NEW ZOOM MODEM ~ F-F-FAST!

[Roy]

Last weekend my trusty USR ISA hardware modem gave up ~ no known reason. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif

Considerable searching turned up only one PCI full-hardware modem. It's the Zoom 2920, a relatively new product. It features onboard DSP and Controller. Many "Winmodems" remove one or both functions to the OS, and those I've tried while building systems for others just have not been as fast as the USR.

The new Zoom uses the latest compression schemes and this baby is QUICK! It's difficult to explain, but there is a "snap" that indicates much faster throughput.

So if you're needing a modem, especially if you're running Linux or DOS, this one's the bomb. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[Best price was from Onvia (http://www.onvia.com) ~ $70.13 delivered, via UPS in 2 days.]

[This message has been edited by Roy (edited 07-26-2000).]

[tonym]

Roy,

The 2920 uses the Lucent DSP. It seems fast(er) to me as well when compared to other vendor's products. I've got several and am NOT disappointed! And they're designed (and some are even built) right here in MA in South Boston!!

Enjoy your new-found speed. But don't hold your breath waiting for OSHA to make you put handle grips on your PC 'cause of the blazing speed...


Tony

[Roy]

Already got 'em! And a roll bar! You need these things with a GHz system. I swear I hear an occassional "thump" when on-screen things change in less than a blink. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

BTW ~ Lucent has announced flash support for the new V.92 standard, in test now and due in Q4.

[Jeff7]

Roy, what's your bandwith like? Use this link below to find out; first make sure nothing else is using the Internet connection.
Bandwith Test (http://computingcentral.msn.com/topics/bandwidth/speedtest50.asp)

[CMonster]

If I am not mistaken, "Actiontek" makes a hardware PCI modem $79 - called the "Call-Waiting" modem or something of that sort. Also works in Linux - says so right on the box.

Purple box - available here in sunny socal @ Fry's - don't confuse it with Actiontek's wimpmodem http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[Roy]

CM ~ Yeah, I saw the Actionwrec. Gives 7 sec, more or less, to decide if you want to take the call or stay on line. The Zoom also has call waiting, maybe the same, but they don't make a big deal about it. With V.92. call waiting is part of the standard.

I felt better about Zoom. They took over Hayes and have re-upped the brand.

BTW ~ Phone $ubscriber Call Waiting $ervice is required at this time. Maybe, maybe not with V.92 ~ anyone know for sure?

Jeff ~ I'll check out Bandwidth Test tonight and post the results.

EDIT ~ Here's the V.92 Special Report (Updated 7/22/00) (http://www.808hi.com/56k/v92.htm). It looks like Call Waiting $ervice will be required, but "Data Hold" will maintain the modem connection.


[This message has been edited by Roy (edited 07-27-2000).]

[voogru]

I have an ActionTec PCI 56k Call waiting modem.

Works Great! had no trouble with it drivers were a flash to install and speed is pretty good. and supports linux!

4 out of 5 stars.

I just had a little trouble sqweezing it into my mobo.


Voogru

[Roy]

I ran the Speed Test 10 times. The results were so varied that I consider them totally unreliable.

voogru ~ Does the Call Waiting work as described?

[Jeff7]

Huh, that's weird - when I test, it only fluctuates by about .1KB/sec; right now, I'm at 4.7KB/sec.

[Roy]

I tried a few more times.

Here are the numbers [K Bytes/sec]

4.7
20.7, 22.2, 23.9
75.8 (twice), 82.0 (3 times), 83.3.
699.4, 769.2

If my cat wakes me around 3-4 AM, I'll try again then. They say that's when traffic is lowest.

[grunt]

Hi Roy, I'm curious - is this a true hardware modem? Does it have jumpers? If so it is EXACTLY what I have been looking for!
Let me know...

[Roy]

Six more tests ~ Four averaging around 90K, two over 200K. Like I said, it does seem quick!

grunt ~ Sorry, no jumpers. Maybe the Actiontec? (It does, however provide a specific Setup file for NT 4.0, if that helps. Also, Setup is done before installing the hardware, and there might have been some "soft jumpers" in that procedure ... I don't recall. Try going to Zoom (http://www.zoom.com) for more info about DOS and Linux applications.)



[This message has been edited by Roy (edited 07-28-2000).]