Hi

Just got a sipgate account last night and downloaded the softphone for my PC. Have ntl 1Mbps broadband and would like to get rid of my ntl phone line and replace with a VOIP service. Made some sample calls and I can hear who I am speaking to really well. However, at the other end, they are saying it is poor quality and are missing words.

So, I wonder whether the 100kbps upload is a problem on my broadband service? Also I think there is quite a lot of "hum" from the microphone on my headset, so will swap this and see if it helps.

Ultimately I want to get a VOIP adapter to plug in my DECT phone, but don't want to spend on this until I am sure of the service. Would appreciate some thoughts on my setup .

Many thanks

John

PS I have used Skype before for calls and have not found problems with this.

Is this a client through your PC, if so I have some problems too with voipcheap.

I bought a USB phone but the volume is quiet for the person on the other end, I've gone to Control Panel -> Sound card -> USB device -> capture volume but it's still fairly quiet on full volume. Unfortunately it resets every reboot to a lower volume to I had to install QuickMix which sets it to full volume on boot.

I'm waiting to get a proper device now I have wireless.

Yes, it's software on the PC, for making calls. I am going to try a different headset tonight and see if this makes a difference. May also upgrade drivers for the sound card.

I suspect that the upload speed is causing the loss of some speech though.

Cheers

John

X-Lite has setting on the phone to adjust the recording volume (out going sound) and the incoming volume.

The buzzing you here is usually due to boost being enabled, and also could be due to being too close the the output source (speakers or headphone).

As you have limited bandwidth you want to be using a codec that offers greater compression, X-Lite and Sipgate usually tries negotiate a codec that is the same as landline providers use G711A so as to get the same sound quality as an ordinary phone, Skype uses it own proprietary fairly highly compressed codec, so usually uses less bandwidth but has reduced sound quality overall.

What you could do is try disabling the G711A and G711U (USA version) codecs and then order GSM as number 1.

You could try 3rd party version of Firefly, disable G711 and use G729.

Or try the SNOM Softphone and use either G729 or G723.

Is there any software that will work with VoipCheap that will work the USB phone buttons?

OK, so last night I swapped out the headset and this clears up the humming from the mic. Have also tried the GSM codec setting, but that went really poor quality at the other end.

I'll try some more testing out this evening with me on the other end of the phone, but my brother said yesterday that I kept fading in and out, whilst I could hear him perfectly the whole time.

Suspect the key to this is the poor upload rate and I may have to wait until ntl upgrade this to gain financially.

Thanks for the help.

John

You might want to go into advanced system settings, audio settings, silence settings and set transmit silence to yes.

System settings, audio settings, auto gain control, and set use microphone AGC to no.

The GSM codec should have the same sound quality as when using an O2 or Vodafone mobile, and not quite as good a T-Mobile or Orange.

The 100kbps is not helping, but as long as you aren't using P2P or uploading, then you should be fine with GSM, G729 and G723, I am currently on 128kbps upload and am OK with G711A too.

OK BexTech, I'll give these settings a try and let you know how I get on. Thanks again.

Ultimately I want to use a DECT phone connected to a VOIP adapter and get rid of the ntl landline. Is this likely to get rid of these teething troubles or am I likely to encounter other issues once this kit is added into the equation?

Cheers

John

Once you get the upload sorted out, you should be fine, saying that an ATA is more robust than software.

Right then, have changed the settings as BexTech suggests and have now been on the called end of the conversation. Found with GSM a little crackly, but moved up to G711A and this seemed fine. No loss of words or anything like that. Only thing is that the sound coming back from the phone to the headset is seemingly getting picked up by the mic and creating a sort of echo, but I'm sure this wouldn't be a problem when a proper handset is used.

I'll continue with my testing.......

Cheers

John

Have now managed a really decent call via X-Lite outgoing for about 10 mins

Have also set up a voipstunt account and have put no credit on so far. Have made 2 calls to UK landlines, one for 7 mins and another for 16 mins!

A further question, I am 99 % sold on the Linksys WRT54GP2 VOIP adapter but want to check something. Can I set up a single telephone on this adapter so that it answers calls on a sipgate account with the allocated phone number and also get the same phone to dial out through the voipstunt account? This would give me caller id and such like features but free UK landline outgoing calls.

If this can't be done, I know I can get an incoming number from voipstunt. Does anyone know if voipstunt supports caller id through an ATA?

Many thanks

John

VoIP Stunt sends and receives caller ID, whether you use their software, X-lite or an ATA.

The good thing about VoIP is you will no longer see calls flagged as 'International' but see the actual international number.

Occasionally VoIP Stunt (though hasn't done for me for sometime) sends the outgoing CLID in +44..... format, so BT lines will display this as international.

Sipgate sends number and text caller ID, so if you call a network that supports text caller ID you can send both your number and your name if you wish, the details you enter in Display name is what is also sent for text caller ID.

You would need to buy a line combiner, if you wanted to use one phone on both lines.

Thanks BexTech

I don't have caller ID on my ntl land line so don't know what would normally come up, but would really like this facility. VOIP here I come! By line combiner I guess you mean some kind of adapter that I plug the phone into that then splits to two sockets to fit the ATA? Will see if these exist! Is there anything that sipgate has over voipstunt apart from SMS. Am thinking there is no need for me to have the two seperate accounts now. If I get an incoming number, free UK and other landline calls and caller id for free - that's just sweet

Think I'll place the order for that router on Monday.

Cheers

John

I have Sipgate and use that as my incoming number, this means I can chop and change my outgoing service to take advantage of free calls.

The ATA or VoIP router gives you, free caller display, free call waiting, free anonymous caller reject, as well as some other services (dependant on provider supporting them).

The fun starts when you get to creating dialling plans.

So, BexTech, given that I'm new to this VOIP malarky, are you suggesting that new players come into the arena and offer free calls (to certain landlines) as an introductory offer and then withdraw this, in favour of paid rates?

Also, I'm struggling to find a supplier of such a telephone line combiner. Don't suppose you have a "source", that you can suggest? Best I can find is the opposite of what I need, ie it has two RJ11 inputs and 1 RJ11 output.

Thanks

John

I was originally using VoIP Buster, managed to get many months free calls out of them for just €1 credit, then moved to VoIP Cheap £1 and have trialled SipDiscount (€1) and VoIP Stunt (€5).

VoIP Buster dropped free calls to the UK a few months back, the others still have free calls to the UK, so far I have got over 10 months of unlimited free calls for little outlay.

The device is called "Combine A Line" but it looks like they are currently difficult to get hold of.

Though there are a few two line phones available such as http://www.pmctelecom.co.uk/shopping...ine&txt_from=1

I just use separate phones for each line.

Thanks again BexTech, you are a mind of information

I am have found what you mean on a french site (Combine a line), but think I won't bother now. May just stick with sipgate to connect my ATA when I get it. I have an off peak mobile tarriff (as does my fiance) so calls aren't really that much of an issue, we use the mobiles 98% of the time. I'm really looking to save on the line rental of the ntl line, it's only really our parent who call on that anyway. The 5-6 short calls we make a month on the landline, would be fine through sipgate anyway.

When I want free calls I'll use the softphones via the PC I think. My company head office is in Australia so will be useful to get those calls free.

Cheers

John