Fax/Modem which is better? Conexant or Lucent?

[toronado455]

I want to get an internal PCI Fax/Modem just to use for occasional
faxing and phone dialing but no dial-up networking at all. It just
needs to be competent with faxing. Can I get any cheap <$15 card?
Should I prefer one chipset over another?

 

[paulmd]

I want to get an internal PCI Fax/Modem just to use for occasional
faxing and phone dialing but no dial-up networking at all. It just
needs to be competent with faxing. Can I get any cheap <$15 card?
Should I prefer one chipset over another?

I like US Robotics Modems, personally. Other than that, it's one brand
of cheap winmodem vs another. Not much to choose between them.

I'm sure we'll get an opinion war started.

 

[Rod Speed]

I want to get an internal PCI Fax/Modem just to use for occasional
faxing and phone dialing but no dial-up networking at all. It just
needs to be competent with faxing. Can I get any cheap <$15 card?
Yep.

Should I prefer one chipset over another?

Nope.

 

[toronado455]

I like US Robotics Modems, personally. Other than that, it's one brand
of cheap winmodem vs another. Not much to choose between them.

I'm sure we'll get an opinion war started.

I've heard US Robotics is the best but do I really need to spend $40+
on a modem if all I'm doing is faxing? Also, I don't know what fax
software I'm going to use, but I'm probably going to try to use the
WinXP fax software first.

 

[Rod Speed]

I've heard US Robotics is the best but do I really need
to spend $40+ on a modem if all I'm doing is faxing?

Nope. Waste of time.

 

[toronado455]

Nope. Waste of time.

What about winmodem vs. hardware modem? I've heard that winmodems,
though worse for data are actually *better* for faxing than hardware
modems. Is that true?

 

[paulmd]

I've heard US Robotics is the best but do I really need to spend $40+
on a modem if all I'm doing is faxing? Also, I don't know what fax
software I'm going to use, but I'm probably going to try to use the
WinXP fax software first.

For just occasional faxing, any modem that supports fax will do.
However, if you buy quality, you minimize frustration.

HCF, HSF, HSP, Lucent Winmodem, Is about all the same. Based on
minimizing cost more than performance and reliability. But just because
it's based on a cheap chipset doesn't mean it's crap.

Apache makes VERY nice modems based on the conexant chipset.

Aztech makes decent modems, and actually has drivers. But they don't
sell direct. You see their modems inside of Dell computers (and
others).

 

[paulmd]

What about winmodem vs. hardware modem? I've heard that winmodems,
though worse for data are actually *better* for faxing than hardware
modems. Is that true?

Not as I've heard. But faxing happens at 14.4, tops. So is one version
of very slow any worse than another?

 

[Rod Speed]

Rod Speed wrote

What about winmodem vs. hardware modem? I've heard
that winmodems, though worse for data are actually
*better* for faxing than hardware modems. Is that true?

Yes, they can for example decide that what is at each end can do better
than normal faxes can do and send the 'fax' as a data stream instead.

Corse there have been better alternatives than fax modems for a long time too.

 

[kony]

What about winmodem vs. hardware modem? I've heard that winmodems,
though worse for data are actually *better* for faxing than hardware
modems. Is that true?

A winmodem is every bit as good for faxing.

Benefit:
Ever so slightly less power and heat
Cheaper

Drawback:
Resident driver, eats up a little memory
Must have driver support for current and future OS

On the other hand if you need the PCI slot for something
else, there's something to be said for USB or serial modems.

 

[toronado455]

A winmodem is every bit as good for faxing.

Benefit:
Ever so slightly less power and heat

Also, one less AC adapter to deal with.

Cheaper

Drawback:
Resident driver, eats up a little memory
Must have driver support for current and future OS

On the other hand if you need the PCI slot for something
else, there's something to be said for USB or serial modems.

Right now I'm more concerned with having less clutter on my desk and
fewer wall-warts on my power strip than using up a PCI slot. I've got
plenty of those.

 

[Survivor]

I want to get an internal PCI Fax/Modem just to use for occasional
faxing and phone dialing but no dial-up networking at all. It just
needs to be competent with faxing. Can I get any cheap <$15 card?
Should I prefer one chipset over another?

It's the software drivers which discriminate between these modems. You
shouldn't have any problem with one fax modem.

But if you wanted to install TWO in one machine (to handle two phone
lines) AND also wanted to occasionally use a DOS-based phone dialing
program in a Window, then you will be better off avoiding US Robotics.
Many of their drivers lack flexibiltiy in setting up Com ports.

Don't overlook your friends' abandoned external fax modems, often
free. I still use an ancient 28,800 model, once upgraded to 33,600
(seems comical today), as a second fax modem in one of my machines.
The old fax modem offers all the faxing features as the newer ones,
but is mindlessly easy to configure, just plug it into a serial port.
It has consistently been one of my most reliable fax modems,
connecting with flaky freestanding fax machines which my other fax
modems abhored.

Survivor @ Ground.Zero

 

[kony]

Right now I'm more concerned with having less clutter on my desk and
fewer wall-warts on my power strip than using up a PCI slot. I've got
plenty of those.

That's not necessarily a winmodem vs hardware issue, there
are hardware PCI modems even though no external winmodems
(except USB which may not need external power).

The one system I have set up for faxing has a winmodem,
don't even remember what kind (maybe a lucent or something,
chipset) and it's done fine for years. I have a spare
external modem or two somewhere but I too don't want the
extra cabling or external box when it isn't necessary (plus,
I already have a box of winmodems, it's not as though I have
to buy more hardware instead of using what I had already).

 

[WindsorFox]

I like US Robotics Modems, personally. Other than that, it's one brand
of cheap winmodem vs another. Not much to choose between them.

I'm sure we'll get an opinion war started.

Yes and not really, but I'd recomend a 3Com/USR brand.

And I had a 1972 Brougham, 455HO :-D

--
I used to have abs. Now, I've just got ab.
One big ol' Ab. - BigSkiff www.titanspot.com

Pyongyang sounds more like the sound effect an ACME catapult makes
as it goes off at precisely the wrong moment for Wile E. Coyote. -
Cadbury Moose

 

[toronado455]

It's the software drivers which discriminate between these modems.

Don't overlook your friends' abandoned external fax modems, often
free.

I've already got one. It's a Mac modem which I've been using with my
older Mac for years. But now I'm wanting to reduce clutter and free up
a spot on my power strip for something else. So that's why I want to go
to an internal and shift fax duties over to the PC.

As for the drivers, I only have experience with the Mac modems I've
used. On the Mac you can just install the appopriate modem script and
then use other software - you are not limited to the software that
comes with the modem. I actually continued to use the fax software from
my first modem (MacComCenter) when I upgraded to a 56K way back when
because the software that came with the 56K (Diamond Supra) was really
lame.

But I have no experience with modem drivers and the PC.

 

[toronado455]

That's not necessarily a winmodem vs hardware issue

True. Here are a couple cheap ones I'm looking at. Both are internal
PCI.

This one has an Intel chipset and claims to be hardware-based:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16825180001

This one has a Motorola chip and is software based:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16825180007

 

[kony]

True. Here are a couple cheap ones I'm looking at. Both are internal
PCI.

This one has an Intel chipset and claims to be hardware-based:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16825180001

There are different levels of hardware support for a modem,
one of the most easily distinguished features of a true
(commonly called) hardware modem is that it needs no driver
support, as that is built into even ancient and crude
operating systems). Although some have an *.INF file
called a driver, it is merely a cosmetic identification
measure, not necessary to get it to work.

This one though, has a winmodem driver, 350K or larger
download (depending on OS) rather than a ~5K INF file.
http://www.encore-usa.com/Drivers/ENF656-EHW-INPR_Driver_XP.zip


Looks like a winmodem to me, and one that costs slightly
more due to having the audio functionality/jacks on it. If
you want jacks, ok, but if not then you can save a couple
bucks and get one that's even smaller (useful if you want
best airflow to cards above, like a video card).

This one has a Motorola chip and is software based:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16825180007

That'd work too, but there was a time when Lucent (Agere)
had the best drivers so I'd probably go with this one,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16825180008
Things change though, maybe the others' drivers are as good
today but it may not even matter, it is only for faxing...

The following is a hardware PCI modem for example,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16825104131

 

[Survivor]

I've already got one. It's a Mac modem which I've been using with my
older Mac for years. But now I'm wanting to reduce clutter and free up
a spot on my power strip for something else. So that's why I want to go
to an internal and shift fax duties over to the PC.

If your extenal Mac modem uses a standard serial port connection, then
it WILL work with a PC. All you would need to do is download a PC
driver.

My old external fax modem is a Diamond Supra 28.8 Mac model given me
as a gift. I've used it with PCs for years. Has consistently been more
reliable than my internal PC modems.

But if clutter is more important to you than being able to connect to
weird old freestanding fax machines ...

As for the drivers, I only have experience with the Mac modems I've
used. On the Mac you can just install the appopriate modem script and
then use other software - you are not limited to the software that
comes with the modem. I actually continued to use the fax software from
my first modem (MacComCenter) when I upgraded to a 56K way back when
because the software that came with the 56K (Diamond Supra) was really
lame.

But I have no experience with modem drivers and the PC.

Most manufacturers' websites offer drivers for legacy modems. Or you
can go to one of the specialized driver download websites. Just do a
Google search using the modem's name and model info.

Modem drivers for the PC are installed like any other driver.
Aggravation is to be expected. For ease of use, choose Fedex.

Oh well. Good luck.

Survivor @ Ground.Zero

 

[toronado455]

I had a 1972 Brougham, 455HO :-D

Right on. That's front wheel drive *old school*.

 

[toronado455]

If your extenal Mac modem uses a standard serial port connection, then
it WILL work with a PC. All you would need to do is download a PC
driver.

My Diamond Supra Express 56K has a hard wired Mac serial cable (small
round 8-pin). I don't see how that would interface with a PC. But my
older Mac modem is a Magnum 288 (like a generic Hayes style) that IIRC
has a wide connector on the back that theoretically would allow the
cable to be swapped out with something that would work with a PC.
Something to keep in mind, but for now I'm more interested in cutting
down on external device clutter than retrofitting Mac modems to work
with PCs. Especially for something that I use so seldom such as faxing
- a technology that I honestly can't understand why it's still in use
at all - but which every so often is required.