Salutations,
I have a dv6-7000 and the audio solution is not only terrible, it's nigh well unusable. Because IDT changes speakers to speakers and headphones when external headphones are plugged in, it's impossible to get all sound to output through the headphones.
In addition, the IDT audio makes it impossible to set the communication device (IDT communication device) as the default audio output device. The external mic vs internal mic is also flakey at best, which means that overall, using headphones for communication, gaming, or really, anything at all is incredibly frustrating.
Others burdened with IDT audio chipsets (who actively and aggressively refuse to support their products, insisting they provide excellent support to *their* customers (HP included), and it's on them to provide end users with support) at least have the IDT control panel to modify sound settings, including separating speakers and headphones from each other. HP with its "beats audio" instead has the completely worthless Beats Audio control panel, which does exactly Nothing that I can't do myself through the sound section of the control panel, even having a link there like I'm too stupid to find it myself.
If Windows 7 weren't so *darn* good at finding drivers, I could just let Windows install generic audio drivers, and that would work perfectly as well, but Windows 7 tracks down the IDT drivers, every time. If I could install the IDT control panel item, I could probably get the incredibly basic setup of having and using a gaming headset to work properly as well, but it seems it won't recognize or interact with my audio hardware, as it wasn't shipped with the audio hardware (apparently at the request of HP since they have beats audio, thanks HP).
At this point, I'm willing to give up and buy an external sound card, permanently uninstall and disable the integrated audio solutions for my laptop (speakers included) and call it a day. If there is a better solution, I would love, absolutely LOVE to hear it. Can anyone help me use a headphone like a normal human being, and escape this hybrid speakers and headphones monstrosity that IDT calls a "feature"?
tl;dr: IDT sucks, how do I just use a headset for input and output, and not use the interal speakers or microphone at all (short of installing a USB sound card)?