Voice Quality

[gators5]

I'm just a guy trying to save money, but MJ may drive me to drink. I continually have voice issuses where people say I'm breaking up or the party on the other end are breaking up Can only hear parts of words. Been in numerous chats with the MJ epople and di everything they said. They even sent me a new one. Works fine some of the time and then others I have to tell people I will call them on my cell. I can't be the only one with this problem. Are they any fixes other than having a glass of wine or a beer?

[az2008]

people say I'm breaking up or the party on the other end are breaking up Can only hear parts of words.

That can be caused by too many processes running on your computer (or your computer being older, with slower CPU). You can go into XP's Task Manager, find the magicjack.exe task, and right click on it, set the priority to High.

It can also be made worse by using wireless to connect to your router/WAN point. If you use wireless, you can eliminate that possibility by using a wired connection for awhile.

It can also be caused by competing uses of your bandwidth. You can fix that by enabling QoS on your router. If your router doesn't have QoS, buy a Linksys WRT54GL and flash it with the free Tomato firmware. But, this is for experienced computer users. If you're not, you might look at buying the Hawking Tech. Signal Booster (or, whatever it's called). It's a relatively inexpensive "QoS in a box" which you connect between your router and cable/dsl modem (I think). It will give priority to various things like VOIP. You don't have to get into the details of creating your own QoS configuration (which is good if you're a novice. Not as good if you're an intermediate user who could put some time into learning Tomato.).

Mark

[gators5]

I have an HP that is a year old.
MJ suggested I disconnect my wireless router and I did and I continue to have the same problems.
Any other ideas?

[az2008]

I have an HP that is a year old.
MJ suggested I disconnect my wireless router and I did and I continue to have the same problems.
Any other ideas?

I would still set the process priority to High. And then consider my QoS suggestion.

You can also check your ability to use VOIP here:

http://myspeed.visualware.com/voip/index.html

When the test is complete you'll see a link for detailed analysis. I believe it's a permanent link and you can post it here for consideration.

Mark

[stroths]

I think az2008 is 100% on the mark. I have my MJ on a separate PC (thin client) and have QOS on my router (monowall thinclient) and I get great quality calls.

[gators5]

Mark
I put it on high and have run the test.
http://msord.visualware.com/myspeed/db/ ... id=4614848
It seems that the quality should be okay, but just tried some calls and still the same problem of online clicking and breakup.
I really appreciate your help.
John

[az2008]

I put it on high and have run the test.

Your pause looks bad. Mine is max 55ms, avg 25ms. I don't know what causes that. Maybe someone else more knowledgeable about network issues.

You might consider trying QoS. If you have competing activity occurring maybe that could increase the pause. I like Tomato firmware, it's free and gives you more control over your QoS rules. You can google for Tomato firmware. You can read about it here:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Tomato_Firmware#QoS

This is the Hawking product:

http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/pro ... ProdID=216

It's been recommended by at least saxman:

http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/for- ... ht=hawking

Its description isn't real clear about what it does. But, it's just pre-configured, generic QoS rules. Easier to get the benefit. But, not as flexible or precise as QoS in a router.

You could also go to dslreports.com and do the "tweak test" under the tools. Report back what it suggests. I've always thought you should change your TCP settings to what it says. That's what I did. But, someone else said its suggestions should be modified for VOIP performance. But, I forgot what they said. If it makes suggestions you could use DrTCP (available there) to make the changes just to see if it makes a difference. Then change back to your original settings if you want to.

I'd do those things, especially QoS. I'd always set the task priority to High. And, I'd use a wire to connect to my router (at least until things improve).

Mark

[az2008]

Your pause looks bad. Mine is max 55ms, avg 25ms. I don't know what causes that. Maybe someone else more knowledgeable about network issues.

FYI. I ran the test a few times with/without QoS enabled. (I have some low-level background network traffic occuring.). The delay went up considerably without QoS.

My speed is about the same as yours (1500/250).

So, I'd definitely look at flashing your router (if it's supported) with Tomato. Or, try the Hawking "in a box" QoS product. In addition to the other things I mentioned.

If you flash a router with Tomato, I can tell you exactly how to configure QoS.

Mark

[gators5]

I mentioned earlier MJ suggested I bypass my router. I did and now go direct from my computer to my DSL. Tonight it is really bad. I've told everyone who called me and those who I called, I would have to call them back on my cell. I/they couldn't understand the conversations. The only program running tonight on my computer is MJ.Don't know why this problem is unique to me.
Again, thanks for your help.

[az2008]

I mentioned earlier MJ suggested I bypass my router. I did and now go direct from my computer to my DSL.

Disabling your router was a bad suggestion if your not using a software firewall. You say MJ is the only thing running. So, I assume you're not using a software firewall. The half life of a non-firewalled computer is something like 20 minutes. Which means you could be infected with spyware and spambots (consuming CPU and bandwidth).

What router did you use?

Mark

[gators5]

I was using a Belkin router. I do have the Windows firewall enable. My virus protection is Trend Micro Internet Security.

[az2008]

I was using a Belkin router. I do have the Windows firewall enable. My virus protection is Trend Micro Internet Security.

Then the only program running on your computer isn't MJ. It's hard to help when the answers aren't correct.

If I were you,

1. I'd always set the task manager priority to High.

2. Always use a wired connection to your router (or modem).

3. Pick up a Linksys WRT54GL and flash it with Tomato. Or, pick up the Hawking Broadband Booster.

4. Try the "tweak test" mentioned earlier, and report any problems it finds.

I think you have everything you need. Go forth and prosper.

Mark

[az2008]

Don't know why this problem is unique to me.

BTW: It's not unique to you. If you browse the forum you'll find other topics about choppy audio. I had it. Flashing my router to Tomato (and configuring QoS) fixed it. Saxman had it. He used the Hawking's Broadband Booster (QoS in a box).

There could be other contributors like competers for CPU, wireless interference. But, QoS makes the biggest difference for most people.

Mark

[stroths]

If you want QOS and are low on funds, you can use an old PC laying around as your router using free software called m0n0wall. I've been using it for quite a while (now on a thin client) and its great.

Here's the website for monowall if you want to read up on it

http://m0n0.ch/wall/

[Rickiev]

I had the same problem after using MJ for 2 weeks, chatted with tech support and they has me run my virus program, not infected. Then I ran an ad-ware removal program and it found 200+ problem.

It removed whatever it found, then rebooted the computer.

Never had the MJ program again.

Try it out!

[gators5]

It seems I don't have any problem with bad audio in the morning and it gets worse as the day goes along.
Do you think my problems relate to the type of DSL service I have?
I'm using Bellsouth DSL FastAcess which is 1.5MBPS downstream/256 KBPS upstream. The next level of service is 3 MBPS/384 KBPS.
Do you think the upgrade would help?
Again, thanks for your help.

[gators5]

Does anyone have a reply to my above message?

[az2008]

Does anyone have a reply to my above message?

I didn't see a reply to this:

http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/post25603.html#25603

I don't get the impression you're trying to follow the suggestions that have been provided.

If you have questions about your DSL service's fluctuating quality, you could visit dslreports.com and find the support forum for your service. They may have some suggestions for how to monitor your quality throughout the day (besides just running speedtest.net at various times). You could open an issue with your provider to investigate why the quality is changing.

Otherwise, I'd recommend you follow the suggestions already provided.

EDIT: BTW, yes, higher speed would always be better. And, slower speed will always make you more susceptible to choppiness. QoS always fixes that problem (regardless of the speed of the tier).

Mark

[zmaddmattz]

I'm almost positive it is your DSL service. do a speed test at the different times a day to confirm. if the upgrade service is advertised at 3mb then it is going to be more like 2mb peak, 1.5mb stable. but that also depends on the serivce provider. if you do upgrade, you should do a speed test about a week after you get the service to see what you are paying for. In this day and age DSL is kinda iffy.

[ret27m]

In my area DSL is quite stable, for instance I pay for a 6m down 512k up, my tested speeds are 6124 down 488 up this is pretty constant. On the other hand cable in my area is REALLY inconsistant a 3m down 256 up service tests out at 1080 down 177 up. I do in home computer repair and I find that 90% of the time inconsistant speeds are caused by poor in home wire and/or shody connections behind wall plates.

[az2008]

if you do upgrade, you should do a speed test about a week after you get the service to see what you are paying for. In this day and age DSL is kinda iffy.

I don't understand that comment. I had extremely slow DSL (380kbs down/ 300kbs up). It was much more constant than my faster cable speed (which I have now, 1500/250). But, MJ worked fine on it. Maybe even a little better because the upload speed was a bit faster).

The real issue for choppy voice (after setting the task manager priority to High) is QoS (if there's not delay/loss problems with nothing else running). I get choppy voice with 1500/250. I could probably upgrade my cable to the preferred tier and rarely experience choppiness. But, "rarely" is the operative word. A faster speed won't fix the problem. Going to 3000/500 won't make that much difference.

If a person is happy with their speed, it doesn't make much sense to me to spend another $20 a month for higher speed to _partially_ fix choppy voice when they could use QoS for free on their router (if it supports it), or buy a router for $50 and flash it for free with Tomato. Or, buy the Hawking Tech. Broadband Booster for $50 (and not go through the learning curve).

With QoS, you get the quality at the lowest speeds that you'd get *most of the time* at the highest speeds, without the monthly expense.

Mark

[zmaddmattz]

I don't understand that comment. I had extremely slow DSL (380kbs down/ 300kbs up). It was much more constant than my faster cable speed (which I have now, 1500/250). But, MJ worked fine on it. Maybe even a little better because the upload speed was a bit faster).

I'm in Cleveland Ohio, Right know we have three major cable companies competing. I currently achieve 15mb down and 5-7mb up. I really shouldn't have replied, I have a tendency to forget that we have some of the fastest speeds in the nation (excluding dsl). what ever the issue is I hope it can be resolved without spending any money, that's what the magic jack is all about.

all though we have fast speeds, we also have allot of dumb criminals that can put a real damper on our everyday lives.

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2007/08/vandals_try_to_download_copper.html

[kumar]

I was using a Belkin router. I do have the Windows firewall enable. My virus protection is Trend Micro Internet Security.

Then the only program running on your computer isn't MJ. It's hard to help when the answers aren't correct.

If I were you,

1. I'd always set the task manager priority to High.

2. Always use a wired connection to your router (or modem).

3. Pick up a Linksys WRT54GL and flash it with Tomato. Or, pick up the Hawking Broadband Booster.

4. Try the "tweak test" mentioned earlier, and report any problems it finds.

I think you have everything you need. Go forth and prosper.

Mark

Good idea, but not everyone knows how to flash a router with Tomato. (I prefer DD-WRT)...


2nd... what internet connection are your running? Does your computer seem any slower then when you got it? It may have some spyware or virus in there that is affecting the performance....


Kumar

[az2008]

Good idea, but not everyone knows how to flash a router with Tomato. (I prefer DD-WRT)...

That's why I mentioned Hawking BB. That's a plug'n'play QoS-in-a-box device. I've heard contradictory reports about it's capability. One of these days I'll buy one just to play with it and compare it to my Tomato-flashed router. I can return it.

I have mixed feelings about DD-WRT. More powerful, but those features aren't necessary just for QoS. I've seen reports from people saying they felt QoS didn't work as well as Tomato. I flashed a router with DD-WRT and felt I experienced the same thing. But, I didn't spend a lot of time on it.

The upside of DD-WRT (IMO) is that it has TCP Vegas (a congestion control algorithm built into the Linux kernal). Tomato may have that some day. Someone created a derivative of Tomato with Vegas. So, that's a first step for the author to include it someday.

Mark

[zmaddmattz]

That's why I mentioned Hawking BB. That's a plug'n'play QoS-in-a-box device. I've heard contradictory reports about it's capability. One of these days I'll buy one just to play with it and compare it to my Tomato-flashed router. I can return it.

I have mixed feelings about DD-WRT. More powerful, but those features aren't necessary just for QoS. I've seen reports from people saying they felt QoS didn't work as well as Tomato. I flashed a router with DD-WRT and felt I experienced the same thing. But, I didn't spend a lot of time on it.

The upside of DD-WRT (IMO) is that it has TCP Vegas (a congestion control algorithm built into the Linux kernal). Tomato may have that some day. Someone created a derivative of Tomato with Vegas. So, that's a first step for the author to include it someday.

Mark

I bricked my WRT54-GL trying to flash with DD-WRT. i'm pretty sure it was my fault though. I was using OpenWRT Fine. I overlocked the cpu to 600mhz and ran it for a year straight with no issues. about a week before I bricked it I found out that the Broadcom BCM5352EKPB Chipset acually had 32mb of ram installed and only 16mb was registerd. so i went ahead and registerd it. I flashed the router so many times in the past with no issues. I'm pretty sure there was a reason why only 16mb was registerd. when I got done with that thing it smelt burnt. I still can't help but wonder if it was me or just some freak occurence.

I was kinda embaressed, a week before I bricked it I was bragging to everyone about how fast the damn thing was. then I was at best buy trying to find the same one. Come to find out linksys only did a short run on the wrt54-gl with the broadcom chipset.

I geuss I'm just rambling on becuase I miss my baby so much. I would pay up to $150 for that router again. I had it broadcasting a half of a mile at one time. Diden't do me any good becuase my laptop card diden't have that range.

[bonscott74]

Hi gators5...not sure why you are having issues with a straight broadband pipe to you computer but am definite the issue you are experiencing with your router is that the Belkin firewall causes issues with VoIP. I have a Belking Pre N and experienced the same issue. I did some of the same suggestions listed in the thread but QoS via router or hawkings tech didn't work...at least not until I disabled the router firewall. I'm in the process of researching a new router and understand the Dlink R655 is a good selection...made for VoIP and Gaming.

My suggestion is to get your system to work at least with a straight connection first. Then make sure all your connected PCs on your router have a firewall installed and turn off the router firewall to make all components work.

Long term...I would look into a router that is set up for VoIP and Gaming with a router firewall enabled.

Hope this helps...good luck.

[muniz_ri]

If you're not already using one, try a good quality Cat.6 cable from your modem to your PC. Also, try setting your performance setting to "background services." Finally, set the MJ speaker/microphone setting to midrange.

Best of luck,

Richard

[az2008]

Also, try setting your performance setting to "background services."

Setting the priority through the task manager, (right click on magicjack.exe process, and set priority to High) should be more precise. If you give priority to all background services, I believe that will give equal priority to MJ and things like anti-virus and firewall processes.

Mark

[usalj]

I also have periodic choppiness/problems and am considering whether I should renew the service. I just set the process priority to high. I ran the VOIP test a couple of times and here are the links to the results:
http://mvsord.visualware.com/myspeed/db ... ?id=966005
http://mvsord.visualware.com/myspeed/db ... ?id=966008

I have Verizon DSL with an Actiontec GT704 modem/router, with a wired ethernet connection to my pc. My magicjack is plugged directly into 1 of my usb ports. I have the option of enabling QOS but would need very specific directions regarding how to prioritize the magicjack connection.

Any recommendations?

[az2008]

I have the option of enabling QOS but would need very specific directions regarding how to prioritize the magicjack connection.

The delay looked high. Maybe the jitter too. It's hard to say whether that's due to your internet connection, or if it's competing activity which QoS would help. I.e., when I disable QoS, my delay goes up. The delay graph is more choppy like yours. That's when I have some low level activity occuring in the background, like a VPN connection without much activity. Some web browser session that have some keep-alive activity.

I'm not familiar with your router. If it has QoS capabilities, it might have named protocols. You'd want to give priority to RTP. If it doesn't have QoS, you'd have to see if DD-WRT supports it. Or, buy a new router and use Tomato (which I think is easier to use). Or, buy a Hawking Broadband Booster (which is a proprietary QoS-in-a-box solution).

I can tell you I had a lot of choppiness with DSL 300/300, and Cable 1500/250. A Linksys Wrt54GL flashed with Tomato, and QoS enabled fixed everything. It's almost perfect, even when I do a speedtest.net test which saturates both the up and down bandwidth.

Mark

[usalj]

Thanks for your response. However, as I indicated in my initial post, my modem/router already does have QOS availability, but I have no idea what settings or entries to make, or if I should just enable it & accept the default settings (both upstream & downstream) if it creates them automatically. I do not see any protocol named RTP.

I would prefer not to get a different modem/router, as it works perfectly with respect to all its other functions (and was provided by my dsl sevice provider, with the attendant support if it breaks).

[az2008]

my modem/router already does have QOS availability, but I have no idea what settings or entries to make, or if I should just enable it & accept the default settings (both upstream & downstream) if it creates them automatically. I do not see any protocol named RTP.

I'm not familiar with your router. If you want to PM me I can give you my email address. You can take screenshots of the configuration screens, the choices available, etc.

The Hawking Broadband Booster doesn't replace your router. It's about $30 and fits between your modem and router.

Mark

[Romulous]

where is the hawking BB being sold for 30$ and do they deliver to canada ?

[usalj]

My Actiontec is a combo modem/router & your description indicates that the Hawkwing device is supposed to be inserted between the modem & router.

[tony]

where is the hawking BB being sold for 30$ and do they deliver to canada ?

I got one from here shipped to Canada.
http://www.techsunny.com/Hawking_Cable_ ... 22199.html

Unfortunately, there are few options for getting around the shipping costs to Canada from the US unfortunately. I checked my invoice, shipping was $19USD. The 77 cent CDN dollar doesn't help either. But if you can get it, the broadband booster really helps improve voice quality.

[Romulous]

Thanks Tony I notices I could even save a few bucks from getting it from their Ebay deals account ..... thanks bud I will let you know how it works

[msiam]

Here is a link to CNET where you can download Glarey Utilties which is a great cleaner, free too.. Also you can use the old standby Lavasoft adaware. Just a suggestion, if you are already running them, never mind..


Edited four days later..edited.. I put it here, but thought it was going somewhere else.. I mussa got Lost!!

[noetic1]

az2008-
You responded to one of my posts a couple months ago about calls timing out and you and recommended Tomato back then. Unfortunately, I decided to go the dd-wrt route with my Linksys WRT54GL since I've heard so much about it.

It turns out that dd-wrt wasn't what I hoped for and I was still getting complaints from those I called with my MJ that my voice was choppy even though they sounded fine to me.

After reviewing your QoS write up for Tomato and seeing that Tomato has a pretty strong following, I decided to flash Tomato over dd-wrt. All I can say is "Wow, you were right all along!". I definitely prefer Tomato over dd-wrt. And since you so brilliantly did the QoS write up I am no longer suffering from the 'choppy voice syndrome'.

Kudos az2008!

[az2008]

It turns out that dd-wrt wasn't what I hoped for and I was still getting complaints from those I called with my MJ that my voice was choppy even though they sounded fine to me.

Thanks, I'm glad Tomato worked for you.

I've heard others say they found Tomato's QoS more effective than DD-WRT's.

But, it's a confusing topic because a lot of people don't realize MagicJack opens a second connection (RTP) to one of 10000 ports for the actual voice traffic during a call. They just enable QoS for the SIP connection to ports 5060-5070. If they enabled QoS for the RTP by specifying the port range, that rule would be so broad that it could catch and prioritize more than MJ's traffic. (Tomato allows additional qualification by limiting the rule to a destination address. But, that invites trouble because someday MJ will change the IP address of the server.).

To make it more confusing, if the people who tried DD-WRT knew about the RTP traffic, and enabled QoS using DD-WRT's Layer 7 filter to catch RTP traffic, that filter doesn't work. They'll think they're applying QoS, but they're not.

Both DD-WRT and Tomato get their Layer 7 stuff from an upstream project dedicated to Layer 7. The RTP filter was officially fixed last week by that project. A temporary filter ("rtp-2") was included in Tomato when it was released the weekend before last. So, the next version of DD-WRT should pick up the latest Layer 7 distribution and the "rtp" choice will work.

When that happens it will be easier to make comparisons between Tomato and DD-WRT. (The current version of Tomato has "rtp-2". The next version will presumably drop that temporary filter, and "rtp" will be the final, fixed version from last week.).

It's confusing. I just wanted to point out that there is this situation right now with Layer 7 which affected both DD-WRT and Tomato, perhaps rendering people's comparisons invalid. DD-WRT users should pursue it with the author of DD-WRT, to get a fresh copy of Layer 7 in the next release of DD-WRT. Even look for a way to get Layer 7's current "rtp.pat" file to replace the one in an installation of the current DD-WRT version.

But, no doubt that Tomato's "View Graphs" and "View Details" made it easier to discover that the original Layer 7 "rtp" filter wasn't working. It's a lot easier to verify how QoS is working in Tomato just by looking at a couple web pages.

Mark

[Romulous]

well the Hawking HBB1 is working wonders here ..... no more choppy calls EVER !!!!!! Cheap and effective fix and makes surfing the net a bit faster too I find ...... thanks for the info folks it helped me out immensely !

[Phxernie47]

I was experiencing voice quality issues and voice breakup while in a conversation using the cordless phones at home.

I had a Panasonic 4 phone cordless system and all calls no matter which phone was used, had the same problem. I went through all the Tech Support chats with MJ with this issue and tried many set ups to clear this issue.

What I found out with this issue is, if you have an older type cordless phone system, the call quality is dependent on the charge state of the batteries in the cordless phone.

I should also add that even though the phone chargers showed charging, the voice break up and sound quality happened as the batteries in the phones were discharging fairly rapidly as the phones were being used.

I did not want to buy all new batteries for this older cordless phone system, but, I purchased a new Vtec DECT 6.0 phone system with 3 phones and it brought the voice quality back and I do not have any voice cut out issues anymore.

[Nobody beats the Whiz!]

One of Seinfeld's ex-girlfriends reportedly got herpes from riding on an old tractor in her bathing suit.