new to BT - lookin to buy USB-BT adapter ... need help !

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › new to BT - lookin to buy USB-BT adapter ... need help !

badyy

4 posts

Wannabe Geek
Inactive user

#823 18-Dec-2003 11:00

Hi,

I am new to BT, just bought my SE t-610 and want to buy a USB-BT adapter.
I have many questions, i hope someone will be able to help me out :

1) What profiles do i need for my BT adapter ? which are must in order to work with the t-610 and a BT headset , and which are nice to have ??

what do they all mien :
Bluetooth Profiles Supported:
Generic Access
Service Discovery Application
Serial Port
Dial-Up Network
Fax
File Transfer
Print
LAN Access
Synchronization
Object Push
Generic Object Exchange
Hardcopy Cable Replacement Profile HCRP
Audio Gateway
Headset

2) What is the top transfer speed ? what should i buy for good performance ?

3) what other importent info about the adapter should i check before buying ?

4) Are there any well knowen companies that i should look to buy from ?
Which are the big and reliable ?

5) what are the comman prices for the comman kinds of adapters ?

6) Where can i read more about BT for beginners (good sites) ?

Thank you very much ...

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79253 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

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Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#2472 18-Dec-2003 20:01

It'll depend on your use. A USB adapter with Widcomm software will offer you the following (for version 1.4):

Generic Access
Service Discovery Application
Serial Port
Dial-Up Network
Fax
File Transfer
Print
LAN Access
Synchronization
Object Push
Generic Object Exchange
Human Interface Devices
Audio Gateway
Headset

For use with your mobile phone you'll need at least Serial Port, Dial-up Network and Fax. Synchronisation may or may not be required, depending if the mobile phone comes with software that manages this part (Sony Ericsson does, so you have the option of synchronising via XTNDConnect over Serial or Synchronisation service).

I recommend TDK and Bluetake. Both work very well here. Belkin is good too.

You pretty much know about Bluetooth and profiles - this is a good start. This is the beginners' class, really...

chrismax

146 posts

Master Geek

#2480 19-Dec-2003 03:43

I agree with Freitsam on TDK or Belkin. You can't go wrong with either choice.

In fact, I'm in the process of replacing my D-Link with one of these vendors. Customer and product support for D-Link has gone from good to worse in the past 6 months. Committment to their BT offering just isn't there anymore. My 2 cents worth.....

badyy

4 posts

Wannabe Geek
Inactive user

#2485 19-Dec-2003 10:54

thank you all !

I wiould like to learn more... if someone has more answers or good links for info please replay.

Any other good brands u know of ?

chrismax

146 posts

Master Geek

#2488 19-Dec-2003 13:21

Badyy,

Have you looked through the "Reviews" section on this site. Mauricio has compiled an impressive library specializing in bluetooth products. Articles are concise and objective. It's a good primer into the technology.

As for adapters, don't get bogged down in analysis/paralysis (especially at this price point). The simple facts:

The majority of USB adapters use the same chipset (CSR) and hardware architecture.
These same manufacturers use the same third party vendor for its drivers/software development & deployment (Widcomm).
Bluetooth profiles, architecture, etc. are/is built around a common set of standards governed by a consortium of its peers in order to achieve a standard for consumers.

You should find no significant difference in features and functionality on adapters at the same Widcomm release.

Transmission speed and range are also on a level playing ground. Yes, there are Class I (10 m) and Class II (50 m) adapters, but you are also limited by the "weakest link" in your bluetooth devices. Since pda's and phones have a limit of 10 meters (really more like 6 to 7), what benefit do you get with that added 40 m in range?

Go with a vendor that remains current in its driver release level and has a proven record in bluetooth solutions. Beyond that, it's "personal perference". As mentioned earlier TDK & Belkin are good solutions, probably the top. Personally, I'll probably end up with Belkin simply because I live in the US and it has a stronger presence locally both in retail options and technical support centers.

If I lived in Europe/Asia, the choice would be TDK due to its stronger presence in these locations.

Hope this helps and please post back any questions. We all started at ground 0 and members here are more than happy to help.

Just search the site first prior to posting as a courtesy to others.