Using the MagicJack with your Skype account on a Mac.

macman4hire · Post by **macman4hire** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:42 pm

Using the MagicJack as a bridge device with your Skype account on a Mac.

Do not start the MagicJack software!

1.Sign up for a Skype account.
2.Download the software and install.
3.Start Skype and sign in.
4.In the menu under Skype select Preferences.
5.Next select the Audio tab.
6.Next set following drop down boxes Audio output:, Audio Input:, Ringing: to USB Internet Phone by TigerJet.
7.Next using the phone contacted to the MagicJack wait to hear a dial tone and then place a Skye Test Call or call one of your Skype contacts using the Skype software.

I have only tested my phone using the MagicJack as bridge device with the Skype Test Call and it seems to work fine.

Update: I tested the Magicjack as bridge device with Skype calling another Skype member who was using a mic and speakers. The call quality was comparable to a cell phone with an occasional dropout. I am still interested in running a test with another Skype member who is also using the Magicjack as bridge device. Please PM me with your Skype member info and a good time to run the test if you are interested. Thanks!

shitfarmer · Post by **shitfarmer** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:24 pm

Do you have to have working Magicjack service for this to work? I let my subscription retire and am looking for uses for the device. It is difficult to sell because it is sort of locked to an acct.

macman4hire · Post by **macman4hire** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:45 pm

shitfarmer,

No MagicJack subscription is required because you are just using the MagicJack hardware as bridge device with your Skype software application.

1. First boot your Mac and do not launch the MagicJack application.
2. Launch the Skype application and sign into your Skype account.
3. Choose Preferences listed under Skype the menu bar located at the top of monitor.
4. Next select the Audio tab from Preference Box.
5. Next set all three drop down boxes under the Audio tab to USB Internet Phone by TigerJet.
6. Use the Skype soft phone to select one your Skype contacts. and place the call.
7. Immediately pick up your phone or hit talk button for a cordless phone.(note you pick up the before you call using the Skype contacts just choose the method you prefer)
8 Enjoy your call!

I hope this is helpful and if you have any other question just post them.

shitfarmer · Post by **shitfarmer** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:19 pm

Thanks, it works great. I'm using Windows and it works in that too. It also works with webcams, using the phone as a mic to be able to phone chat with people over webcam.

macman4hire · Post by **macman4hire** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:03 pm

shitfarmer,

I am happy it worked for you. I have a question for you, how did you disable the auto start/run feature on the Windows machine you are using?

shitfarmer · Post by **shitfarmer** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:18 pm

well, I didn't really do anything to disable it, I guess it disabled itself. I have the Magicjack icon on the desktop but I don't see it running. I remember removing a bunch of stuff a while back to get rid of the Magicjack stuff so am not sure if that is what did it or not. I think I just went to the device manager and removed it.

nestman · Post by **nestman** » Thu May 14, 2009 12:57 am

I guess I'm confused why you guys are doing this. What purpose does it serve? Aren't calls easily made via both skype an MJ? So why the bridge?

Thanks.

macman4hire · Post by **macman4hire** » Thu May 14, 2009 2:12 am

If you have family or friends that use Skype it will allow you to use your phone instead of the mic/headse. Also if you decide not to renew your MagicJack service for another year you don't have a useless piece of hardware hanging around. This technique will allow to use the MagicJack hardware with your Skype, Gizmo, iChat, etc. accounts.

nestman · Post by **nestman** » Thu May 14, 2009 8:52 pm

In your experience, do calls go through more successfully when placed from within skype? MJ is such a gamble. One day it works fine, other days I can't even place a call but calls can come in.

Thanks.

macman4hire · Post by **macman4hire** » Fri May 15, 2009 10:03 pm

nestman,

I only use Skype to place calls to other Skype members and 1800 numbers. I will say that call quality of Skype has been very good. On the other hand I have not had any major problems with MagicJack's call quality either and have been very happy with my $40.00 investment. I have gotten my money back a 100 times in just long distance calls alone. I all fired my phone company as they say in the advertisement and no longer pay monthly phone bill. I suggest you call a few 1800 numbers to test Skype's call quality. A couple of questions for you nestman:

1.How do you have your MagicJack setup a computer, a thin client, an ATA,ect?
2. Have run any internet connection speed or quality tests? If you have not click this link to do so http://myvoipspeed.visualware.com
3. What is primary reason for using MagicJack or Skype?(To replace your existing landline, to save on long distance calls you make, for vacation and travel.etc.)

If can gave the forum members more details on your setup and goals this is the right place to be!

nestman · Post by **nestman** » Sat May 16, 2009 12:06 am

I'm confused by your #1 question. I just have the MJ plugged into my computer and then an analog phone plugged into that. I keep hearing of ATA...what is that?

My broadband has excellent throughput and is not the issue in this case.

The MJ is my primary "land line", besides me cell phone. But I don't like using a cell phone much, so I rely on the MJ. But it's frustrating because it's down so often. Why does it work so well for some of you, but others like me experience the same problems as me?

macman4hire · Post by **macman4hire** » Sat May 16, 2009 2:41 am

nestman,

1.It has been reported that older computer systems sometimes have problems with the MagicJack. What is your computers processor speed and memory specs. What OS are you running? Some computers USB ports have been reported not have enough voltage to support the MagicJack. If you are able to test the MagicJack on different computer in your home this might help eliminate hardware performance issues as the problem.

2. Did you run the test from my previous post? This test is voip simulation and will likely eliminate your internet connection as the possible problem if the results are good. If you have the ability to use your MagicJack at family members or friends home with their hardware and internet connection to see how it performs compared to your homes setup.

3. If you eliminate the performance issues you are currently having you want to consider using a thin client or ATA if the MagicJack is your primary home telephone system. A thin client is a computer that uses very little electricity and use a modified version of Windows XP usually. Many forum members have success using thin clients to run their MagicJacks 24/7. An ATA or Analog Telephone Adapter is a piece of hardware that was designed specifically for VoIP communications services. Some ATA's also have router built into them. I like this configuration the best because it sits right behind your internet modem and was specifically designed for this purpose. By using an a properly configured ATA you should not have any software conflicts and of course it is not limited by inferior hardware.

I will to try help you but you will need to do some trouble shooting and be persistent to eliminate possible problems one at time.

FriskyKid · Post by **FriskyKid** » Fri May 22, 2009 5:08 pm

I live in a condo (apartment) that has a pre-wired ATT phone line to 4 rooms. I changed to Astound, a competitor, and they disconnected the ATT and wired Astound to that same line to the four rooms.

If I make MJ the "landline", can I feed the output of the MJ to one of the phone jacks so that any of the four rooms can connect? (After Astound is disconnected).

Keith
Concord, CA

macman4hire · Post by **macman4hire** » Sun May 24, 2009 1:43 am

Probably not if you are receiving a dsl connection as this sends a low level current onto the existing lines in your condo. It can destroy your MagicJack or an ATA device! If you were technically inclined you could isolate one pair of wires that was disconnected at the box coming condo and use that pair for your MagicJack. I would that use electrical tape that completely cover the pair and label do not connect. You should understand this might not stop a phone tech for reconnecting because they might realize you are taking money for the company they work for. Also I use to live in an apartment complex and owned condo and in my experience the incoming lines are usually located in a small room for each building that is locked. The simplest and safest solution is to get a cordless phone with 3 or 4 handsets and place them in the rooms you choose. Also please be careful to post your questions in the correct place so the forum does not become cluttered and unorganized.

Good luck!

FriskyKid · Post by **FriskyKid** » Sun May 24, 2009 2:33 am

We are a Mac family, with a G5 and an iBook. I like your idea of using a cordless phone with 3 or 4 handsets. A lot simpler than trying to change the wiring of a condo!

nestman · Post by **nestman** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:17 pm

macman4hire, I'm back on this forum after being away for a while. My MJ is soon to expire an I need to decide quick what I should do. The device continues to work for incoming calls, and for placing 1-800 calls. However, I can NOT dial out. Sometimes the support people at MJ are able to reset something on their end and it starts working, but lately their efforts have not fixed the problem.

My main computer is a Mac, and the MJ has been reformatted numerous times, so it no longer is even recognized on a PC. Before I ditch MJ altogether, and try out skype, I want to see if I get the same problem on a PC. Do you know how to make the MJ be recognized on a PC after it's memory has been formatted?

Thanks!

rpyles · Post by **rpyles** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:19 am

It seems like MagicJack has upgraded and otherwise changed their dongle since the last posting regarding the issue of using Skype and MJ together on a single phone.

Does any one have any insight on how this can be made to work now? I have followed the steps outlined in the forum but, with the new dongle (received just a few days ago) nothing has worked out. I would absolutely love to make this work though.

Thanks!!

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Using the MagicJack with your Skype account on a Mac.

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