speaker and 1 speaker jack only. I cannot join Lync meetings when on a computer that has one of the combo jacks but i can join without issue on the computers that have the individual jacks. I have not yet found a workaround and it is a big issue for us.

Computers we have with this issue are:
   HP Compaq 6000 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 6200 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra Slim Desktop

We do not see this issue with computers that do not have the combo mic/speaker port. Still testing though too so I could find more.


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June 6th, 2012 6:23pm

I have found that I have this same issue when the computer has a combo audio jack where the microphone and speaker icon is on the same 3mm jack. We have some model computers that have only 1 microphone jack and 1 speaker jack while other models have 1 combo jack which can be mic and speaker and 1 speaker jack only. I cannot join Lync meetings when on a computer that has one of the combo jacks but i can join without issue on the computers that have the individual jacks. I have not yet found a workaround and it is a big issue for us.

Computers we have with this issue are:
   HP Compaq 6000 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 6200 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra Slim Desktop

We do not see this issue with computers that do not have the combo mic/speaker port. Still testing though too so I could find more.


  • Edited by mderosia Wednesday, June 06, 2012 3:25 PM more info
June 6th, 2012 6:23pm

I have found that I have this same issue when the computer has a combo audio jack where the microphone and speaker icon is on the same 3mm jack. We have some model computers that have only 1 microphone jack and 1 speaker jack while other models have 1 combo jack which can be mic and speaker and 1 speaker jack only. I cannot join Lync meetings when on a computer that has one of the combo jacks but i can join without issue on the computers that have the individual jacks. I have not yet found a workaround and it is a big issue for us.

Computers we have with this issue are:
   HP Compaq 6000 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 6200 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra Slim Desktop

We do not see this issue with computers that do not have the combo mic/speaker port. Still testing though too so I could find more.


  • Edited by mderosia Wednesday, June 06, 2012 3:25 PM more info
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
June 6th, 2012 6:23pm

I have found that I have this same issue when the computer has a combo audio jack where the microphone and speaker icon is on the same 3mm jack. We have some model computers that have only 1 microphone jack and 1 speaker jack while other models have 1 combo jack which can be mic and speaker and 1 speaker jack only. I cannot join Lync meetings when on a computer that has one of the combo jacks but i can join without issue on the computers that have the individual jacks. I have not yet found a workaround and it is a big issue for us.

Computers we have with this issue are:
   HP Compaq 6000 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 6200 Pro Small Form Factor
   HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra Slim Desktop

We do not see this issue with computers that do not have the combo mic/speaker port. Still testing though too so I could find more.


  • Edited by mderosia Wednesday, June 06, 2012 3:25 PM more info
June 6th, 2012 6:23pm

Is there no new update to this?  This seems ridiculous that a user needs a microphone plugged in in order to join a meeting where they just want to HEAR the audio, not speak.
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August 6th, 2013 3:07pm

In the middle of making the switch to Lync 2013.  Hopefully the problem has been fixed.  I'll post what I find soon.
October 14th, 2013 1:31pm

It's fixed in 2013.  
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October 14th, 2013 5:44pm

It's fixed in 2013.  
  • Marked as answer by KCGuy765 Wednesday, November 27, 2013 8:34 PM
October 14th, 2013 9:43pm

It's fixed in 2013.  
  • Marked as answer by KCGuy765 Wednesday, November 27, 2013 8:34 PM
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October 14th, 2013 9:43pm

It's fixed in 2013.  
  • Marked as answer by KCGuy765 Wednesday, November 27, 2013 8:34 PM
October 14th, 2013 9:43pm

It's fixed in 2013.  
  • Marked as answer by KCGuy765 Wednesday, November 27, 2013 8:34 PM
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October 14th, 2013 9:43pm

It's fixed in 2013.  
  • Marked as answer by KCGuy765 15 hours 13 minutes ago
October 15th, 2013 12:43am

It's fixed in 2013.  
  • Marked as answer by KCGuy765 Wednesday, November 27, 2013 8:34 PM
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October 15th, 2013 12:43am

It's fixed in 2013.  
  • Marked as answer by KCGuy765 Wednesday, November 27, 2013 8:34 PM
October 15th, 2013 12:43am

It looks like I spoke too soon.  It worked when I had the front end server running by itself.  It stopped working at some point while setting up archiving and monitoring, an edge server, a reverse proxy server (IIS ARR), and removing the old servers.

Grrr....

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November 7th, 2013 5:57pm

And one more update.  I rerequested a new cert from my local CA for the front end server and video now works as hoped.  I just had a meeting where I had a webcam and sent video and audio to all, a second person had a headset and contributed only audio, and the third person had no webcam or mic.  Everyone saw and heard me, and heard the second person.  No mic required for person 3.
November 27th, 2013 3:40pm

This is not the case for me.  Lync 2013 client to Lync 2013 client, created a meeting, person without a mic is kicked out of the meeting immediately with error "you need to set up an audio device".


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March 6th, 2014 2:28pm

Same error as Ben for me using Skype for Business Online.

  • Edited by Jentrup76 18 hours 45 minutes ago
May 4th, 2015 8:39am

Same error as Ben for me using Skype for Business Online.

  • Edited by Jentrup76 Monday, May 04, 2015 12:38 PM
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May 4th, 2015 12:38pm

Same error as Ben for me using Skype for Business Online.

  • Edited by Jentrup76 Monday, May 04, 2015 12:38 PM
May 4th, 2015 12:38pm

Same error as Ben for me using Skype for Business Online.

  • Edited by Jentrup76 Monday, May 04, 2015 12:38 PM
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May 4th, 2015 12:38pm

Same error as Ben for me using Skype for Business Online.

  • Edited by Jentrup76 Monday, May 04, 2015 12:38 PM
May 4th, 2015 12:38pm

It is not fixed as of 5/8/2015.  I have all updates installed and my client is Skype for Business 2015.  It came with our Office 365 subscription.  Participants without a microphone cannot join a meeting to view the presenter's screen or hear the presenter's microphone unless the participant has a microphone installed on their own computer, which is unusual for desktop PC users.
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May 8th, 2015 3:18pm

It is not fixed as of 5/8/2015.

Well, as KCGuy765 quoted Microsoft almost four years ago, they aren't going to fix it. Although I was able to see such a meeting, I could hear no audio. Crazy. The programmer (or manager) who decided not to forward the audio if there's no microphone, should have his head examined. The manager who blocked repairing of the bug: the same. By not repairing their bugs, Microsoft allows other tech firms to keep up with them. Or overtake them. What's the problem of adding a few billion to the 'bug fix centres'?

And I don't believe this quote: 'Making a change would involve too many components'... It should be just a matter of doing a check if there's a microphone or not. That's only one bit (on the lowest language level) which need to be changed.



  • Edited by mpmpm 43 minutes ago
June 12th, 2015 2:41am

It is not fixed as of 5/8/2015.

Well, as KCGuy765 quoted Microsoft almost four years ago, they aren't going to fix it. Although I was able to see such a meeting, I could hear no audio. Crazy. The programmer (or manager) who decided not to forward the audio if there's no microphone, should have his head examined. The manager who blocked repairing of the bug: the same. By not repairing their bugs, Microsoft allows other tech firms to keep up with them. Or overtake them. What's the problem of adding a few billion to the 'bug fix centres'?

And I don't believe this quote: 'Making a change would involve too many components'... It should be just a matter of doing a check if there's a microphone or not. That's only one bit (on the lowest language level) which need to be changed.



  • Edited by mpmpm Friday, June 12, 2015 6:42 AM
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June 12th, 2015 6:40am

It is not fixed as of 5/8/2015.

Well, as KCGuy765 quoted Microsoft almost four years ago, they aren't going to fix it. Although I was able to see such a meeting, I could hear no audio. Crazy. The programmer (or manager) who decided not to forward the audio if there's no microphone, should have his head examined. The manager who blocked repairing of the bug: the same. By not repairing their bugs, Microsoft allows other tech firms to keep up with them. Or overtake them. What's the problem of adding a few billion to the 'bug fix centres'?

And I don't believe this quote: 'Making a change would involve too many components'... It should be just a matter of doing a check if there's a microphone or not. That's only one bit (on the lowest language level) which need to be changed.



  • Edited by mpmpm Friday, June 12, 2015 6:42 AM
June 12th, 2015 6:40am

It is not fixed as of 5/8/2015.

Well, as KCGuy765 quoted Microsoft almost four years ago, they aren't going to fix it. Although I was able to see such a meeting, I could hear no audio. Crazy. The programmer (or manager) who decided not to forward the audio if there's no microphone, should have his head examined. The manager who blocked repairing of the bug: the same. By not repairing their bugs, Microsoft allows other tech firms to keep up with them. Or overtake them. What's the problem of adding a few billion to the 'bug fix centres'?

And I don't believe this quote: 'Making a change would involve too many components'... It should be just a matter of doing a check if there's a microphone or not. That's only one bit (on the lowest language level) which need to be changed.



  • Edited by mpmpm Friday, June 12, 2015 6:42 AM
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June 12th, 2015 6:40am

It is not fixed as of 5/8/2015.

Well, as KCGuy765 quoted Microsoft almost four years ago, they aren't going to fix it. Although I was able to see such a meeting, I could hear no audio. Crazy. The programmer (or manager) who decided not to forward the audio if there's no microphone, should have his head examined. The manager who blocked repairing of the bug: the same. By not repairing their bugs, Microsoft allows other tech firms to keep up with them. Or overtake them. What's the problem of adding a few billion to the 'bug fix centres'?

And I don't believe this quote: 'Making a change would involve too many components'... It should be just a matter of doing a check if there's a microphone or not. That's only one bit (on the lowest language level) which need to be changed.



  • Edited by mpmpm Friday, June 12, 2015 6:42 AM
June 12th, 2015 6:40am

It is NOT fixed as of 8/18/2015.

I agree with the others in this thread; not fixing or changing this seems like a really silly decision.

Which makes me suspect that it is a licensing or non-competition agreement decision of some sort. Maybe they are using a component from one of the major conferencing vendors, under the terms that they have to require that a mic be present for audio processing.

Because it really doesn't seem to make much sense from a technical point of view. At all. Unless they are using a component from another vendor and they can't figure out how the component really works... nope, that doesn't make much sense either...

Well, at least it works fairly reliably now when the mic is there, and switching between audio and video devices seems to work better recently as well.

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August 18th, 2015 2:33pm

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