In message , Paul
writes:
[usual excellent detailed Paul explanation/description]
Paul

Then there's the case of microphone input (often pink), which usually
accepts a three-connection (tip, ring, body) plug, but it isn't
necessarily stereo - the third may be wired to provide the bias voltage
for electret microphones. I had one laptop whose only audio input (_not_
colour-coded) was a microphone one, which presented as stereo in
software, but was mono (same signal appeared on both channels). It
wouldn't surprise me if some systems automatically detect whether what's
plugged in is stereo, mono electret, or mono dynamic (probably rare).
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in he this is the war room!" (Dr. Strangelove)