using laptop for VOIP calling Softfone or usb phone?

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allstar1

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#81065 7-Apr-2011 23:56

I have a 2talk account and this is set up all good at home with ata. I need to be able to use one of my numbers when traveling using my laptop connected to internet. So far using the 2talk soft phone Im not getting good quality. (suprising as I can skype to skype clearly) Any suggestions on improving my soft phone experience or should I use a usb phone (as sold by Dick Smith and TM as skype phones .. can they be reconfigured??) I had heard that sound cards in laptops may not be up to it and the usb phone might be better?? Any ideas to help this ? Thanks.

sbiddle

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#456616 8-Apr-2011 06:16

Buy a decent headset. Using built in speakers and mic is always a suboptimal experience.

I'd recommend a Jabra GN2000 which are brilliant quality.

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Niel

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#456619 8-Apr-2011 07:06

Not a "laptop sound card" issue. You do not get bad quality sound cards any more. As said, look at quality of mic/speakers. Headset will always be better than speakers, no feedback from speakers into mic.

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allstar1

81 posts

Master Geek

#456621 8-Apr-2011 07:43

Thanks for that advice. I am using a headset but obviously I need to lift the game over the headset I had got for probably $20. Suprisingly it works ok with skype tp skype but not skype out or 2talk as I want it to. I will look into better heaset. By a headset I mean headphones with a mic on side and pugs into laptop by green and pink jacks. Thanks

sbiddle

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#456638 8-Apr-2011 09:05

allstar1: Thanks for that advice. I am using a headset but obviously I need to lift the game over the headset I had got for probably $20. Suprisingly it works ok with skype tp skype but not skype out or 2talk as I want it to. I will look into better heaset. By a headset I mean headphones with a mic on side and pugs into laptop by green and pink jacks. Thanks

This is exactly the type of headset you want to avoid. USB based devices like the Jabra are fantastic and avoid all the issues associated with integrated soundcards.

bobmeister

106 posts

Master Geek

#456643 8-Apr-2011 09:30

I have one of those Dick Smith USB Skype phones. If you don't install the software driver, they just become a headset, controlled by your softphone.

You could try X-Lite whcih is a free softphone from Counterpath.

I use this setup on one of the home computers connected to 2talk and it works fine.

xpd

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#456646 8-Apr-2011 09:43

We use these at work, fantastic for Skype, WebEx etc.

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allstar1

81 posts

Master Geek

#456647 8-Apr-2011 09:45

That certainly looks like a cheaper option as the DS usb phones seem to be cheaper than Jabra but I dont want to buy until I know it will work for me .. so Im now wieghing up that option. Thanks

Beddhist

57 posts

Master Geek

#462077 25-Apr-2011 06:45

If you get good quality between computers then I think your gear is OK. I use a similar setup to call friends overseas and even here in NZ and the call quality varies a lot.

I did find that call quality improves if I use ethernet instead of wifi.

Cheers,
Peter.

gjm

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#462086 25-Apr-2011 08:49

Dick Smiths return policy is great, just buy it, try it and if it fails, take it back. Rinse and repeat.

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