Use headphone jack as input

[CJinIN]

I have an old tape deck I am trying to connect to my laptop, using an RCA cable-3.5 mm jack, so I can use Audacity to convert an old cassette tape to an MP3.  I want to plug that 3.5 mm jack into my headphone jack, and use it as input.  It does connect, but I can't figure out how to change the headphone jack into an input jack.  Help?!

[banhien]

@CJinIN 

Firstly it is NOT a line-in therefore you can't use it as a line-in. Secondary, your old tape deck won't transfer right signals to your computer unless you have convert it to digital file formats.

USB sound card with Line In should work. Please use the following list

        https://www.bestproducts.com/tech/gadgets/g1422/external-sound-cards-for-pc-or-mac/

Regards.

[CJinIN]

Audacity is what converts it from a cassette tape recording to a digital MP3 file.  At least that's what the info said...

Now to the other - whether I can temporarily change the headphone jack to an input jack - it can be done on many computers/laptops.  Maybe not on mine, but I know it is an option in general.

Hoping for more guidance?

[banhien]

@CJinIN 

Does Audacity come with hardware or just software ? Anyway, you can't use headphone jack as line-in.

Regards.

[CJinIN]

Audacity is software only.  The headphone jack also has microphone capability.  My son put his headphones with built-in microphone in the jack, and the computer recognized that it was there.  So I know the jack works, just apparently not with a a 3.5 mm plug with the red/white ends on the other side.

We also tried an aux cord, connecting the headphone jack on the tape deck to the headphone/mic jack on the laptop, but the computer didn't recognize that either.

Frustrating.  The only solution I've come up with is to put the earbuds over the laptop microphone holes, and record that way.  NOT the best sound, but better than nothing.  I guess.