Hello, Just want to tap the collective wisdom of this list as to experiences pertaining to the Handytone HT488 and the Sipura SPA-3000 adapters... Basically I'm looking for a FXO/FXS/LAN ATA and these two seems to be the top of the pick..Any comments and experiences esp. with Asterisk compatibility would be great, before I plonk in the bucks. TIA. /wai-sun
Wai-Sun Chia <waisun.chia@gmail.com> wrote:> Just want to tap the collective wisdom of this list as to experiences > pertaining to the Handytone HT488 and the Sipura SPA-3000 adapters... > > Basically I'm looking for a FXO/FXS/LAN ATA and these two seems to be > the top of the pick..Any comments and experiences esp. with Asterisk > compatibility would be great, before I plonk in the bucks.Hello, I have played with the SPA-3000 a bit, but I haven't used the HT488. Pros: The Sipura device is extremely configurable, with many fun options. It can be used as two completely separate sip devices (one FXO and one FXS), and optionally provides failover (directly connecting the FXO/FXS) during loss of power or network. It's well suited to mass deployment, if you require this. It has many internationalization options for FXO/FXS port impedence, tone schemes, hangup detection, and so on. Cons: Many people have complained about Sipura customer support being unavailable for end users. Personally, I try to avoid the problem by not needing support whenever possible... however: The main complaint I have with the SPA-3000 is the sound quality and volume on the FXO port. When a call is made between the POTS line and another phone on the Asterisk server, the sound volume is very low, and there is an intermittant popping/clicking sound on the line. I have tried tweaking many of the settings (VoIP/PSTN gain) in the device to rectify this, but so far I haven't been able to make it better at all. I have heard others with a similar complaint, but I haven't heard any resolution for the problem yet. Thanks, Alan Ferrency pair Networks, Inc. alan@pair.com
> Just want to tap the collective wisdom of this list as to experiences > pertaining to the Handytone HT488 and the Sipura SPA-3000 adapters...I've not played with the ht488, but I believe others have posted this device does not provide access to the pstn-fxo port. The spa3k does provide that access (if you want it).> Basically I'm looking for a FXO/FXS/LAN ATA and these two seems to be > the top of the pick..Any comments and experiences esp. with Asterisk > compatibility would be great, before I plonk in the bucks.The spa3k works fine with asterisk as many have posted. However, once in awhile it does act a little strange in two different ways: 1. the spa3k will sometimes interpret some voices as tones which cause a little disturbance to any conversation going on. It is sort of like the old telephony "talk off" that existed years ago. Doesn't happen all that often and seems to be more sensitive to female voices based on my one-year of experience. 2. sometimes it seems to operate in half-duplex mode, where if you try to talk at the same time as the other end is talking, the other end won't hear you. Neither one of those have been all that objectionable to me, but they happen and others have posted roughly the same issues. I've not heard of anyone that has found a way to minimize those two issues. The down side of the spa3k right now is that Cisco bought the company and there likely won't be much advancement of the code until after the ownership (and development efforts) are sorted out by both companies. (The same kind of product delays has been seen with their Linksys purchase, as well as when other companies are bought/sold.) Its fairly common knowledge that ex-Cisco folks started Sipura for the sole purpose of selling the company for a hugh profit. Their success in accomplishing that objective could only be measured in terms of producing Sipura products that had at least some acceptance of those products by end users. With those previous objectives accomplished, how will Cisco handle the Sipura products in the future? (It's any- one's guess at this point since Cisco also has at least some track record of mismanaging purchased companies for whatever reason.)>From an internal Cisco strategic perspective, they now own the assetsthat can make a major dent in the mass-market end-user voip product arena, and hopefully they'll take that in a positive direction. Given the price of the spa3k, I don't have any issue with purchasing more of them right now. Excellent choice for the one-to-three pstn-fxo market space.
We have 6 SPA3000s. The device is extremely configurable and works inbound/outbound with Asterisk with the latest firmware update with little trouble. However, we've yet to resolve sound volume and quality issues. The PSTN to SPA gain and SPA to PSTN gain along with FXS Port Input Gain and Output Gain settings have had no positive effect. The problem is entirely with the analog line adapter. VoIP calls from the analog phone to other VoIP destinations are perfect. We also have several SPA-1001s and SPA-2000s that have been running perfect since day 1. Also Sipura support is nonexistant. Just our experience. -----Original Message----- From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com]On Behalf Of Dan Littlejohn Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 9:55 AM To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] HT-488 vs. SPA-3000? I have only had experience with the Sipura 3000 and I would agree with the voice volume problems. I have given up on it working properly (adjusted gains, impedences, firmware, etc), the voice quality is just to low to actually use. I actually purchased a second one thinking that the first might be defective. Would not recommend it because of the low sound volume problem. Talking on the phone is actually the point of the device so who cares how configurable it is if you cannot hear anything. I purchased a Digium TDM400P and have had very good luck with it. Dan On 6/15/05, Rich Adamson <radamson@routers.com> wrote:> > Just want to tap the collective wisdom of this list as to experiences > > pertaining to the Handytone HT488 and the Sipura SPA-3000 adapters... > > I've not played with the ht488, but I believe others have posted this > device does not provide access to the pstn-fxo port. The spa3k does > provide that access (if you want it). > > > Basically I'm looking for a FXO/FXS/LAN ATA and these two seems to be > > the top of the pick..Any comments and experiences esp. with Asterisk > > compatibility would be great, before I plonk in the bucks. > > The spa3k works fine with asterisk as many have posted. However, once > in awhile it does act a little strange in two different ways: > 1. the spa3k will sometimes interpret some voices as tones which cause > a little disturbance to any conversation going on. It is sort of like > the old telephony "talk off" that existed years ago. Doesn't happen > all that often and seems to be more sensitive to female voices based > on my one-year of experience. > 2. sometimes it seems to operate in half-duplex mode, where if you try > to talk at the same time as the other end is talking, the other end > won't hear you. > > Neither one of those have been all that objectionable to me, but they > happen and others have posted roughly the same issues. I've not heard > of anyone that has found a way to minimize those two issues. > > The down side of the spa3k right now is that Cisco bought the company > and there likely won't be much advancement of the code until after the > ownership (and development efforts) are sorted out by both companies. > (The same kind of product delays has been seen with their Linksys > purchase, as well as when other companies are bought/sold.) > > Its fairly common knowledge that ex-Cisco folks started Sipura for the > sole purpose of selling the company for a hugh profit. Their success > in accomplishing that objective could only be measured in terms of > producing Sipura products that had at least some acceptance of those > products by end users. With those previous objectives accomplished, > how will Cisco handle the Sipura products in the future? (It's any- > one's guess at this point since Cisco also has at least some track > record of mismanaging purchased companies for whatever reason.) > > >From an internal Cisco strategic perspective, they now own the assets > that can make a major dent in the mass-market end-user voip product > arena, and hopefully they'll take that in a positive direction. > > Given the price of the spa3k, I don't have any issue with purchasing > more of them right now. Excellent choice for the one-to-three pstn-fxo > market space. > > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users >_______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
I'm curious what other standalone FXO adapters work with Asterisk. At everything from the default to the maximum in positive and negative values, and combination of gain settings, we still get unacceptable distortion and echo. I've checked the phone lines, they work normally with a regular phone. -----Original Message----- From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com]On Behalf Of Rich Adamson Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 1:05 PM To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] HT-488 vs. SPA-3000? The majority of the audio level issues seem to be on the fxo port and setting the transmission levels (gain) to compensate for the cable loss to the central office. Eg, setting the pstn gain values to what should be appropriate causes echo, etc, not unlike the TDM card. (I have both in use.) In other words, the further the spa3000 (or TDM card) is from the central office, the more difficult it seems to be to set gain values that are acceptable. That's apparently why many people find its use is okay while others seem to think its objectionable. ------------------------> We have 6 SPA3000s. The device is extremely configurable and works inbound/outbound withAsterisk with the latest firmware update with little trouble. However, we've yet to resolve sound volume and quality issues. The PSTN to SPA gain and SPA to PSTN gain along with FXS Port Input Gain and Output Gain settings have had no positive effect. The problem is entirely with the analog line adapter. VoIP calls from the analog phone to other VoIP destinations are perfect. We also have several SPA-1001s and SPA-2000s that have been running perfect since day 1.> > Also Sipura support is nonexistant. Just our experience. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com > [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com]On Behalf Of Dan > Littlejohn > Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 9:55 AM > To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion > Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] HT-488 vs. SPA-3000? > > > I have only had experience with the Sipura 3000 and I would agree with > the voice volume problems. I have given up on it working properly > (adjusted gains, impedences, firmware, etc), the voice quality is just > to low to actually use. I actually purchased a second one thinking > that the first might be defective. > > Would not recommend it because of the low sound volume problem. > Talking on the phone is actually the point of the device so who cares > how configurable it is if you cannot hear anything. I purchased a > Digium TDM400P and have had very good luck with it. > > Dan > > On 6/15/05, Rich Adamson <radamson@routers.com> wrote: > > > Just want to tap the collective wisdom of this list as to experiences > > > pertaining to the Handytone HT488 and the Sipura SPA-3000 adapters... > > > > I've not played with the ht488, but I believe others have posted this > > device does not provide access to the pstn-fxo port. The spa3k does > > provide that access (if you want it). > > > > > Basically I'm looking for a FXO/FXS/LAN ATA and these two seems to be > > > the top of the pick..Any comments and experiences esp. with Asterisk > > > compatibility would be great, before I plonk in the bucks. > > > > The spa3k works fine with asterisk as many have posted. However, once > > in awhile it does act a little strange in two different ways: > > 1. the spa3k will sometimes interpret some voices as tones which cause > > a little disturbance to any conversation going on. It is sort of like > > the old telephony "talk off" that existed years ago. Doesn't happen > > all that often and seems to be more sensitive to female voices based > > on my one-year of experience. > > 2. sometimes it seems to operate in half-duplex mode, where if you try > > to talk at the same time as the other end is talking, the other end > > won't hear you. > > > > Neither one of those have been all that objectionable to me, but they > > happen and others have posted roughly the same issues. I've not heard > > of anyone that has found a way to minimize those two issues. > > > > The down side of the spa3k right now is that Cisco bought the company > > and there likely won't be much advancement of the code until after the > > ownership (and development efforts) are sorted out by both companies. > > (The same kind of product delays has been seen with their Linksys > > purchase, as well as when other companies are bought/sold.) > > > > Its fairly common knowledge that ex-Cisco folks started Sipura for the > > sole purpose of selling the company for a hugh profit. Their success > > in accomplishing that objective could only be measured in terms of > > producing Sipura products that had at least some acceptance of those > > products by end users. With those previous objectives accomplished, > > how will Cisco handle the Sipura products in the future? (It's any- > > one's guess at this point since Cisco also has at least some track > > record of mismanaging purchased companies for whatever reason.) > > > > >From an internal Cisco strategic perspective, they now own the assets > > that can make a major dent in the mass-market end-user voip product > > arena, and hopefully they'll take that in a positive direction. > > > > Given the price of the spa3k, I don't have any issue with purchasing > > more of them right now. Excellent choice for the one-to-three pstn-fxo > > market space. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Asterisk-Users mailing list > > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users >---------------End of Original Message----------------- _______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
The only thing that snaps to mind is the interesting wiring in the building. The phone lines come into a 66 block, then are jumped across 3 more 66 blocks, then over to a 110 block, then down to another 110 block, then finally down into the Sipura3000s. The 66 and 110 blocks feed the old analog system around the building. The lines aren't connected to phones at the other ends, but they were left in place as a fallback position. It's a manufacturing facility so I suspect there could be some interference in the building crossing into the phone lines. I'm planning on wiring directly from the Qwest 66 block into the SPA3000s and disconnecting the rest of the phone system on my next visit. -----Original Message----- From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com]On Behalf Of Dan Littlejohn Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 2:04 PM To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] HT-488 vs. SPA-3000? Perhaps there is something else going on the the Sipura 3000. Its voice quality and volume so poor/low that the device FXO port is not usable. However, same everthing and the TDM400P card works perfectly with excellent voice quality and volume. My experience, obviously just one data point. On 6/15/05, Tarpo, Louie <louie.tarpo@adamaircraft.com> wrote:> I'm curious what other standalone FXO adapters work with Asterisk. At everything from the default to the maximum in positive and negative values, and combination of gain settings, we still get unacceptable distortion and echo. I've checked the phone lines, they work normally with a regular phone. > > -----Original Message----- > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com > [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com]On Behalf Of Rich > Adamson > Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 1:05 PM > To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion > Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] HT-488 vs. SPA-3000? > > > The majority of the audio level issues seem to be on the fxo port > and setting the transmission levels (gain) to compensate for the > cable loss to the central office. Eg, setting the pstn gain values > to what should be appropriate causes echo, etc, not unlike the TDM > card. (I have both in use.) > > In other words, the further the spa3000 (or TDM card) is from the > central office, the more difficult it seems to be to set gain values > that are acceptable. That's apparently why many people find its use > is okay while others seem to think its objectionable. > > ------------------------ > > We have 6 SPA3000s. The device is extremely configurable and works inbound/outbound with > Asterisk with the latest firmware update with little trouble. However, we've yet to resolve > sound volume and quality issues. The PSTN to SPA gain and SPA to PSTN gain along with FXS Port > Input Gain and Output Gain settings have had no positive effect. The problem is entirely with > the analog line adapter. VoIP calls from the analog phone to other VoIP destinations are > perfect. We also have several SPA-1001s and SPA-2000s that have been running perfect since day > 1. > > > > Also Sipura support is nonexistant. Just our experience. > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com > > [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com]On Behalf Of Dan > > Littlejohn > > Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 9:55 AM > > To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion > > Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] HT-488 vs. SPA-3000? > > > > > > I have only had experience with the Sipura 3000 and I would agree with > > the voice volume problems. I have given up on it working properly > > (adjusted gains, impedences, firmware, etc), the voice quality is just > > to low to actually use. I actually purchased a second one thinking > > that the first might be defective. > > > > Would not recommend it because of the low sound volume problem. > > Talking on the phone is actually the point of the device so who cares > > how configurable it is if you cannot hear anything. I purchased a > > Digium TDM400P and have had very good luck with it. > > > > Dan > > > > On 6/15/05, Rich Adamson <radamson@routers.com> wrote: > > > > Just want to tap the collective wisdom of this list as to experiences > > > > pertaining to the Handytone HT488 and the Sipura SPA-3000 adapters... > > > > > > I've not played with the ht488, but I believe others have posted this > > > device does not provide access to the pstn-fxo port. The spa3k does > > > provide that access (if you want it). > > > > > > > Basically I'm looking for a FXO/FXS/LAN ATA and these two seems to be > > > > the top of the pick..Any comments and experiences esp. with Asterisk > > > > compatibility would be great, before I plonk in the bucks. > > > > > > The spa3k works fine with asterisk as many have posted. However, once > > > in awhile it does act a little strange in two different ways: > > > 1. the spa3k will sometimes interpret some voices as tones which cause > > > a little disturbance to any conversation going on. It is sort of like > > > the old telephony "talk off" that existed years ago. Doesn't happen > > > all that often and seems to be more sensitive to female voices based > > > on my one-year of experience. > > > 2. sometimes it seems to operate in half-duplex mode, where if you try > > > to talk at the same time as the other end is talking, the other end > > > won't hear you. > > > > > > Neither one of those have been all that objectionable to me, but they > > > happen and others have posted roughly the same issues. I've not heard > > > of anyone that has found a way to minimize those two issues. > > > > > > The down side of the spa3k right now is that Cisco bought the company > > > and there likely won't be much advancement of the code until after the > > > ownership (and development efforts) are sorted out by both companies. > > > (The same kind of product delays has been seen with their Linksys > > > purchase, as well as when other companies are bought/sold.) > > > > > > Its fairly common knowledge that ex-Cisco folks started Sipura for the > > > sole purpose of selling the company for a hugh profit. Their success > > > in accomplishing that objective could only be measured in terms of > > > producing Sipura products that had at least some acceptance of those > > > products by end users. With those previous objectives accomplished, > > > how will Cisco handle the Sipura products in the future? (It's any- > > > one's guess at this point since Cisco also has at least some track > > > record of mismanaging purchased companies for whatever reason.) > > > > > > >From an internal Cisco strategic perspective, they now own the assets > > > that can make a major dent in the mass-market end-user voip product > > > arena, and hopefully they'll take that in a positive direction. > > > > > > Given the price of the spa3k, I don't have any issue with purchasing > > > more of them right now. Excellent choice for the one-to-three pstn-fxo > > > market space. > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Asterisk-Users mailing list > > > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Asterisk-Users mailing list > > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > _______________________________________________ > > Asterisk-Users mailing list > > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > > > ---------------End of Original Message----------------- > > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users >_______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users