ContactNow: What causes echo and other audio issues?
Applies To
ContactNow
Answer
While most echoes in VoIP come from the far-end point, there are many other factors that can cause this to occur. In trying to prevent this undesired effect, we have put together a list of some of the biggest causes behind echo in VoIP.
Hardware
Hardware can especially be a contributing factor in creating echo. Faulty hardware can typically be found at the far end of the talk. Interference can be due to a number of reasons such as poor quality splitters, poor or damaged wiring, long runs of mangled telephone cabling, or even damaged analog headphones. When each and/or any of these hardware problems exist, they can create a blockage or mismatch causing the signal to bounce, resulting in an echo.
Feedback
Feedback typically occurs from the far end telephone, and usually results in the voice traveling back to the mouthpiece from the earpiece through the receiver itself. This can occur when the caller is not holding the handset correctly (against his or her head) or if the handset is poorly designed.
When either occurs, it’s possible for the microphone to pick up sounds from the earpiece and send them back down the line. Though this could be pegged as a hardware issue, as this occurs as a result of cheap or poorly designed hand/headsets, feedback is a separate concern in and of itself.
Intensity and Volume
Though echo can be detected when the delay from the original source is around 10 ms, the intensity of the echo wave determines how noticeable the echo will be. In addition to the intensity of the wave volume can contribute to corruption of the signal. Adjusting the volume of the phone itself can sometimes have an impact on echo.
Electromagnetic Interference
This type of interference can occur when one positions their systems too close to other electronic devices. Devices such as computers, power strips, and monitors have large electrical fields which can cause interference.
Furthermore, other devices can create electromagnetic fields, so it is best to position your systems with this in mind.
Though there are other contributing factors, like design for instance, the above are the most common causes of echo in VoIP systems. Many of the above causes can serve as ways to troubleshoot one’s system if they are experiencing this problem.