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Idea #27275: remove need to always crank down/up volume for headphone use

bug This idea was marked as implemented the 8 October 11. Available starting Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot.
Written by kiko_ubuntu the 26 Feb 11 at 21:34. Category: Hardware support. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: Implemented
Rationale
When switching to headphone use, the computer/laptop already detects the change and mutes the speakers. Why not nudge the volume at the same time so users don't get sound-blasted every time?

When you drag the slider with headphones plugged the level is remembered, same goes for unplugged volume. They are just stored independently internally and restored on the switch.

There should be very few use cases where the user wants to adjust headphone volume when not actually having the headphones on at the time (and vice versa).

In a sense this is an invisible change, but it's the kind of thing that sets good products apart.

Simple, useful, very Ubuntu.

You know it makes sense. Thanks for the support.



135
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): independent headphone volume settings
Written by kiko_ubuntu the 26 Feb 11 at 21:34.
Independent volume settings internally, The same master slider is used but levels restored accordingly on the hardware switch.
63
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Enable to switch from headphones to speakers without unpluging headphones.
Written by fred_t the 1 Mar 11 at 10:45.
To avoid having to plug and unplug headphones, which is wearing the jack and is not always easy due to accessibility factors, it would also be possible to switch from headphones to speakers via a keyboard shortcut -- maybe special + s ? -- or an icon.
24
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#3): Independent Volume setting for Headphone and a soft switch to activate speaker
Written by sivanmyl the 5 Mar 11 at 05:27.
Normally the headphone socket cuts off speakers mechanically. At times, many people feel convenient to connect speakers while the headphone is connected. Hardware should change to an electronic switch and then it should be possible to make any selection in the software.

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Comments
fred_t wrote on the 1 Mar 11 at 10:23
Excellent Idea.
Also, I don't know how it could be done, but i would find it amazing to be able to switch from headphones to speakers without having to unplug my headphones. By pressing a button or a keyboard shorcut maybe. I'll propose it right away.

inkwina wrote on the 13 Mar 11 at 19:45
Essentially we need much better mixer support, with intuitive GUI and informative labels. This problem is more difficult because of many undocumented 'quirks' in sound hardware. But today is easy to see how a Desktop system might have multiple audio inputs and outputs, and wishing to select which to use dynamically. (e.g. a second usb sound card attached to speaker in a different room etc..)

cheesehead (Brainstorm admin) wrote on the 8 Oct 11 at 12:42
This idea was reviewed by the Ubuntu Technical Board in September 2011.

- David Henningson responded to this idea at http://voices.canonical.com/david.henningsson/2011/09/29/independent-volume-for -headphones-and-speakers/

- Ubuntu 11.10 has this feature, but it may not work yet for all hardware.

- If it doesn't work for your hardware, then please file a bug report!


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