Outgoing voice quality degrades over time
Moderators: Bill Smith, Pilot
Outgoing voice quality degrades over time
During a call the first 30 to 90 seconds the outgoing voice quality is perfect. After that I start to get some clipping of words, then every other word drops and finally almost nothing can be heard by the outside caller yet on my phone I can hear them just fine. I have not heard of this specific problem but have tried various fixes, obtained a powered USB hub, disabled my routers firewall, tweaked the volume settings, upped the priority of the MJ process. Nothing has worked. Has anyone else had this problem and if you have fixed it how did you do it? If I don't get a fix soon I'm going to ditch it and find a new service. Since this is my only land line I can't keep it if it doesn't work at least 95% of the time. Thanks for taking the time to take a look at this.
Hello;
This link is to an older discussion on using QoS. It may help?
http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/voic ... t3803.html
I had similar quality issues.
The information I am including below is from another post I recently made on this topic in an effort to help someone. There are so many variables that come into play when it comes to MJ and the OS you are using. The only way I have found to resolve an unknown issue is to start eliminating possibilities one by one. It took me considerable time to get my issues ironed out. The MJ is not perfect by any means but it does work well.
I am not sure which operating systems you are using but the first thing I would do is run "Windows Update" and make sure you have Microsoft's latest and greatest.
Perhaps something below will be of help to you both?
I wish you well!
This link is to an older discussion on using QoS. It may help?
http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/voic ... t3803.html
I had similar quality issues.
The information I am including below is from another post I recently made on this topic in an effort to help someone. There are so many variables that come into play when it comes to MJ and the OS you are using. The only way I have found to resolve an unknown issue is to start eliminating possibilities one by one. It took me considerable time to get my issues ironed out. The MJ is not perfect by any means but it does work well.
I am not sure which operating systems you are using but the first thing I would do is run "Windows Update" and make sure you have Microsoft's latest and greatest.
Perhaps something below will be of help to you both?
I wish you well!
Intimmy98 wrote:
I use an older MS Windows XP (SP3) system with a cable modem so the following items pertain to dealing with XP specifically. If you are trying to use MJ wirelessly then the following may not apply as that is a whole different ballgame.
Some great info can be found at http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/MagicJack, and by also using the "Search" feature of this forum, try "Call Quality". From what I have read within, this has been a pretty common issue to deal with when first setting up the MJ, and yes I had some of these same issues when I first set mine up.
...the call quality can be impaired (if using a cable/DSL Internet connection note that the bandwidth is shared amongst all other users in your area. Weekday noon hours and early evenings when everyone gets home from work to check email to me are the worst of times.) Perhaps try making several calls at a different times of day and see if this resolves the issue (If so, you can contact your ISP and see what they can do to tweak your service).
A simple way to rule out a defective MJ device, itself having issues or the network system that MJ uses as having issues is by trying it on another computer and/or internet connection (a laptop, friends or neighbors, etc.) If the calls are good then you know for sure the issue is probably within your system. Note: To remove the MJ program from other computers you will need to search the main MJ sites, FAQ's for "mjRemover.exe".
Some possible items to check on your system/network are:
Start with a clean boot up. Disconnect your USB MJ Dongle (If using XP, always use the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in the lower left corner of your screen in the system tray to disconnect. Shut down the computer and power off your router/modem for several minutes, then power up the router/modem and reboot your system. Plug the MJ in after you get your desktop up and let it load completely. Once the softphone loads you can check the next item.
MJ Softphone Settings (The display on your computer when MJ is pluged in). In the upper left corner there are several settings; I use the "Normal (Hi Speed) DSL, Cable, Wi-Fi" setting. Next check your volume settings "Menu", "Volume/Headset Control..."(not sure if you are using a traditional phone or headset/mic with your MJ). Lowering the volume levels for the speaker and mic settings on either of these can improve call quality, especially if you get echos or choppiness.
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del (if using XP) to open the Task Manager. Click the "Process" tab and sort the processes by clicking on "Image Name". Scroll down to "magicJack.exe" and right click, then "Set Priority", "High". When you do this you will need to confirm "Yes" at the Task Manager Warning prompt. This will set your MJ's processes at a higher system priority thus making it work more efficiently. Note; this will need to be done anytime the MJ is disconnected and the system is shut down and rebooted.
Check to see if you have a firewall active on your computer and that you have granted full permissions to the MJ.
Check to see that you have current USB drivers loaded and that you are using a USB 2.0 jack on the back of your computer (I found that since I have an older system It was necessary to replace my USB PCI card after updating all my USB drivers, Motherboard Bios, etc). I also purchased a powered USB hub, which did help call quality significantly as my older PC also has a smaller power supply than newer systems use.
One last thing to mention is that some software can cause issues with the MJ (Specifically Nero and Roxio). If you have these programs installed, go to the respective support site for the software and make sure you have downloaded and installed the most current patches.
Dan
Re: Outgoing voice quality degrades over time
Have you tried changing to a different proxy? You might be defaulting to an overloaded/oversubscribed proxy. If anything, I have the opposite problem. Often I have less than stellar sound quality at the outset of a call but a minute or two into it, the sound quality improves. E.g., echo goes away, noise goes away, etc.mhoffman5 wrote:During a call the first 30 to 90 seconds the outgoing voice quality is perfect. After that I start to get some clipping of words, then every other word drops and finally almost nothing can be heard by the outside caller yet on my phone I can hear them just fine. I have not heard of this specific problem but have tried various fixes, obtained a powered USB hub, disabled my routers firewall, tweaked the volume settings, upped the priority of the MJ process. Nothing has worked. Has anyone else had this problem and if you have fixed it how did you do it? If I don't get a fix soon I'm going to ditch it and find a new service. Since this is my only land line I can't keep it if it doesn't work at least 95% of the time. Thanks for taking the time to take a look at this.
Dan
Thanks for the info.
Magic Jack is now working BUT, I lost Firefox, Real Player AND my CD RW drive. The drive is not listed when I go to device manager. I recovered Firefox and deleted Real Player. I will work on that later. My main concern is getting the CD drive reinstalled. Don't know how to do that.
Again thanks for the help,
Jim
Thanks for the info.
Magic Jack is now working BUT, I lost Firefox, Real Player AND my CD RW drive. The drive is not listed when I go to device manager. I recovered Firefox and deleted Real Player. I will work on that later. My main concern is getting the CD drive reinstalled. Don't know how to do that.
Again thanks for the help,
Jim
Re: Outgoing voice quality degrades over time
Slimsjim,
Your welcome…sort of? I am happy to hear that you got your MJ working and bummed that you have a few casualties to deal with.
A possible fix for your CD drive not being recognized:
While viewing the Device Manager, start at the top and work your way down expanding (+) each category. You are looking for any exclamation points (!), this helps to pinpoint any issue(s) your system is experiencing. If you see any, write down the specific location and any info available.
One of the better things about XP is that CD/DVD units use native software drivers, which "normally" load automatically.
Once you have run through the Device Manager as described above, do a complete system shutdown (several minutes off is good). Start your system, wait for it to load completely. Keep an eye on lower right hand corner of your screen (looking for "Found New Hardware" popup notification). If after a considerable wait time and you do not see this (and you know all system services have started), go back into the device manager and expand the categories again (to see if anything has changed). If so, write it down as before.
If your drive is still not listing in Device Manager or even in My Computer (and you never saw a "Found New Hardware" popup on reboot, use "Control Panel/Add New Hardware" to let your PC search for the CD drive.
Hopefully this will do the trick! Please update status and good luck!
Your welcome…sort of? I am happy to hear that you got your MJ working and bummed that you have a few casualties to deal with.
A possible fix for your CD drive not being recognized:
While viewing the Device Manager, start at the top and work your way down expanding (+) each category. You are looking for any exclamation points (!), this helps to pinpoint any issue(s) your system is experiencing. If you see any, write down the specific location and any info available.
One of the better things about XP is that CD/DVD units use native software drivers, which "normally" load automatically.
Once you have run through the Device Manager as described above, do a complete system shutdown (several minutes off is good). Start your system, wait for it to load completely. Keep an eye on lower right hand corner of your screen (looking for "Found New Hardware" popup notification). If after a considerable wait time and you do not see this (and you know all system services have started), go back into the device manager and expand the categories again (to see if anything has changed). If so, write it down as before.
If your drive is still not listing in Device Manager or even in My Computer (and you never saw a "Found New Hardware" popup on reboot, use "Control Panel/Add New Hardware" to let your PC search for the CD drive.
Hopefully this will do the trick! Please update status and good luck!
Dan
Dan
More help needed. As before, I can and can not use the MJ. I have found by switching modems, old with new and vice versa, I can get it to work BUT--some incoming calls fade in and out. My voice, when the problem arises, is garbled--choppy as before. Would this be a modem problem--server problem or is there something wrong with this computer or the MJ ???
I also noticed when I was prompted to do a MJ upgrade back in Feb-Mar I started having this problem. Worked fine from Sept- March.
I am getting tired of this.
Thanks,
Jim
More help needed. As before, I can and can not use the MJ. I have found by switching modems, old with new and vice versa, I can get it to work BUT--some incoming calls fade in and out. My voice, when the problem arises, is garbled--choppy as before. Would this be a modem problem--server problem or is there something wrong with this computer or the MJ ???
I also noticed when I was prompted to do a MJ upgrade back in Feb-Mar I started having this problem. Worked fine from Sept- March.
I am getting tired of this.
Thanks,
Jim
Jim;
First off, sorry to hear you are still working this issue. I know you are frustrated.
To rule out that your MJ is having issues and not your system, have you tried it on another computer with a different internet service provider (like a co-worker, friend, neighbor, etc.)? If you do please note that in order to remove the MJ program from the other system(s) visit http://www.magicjack.com/6/faq/ and use the "mjRemover.exe" program.
Some questions for you that will help me in understanding your situation better;
- Have you tried a different phone set just to eliminate it as a potential issue?
- You mentioned you use Windows XP, are you current on all the updates? Which service pack do you have installed?
- Which brand router/modem are you using? Did you visit the manufacturer's website for current router/modem firmware?
- Which internet service do you use, cable, DSL?
- Have you tried changing your proxy server location?
Hang in there, we just need to make the haystack a little smaller!
First off, sorry to hear you are still working this issue. I know you are frustrated.
To rule out that your MJ is having issues and not your system, have you tried it on another computer with a different internet service provider (like a co-worker, friend, neighbor, etc.)? If you do please note that in order to remove the MJ program from the other system(s) visit http://www.magicjack.com/6/faq/ and use the "mjRemover.exe" program.
Some questions for you that will help me in understanding your situation better;
- Have you tried a different phone set just to eliminate it as a potential issue?
- You mentioned you use Windows XP, are you current on all the updates? Which service pack do you have installed?
- Which brand router/modem are you using? Did you visit the manufacturer's website for current router/modem firmware?
- Which internet service do you use, cable, DSL?
- Have you tried changing your proxy server location?
Hang in there, we just need to make the haystack a little smaller!
Dan
Dan
Thanks for the reply.
I have not tried another computer as yet. I can do that Sat. He has a different server and also uses a MJ. which we can ignore the fact of deleting the MJ program.
Have tried 2 different phones.
Current on all updates. Service pack 3. XP
Modems are Zoom 6X (new one) and the other is Net Gear. Both work on my server. I was told by the server that the Net Gear modem was going out as I was having DSL disconnects quite often. The Zoom did not fix the problem. Server connections now solved but I notice it to be a bit slower than before. Odd that this problem seems to have started about the same time as the server problem. They assure me there is no problem on their end. ????????
I have not changed servers as yet but I am really thinking of doing so.
I am not having any problems with this computer except for the MJ. I have everything working again as before. Thank you for that.
About the Hay Stack, NOT SMALLER, JUST GONE !!!!! <grin>
Thanks for the help,
Jim
Thanks for the reply.
I have not tried another computer as yet. I can do that Sat. He has a different server and also uses a MJ. which we can ignore the fact of deleting the MJ program.
Have tried 2 different phones.
Current on all updates. Service pack 3. XP
Modems are Zoom 6X (new one) and the other is Net Gear. Both work on my server. I was told by the server that the Net Gear modem was going out as I was having DSL disconnects quite often. The Zoom did not fix the problem. Server connections now solved but I notice it to be a bit slower than before. Odd that this problem seems to have started about the same time as the server problem. They assure me there is no problem on their end. ????????
I have not changed servers as yet but I am really thinking of doing so.
I am not having any problems with this computer except for the MJ. I have everything working again as before. Thank you for that.
About the Hay Stack, NOT SMALLER, JUST GONE !!!!! <grin>
Thanks for the help,
Jim
You are welcome Jim!
Ok twist my arm, removal of the haystack is mandatory!
One more item for your consideration (like you really desire another), power issues. I forgot to ask but do you use a powered USB hub plugged into USB 2.0 port on the back of your computer system? Err make it two items (it's been a long day and it's getting late). Your not using the short USB cable that came with your MJ are you?
I know more silly questions! Catch up with you here soon!
Ok twist my arm, removal of the haystack is mandatory!
One more item for your consideration (like you really desire another), power issues. I forgot to ask but do you use a powered USB hub plugged into USB 2.0 port on the back of your computer system? Err make it two items (it's been a long day and it's getting late). Your not using the short USB cable that came with your MJ are you?
I know more silly questions! Catch up with you here soon!
Dan
Dan
No powered USB hub is used.
The The short cable makes no difference in the use of the MJ. It has worked with it and without. I am not using it at this time.
I have 2 USB 2.0 ports. One on the back and one on the front. Can not use the one on the back without the short cable as the ports are to close together. This is where I plug in my USB 2.0 printer. I have tried both ports and still have the same problem.
Thanks for your time,
Jim
No powered USB hub is used.
The The short cable makes no difference in the use of the MJ. It has worked with it and without. I am not using it at this time.
I have 2 USB 2.0 ports. One on the back and one on the front. Can not use the one on the back without the short cable as the ports are to close together. This is where I plug in my USB 2.0 printer. I have tried both ports and still have the same problem.
Thanks for your time,
Jim
Dan
An update----After booting the computer and reading email, reading my websites, I thought to call my cell phone and leave a message. This was 6:30 this morning. The message on the cell was of very good voice quality. No settings have been changed on the computer.
I noticed on the modem, the lights were flashing much faster that they have in the last month or so.
Tried the same with the other modem and got the same results.
I just talked for a half hour with a friend and had no problems with him hearing me and said my voice was pretty clear. One problem I found when talking to him, his voice would fade in and out. ???????? What would cause that ??
SO, is this an internet connection problem ??? I also found my websites were opening much faster than before. Go Figure. BTW, my connection speed is 1.5mps. Would an faster upgrade help ??
I am going to try this again this afternoon and see what happens. Peak time.
I'll keep you posted. Hope this was the problem. If it arises again, the phone Co. will be hearing from me.
Jim
An update----After booting the computer and reading email, reading my websites, I thought to call my cell phone and leave a message. This was 6:30 this morning. The message on the cell was of very good voice quality. No settings have been changed on the computer.
I noticed on the modem, the lights were flashing much faster that they have in the last month or so.
Tried the same with the other modem and got the same results.
I just talked for a half hour with a friend and had no problems with him hearing me and said my voice was pretty clear. One problem I found when talking to him, his voice would fade in and out. ???????? What would cause that ??
SO, is this an internet connection problem ??? I also found my websites were opening much faster than before. Go Figure. BTW, my connection speed is 1.5mps. Would an faster upgrade help ??
I am going to try this again this afternoon and see what happens. Peak time.
I'll keep you posted. Hope this was the problem. If it arises again, the phone Co. will be hearing from me.
Jim
Good day Jim,
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner on this.
Sounds like several things are occurring; One is the available bandwidth your ISP provides you. I know from my experiences with cable internet (I had used a Qwest DSL a while back and had similar issues), that when more user's are online bandwidth drops and I have quality of service issues I started keeping a log of when I experience these issues to look for a trend (yes, it was at peak times). Knowing this I can work around it. There are several programs you can use to monitor your internet service speed and jitter. http://myvoipspeed.visualware.com/ is one of them. You can do an internet search for "VOIP test" if you need others. Knowing this info in advance, you can contact your ISP and let them know exactly what you are experiencing. Perhaps in an effort to keep you happy as a customer they can tweak your service!
You had asked "One problem I found when talking to him, his voice would fade in and out. ???????? What would cause that ??" I would recommend the powered hub. Many in this forum recommend this one http://www.windmilltrading.com/USBProds ... 4U2ABK.htm . I use a Belkin I had floating around which works well. It will minimize the fade-in/fade-out you experience on your calls. The hubs typically run around $20.00. I will attempt to explain why this is a good idea. Computer power supplies are often overburdened. Besides running everything in box: the CPU, disk drives, video cards and fans, etc. they also tackle all of the add-ons we users like to play with (monitors, scanner's, printers, ipods, card readers, etc.). Older PC's typically have smaller power supplies and will often experience even more power related issues than newer ones. USB jacks in the rear of the system were designed for more permanent usage, like your printer and of course the MJ. A powered hub gets all of its power via a convenience outlet and not the computer's power supply so available power is more consistent. You would still connect it in the back USB of your computer (for connectivity), but as a bonus, it would give you many more easily available powered USB jacks.
I won't be able to check back here until tomorrow as I am heading out on a project. Good luck this afternoon Jim and do keep me posted!
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner on this.
Sounds like several things are occurring; One is the available bandwidth your ISP provides you. I know from my experiences with cable internet (I had used a Qwest DSL a while back and had similar issues), that when more user's are online bandwidth drops and I have quality of service issues I started keeping a log of when I experience these issues to look for a trend (yes, it was at peak times). Knowing this I can work around it. There are several programs you can use to monitor your internet service speed and jitter. http://myvoipspeed.visualware.com/ is one of them. You can do an internet search for "VOIP test" if you need others. Knowing this info in advance, you can contact your ISP and let them know exactly what you are experiencing. Perhaps in an effort to keep you happy as a customer they can tweak your service!
You had asked "One problem I found when talking to him, his voice would fade in and out. ???????? What would cause that ??" I would recommend the powered hub. Many in this forum recommend this one http://www.windmilltrading.com/USBProds ... 4U2ABK.htm . I use a Belkin I had floating around which works well. It will minimize the fade-in/fade-out you experience on your calls. The hubs typically run around $20.00. I will attempt to explain why this is a good idea. Computer power supplies are often overburdened. Besides running everything in box: the CPU, disk drives, video cards and fans, etc. they also tackle all of the add-ons we users like to play with (monitors, scanner's, printers, ipods, card readers, etc.). Older PC's typically have smaller power supplies and will often experience even more power related issues than newer ones. USB jacks in the rear of the system were designed for more permanent usage, like your printer and of course the MJ. A powered hub gets all of its power via a convenience outlet and not the computer's power supply so available power is more consistent. You would still connect it in the back USB of your computer (for connectivity), but as a bonus, it would give you many more easily available powered USB jacks.
I won't be able to check back here until tomorrow as I am heading out on a project. Good luck this afternoon Jim and do keep me posted!
Dan