OBi110

[synchron]

Good afternoon, synchron.

Does OBihai have any of their own bells and whistles regarding call logs and displaying SIP transactions through email?

I'm not sure I understand this question. I get all of my call logs through Google Voice. I'm not sure if there are any call logs on the OBi110. I haven't noticed any, but I haven't gone looking for any either.

I don't know what you mean by "displaying SIP transactions through email". The OBi110 uses XMPP, not SIP, with Google Voice. Now, that Gizmo5 is on the way out. I don't use SIP for anything.

Have a lovely day!

Sipsorcery has this neat feature where all calls, whether or not they are completed or unanswered, are logged as a Full SIP transaction and sent to the email of your choice. Whether this can be done with XMPP, I don't know and I guess I will need to investigate. I'm not even sure XMPP uses a port that can be blocked like SIP has. What I do find interesting is I can make successful free calls ever since they added this to Gmail within my corporate network. SIP can only be used to start a transaction, once both parties connect, the Corporate firewall blocks all of the ports that the voice is on (usually the 10000 - 30000 range).

Synchron

[synchron]

Have you tried ipkall/callcentric with sipsorcery. I find the call quality to be a little better than sipgate/sipsorcery.

I think Ipcomms is the best quality with sipgate a close second. IpKall used to not be reliable but lately they've been a bit more stable but DTMF tones would not natively work. Someone posted how I could change in my ATA and allow DTMF tones to be inline with the call so that fixed things but introduces xtra unwanted noise. Gizmo5 was the worst and I would hear beeps/gargling like that other gadget I keep forgetting about that sits and collects dust more and more.....

A direct clear connection to GV sounds like a great way of eliminating these 3rd party free DID providers so I'm looking forward to experimenting and setting up the Obi as soon as I get it.

Synchron

[Kif Kroker]

WOW so maybe then the OBi100 is the latest Obama cash for VOIP scheme huh??

Thank you for the info now I just need a kick in the butt to spend money I don't have right now.. BUT it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO tempting...

Another question. I have had a GV account since they became avail by invite, BUT I do not have a Gmail account. From what I have read here I HAVE to have a Gmail account in order for the OBi to work correct? Just having a GV account is not enough? I mean it is easy enough as I would only use it for the OBi.. Also my buddy is interested and he has a Nettalk Duo. He is somewhat happy with it and he asked me if the OBi can fax. I didn't see anything mentioned about faxing. He can with his Duo and wants that ability.
As always Lisa, thank you for your well written responses. The humor ain't bad either

Yes I believe you need a GMail account to use the Obi, because it is GMail Chat that is being used for the outbound calling.

The FAXing question I have no idea, but I would suspect that as long as your phone service allows and works with FAXing it should work. But I could be wrong.

Dave

[lcompton]

Good evening, Joe.

WOW so maybe then the OBi100 is the latest Obama cash for VOIP scheme huh??

Thank you for the info now I just need a kick in the butt to spend money I don't have right now.. BUT it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO tempting...

You're starting to sound like a whiner. First, you want assurance that the OBi100 is going to function with Google Voice. You've got that. Now, you're whining about your finances. What gives, Joe? Are you turning into a liberal? Good grief!

Step up to the plate and deal already!

Another question. I have had a GV account since they became avail by invite, BUT I do not have a Gmail account. From what I have read here I HAVE to have a Gmail account in order for the OBi to work correct? Just having a GV account is not enough? I mean it is easy enough as I would only use it for the OBi..

I'm not 100% sure about this. It is widely reported that using the OBi with Google Voice requires an @gmail.com address. Two of my four Google Voice accounts were setup with [email protected] addresses and I specifically created two new Gmail accounts so I could migrate the two Google Voice accounts to the newly-created Gmail accounts. I can say that I did not have the Google Chat device option in the telephones list until I setup Gmail accounts for the two Google Voice accounts that were setup with [email protected] addresses.

The part I find confusing is that the most recent OBi110 firmware update from last week seems to indicate that @gmail.com addresses are no longer required. This doesn't make sense to me because I don't know how else you would get the Google Chat device in your telephones list if you don't have an @gmail.com address setup on the Google Voice account.

My suggestion is to simply setup an @gmail.com address for your Google Voice account and use that address. It's simple and free and we know it functions flawlessly.

Also my buddy is interested and he has a Nettalk Duo. He is somewhat happy with it and he asked me if the OBi can fax. I didn't see anything mentioned about faxing. He can with his Duo and wants that ability.

I don't know about OBi and faxing. Did you review the datasheets to which I linked in my previous reply? There might be some information in there. I haven't used faxing since I canceled my Verizon POTS line and switched to magicJack ages ago. My fax machine is still on the fax table gathering tons of dust. I need to get rid of it!

As always Lisa, thank you for your well written responses. The humor ain't bad either

You're welcome.

[lcompton]

Good evening, synchron:

Sipsorcery has this neat feature where all calls, whether or not they are completed or unanswered, are logged as a Full SIP transaction and sent to the email of your choice. Whether this can be done with XMPP, I don't know and I guess I will need to investigate. I'm not even sure XMPP uses a port that can be blocked like SIP has. What I do find interesting is I can make successful free calls ever since they added this to Gmail within my corporate network. SIP can only be used to start a transaction, once both parties connect, the Corporate firewall blocks all of the ports that the voice is on (usually the 10000 - 30000 range).

You need to do your homework!

Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) is most definitely a TCP stack with well-defined ports for different functions. I'm guessing that Google Voice via Google Chat uses an XMPP XML stream, which is pretty neat, by-the-way.

Chapter two section three (2.3) of RFC 3920 specifically states, "The RECOMMENDED port for connections between servers is 5269, as registered with the IANA (see Port Numbers (Section 15.9))."

Flipping over to chapter 15 section 9 (15.9), we learn that, "The IANA has registered "xmpp-client" and "xmpp-server" as keywords for [TCP] ports 5222 and 5269 respectively." This section goes on to state, "These ports SHOULD be used for client-to-server and server-to-server communications respectively, but their use is OPTIONAL."

I don't have the time to fool with it, but it would be fun to run Fiddler or some other protocol sniffer and watch an OBi110 session with Google Voice to see what's going on over the wire. I've got way too much on my plate right now to dig into this, but what little I've provided should give you a healthy jump start into your research.

Have fun!

[dtm]

Another question. I have had a GV account since they became avail by invite, BUT I do not have a Gmail account. From what I have read here I HAVE to have a Gmail account in order for the OBi to work correct?

Hey Joe,
Although the new firmware says you can use it without a gmail address, I have not seen anyone on the Obi forum claiming to have much success with it. http://www.obitalk.com/forum/

I think what Lisa told you is the best advice, just tie a gmail address to your GV account. You can then DL the Google Chat addon and make your required call through it. They say you have to make one call through the GV app before the Obi will work. It forces you to read the legal babble.

[bitstopjoe]

Another question. I have had a GV account since they became avail by invite, BUT I do not have a Gmail account. From what I have read here I HAVE to have a Gmail account in order for the OBi to work correct?

Hey Joe,
Although the new firmware says you can use it without a gmail address, I have not seen anyone on the Obi forum claiming to have much success with it. http://www.obitalk.com/forum/

I think what Lisa told you is the best advice, just tie a gmail address to your GV account. You can then DL the Google Chat addon and make your required call through it. They say you have to make one call through the GV app before the Obi will work. It forces you to read the legal babble.

Ok I ordered the OBi100 ( I took Lisa's advice, even though I do still have a landline I can only receive calls on it and it already has it's own phone, so I do not need a Telco line on the OBi). I will wait till it arrives and try to see if it works with a NON Google Mail account. If not I will do what you said and tie a Gmail account to my current GV#.
I already registered at OBitalk.com ( obviously I did not add my OBi100 yet, duh) I have 30 days to play with it and see if I like it better than my MJ. IF, in fact, I do not hear any difference between the 2 ( my MJ has worked perfectly and it will be 3 years this Aug I first got it) I will send it back to Amazon. So we shall see what we shall see.

[dtm]

I already registered at OBitalk.com ( obviously I did not add my OBi100 yet, duh)

I did the same thing when I ordered my Obi Just wanted to look around. I initially configured mine with the wizard and then manually. Now that they have the expert config on the web portal I have been using that. It is a nice touch. I was initially concerned about putting my gmail password into their site but supposedly passwords are not stored. Sent once and deleted from the config.

I think you will enjoy it. It actually works better than I expected.

[bitstopjoe]

I "assume" if I forward all my MJ calls to to GV, when the calls come through on the OBi the caller ID will show the GV number and not the orig MJ caller, correct? Other than hooking up another phone ( I really rather not) I don't see a way around it unless GV ports, which I highly doubt..
The OBi will be here on Friday, I sure hope it being April 1st is not a bad sign

[dtm]

My guess would be that it would show the original MJ caller ID but I have no way to confirm. My MJ has expired. I have my cell phone forwarded to GV and the original caller ID is retained.

[bitstopjoe]

My guess would be that it would show the original MJ caller ID but I have no way to confirm. My MJ has expired. I have my cell phone forwarded to GV and the original caller ID is retained.

Well if it does that, then it would be perfect. Only need my one phone for VOIP, MJ and GV both.
We shall see tomorrow. I will post back to let everyone know as I am sure they may be others wondering the same thing. Then again, maybe not

[dtm]

I see Obihai has Obi110s back on Amazon for $49.99 with the coupon code. If anybody wants one they better grab it because they go fast!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/ ... dition=new

[bitstopjoe]

My guess would be that it would show the original MJ caller ID but I have no way to confirm. My MJ has expired. I have my cell phone forwarded to GV and the original caller ID is retained.

Well if it does that, then it would be perfect. Only need my one phone for VOIP, MJ and GV both.
We shall see tomorrow. I will post back to let everyone know as I am sure they may be others wondering the same thing. Then again, maybe not

Ok... I got my OBi100 today at 4pm at 4:03 I made my first call ( to my mom since I called her first when I got my MJ almost 3 years ago). Yes it was that easy, easier than the MJ in fact. I then stopped MJ from running ( along with my MagicFeatures ( man I love that add-on)) I then logged into my MJ account and set call forwarding to my GV #. Had my buddy give me a call on my MJ# and sure enough his called ID came through just like I wanted.
The OBi is as clear if not clearer than my MJ, and that is going some since my MJ sounded as good as my landline did. I love how my phone stutters when I have a voice mail now and it blinks too. I just use the GV voice mail, and if I dont want too I can disable it and just use my own answering machine. I set up my speed dials and all works just perfect. I did have to tie my GV to a Gmail account. I did that before my Obi arrived today as well as register for an OBi account ( I did that yesterday).
Only thing that bugs me so far ( VERY minor) is you can't delete speed dial #1 so I had to move all my #'s up one notch. Maybe there is a way to remedy this, but so far I have not found it.
So in closing I am a very very happy camper, so far anyway. Now when I power off my PC I still can make calls, yea. This thing is so tiny and runs very very cool. My MJ is now in a closet for safe keeping. I may renew in Aug ( start of year 4) just in case GV starts charging in 2012..

[nailgunner]

in case GV starts charging in 2012..

I personally would be stunned if Google starts charging for the service. With so many people using unlimited plans of one kind or another, any company that starts charging for a once-free service isn't thinking too clearly. And say what you want about Google, they don't seem to be complete idiots and hardly need the tiny revenue stream they would get from remaining customers.

Looks like I'll have to start practicing my "Search much?" routine.

[bitstopjoe]

in case GV starts charging in 2012..

I personally would be stunned if Google starts charging for the service. With so many people using unlimited plans of one kind or another, any company that starts charging for a once-free service isn't thinking too clearly. And say what you want about Google, they don't seem to be complete idiots and hardly need the tiny revenue stream they would get from remaining customers.

Looks like I'll have to start practicing my "Search much?" routine.

Nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I will still peruse the forum as much as before. Help as much as before. Say "Search much" as before. Etc......
Of course if MJ does another MAJOR update I will read about it as opposed to helping on that subject.
Hey John you KNOW how much I love my MJ. As I said I will most likely renew in Aug just to keep my MJ# and it as a backup. That being said you owe it to yourself to at least give the Obi a try. IF you don't like it or see it's worth Amazon pays to send it back ( within the 30 days of course). If you do like it, no reason you can't use both or do what I did and forward your MJ calls to your GV#. In fact with the OBi110 ( I got the 100) you can even plug your MJ into the Telco Port and use a single phone for both your MJ and Obi...

[nailgunner]

That being said you owe it to yourself to at least give the Obi a try.

I would, but have absolutely no reason to. I'm pretty much on my computer all day as it is, and turn it off and forward calls to my cell at night. So the $20 I spend a year on MJ would take me 2 years or more to recover on a $40/$50 obi. And 2 years from now we will all be using something totally different IMO.

And while I don't think GV will ever charge for calls, others do seem to think that the GV/Obi marriage is not so secure. So if I ever ditch MJ, I will try NetTalk first.

[nailgunner]

Of course if MJ does another MAJOR update I will read about it as opposed to helping on that subject.

Well I will try to come up with another suitable line between now and the next update. It wouldn't seem right to be use the "search much" line anyway. Lets see, "Hey Moron...". Maybe I should take an on-line sensitivity training course first.

[bitstopjoe]

That being said you owe it to yourself to at least give the Obi a try.

I would, but have absolutely no reason to. I'm pretty much on my computer all day as it is, and turn it off and forward calls to my cell at night. So the $20 I spend a year on MJ would take me 2 years or more to recover on a $40/$50 obi. And 2 years from now we will all be using something totally different IMO.

And while I don't think GV will ever charge for calls, others do seem to think that the GV/Obi marriage is not so secure. So if I ever ditch MJ, I will try NetTalk first.

Well I can't argue with your reasoning for not getting the OBi...
My buddy has the Net Talk Duo. He went from the MJ to the Duo. He has all kinds of problems. Sometimes when he picks up the phone to make a call it says not registered. He is constantly rebooting the device. Other weird stuff too. He was hoping to drop his landline when he got the duo. 6 months later he still has his landline. I told him about the Obi and he may give that a try.

[nailgunner]

That being said you owe it to yourself to at least give the Obi a try.

I would, but have absolutely no reason to. I'm pretty much on my computer all day as it is, and turn it off and forward calls to my cell at night. So the $20 I spend a year on MJ would take me 2 years or more to recover on a $40/$50 obi. And 2 years from now we will all be using something totally different IMO.

And while I don't think GV will ever charge for calls, others do seem to think that the GV/Obi marriage is not so secure. So if I ever ditch MJ, I will try NetTalk first.

Well I can't argue with your reasoning for not getting the OBi...
My buddy has the Net Talk Duo. He went from the MJ to the Duo. He has all kinds of problems. Sometimes when he picks up the phone to make a call it says not registered. He is constantly rebooting the device. Other weird stuff too. He was hoping to drop his landline when he got the duo. 6 months later he still has his landline. I told him about the Obi and he may give that a try.

Yea. That's the thing. You hear good and bad from all corners about every system. If I had the excess cash I would probably have one of each like some do and keep myself busy playing with all of them.

As time goes on I think it was blind luck that the MJ was the first one I tried and has worked so well for me. It was my first wife who I first heard about MJ from, but I'll go to my grave before I give her any credit.

[VaHam]

I would, but have absolutely no reason to. I'm pretty much on my computer all day as it is, and turn it off and forward calls to my cell at night. So the $20 I spend a year on MJ would take me 2 years or more to recover on a $40/$50 obi. And 2 years from now we will all be using something totally different IMO.

And while I don't think GV will ever charge for calls, others do seem to think that the GV/Obi marriage is not so secure. So if I ever ditch MJ, I will try NetTalk first.

Well I can't argue with your reasoning for not getting the OBi...
My buddy has the Net Talk Duo. He went from the MJ to the Duo. He has all kinds of problems. Sometimes when he picks up the phone to make a call it says not registered. He is constantly rebooting the device. Other weird stuff too. He was hoping to drop his landline when he got the duo. 6 months later he still has his landline. I told him about the Obi and he may give that a try.

Yea. That's the thing. You hear good and bad from all corners about every system. If I had the excess cash I would probably have one of each like some do and keep myself busy playing with all of them.

As time goes on I think it was blind luck that the MJ was the first one I tried and has worked so well for me. It was my first wife who I first heard about MJ from, but I'll go to my grave before I give her any credit.

Well all I can say is I am one of those who has them all. My ranking is:

1) Using sip trunks with Asterisk.

2) Obi (quality of hardware and fact that it can be used with any service or even as ports for Asterisk box)

3) Duo (scheme of not requiring computer is better but hardware doesn't seem any better than MJ)

4)MJ (Hardware not very good and the reliance on a properly working computer makes it the pits)

[bitstopjoe]

Yea. That's the thing. You hear good and bad from all corners about every system. If I had the excess cash I would probably have one of each like some do and keep myself busy playing with all of them.

As time goes on I think it was blind luck that the MJ was the first one I tried and has worked so well for me. It was my first wife who I first heard about MJ from, but I'll go to my grave before I give her any credit.

Same thing with me and my MJ almost 3 years ago. I plugged it in and it worked and it worked well. Still does.
The biggest thing my buddy with the Duo complains about is the lack of hearing the phone ring when he calls someone. They just pick up. Says it drives him nuts, I think it would me too.

[Pablo123]

Like nailgunner said, every product has it good and bad.

For me the Nettalk DUO has been a really great service for me. No complaits.

Have a great weekend,

[nailgunner]

in case GV starts charging in 2012..

I personally would be stunned if Google starts charging for the service. With so many people using unlimited plans of one kind or another, any company that starts charging for a once-free service isn't thinking too clearly. And say what you want about Google, they don't seem to be complete idiots and hardly need the tiny revenue stream they would get from remaining customers.

I'm not positive, but it appears that GoogleVoice may now be free into the foreseeable future. It appears that they have dropped the "free through 2011" line in their cost topic:

http://www.google.com/support/voice/bin ... wer=115063

That was the first link when I googled "cost of google voice".

It was in this section that they had previously had the wording "in 2010" or "in 2011" when talking about it being free. I can't find anything official on it, but it looks possible.

[bitstopjoe]

Your mouth to God's ears.
I may still renew my MJ just in case in Aug, after that probably not as the OBi is really working out well.. I made tons of calls yesterday and not once think I have to see how long I was talking or did I make to many calls. Very refreshing.

[lcompton]

Good morning.

I'm not positive, but it appears that GoogleVoice may now be free into the foreseeable future. It appears that they have dropped the "free through 2011" line in their cost topic:

http://www.google.com/support/voice/bin ... wer=115063

That was the first link when I googled "cost of google voice".

It was in this section that they had previously had the wording "in 2010" or "in 2011" when talking about it being free. I can't find anything official on it, but it looks possible.

This is potentially very exciting, but I'm a little worried. My question is, why isn't Google touting this? It makes me apprehensive that the free through 2011 has quietly disappeared.

Fortunately, Google hasn't deleted the records of the announcement in their blogs. But, they clearly changed the status of calling to Canada and the United States on their Google Chat home page.

If this is for real and Google doesn't clobber the Obihai solution, I'm not seeing how any competing VoIP solution can remain sustainable. Who, in their right mind, would pay for VoIP if they can have this free solution with only a minimal capital outlay; i.e. about USD50.00 for the Obihai box?

Vonage could be in serious trouble not to mention everyone else who actually charges for VoIP. Wow!

I don't know though, I'd feel a lot better if Google had a blog post touting free calls for life or something. My intuition tells me that we haven't heard the last of this.

[sabresfan]

Do calls get connected faster using the Obi than Sipsorcery?

[bitstopjoe]

A very good review of the OBi and lots of good info:
http://michigantelephone.wordpress.com/ ... d-freepbx/

[nailgunner]

If this is for real and Google doesn't clobber the Obihai solution, I'm not seeing how any competing VoIP solution can remain sustainable. Who, in their right mind, would pay for VoIP if they can have this free solution with only a minimal capital outlay; i.e. about USD50.00 for the Obihai box?

Vonage could be in serious trouble not to mention everyone else who actually charges for VoIP. Wow!

I don't know though, I'd feel a lot better if Google had a blog post touting free calls for life or something. My intuition tells me that we haven't heard the last of this.

I am so positive that Google knows that if they start charging for minutes, the use of their service will drop faster than a rock, I'll put $5 on the line that the change is for good. I don't think it's a coincidence that this change (IF it is a change) comes right after their supposed big announcement of a partnership with Sprint.

Of course the Obi/Google solution is a whole different matter. As someone on a forum posted "I'd like this a lot more if the post title were able to say, "Google Voice announces support for Obi110," instead of the other way around." I would bet the same $5 that if (and it's still a big if) Obi becomes popular enough Google won't let it stay that way. My new-found understanding of the phone business tells me that Google will be paying the termination fees on those calls. Does anyone seriously think if it becomes that popular that Google will just shrug it's corporate shoulders and look the other way?

But it is still my opinion that Obi will only be a danger of putting other voips out of business if they start marketing it big time and quickly. As popular as GoogleVoice is, I'm still surprised at the number of people I chat with that have never heard of it, let alone Obi. Almost everyone, and granted it's not a large number, I talk to are on their way to ditching their landlines totally and are going with their cell/smart phones exclusively. My two adult children (both of us parents use MJ) laugh at the thought of going back to a landline and have no interest in using a voip either. My opinion is that will kill off Vonage and MJ way before Obi. The fact that NetTalk and maybe MJ Plus will have smart phone apps may keep them in the game longer. Just my opinion.

[Nugrl]

Hello All! I have not been around much lately, so I guess I have missed all this about this Obi that you all speak of. I am still just using my MJ's and the NT Duo, and must say, I am not so happy with either. I have been having problems left and right with both, and now reading about this Obi thing, am wondering if I really do have it in me to try yet another voip device.

I see bitstop took the plunge! How is it Joe? Is it working as good for you as MJ or better? You never had the problems I had with MJ anyway. What made you take the chance on the Obi? and which one did you get? was it the Obi100 I think I read somewhere? I am alot like your buddy and having alot of problems with my NT duo, and just had their tech support update my firmware to the 3.22, but that did not work either. I was working with some very nice person on the nettalk forum trying to get my router set up right, thought it helped, but now it seems as though I am back to square one. So I would love to hear more about this Obi. I already have a couple GV numbers. I don't know if you remember I did that when I was trying to find a work around when MJ started blocking #'s. So I guess I need to do a little more research on this.

[bitstopjoe]

Yes I like it A LOT.........True I had no problems at all with my MJ. However since my electric rates went up 33% recently and is scheduled for another increase next month I turn my PC off late morning till mid afternoon and all night. Of course my MJ wont work and there have been many times I needed to make a call but I didnt want to power on my PC just for that. So yes I took the plunge on an OBi100 for $44 bucks shipped. It took me less than 5 min ( actually 3 min) to set up and make my first call.
Look on Amazon for the OBi110 and read the reviews there. I think only 1 person out of 50 or so gave it 4 stars everyone else gave it 5. The 110 and 100 are the same except the 110 has a port when you can plug your landline in to use only one phone for both VOIP and your landline. I didn't need that function. THOUGH I read afterwards you can also plug your MJ into that port too. Had I known that ( I should have searched I would have paid the extra $5 for the 110.
Here is a youtube video showing how easy it is to install http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LTmWqP706E
Yes I remember you having 2 GV #'s ( one was blocked by MJ if I remember correctly) but for the OBi to work you also need to tie it to a Gmail account ( I had to do this) and enable chat in said gmail account. Make one call through gmail and you then go to Google voice and click on the Google Chat. Trust me easy.
You can always ask me on AIM when I am on for help, or here.
I will most likely renew my MJ in Aug for 1 more yr. I want to keep my MJ# and have it as a backup JUST in case. Right now it is sitting in my closet and my MJ# is forwarded to my GV#. Works like a champ.

[Nugrl]

Thank you for the info! If I remember correctly, you had no problems at all with your MJ, and if you remember, I have had tons of them! I am just looking for another alternative I guess to the MJ or the NT duo. It sure would be nice to get one of the damn devices working the way they should. You are running XP right? maybe that is part of my problem, I am trying to run them on Win 7...???

[nailgunner]

Thank you for the info! If I remember correctly, you had no problems at all with your MJ, and if you remember, I have had tons of them! I am just looking for another alternative I guess to the MJ or the NT duo. It sure would be nice to get one of the damn devices working the way they should. You are running XP right? maybe that is part of my problem, I am trying to run them on Win 7...???

My personal opinion which is worth about 4 cents, is that if you had problems with MJ and NT with performance issues, and not things like blocked exchanges, there almost has to be something else going on, modem/router/ISP. Are you possibly just going to add a third problem device without resolving another "possible" underlying issue.

And I know you don't want to hear it, but I have absolutely no issues with my MJ and Windows 7. It doesn't mean it's not your problem, but I doubt it.

Good luck.

[bitstopjoe]

Thank you for the info! If I remember correctly, you had no problems at all with your MJ, and if you remember, I have had tons of them! I am just looking for another alternative I guess to the MJ or the NT duo. It sure would be nice to get one of the damn devices working the way they should. You are running XP right? maybe that is part of my problem, I am trying to run them on Win 7...???

The MJ is the only one which needs an OS. Your NetTalk Duo and the OBi only need a modem and router. No PC needed unless to set it up or access. Not sure why the the Duo doesnt work for you. It works for my friend Bob but with weird problems, like not hearing the phone ring when you call someone, or having to re-set the Duo often to get a dial tone. He ordered an OBi this weekend to see if will be the "one" for him to get rid of his landline.
MAYBE you need a different router?? I am using a free one for a nationwide test, www.samknows.com Test your ISP section. It is a NetGear WNR3500L. Great router and works great with the OBi. I had to bridge my DSL combo Modem/Router to just a dumb modem and all works wonderfully. Maybe your ISP can give you a different Modem AND router. I am also running the Hawkings HBB1 ( THANK YOU DARKMAN!!)
ZERO ZIP NADA choppy sound even if I am u/l and d/l at top speed.

[Nugrl]

ok, that was me screaming! just kidding! I know exactly what you are saying but I have done test after test and everything looks like it should be working perfectly, but its not. I even went out and bought a new router, got the Linksys E3000, because I thought perhaps after all the crap I have had to put up with, that maybe it was the router. Well guess what... nope! I went in and made all the necessary changes to the router settings, esp. for the nt duo and it still sounds like s#!& ! if ya know what I mean? so I am pulling my hair out here as it is. I am not sure what else to try. I am even in the process of messing with an old laptop to try and run one of the MJ's on it to see if that helps. So far, its not making a huge difference either. so what do you suggest? I'll take the 4 cents worth if you can spare them.

bitstop I did get a new router, and I have the hbb1, but I took it out of the equation. not sure why at this point but I did. it was doing something to my modem, I think. Its just sitting here collecting dust. so what else do you suggest?

[nailgunner]

So far, its not making a huge difference either. so what do you suggest? I'll take the 4 cents worth if you can spare them.

No, not even 3 cents this time. I'm just not sure I would throw more money into a new system because it doesn't sound like there is any good reason for at least one of the two you have not to work.

I did hear that Qwest is running a land line special. Just joking. Sorry, now is not the time for humor.

[lcompton]

Good evening, nugrl.

<snip!>I even went out and bought a new router, got the Linksys E3000, because I thought perhaps after all the crap I have had to put up with, that maybe it was the router.

For what it's worth, I upgraded to the Linksys E3000 last summer. It has performed flawlessly for me and I have my two OBi110's plugged directly into the E3000. So, I can tell you that the OBi110's perform perfectly with the E3000. I didn't make any special configuration changes in the E3000 for the OBi110's either.

Good luck!

[Pablo123]

Nugrl, It sounds like you have a bad Internet connection coming into your house, even thou your speed test showed ok, I would never trust those. Call your provider you may have a bad wire at your house.

[Nugrl]

So far, its not making a huge difference either. so what do you suggest? I'll take the 4 cents worth if you can spare them.

No, not even 3 cents this time. I'm just not sure I would throw more money into a new system because it doesn't sound like there is any good reason for at least one of the two you have not to work.

I did hear that Qwest is running a land line special. Just joking. Sorry, now is not the time for humor.

you're such the jokster! I could just get a landline from comcast too! I think thats what they are striving for. Trying to get me to give up my voip devices.

[Nugrl]

Nugrl, It sounds like you have a bad Internet connection coming into your house, even thou your speed test showed ok, I would never trust those. Call your provider you may have a bad wire at your house.

You may be right. Will they come out and fix that for free? I dont' have a clue what else it could be. I am going to post here what changes I have made in my router. Now bare in mind these changes were made for the nt duo. So if any of you can think of anything else I can try, I sure would appreciate it.

Here is a list of what I use on my system:
ISP - Comcast Cable
Cable Modem - Arris WBM760 Doc Sis 3.0
Router - Linksys E3000 firmware 1.0.04 build 6
Phone on NT Duo - Panasonic dect 6.0 Model # KX-TGA101S (older model)
NT Duo
2 MagicJacks 1- 3rd gen. 1- 4th gen.

So far we have changed these settings in the router:

DNS servers - changed them to Static DNS 1: 4.2.2.2 Static DNS 2: 4.2.2.1 (followed the instructions from the NetTalk.com - Support Center -Troubleshooter - for Linksys Routers.)
http://www.nettalk.co/faq/index.php?_m= ... er&_a=view

Reserved the IP address of the NT Duo - click on DHCP Reservation on the Basic Setup page of the router, and I manually added the Client. Entered the client name Nettalk, and reserved the IP address for the Nettalk using the NT Duo's MAC address.

DMZ - following the instructions from the NetTalk.com - Support Center - Troubleshooter - Linksys Routers, I "Enabled" DMZ and entered the MAC address of the NT Duo and clicked "Save Settings"

Port Forwarding - On that same page from the NetTalk.com support center troubleshooter where you enabled the DMZ, it lets you click next to forward the ports needed for the NetTalk device. I just followed the directions from there and forwarded the ports as instructed.

QoS - Also under the "Application & Gaming" page on the router, I "Enabled" , "Internet Access Priority" I left the "Upstream Bandwidth" set to "Auto", and under "Category" I clicked the "Applications" drop down and clicked on "Voice Device" I entered the name Nettalk, entered the MAC address of the Nettalk, and I left the Priority set to "High" (Recommended), clicked "Apply" then "Save Settings"


@lcompton Hi Lisa! I am glad to hear your E3000 is working out for you. I have read so many others had no problems with it either, that is what prompted me to buy that one. I guess its just Murphy's Law with me... I would like to try the Obi. I guess if I were to get one, I would go with the Obi110. But like nailgunner said, no point in throwing more money out the window right now, until I figure out what my problem is with my existing devices. I agree totally!

[lcompton]

Nugrl:

@lcompton Hi Lisa! I am glad to hear your E3000 is working out for you. I have read so many others had no problems with it either, that is what prompted me to buy that one. I guess its just Murphy's Law with me... I would like to try the Obi. I guess if I were to get one, I would go with the Obi110. But like nailgunner said, no point in throwing more money out the window right now, until I figure out what my problem is with my existing devices. I agree totally!

I upgraded to the E3000 from a Linksys WRT54G because I wanted the dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) wireless networking along with the ability to connect using the newest Wireless-N protocol. I also wanted the ability to introduce network-accessible storage directly on the network backbone.

The E3000 is awesome. Most of my home electronics are up on the 5GHz Wireless-N network and now I don't have annoying network drops when I run the microwave oven. Getting my WiFi up on 5GHz and switching to DECT 6.0 cordless telephones were two of my better recent technology decisions.

I wish I could help you with the Nettalk Duo thing, but I know nothing about it. During the time I used magicJack, I didn't really have any major technical issues. I just didn't like the annoying call caps.

One thing that did strike me as odd is why the Nettalk folks would have you alter the DNS settings on your router. I'd be interested in hearing the reasoning for that. Generally speaking, the DNS values (primary and secondary) are handed down by your ISP and there shouldn't be any reason to change them or make them static. Any downstream electronics can have a DNS value of your E3000's gateway address (typically something like 192.168.1.1). Routers will detect the TCP DNS look-up request and forward the request to the specified DNS servers.

Anyway, good luck with whatever direction you take!

[nailgunner]

Nugrl, It sounds like you have a bad Internet connection coming into your house, even thou your speed test showed ok, I would never trust those. Call your provider you may have a bad wire at your house.

You may be right. Will they come out and fix that for free? I dont' have a clue what else it could be.

Comcast policy may vary from state to state but if it's an issue with their line/equipment the one I quit using a few months ago would not charge you.

Each tech has various skill level but if you tell them you are getting bad internet they should fix it for you if that's the issue.

They installed my first high speed internet. And the guy that installed it had his meter and looked like he knew what he was doing and said I was good to go.

Within a few weeks I lost my service, and they came out. This guy checked it all out and said the cable coming into the house was crap. He dug a new one in and my internet was fine and a few fuzzy cable channels were clear. No charge.

But if you have tried both out on a different computer, tried them with only a modem and no router, different modems and different routers, that pretty much leaves the signal. If one was working and not the other it could be the MJ or NT server, or how one of them is interacting with one of your components, but if your signal is good, one of them should work.

I would call Comcast especially if the main cable has been there for quite a while.

[sabresfan]

I agree it would appear you have a bad line or connection somewhere causing your voip problems. If you have tried nettalk connected directly to your modem and voice quality continues to suffer than something is definitely wrong beyond your control. Just for troubleshooting purposes can you take your DUO over to a friends and see if it performs any better. Also could you take your laptop with MJ and try the same.

[lcompton]

Nugrl:

One more thing I just noticed...

Reserved the IP address of the NT Duo - click on DHCP Reservation on the Basic Setup page of the router, and I manually added the Client. Entered the client name Nettalk, and reserved the IP address for the Nettalk using the NT Duo's MAC address.

DMZ - following the instructions from the NetTalk.com - Support Center - Troubleshooter - Linksys Routers, I "Enabled" DMZ and entered the MAC address of the NT Duo and clicked "Save Settings"

Port Forwarding - On that same page from the NetTalk.com support center troubleshooter where you enabled the DMZ, it lets you click next to forward the ports needed for the NetTalk device. I just followed the directions from there and forwarded the ports as instructed.

QoS - Also under the "Application & Gaming" page on the router, I "Enabled" , "Internet Access Priority" I left the "Upstream Bandwidth" set to "Auto", and under "Category" I clicked the "Applications" drop down and clicked on "Voice Device" I entered the name Nettalk, entered the MAC address of the Nettalk, and I left the Priority set to "High" (Recommended), clicked "Apply" then "Save Settings"

Okay, a couple of things. Why would you need to reserve a DHCP address if you're segmenting the NetTalk Duo box into its own DMZ network?

Also, I encountered an issue with reserving IP addresses within a DHCP range on the E3000. You may want to consider abandoning reserving a DHCP address and just static IP the NetTalk Duo with an IP address outside the DHCP address range. I won't go into details here, but when I was creating a video streaming subnet at home, I added a Roku box, which doesn't allow static IP address assignment (very bad design flaw in my opinion.) So, when I tried to assign a reserved IP address, I soon discovered that the E3000 can assign the same IP address to multiple devices. (I think this is an E3000 firmware flaw.)

The port forwarding and QoS steps you followed sound right on. I'm not seeing anything flaky there.

Good luck!

[Nugrl]

I would call Comcast especially if the main cable has been there for quite a while.

Well this cable line has been here at least the past 11 years that I know of. but get this, one time a huge tree branch fell on the wires coming to the house and I had to call them out here to look at the line after my husband got the branch off the wire. Well the guy showed up, stood down on the ground and looked up at the house where the wire was connected, (mind you it was still drooping some) and said it "looked fine". That was all I got out of him. So for me to think that they would come back out here and test this stuff and then change the line or wire outside for me...??? I have a better shot at buying the Brooklyn bridge! oh wait, thats right, you probably already own that one!

[Nugrl]

Okay, a couple of things. Why would you need to reserve a DHCP address if you're segmenting the NetTalk Duo box into its own DMZ network?

Also, I encountered an issue with reserving IP addresses within a DHCP range on the E3000. You may want to consider abandoning reserving a DHCP address and just static IP the NetTalk Duo with an IP address outside the DHCP address range. I won't go into details here, but when I was creating a video streaming subnet at home, I added a Roku box, which doesn't allow static IP address assignment (very bad design flaw in my opinion.) So, when I tried to assign a reserved IP address, I soon discovered that the E3000 can assign the same IP address to multiple devices. (I think this is an E3000 firmware flaw.)

The port forwarding and QoS steps you followed sound right on. I'm not seeing anything flaky there.

Good luck!

ok, can you dumb that down for me? I followed the instructions that a very nice guy on the nettalk forum took the time to walk me thru. I am not sure myself why I did all the things I did, only that I was just trying to get this thing working right. So since you have one of these routers, and he did not, perhaps you can guide me thru this one. I sure would appreciate it!

[nailgunner]

I would call Comcast especially if the main cable has been there for quite a while.

Well this cable line has been here at least the past 11 years that I know of. but get this, one time a huge tree branch fell on the wires coming to the house and I had to call them out here to look at the line after my husband got the branch off the wire. Well the guy showed up, stood down on the ground and looked up at the house where the wire was connected, (mind you it was still drooping some) and said it "looked fine". That was all I got out of him. So for me to think that they would come back out here and test this stuff and then change the line or wire outside for me...??? I have a better shot at buying the Brooklyn bridge! oh wait, thats right, you probably already own that one!

No, I sold my last bridge to Joe during my pre-Easter sale.

I still think that if you tell just a little white lie and say your internet is crap and you want someone to come out and fix it, they will show up. You are paying for good service and if I remember right the second guy told me the lines had an expected 10-15 year life and mine had been in 12, so i would bitch, at least a little to see what they say.

[Nugrl]

I would call Comcast especially if the main cable has been there for quite a while.

Well this cable line has been here at least the past 11 years that I know of. but get this, one time a huge tree branch fell on the wires coming to the house and I had to call them out here to look at the line after my husband got the branch off the wire. Well the guy showed up, stood down on the ground and looked up at the house where the wire was connected, (mind you it was still drooping some) and said it "looked fine". That was all I got out of him. So for me to think that they would come back out here and test this stuff and then change the line or wire outside for me...??? I have a better shot at buying the Brooklyn bridge! oh wait, thats right, you probably already own that one!

No, I sold my last bridge to Joe during my pre-Easter sale.

I still think that if you tell just a little white lie and say your internet is crap and you want someone to come out and fix it, they will show up. You are paying for good service and if I remember right the second guy told me the lines had an expected 10-15 year life and mine had been in 12, so i would bitch, at least a little to see what they say.

Oh, and I guess Joe sold it, so that is why he now has the Obi?

Ok, back to the comcast problem. So once they show up here and see that my internet is fine, then what??? Correct me if I am wrong, but they don't like MJ's and Duo's and Bears,... oh my! So then what do I blame it on?

[nailgunner]

Ok, back to the comcast problem. So once they show up here and see that my internet is fine, then what??? Correct me if I am wrong, but they don't like MJ's and Duo's and Bears,... oh my! So then what do I blame it on?

Both of the techs I dealt with knew I was hooking up MJ to it. They don't give a crap, they are usually just contractors, around here anyway. If I was in your situation I would encourage one of the local friendly squirrels to gnaw through one of the wires a bit. Maybe glue some nuts around the wire.

[Nugrl]

Its funny you say that, because we have alot of squirrels in our yard! I wonder if that would work?

[nailgunner]

Its funny you say that, because we have alot of squirrels in our yard! I wonder if that would work?

Well that would certainly be my reason to Comcast on how it could have happened. I would actually point to the offending squirrel so they would know who to bill.