choice of hp printer/copier/scanner/faxes

[plbrown]

I've only got one line and I want a mulitpurpose printer/copier/
scanner/fax that splits the incoming call before it rings. That's to
say if a fax is coming in it simply prints it out, otherwise it rings
and I know it's a phone call. I know some of the hp printers do this,
but i don't know which and their customer services isn't too helpful.

Can anybody help? Perhaps you know another all in one that can do
this?

Peter

 

[measekite]

Try a Canon MP800 (not sure the exact model) but you can look it up on
the Canon site. Canon Tech Suppt is good and they will answer all of
your questions.

 

[Tim S]

I've only got one line and I want a mulitpurpose printer/copier/
scanner/fax that splits the incoming call before it rings. That's to
say if a fax is coming in it simply prints it out, otherwise it rings
and I know it's a phone call. I know some of the hp printers do this,
but i don't know which and their customer services isn't too helpful.

Can anybody help? Perhaps you know another all in one that can do
this?

Peter

The C6180 has some intersting features in the manual regarding faxes.
I've never used them as I have no need of a fax machine, but I have
seen "distinctive ring" recognition[1] and maybe fax/voice discrimination
mentioned.

Might be worth you having a look in more detail - you can download the
manual off HP's website.

In every other respect, the C6180 is pretty good - network scanning is
excellent, printing fast - though the inks are not very stable against
damp.

My 2p's worth.

Tim

[1] yeah - that'll cost you extra, assuming your telco provides it at all,
but it is going to be the neatest solution with a single physical line.

 

[JohnF]

I've only got one line and I want a mulitpurpose printer/copier/
scanner/fax that splits the incoming call before it rings. That's to
say if a fax is coming in it simply prints it out, otherwise it rings
and I know it's a phone call. I know some of the hp printers do this,
but i don't know which and their customer services isn't too helpful.

If the same telephone number is to be used for both fax and voice, the
central office will have to send ringing voltage to the subscriber to get
the attention of the fax machine.

Yes, some machines can detect the ringing voltage and allow the fax machine
to answer immediately. If no fax signals are received from the calling
party, the fax machine can then create a local ringing signal alerting the
called party to answer the telephone. This is not very practical when the
fax macines is used with several extension phones and perhaps an answering
machine.

The better solution is to pay the telco for an additional number (not an
additional line) which will be used for fax only. The fax machines then
answers only those calls which use the distinctive ringing pattern assigned
to the fax number.

 

[Tony]

I've only got one line and I want a mulitpurpose printer/copier/
scanner/fax that splits the incoming call before it rings. That's to
say if a fax is coming in it simply prints it out, otherwise it rings
and I know it's a phone call. I know some of the hp printers do this,
but i don't know which and their customer services isn't too helpful.

Can anybody help? Perhaps you know another all in one that can do
this?

Peter

Two other posters have mentioned Distinctive Ring and a third mentioned nothing
of value.
Distinctive ring is the easiest way to accomplish what you need. The ringing
sequence is different, usually a triple ring instead of a double ring. This is
attached to a second telephone number (your FAX number) that operates over
your existing 'phone line and in most cases is a very cheap addition to your
Telco services.
You need to buy a FAX machine that handles distinctive ring and check with your
'phone company that they can provide the service.
The only real alternatives to this are a dedicated FAX line or a FAX switch. I
have found FAX switches to be generally unreliable.
You could try to contact Hal Hostetler, (e-mail address removed), Hal is a Microsoft MVP
and one of the most knowledgeable people I know of on FAX technology.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[- Bob -]

Distinctive ring is the easiest way to accomplish what you need. The ringing
sequence is different, usually a triple ring instead of a double ring. This is
attached to a second telephone number (your FAX number) that operates over
your existing 'phone line and in most cases is a very cheap addition to your
Telco services.
You need to buy a FAX machine that handles distinctive ring and check with your
'phone company that they can provide the service.
The only real alternatives to this are a dedicated FAX line or a FAX switch. I
have found FAX switches to be generally unreliable.

Distinctive Ring is the best choice.

The fax switch has to answer the line, listen for a fax tone, then
forward the call if it is not a fax tone. It only works properly when
installed as the first device on the line so that the other phones
don't have a chance to ring until the switch makes a decision. This
essentially means installing it at the Demarc (entrance point) of the
wiring into the home and running a separate line to the Fax. The other
home wiring just plugs into the device instead of going direct to the
telco. A good device will also prevent any house phone from
interrupting an outgoing or incoming fax in this configuration. As
noted, performance is still questionable at times.

With the DR device you get a separate phone number, but still only
have one physical line. The DR device listens to the ring and then
passes the call to the correct port on the device. Your fax is plugged
into one "line", your home wiring into another. The device connects
whichever leg of the wiring is appropriate. Once again, unless you
install at the Demarc, you will have issues with extension phones
interrupting calls, etc. Also, with DR, with you don't set it up at
the Demarc, you have to train everyone not to answer the line when it
first rings but to listen for which line is ringing, and only answer
if it is not the Fax. Messy. DR works a bit better than the Fax
switch, but it's not perfect.