Any sound starts from a source. Today there are a lot of wireless protocols for transmitting sound. Some of them are much more interesting than Bluetooth, but have not yet received proper distribution. Today, almost all smartphones, laptops and tablets are equipped with Bluetooth, and equipping a device with its support if it has a USB output is a matter of five minutes.
Therefore, today we will limit ourselves to sound-reproducing devices using “blue tooth” (the guide is quite suitable for choosing a Bluetooth speaker). This technology has a rather long history and a lot of pitfalls, the existence of which is not always known to users.
The presence of a Bluetooth transmitter does not mean that the device can be used as a sound source for wireless audio equipment. Not every Bluetooth will allow you to listen to high-quality music without distortion. Not everyone is suitable for listening to files with high bitrates and lossless formats.
What to pay attention to in order to listen to music wirelessly - be it just an MP3 or a high-quality rip from a vinyl record, we will tell you in this article.
Let's start with the most important thing: this parameter directly indicates whether you can listen to music using the device.
VersionBluetooth
IN modern devices ah, most often you can find support for Bluetooth 3.0 or 4.0, in some top smartphones and other gadgets - 4.1. In this case, it may well turn out that the purchased headset supports connection only via protocol version 2.1. The adapters are backwards compatible, but when connected, the slowest protocol of the two works.
Differences between protocol versions for regular user are minimal due to backward compatibility. The main thing that catches your eye is that with each new version the power consumption of devices is reduced, and starting from 3.0 a second module has been added for high-speed data transfer at a speed of 24 Mbit/s.
Version 2.1 + EDR transmits data at a speed of no more than 2.1 Mbit/s. This is enough to play a low bitrate audio stream. To play audio and video streams, it is recommended to use Bluetooth version no lower than 3.0.
It is necessary to take into account that in order to fully use the device as a player, it is highly desirable to have Bluetooth version 4.0 and higher, or better yet, with reduced power consumption.
You can identify such an adapter thanks to the following categories.
ProfilesBluetooth
Profiles are a set of specific functions supported by devices. Of all the ones used in Bluetooth for listening to music, the following are interesting:
- Headset Profile (HSP) necessary for connecting the headset and smartphone and wireless transmission mono sound with a bitrate of 64 kbit/s.
- Hands-Free Profile (HFP) also provides only mono transmission, but with higher quality.
- Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) necessary for transmitting a two-channel audio stream.
- Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) provides control over the functions of playback devices (without it, even changing the music volume is impossible).
To fully listen to music, A2DP is required. It not only ensures the transmission of the audio stream, but also manages the compression of the data before transmission.
However, even if both the transmitting and reproducing device (for example, a smartphone and wireless headphones) are equipped with Bluetooth 3.0 or 4.0 and support the required protocol, you need to pay attention to the codec that is used.
CodecsBluetooth
The most important thing for playing music using the A2DP protocol is the codec, which compresses the audio stream transmitted to the headset. Total for this moment There are three codecs:
- Subband Coding (SBC)- codec used by A2DP by default and created by the profile developers. Unfortunately, SBC is much rougher than MP3. And therefore, it is not suitable for listening to music.
- Advanced Audio Coding(AAC)- a more advanced codec that uses different compression algorithms. Sounds much better than SBC.
- AptX- here it is, the right choice! At least because of the ability to transfer files to MP3 and AAC without additional manipulations and transcoding. This means no sound deterioration. However, it is worth making a reservation. There are several versions of aptX to play different bitrates. Each of them is designed for its own sound flow.
| Version | Number of channels supported | Maximum sampling frequency, kHz | Quantization, bit | Maximum bitrate | Compression ratio |
| AptX | 2 | 44,1 | 16 | 320 kbps | 2:1 |
| Enhanced AptX | 2, 4, 5.1, 5.1+2 | 48 | 16, 20, 24 | up to 1.28 Mbit/s | 4:1 |
| AptX Live | n/a | 48 | 16, 20, 24 | n/a | 8:1 |
| AptX Lossless | n/a | 96 | 16, 20, 24 | n/a | n/a |
| AptX Low Latency | n/a | 48 | 16, 20, 24 | n/a | n/a |
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The main features of the latest two versions of the codec are the most reduced audio playback delay and reduced processor load during encoding. The Low Latency version allows you to achieve a delay of 32 ms between the audio stream source and the playback device. This will reduce the distortion introduced by the equipment when listening to music.
Thus, with certain preferences, you can choose a specific codec. If playback of a lossless stream is not expected, and high audio latency is not critical, you should limit yourself to standard aptX and not overpay for device support for subsequent versions.
It is worth remembering that the required profile and codec must be supported by both the smartphone (or other audio stream source) and the headset itself (or Bluetooth speaker). Otherwise, the A2DP algorithm will automatically start working using SBC.
With Bluetooth, any two devices always work using the lowest version, the simplest codec and protocol. So, if one of them does not support the necessary technology, you will not be able to fully enjoy the sound quality.
Listening to music for a long time requires Bluetooth support no lower than version 3.0, aptX codec and A2DP profile. To listen to music with a high bitrate, you need support for the aptX Lossless codec - no other will work, since the music will be compressed when transferred to the playback device.
Recently, the number of users mobile gadgets has increased significantly, which means that a large number of various technical aspects remain dark horses for novice users. One of these nuances is Bluetooth versions.
Despite the fact that the compatibility of Bluetooth versions is at a fairly high level, situations still sometimes occur in which it becomes impossible to pair two devices. And the point here is precisely in the protocols, and not in the profiles. And in order to justify the above-mentioned impossibility, you first need to understand what the difference is between these two concepts.
A protocol is a set of instructions through which various information is transmitted. It is he who sets the order, operating frequency and duration of operation of one or another component. And profiles are additional add-ons that allow you to operate with information of a certain type. For example, A2DP is a profile that allows a Bluetooth module to work with stereo sound, where during pairing the codecs that will be used are also agreed upon.
If you look at it from a global perspective, the version of the protocols matters more than the significance of the profile. If both devices have the same protocol version, then they will have access to all the standard functions and capabilities that the module supports. But with profiles everything is different. Since they are added optionally, in order for them to be used and work, they will need to be present in both gadgets. If only one Bluetooth module supports the required profile, it will not be used during data transfer.
Many users are interested in the question of how to find out the bluetooth version. There are several ways to do this, but the easiest way is to read the device specification. But it is much more important to understand what is hidden behind these numbers.
How to find out the Bluetooth version: Video
Technical data of various protocols
This description will not contain the most complete list of protocol versions, but only the most significant for the entire technology as a whole. And, of course, it’s worth starting with the very first one, which was created almost two decades ago almost two decades ago - in 1998, by the partner group SIG or Special Interested Group. The primary development was established by the then Swedish company Ericsson 4 years before entering the market. As a result of successful research, a worthy analogue was created wired technologies and named it in honor of the Danish king of the Viking northerners, Harald the First Bluetooth.
The first version had amazing compatibility between devices from different manufacturers. The speed was tiny, and the range was clearly not up to the established standard. If it were not for prompt attempts to refine the technology, the whole idea could have sunk into oblivion. And the professional qualities of the workers did not disappoint, because soon version 1.1 was released, and then 1.2, which became the pinnacle of the evolution of the first generation modules. Overall compatibility has been improved to a sufficient level high level, the range of action was set to an honest ten meters, the transmission speed was made simply sky-high - 721 Kbps, theoretically, of course.
Version 2.1
The second generation made a revolution, but it was version 2.1 that became the guiding light that is still used today. Many entry-level and middle-class devices use this particular variation of the Bluetooth module. The main focus was on speed, and the solution was the EDR add-on. It was thanks to it that it became possible to transmit at speeds close to 3 Mbit/s, and the level of energy consumption was reduced five times. Of course, various profiles and add-ons have appeared, including the ability to distribute network access.
Third version
The high-speed specification 3.0 had much in common with Wi-Fi, but was not directly compatible with it, and the use of SLI technology, by which two Bluetooth modules were connected into one system, made it possible to increase the transfer speed to 24 Mbit/s. Moreover, when moving large files, a higher-speed, but also energy-consuming protocol was used, and for small files it was very economical.
Bluetooth technology, which the Swedish company Ericsson began to develop back in 1994, was initially intended not for mobile phones at all, but for the Flyway concept created in those years (www.swedetrack.com). Flyway is a personal automatic transport system. It is an extensive monorail with small capacity carriages. Each of them can move along their own individual route within the network - something like a taxi, only without a driver. Bluetooth technology played a key role in this new transport system: it was with its help that all elements exchanged data with each other.
The name Bluetooth itself was originally just a code name for this project. It comes from the nickname of the Danish king Harold Blatand, who, as legend says, received it because of his rotten teeth. Why blue then? It turns out that in Viking times, the word “bla” meant both “blue” and “black.” Despite his not entirely healthy teeth, the king was able to unite the isolated principalities of Denmark and create a strong state. The idea of uniting people became fundamental in the development of Flyway and its synchronization protocol. When it came to the commercial launch of the technology, the developers of the standard could not come up with a more suitable name than the code Bluetooth.
First steps of the new standard
Already during the development of the technology, Ericsson realized that it would be perfect for transferring data between mobile devices. In 1998, on the initiative of the company, a Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG, www.bluetooth.com) was created, which also included IBM, Intel, Toshiba and Nokia. In the same year, version of the Bluetooth 1.0 protocol appeared, and a little later, at the beginning of 1999, its corrected version, Bluetooth 1.0B, was released. In these versions of the protocol, establishing a connection required devices to transmit their hardware addresses, which made anonymous connections impossible. In the first specifications, some specifications. Because of this, the equipment different manufacturers turned out to be virtually incompatible with each other: configure two different Bluetooth devices It was, to put it mildly, not easy.
Frequency hopping
In 2001, the Bluetooth 1.1 specification was introduced - it was not fully backward compatible with the two previous versions protocol 1.0, but the developers have corrected all the shortcomings and errors.
New functions also appeared: the connection could be unencrypted, devices displayed the level of the received signal. And most importantly, all subsequent versions of the Bluetooth protocol are backward compatible with version Bluetooth 1.1, so it can still be found in many working devices. Bluetooth 1.1 modules are now so simple and cheap that their presence increases the cost of the product by only a few cents.
In 2003, the Bluetooth 1.2 specification was released. It used AFH technology to give priority to the least noisy frequencies. This significantly increased the noise immunity of communications and made it possible to increase the data transfer rate. However, no new modulation schemes were used, so maximum speed Bluetooth remains the same – 721 kbps. The only difference compared to version 1.1 was that with Bluetooth 1.2 the actual operating speed was closer to the theoretically possible limit due to the presence of AFH.
Then, using eSCO technology, voice quality was improved. In addition, the new version has doubled the speed of detecting and pairing devices, and has the optional ability to simultaneously connect two devices. Along with version 1.2, stereo audio transmission via the A2DP profile began.
Go to the second level
Released in November 2004 a new version Bluetooth 2.0, in which EDR technology was optionally implemented for the first time - devices that support it are still labeled as “2.0+EDR”. Due to the use the latest algorithms EDR signal encoding allows you to transfer data 3 times faster - up to 2.1 Mbit/s. In the data stream itself, the transmission speed can reach 3 Mbit/s. However, part of this bandwidth“eaten up” – spent on resending erroneous packets (due to interference). In addition, service traffic is consumed for encoding and encrypting information.
An increase in data transfer speed along with an increase in noise immunity has made it possible to reduce Bluetooth power consumption by approximately three times. True, this statement is not true for all devices, but only for those that do not require increased data transfer speed (for example, headsets). The simultaneous connection of several devices has also been simplified: by increasing the addressing bit depth, it has become possible to build a local wireless network use not 8, as before, but 256 devices.
Current stage of development
In 2007, the Bluetooth specification was updated - version 2.1 appeared (also with optional EDR support), which received technology for extended request of device characteristics for quick setup all profiles.
In addition, energy-saving Sniff Subrating technology has been added with optimized run and standby cycles. It allows you to increase the operating time of your Bluetooth device on a single battery charge by five times. Updated wireless specification Bluetooth standard 2.1 significantly simplified and accelerated the establishment of communication between two devices and made it possible to update the encryption key without breaking the connection, which improves security. True, such simplification of communication is only possible if both devices are equipped with NFC modules. They create an electromagnetic field in a small radius around themselves: it is enough to bring the devices close to each other to start the connection process.
Most existing adapters (here we take into account not only consumer, but also corporate systems) are equipped with outdated Bluetooth 1.1 and 1.2 modules. Support for the Bluetooth 2.0+EDR standard is present in modern models phones and laptops. As for Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, the new version of the standard has not become widespread until recently: many manufacturers for some reason ignore this version.
Perhaps the reason is this: all its advantages are achieved only if there is a built-in NFC module, which requires at least an additional antenna. But there is a simpler explanation: older Bluetooth 2.0 modules are cheaper, so it is more profitable to use them in the most modern models.
BLUETOOTH FOR CLOTHING
The creation of an energy-efficient version of Bluetooth 4.0 opens up exciting prospects for developers. For example, Swany G-CELL Gloves can be connected to mobile phone. They are equipped with special buttons for accepting or rejecting calls, a built-in microphone and speaker, so the owner does not even have to take out the phone to talk. Now they are equipped with a Bluetooth 2.0 module and can work on a single charge for only 48 hours of talk time and 240 hours of standby time. Switching to Bluetooth 4.0 will eliminate the need to constantly recharge the battery.
High-speed Bluetooth
In 2009, the next Bluetooth 3.0+HS specification was adopted. HS (High Speed) is a new level of data transfer speed, which can reach 24 Mbit/s. This parameter seemed unrealistic to many specialists, but the latest modules actually work faster than their Bluetooth 2.1 predecessors. Indeed, this seems implausible: if Intel releases new processors that are several percent faster than older models, all the computer magazines write about this as an incredible achievement. And when the Bluetooth SIG consortium creates a new specification wireless standard, which speeds up data transfer by 10 times (!), the event remains out of sight of most users, as if it does not concern them at all.
The fact is that such a high speed is not possible at all when transmitting data via Bluetooth: it is still limited to the maximum speed of 2.1 Mbit/s, as was the case with the use of EDR technology. To switch to 24 Mbit/s, a direct connection via the Wi-Fi protocol is used. Bluetooth protocol in this case is used not at the physical, but only at the logical level: to organize the connection between devices. Wi-Fi acts as a radio transport protocol, while Wi-Fi itself bluetooth interface remains only as a frame for connecting devices.
However, the use of Wi-Fi technology to transmit data does not mean that the Bluetooth device is compatible with conventional Wi-Fi networks. We are only talking about using the same physical transmission model according to the IEEE 802.11 standard - phones and smartphones with Bluetooth did not have any logical compatibility with 802.11a/b/g/n networks.
Perpetual motion machine
Of course, Bluetooth 3.0+HS can be considered a real technological breakthrough, but, like any great achievement, it has a downside. Operating at such a high speed quickly drains the battery, so the creators of the new standard immediately faced the problem of energy conservation. To solve this problem, the latest Bluetooth 4.0 specification was released in December 2009, which can also be considered an extraordinary event: if we look at history, we will see that previously, as a rule, 4 to 5 years passed between the releases of Bluetooth versions. In Bluetooth 4.0 there are no fundamental changes regarding data transfer speed; the innovations concern only energy consumption. This standard is intended for use primarily in various sensors that can be used in exercise equipment, medical devices, and automobiles. The Bluetooth transmitter is turned on only while sending data, which ensures that the module can operate on one hour battery for several years! In this mode, the standard provides a data transfer rate of 1 Mbit/s with a packet size of 8–27 bytes. The connection is much faster: two Bluetooth devices can establish a connection in less than 5 milliseconds and maintain a connection over a distance of up to 100 m. Advanced error correction is used for this, and 128-bit AES encryption provides the necessary level of security.
Bluetooth Profiles
Each Bluetooth device supports a certain set of so-called profiles - they are standardized data exchange algorithms. Support for certain profiles makes it easy to determine the capabilities of the device. For the function to work, the profile must be supported by both Bluetooth devices.
For better sound transmission it is used A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)– extended audio distribution profile. It is responsible for transmitting stereo sound via a Bluetooth radio channel to any receiving device. The profile distinguishes between two types of devices: transmitter (A2DP-SRC - Advanced Audio Distribution Source), such as a telephone; receiver (A2DP-SNK - Advanced Audio Distribution Sink), such as headphones. When establishing communication, the transmitter and receiver agree on the codec to be used and the encoding parameters: bitrate, sampling frequency, etc. The standard defines one mandatory codec, SBC - it does not require much computing power for encoding and decoding, but has low sound quality. SBC is selected if the receiver and transmitter cannot “agree” on the use of other codecs: MP3, AAC, ATRAC.
Typically, devices working with A2DP also support the profile AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile). It is designed for remote control signal source and in version AVRCP 1.0 allows you to start or stop playback, rewind and switch between tracks. In profile version AVRCP 1.3, the protocol conveys the current state of the source and metadata about the media element itself, such as the title of the song. In version AVRCP 1.4, it became possible to view playlists and select a song.
The number of different digital devices is growing every day. Many of them can and should interact with each other. Some do this not so often, while others require an almost constant connection to exchange information, files, and commands. The most common and fast protocol for a convenient, and most importantly wireless, connection is the Bluetooth protocol.
If your device does not have built-in Bluetooth, you can use alternative connection options
It is this protocol that today is equipped with any smartphones, tablets, laptops, almost all televisions, multimedia centers, acoustics and even some types of kitchen appliances. That is why, to effectively work and manage various gadgets or office, you may need to install Bluetooth on your computer. We will tell you how to choose a Bluetooth adapter for your computer, as well as how to install Bluetooth on your PC.
Bluetooth technology is the most widespread wireless data transmission system after the Wi-Fi protocol. While Wi-Fi is used more for organizing local wireless access to the Internet, bluetooth technology has established itself as the most effective method for exchanging information over short distances.
The range of receivers and transmitters operating using this protocol is gradually increasing, but today it does not yet exceed 60 meters. The technology can be used to transfer files, receive and transmit sound signal, sending and receiving various kinds of commands. By connecting a computer and another device using this protocol, you can, for example, easily control internal memory smartphones, take ready-made pictures from the camera, control the TV, connect wireless speakers or headphones to the PC, and so on.
While a large number of modern devices are initially released with a pre-installed Bluetooth module, PCs with Windows control remain the equipment least equipped with such modules. main reason The problem is that most computers are assembled from different components, and most often an adapter supporting this data transfer protocol must be installed separately.
Bluetooth adapters come in two types: internal (motherboards) and external (USB “whistles” plugged into the connector, visually similar to a classic flash drive). If your computer does not have such a communication channel with external devices, but you feel the need for it, you can separately purchase an external adapter. Even a novice user can install, connect and configure it. We will tell you below how to choose such a device and how to connect it to a PC.
When choosing a Bluetooth adapter for your computer, we recommend paying attention to several key parameters. One of the most important is the range of the wireless signal. Depending on the distance from the PC the devices to which you need to connect are or may be located, choose an adapter with the appropriate range. The maximum distance at which the adapter can establish a connection with devices directly depends on the version of the Bluetooth protocol that it supports. The higher the index of this version, the greater the range.
Also note additional features adapter and its functionality. If you need, for example, a connection to audio devices, headphones or speakers, the adapter must support the A2DP protocol. It is specially designed for audio signal transmission High Quality, but is not supported by all adapters.
Features of Bluetooth versions and additional features
With the gradual development and refinement of the Bluetooth protocol, the company that developed this technology continues to release newer and more advanced versions. When choosing an adapter, you should definitely pay attention to the protocol version it supports. The higher this value, the greater the functionality, range and energy efficiency of the adapter.
The current maximum version has index 4.1 and allows you to establish stable communication with devices located within a radius of 60 meters. This version has the most economical energy use system, which is very important when connecting to mobile devices, powered by battery charge. Important advantages of the newest versions of Bluetooth are gradually increasing data transfer speeds and automatic recovery lost connection.
If you purchased an adapter that supports the most current version protocol and the corresponding program is installed on a PC running Windows to communicate with specific device, the functionality of Bluetooth increases noticeably and can be used for a variety of purposes. A program for connecting to a smartphone or tablet will allow you to wirelessly connect Windows and iOS or Android to transfer photos and access the Internet. A program compatible with your audio system will allow you to turn on music, control its playback and volume.
If your apartment is equipped with a smart home system, there is special program, which will allow you to adjust the brightness of lighting or remotely turn on various household appliances. The functionality you get with this data technology is limited only by the number of devices in your home or office that support Bluetooth connectivity.
How to choose the right adapter
Based on all the information described above, several conclusions can be drawn that will help you make the right choice and purchase a Bluetooth adapter that best suits your needs. If you need to equip a desktop PC with support for this protocol, both the internal board and external USB adapter.
Please note that the internal version may be more powerful and capable of serving a wider radius than the external "whistle". Please check this point before purchasing. As for the remaining parameters, there is not much difference between internal and external solutions. Their design will not affect the process in any way bluetooth settings in Windows and will not affect the data transfer speed.
Connection and setup
When the adapter is selected and purchased, all that remains is to make the necessary Windows settings and computer in order to enable data transfer, as well as find and connect all the necessary devices. As a rule, regardless of the manufacturer of this PC component, after the first connection or reboot Windows system automatically recognizes the type of new device, its manufacturer, downloads and installs it independently required driver, which allows you to turn on Bluetooth. However, this will only allow you to find your gadgets and establish a connection with them. Some of them may require you to enter a security PIN code to confirm the connection. In Bluetooth version 4.1, the default password is "0000" (four zeros). However, after the connection is established, you will need a program that will allow you to work with the connected device.
The website of the manufacturers of some similar adapters may contain a proprietary program that activates the basic functions of this PC component. To connect to specific gadgets (smartphones and tablets), you may need a program or utility from the manufacturer of the devices themselves in order to use their functionality to the fullest.
For example, to enable synchronization of contacts between your phone and Windows, you need a program from your phone's manufacturer. To use on a computer Mobile Internet, received by your smartphone or tablet modem mode, modified drivers may be needed network card PC. To clarify all the capabilities of your devices and install specialized software, visit the official websites of the manufacturers.
Bottom line
If your computer does not yet have a Bluetooth adapter installed, we definitely recommend that you consider purchasing one. With its help, you can get rid of many cables and make it much easier to manage, use and configure many devices already in your office or apartment.
Tell us in the comments what you use Bluetooth for Everyday life and which adapter you chose.