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| Thread ID: 83559 | 2007-10-05 22:47:00 | VOIP .. what do I need? | SKT174 (1319) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 598369 | 2007-10-05 22:47:00 | If I want to use VoIP for all my phone calls, apart from a VoIP router that has a RJ11 port (which allows me to plug an ordinary phone into it), what else do I need? I mean is there some plans I need to sign up with ISPs or ? If so, are the plans expensive ? (just rough idea) Cheers. |
SKT174 (1319) | ||
| 598370 | 2007-10-05 23:33:00 | Go to www.xnet.co.nz for the info you need. | wmoore (6009) | ||
| 598371 | 2007-10-06 02:41:00 | You also need a broadband speed of at least 2mbps - actual, not potential. And a good quality line. As I discovered............:annoyed: |
pctek (84) | ||
| 598372 | 2007-10-06 04:50:00 | We set up Skype on the laptop so that we could contact our daughter whilst she is in the UK. In the last 3 weeks she has been on-line twice whilst the laptop has been running. 7 to 8pm at night seems to be party time. On the laptop I use the built in microphone, speaker and video camera - haven't bought any extra hardware. I haven't set it up on the desktop yet as I'd need to buy a headset and (optional) web cam. Besides, it desperately needs reformatting before I add too much extra to it. Daughter bought herself a small web cam and cheap headset. Or maybe it was a Flybuy reward. The program itself is free and can be found at Skype.com (www.skype.com) Our broadband speed isn't that great - currently 544 kbps download and 60kbps upload - but it worked. Voice was fine, pictures sort of OK. We could see her head move but not her lips. Out of interest I checked our broadband usage and couldn't actually tell which days we'd spoken to her. The first day was for about an hour so I'd have expected a jump. Consumer mag had an article a few months ago about VOIP and their suggestion was to set it up at minimal cost, see how you go then investigate hardware upgrades as needed. With rapid changes in technology hardware can just about be out of date before you've come to grips with what you've got. As for cost. Computer to computer is free (just your normal data charges to your ISP). If I were to ring her landline where she is staying from the computer the charge would be UK local charges (they charge for local calls) rather than the NZ to UK rate. We haven't put any money into our Skype account to enable these calls. All free so far. |
Mercury (1316) | ||
| 598373 | 2007-10-06 05:54:00 | VOIP on your PC is different. He wants a normal phone plugged into an adapter. Here's another one: http://www.jajah.com/ Doesn't have the huge security hole that Skype does. And you use your phone not your PC. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 598374 | 2007-10-06 07:32:00 | VOIP on your PC is different. He wants a normal phone plugged into an adapter. Here's another one: http://www.jajah.com/ Doesn't have the huge security hole that Skype does. And you use your phone not your PC. I just tried this out myself, made a call 100km away. Pretty cool! The lag may take some getting used to. |
jermsie (6820) | ||
| 598375 | 2007-10-06 23:39:00 | Thanks for all the info. I just want to get rid of Telecom. Because we don't use the land line much, if lucky, once in month and that's someone calling us. So I'm paying $40 odd bucks for something I don't use everymonth, I'm using wireless internet so I don't need the DSL line at all. Just saw the $11.25 VOIP plan on xnet . |
SKT174 (1319) | ||
| 598376 | 2007-10-07 03:11:00 | A question if I may please. I have bought 2 DSE cheapo ($39.95) USB phones and my daughter is taking one home to Oz later in the month when she comes over for a couple of days. (The DSE catalogue number is XH7170) We both have broadband (she has cable at home, not DSL). I have been using SkypeOut and my phone to call her at work. Costs are great, AUD$0.027/min and I have spent a couple of dollars for an hour or so of calls. What I want to know is about computers waking up when a VOIP call comes through. What state does the Computer have to be in for the above phones to ring. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Ken |
kenj (9738) | ||
| 598377 | 2007-10-07 04:31:00 | I think you just need wake on USB enabled, provided your PC's BIOS has that function. for a quick startup you'd probably want to use standby, and in BIOS set to use STR (suspend to RAM) as that is the quietest/saves most power (everything is turned off but RAM) Uses about 2 watts more than a PC turned off but plugged in |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 598378 | 2007-10-07 05:11:00 | Thanks, I will try that when we get it going. Ken |
kenj (9738) | ||
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