Is this the right group to post this question ? If not perhaps you could 
point me in the right direction

I am looking for a reasonably priced and reliable pair of cordless handsets 
with the following capabilities

1. Interchangable landline/ skype use (skype use only necessary when PC is 
turned on)
2. handfree speaker on handsets
3. answerphone on one of the unit bases
4. good build quality

Any ideas for units which meet these criteria ?

Second question

Some units are sold as voip comparible and some skype compatible. What is 
the difference ?

Thanks

In article , TC  wrote:
>Is this the right group to post this question ? If not perhaps you could 
>point me in the right direction
>
>I am looking for a reasonably priced and reliable pair of cordless handsets 
>with the following capabilities
>
>1. Interchangable landline/ skype use (skype use only necessary when PC is 
>turned on)
>2. handfree speaker on handsets
>3. answerphone on one of the unit bases
>4. good build quality
>
>Any ideas for units which meet these criteria ?
>
>Second question
>
>Some units are sold as voip comparible and some skype compatible. What is 
>the difference ?

Skype is a proprietary VoIP system. You can generally only talk to other
Skype subscribers, although there are facilities to bridge Skype and PSTN
calls. (And even some people who can bridge Skype and SIP calls, but
this is a very small minority)

When people talk about VoIP, they usually mean Open-Standards VoIP systems
using protocolls such as SIP, IAX, etc., and because the standards are
published and open, there are many manufacturers of devices (and software)
which all talk together.

However Skype is a VoIP service, even though there are those who dispute
this and get all huffy over it.

If a unit is a USB device, then it's just a sound-card as far as the PC
is concerned (and a keypad). It will come with it's own version of
Skype to make the keypad work rather than pointing the mouse at
'buttons' on the screen. Most Skype devices will work with non-skype
software but you may lose the keypad functionality.

Gordon

>Some units are sold as voip comparible and some skype compatible. What is 
>the difference ?

To add to Gordon's explanation, Skype is software P2P application meaning 
that it can (unless you prevent it) use your computer and bandwidth to route 
other peoples calls.
It normally requires a computer to use it, however lately some 'standalone' 
phones became available (at a price).

SIP / IAX based VoIP can use normal analogue and DECT phones and once you 
have ATA and/or VoIP router, you don't even have to have computer.
Regards,
Martin

Thanks both.

I generally use skype to landline (for overseas calls only). Presumably 
therefore any handset with standard voip compatibility would work for that. 
(do landline/voip units just have a usb connection and a standard phone 
connection ?)

Any particularly recommended units which meet the stated criteria ?

Re the skype use of bandwidth, I am guessing that this is only the case if 
you are loggerd on - they can't use bandwidth just because you are a 
registered user can they ?

TC

TC wrote:
Presumably
> therefore any handset with standard voip compatibility would work for that. 

No because Skype isn't standard VoIP.  You can only use Skype-specific 
handsets with the Skype service.  I believe Philips make some but I'm 
not sure on where to buy, how much they cost or if they are any good.

cheers,
Paul.

TC:
>do landline/voip units just have a usb connection and a standard phone 
>connection

Hardware SIP / IAX VoIP:
either: digital VoIP phones which plug directly to ethernet port of a router 
(expensive),
or std. phone  plugged to ethernet port via ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter)
or std. phone (incl. DECT) plugged to RJ11 (i.e. US phone socket) port(s) on 
VoIP enabled router via BT / RJ11 adapter usually supplied with router.

Finally you can have special WiFI VOIP handset, some fancy mobile phones can 
do that too.

Software:
either headset plugged to ear and mic sockets of soundcard / laptop
or headset plugged to USB port,
or 'telephone' handset wired to USB port.
Regards,
Martin

Now I get it

Thanks
-- 
TC

If you are looking for a Voip provider to make cheap calls then get in
touch with us at Vonage. If you subscribe you’ll get a free adapter and
we currently offer a free digital phone with certain adapters as a one
off promotion. Full details can be found on our site at 'Cheap Calls
using VoIP with Vonage UK - Broadband Phone Provider'
(http://www.vonage.co.uk).


-- 
Costas Kariolis
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costas Kariolis's Profile: http://forums.yourdomain.com.au/member.php?userid=152
View this thread: http://forums.yourdomain.com.au/showthread.php?t=67602

"Costas Kariolis"  wrote in
message
news:Costas.Kariolis.340lpb@no-mx.forums.yourdomain.com.au
: : If you are looking for a Voip provider to make cheap
: : calls then get in
: : touch with us at Vonage.

You've already tried this one elsewhere. Go away, spam is not wanted here 
(I believe Ron Chew likes it though, send it to him direct please).

Ivor