From: radel@bach.udel.edu (Todd Radel)
Subject: Re: Advantages of ZyXEL 1496E over USR Sportster???
Summary: Answers to some good questions
Organization: University of Delaware
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 01:04:18 GMT

In article <16B63EBB3.R3DRS@VM1.CC.UAKRON.EDU> you write:
>    1) Does the ZyXEL support 14.4 faxing (I assumed the sportster did, but
>       later found out it only supported 9600 fax)?  Class 2??  How is the
>       software that is included?  Any problems with third party fax software?
Yes indeed, 14.4 both send and receive.  I've successfully tested that with
a Panasonic fax machine at work.  

It's also Class 2.  The included software, ZFAX, stinks (but it does include
voice capability -- see below).  I've used Quick Link, WinFax, and WinFax
PRO with no problems.

>    2) Could someone explain the caller ID capability and how it works
>       (pertaining to the modem)...  also, what voice capability is
>       included?  Is their software that uses the voice capability?
Basically, you type some AT commands and when the phone rings, you see:

RING
TIME: 01-27 19:02
CALLER NUMBER: 302-837-8200
CALLER NAME: TODD RADEL

RING

The voice capabilities included recording and playback of signals through
the telephone line, and playing to the modem's speaker.  You can select
what kind of compression you want (2-bit ADPCM, 3-bit ADPCM, or (on the
Plus models only) CELP compression).  It can also play and recognize
DTMF touch-tone codes.

>    3) What manufacturer makes the communications chipset?  (i only ask this
>       as i have heard the the rockwell chipset is a bit buggy, and i know
>       nothing else about it)  I have heard that the ZyXEL uses a 68000?
>       Why all of this processing power?
The chipset is nothing but a 68000, a DSP chip, and some ROM's and RAM.
It's entirely designed by ZyXEL; it's like taking a Sun-3 and using it
only for a modem.  The Rockwell firmware is indeed very buggy -- I bought
a Supra and gave up on it, then returned it to buy my ZyXEL 1496E.

The processing power is needed to handle line conditions, echo cancellation,
data compression, etc. in real time.  The Plus models have an even faster
processor (20 MHz, I think) to do 19.2 Kbps and the CELP encoding.

>    4) I have read about the ZyXEL programmers mailing list.... what types of
>       projects are underway and what is the extent of the ZyXEL's
>       programmability???
I'm the keeper of the mailing list project registry -- first edition due 
out at the end of the week.  People are working on lots of voice-mail stuff
for DOS, Windows, Mac, Amiga, Atari ST, and UNIX; several others are
working on so-called "smart getty's" for UNIX that allow one serial port/modem
to be used for fax in/out, data in/out.

The modem itself isn't real programmable.  You can't download your own
algorithms to the 68000 or the DSP, for instance.  But several people
are using the voice-mail, fax, and touch-tone features to write things
like faxback servers, full-blown voice-mail with mailboxes, time stamping,
message forwarding, etc.

>    5) General opinions about the comparison of ZyXEL and USR, and other modems
>       in the price range????
They both beat the pants off any of the Rockwell-based modems or the Practical
Peripherals or Intel.  Between the two, I dunno.  My ZyXEL's been absolutely
flawless since the day I got it; your mileage may vary.  

One important point, though:  When ZyXEL comes out with a bugfix or a new
release of the ROMs or their ZFAX software, they put it up on FTP sites so
you can burn your own chips if you're so inclined.  A friend of mine has had
an HST Dual Standard for two years, which has known bugs, and USR hasn't
even mentioned a ROM upgrade yet.

> 
>  Thank's in advance for your time...   David Snyder
>                                        R3DRS@VM1.CC.UAKRON.EDU

No problem.  Let me know if you need anything else.

Cheers,
Todd

-- 
Todd Radel                   | "Hello.  My name is Inigo Montoya.  You killed
Honors CISC undergrad        | my father.  Prepare to die."
University of Delaware       | "STOP SAYING THAT!" -- _The_Princess_Bride_
                             | Have you squicked someone today?