Gigaset US Update
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mgraves1 @ 15th Jun 09:47AM:
Gigaset US Update

It's now six months since Gigaset US announced their intention to release the A580IP and S675IP in the US market. Happily, the wait appears to be nearing an end. Michael White at E4 confirms that they have placed a stocking order and expecting delivery shortly.

Further, Tony Stankus, Product Manager at Gigaset US, has agreed to be the guest for the VoIP Users Conference call on July 10th. That date was selected to ensure that there will be product at resellers ready for shipment.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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anon @ 15th Jun 12:00PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Awesome! I just checked voipsupply yesterday and they're taking preorders. Shortly would mean within the next few weeks? I can't wait! Have you posted a review of them yet?
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mgraves1 @ 15th Jun 06:06PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

It's unclear where the gear is shipping from. It could be US, but is more likely a Euro location. It was clear that it would not be at the resellers by June 19, but definitely available for order by July 10th.

I've had the eval hardware in-house for a couple of months. I'm going to review it in ascending order with a the A580IP posting some time later this week. The S675IP will happen a couple of weeks later.

I also have the S78H handset, which is being offered as an optional upgrade to the S675IP system. That will be the last review to post in the series.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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mgraves1 @ 18th Jun 06:09PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I spoke with the Product Manager at Gigaset Comms this afternoon. He tells me that some hardware (certain models) is already in-country and en route to vendors.

The July 10 date that he selected to appear as a guest on the VoIP Users Conference call (»vuc.me) is to coincide with the availability of the remaining models, which are shipping from manufacturing in Germany.
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joako @ 18th Jun 09:53PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

The pricing at $99 & $139 is impressive.
--
PRescott7-2097
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sream @ 18th Jun 09:56PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I think I'm going to have to get one.
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garys_2k @ 18th Jun 10:12PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I do wish the manufacturers would post a close-up picture of the phones' keypads. The last phones I bought online (Phillips DECT non-IP) don't even have a "hold" button on them. Not exactly handy for handing off a call to another person in a different room.
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anon @ 18th Jun 11:49PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Aren't they going to be the same as the euro versions except for the ac/dc converters and frequencies used?
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mgraves1 @ 18th Jun 11:57PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by garys_2k :

I do wish the manufacturers would post a close-up picture of the phones' keypads. The last phones I bought online (Phillips DECT non-IP) don't even have a "hold" button on them. Not exactly handy for handing off a call to another person in a different room.
I will have a bunch of photos & screenshots accompanying the reviews. I've been trying to get the A580IP review done this week, but struggling a bit to reach completion.

FWIW, None of the Gigaset phones have a dedicated hold button. Like so many cordless phones they have a couple of soft keys near the LCD, but no dedicated function keys.

Here's a pic I took of the A58H handset just a couple of days ago.

»www.mgraves.org/voip/wp-content/···RONT.jpg
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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anon @ 20th Jun 03:18PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Looks like they can be ordered on voipsupply now (I checked the A580), but shipping to Canada kills the deal ($52!).
Do you know of anyone that will be distributing these in Canada?
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Telco @ 21st Jun 07:06PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

The question is which voip providers support G.722 (HD voip)
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dcdeadbeat @ 22nd Jun 08:55AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Telco :

The question is which voip providers support G.722 (HD voip)
Sipgate currently claims to support G.722. I have not tested it yet as I usually just dial someone's sip uri direct to ensure that the call is made in G.722. Dialing through a provider means that there is a possibility of the call being transcoded to G.711, especially if the call has to be routed by way of the PSTN.
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mgraves1 @ 22nd Jun 09:13AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Telco :

The question is which voip providers support G.722 (HD voip)
Now that is a curious question. So easily posed, yet so complicated to answer. Many facets to be considered.

Most commercial ITSPs primary service offering is connection to the PSTN. By definition, regulation and very possibly by law, the PSTN cannot pass wideband calls. There are ITU regulations that force filtering to ensure no energy content beyond that possible using G.711.

Only when calls completely bypass the PSTN will you achieve a wideband call. That becomes the defining thing about wideband in many ways.

Any SIP based provider who does not stay in the media path may support G.722 wideband. For example, you can sign up and account with Gizmo5 and use the Gigaset hardware to access that account. If you call other G.722 capable phones you will get a wideband call.

Using Gizmo5 you can call by SIP URI which means that you can call any SIP based provider by a pure IP pathway. However, the Gizmo5 soft phone client does NOT support G.722.

Myself I use Junction Networks/OnSIP and it supports G.722 for calling. I say for calling because things like VM, IVR prompts or conference bridges may not support wideband, even though normal calling between phones does.

FWIW, FWD supports G.722. In fact, it's about their only reason for being anymore. If you pay the annual fee you get a SIP URI that will handle your HD calling easily.

I have tried SIPGate with G.722 and I can't make that work. They claim to support G.722 for calls between accounts when an advanced compatibility setting is enabled.

I tried to call another user who had an IP650 registered but it did not connect in wideband. More testing & a SIP trace is required to know whats going on there.

Incidentally, part two in my series on "Making Use of Wideband Voice Right Now!" posted today:

»www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/06/mak···-gizmo5/

--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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mgraves1 @ 22nd Jun 09:18AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by garys_2k :

I do wish the manufacturers would post a close-up picture of the phones' keypads. The last phones I bought online (Phillips DECT non-IP) don't even have a "hold" button on them. Not exactly handy for handing off a call to another person in a different room.
BTW, I am completely in agreement that cordless phones need not be modeled upon cell phones. They should have more dedicated function keys like the outstanding Panasonic cordless phones.

This was one of the things that got me started blogging about VoIP. Here's the rant:

»www.mgraves.org/voip/2007/12/a-t···-part-1/
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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Arne Bolen @ 22nd Jun 03:05PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Telco :

The question is which voip providers support G.722 (HD voip)
The VoIP provider Gigaset.net supports G.722.

When you purchase a Gigaset IP phone you get a free VoIP account on Gigaset.net. With this account you can call free of charge to any other Gigaset IP phone in the world using G.722. It works really good and the sound quality is excellent.
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AndrewZ @ 22nd Jun 03:34PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Arne Bolen :

The VoIP provider Gigaset.net supports G.722.

I would say that some Gigaset phones support G.722 while Gigaset.net (as well as other SIP-providers) is codec-transparent for sip2sip calls.
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mgraves1 @ 23rd Jun 10:37AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Arne Bolen :

said by Telco :

The question is which voip providers support G.722 (HD voip)
The VoIP provider Gigaset.net supports G.722.

When you purchase a Gigaset IP phone you get a free VoIP account on Gigaset.net. With this account you can call free of charge to any other Gigaset IP phone in the world using G.722. It works really good and the sound quality is excellent.
Yes, Gigaset.com is a nice feature. If you're buying a phone for yourself and another couple for some family then it may be all you ever need. The registration is automatic and it works well.

However, if you need to call people who use phones other than the Gigasets you may find some value in using another provider as well. Gizmo5 is free, works well with the Gigaset phones, and passes G.722 when possible. So does IdeaSIP & FWD.

There are many providers who offer free SIP accounts, but then charge when you want to call the PSTN. As long as they don't proxy the media they should pass G.722 without a problem.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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reho33 @ 23rd Jun 01:51PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

How does this Gigaset work? Is it a cordless phone with a base that can be programmed with SIP credentials? Or is it just a cordless phone that only works with their service?
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mgraves1 @ 23rd Jun 01:58PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

It's a cordless phone. The base allows support for up to 7 SIP accounts, with one of the account fixed to Gigaset.net. I have had my evaluation units registered with 5 different ITSPs, at the same time.

You can have up to 6 handsets on one base. Between them you can have up to three simultaneous calls. Two calls via IP, and one via the POTS line.

Michael
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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Arne Bolen @ 23rd Jun 04:27PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I have been using Gigaset S685IP for some time now and it is the best VoIP device I have ever used.

The sound quality is really good, almost as good as Linksys SPA962.

It is also very easy to configure with a lot of useful features.

I recommend Gigaset S685IP, you get a lot of value for your money.
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mgraves1 @ 23rd Jun 04:44PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Arne Bolen :

The sound quality is really good, almost as good as Linksys SPA962.
What? Is all your calling via the PSTN, that is dialing by phone number? Do you even call by pure IP means? Like the Gigaset.Net account? If you did your S685IP would use G.722 and blow away the SPA-962.

I just had a call from Tony at Gigaset via SIPGate. We worked out the correct settings to pass wideband calls between SIPGate accounts. This is especially useful for Gigaset phones since they don't presently have any way of dialing by SIP URI.

SIPGate accounts are all referenced by a traditional phone number, so easily dialing on a normal phone. Yet when the calls stays in-net it's pure IP, so wideband is possible.

To do this you go into your SIPGate account and make two changes:

1. In the advanced settings for the phone enable "compatibility mode"

2. Their routing defaults to ringing multiple phone at once, whihc keeps their proxy server in the media path. You can allow direct comms between the phones by going into the routing settings and directing calls to a specific number to go right to the phone, not a group.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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Arne Bolen @ 23rd Jun 05:57PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by mgraves1 :

said by Arne Bolen :
The sound quality is really good, almost as good as Linksys SPA962.
What? Is all your calling via the PSTN, that is dialing by phone number? Do you even call by pure IP means? Like the Gigaset.Net account?
Almost all my calling is to/from PSTN, only a few calls are made via Gigaset.net.

Linksys SPA962 has a slighty better sound quality but the Gigaset is a lot more convenient to use.

Gigaset S685IP has more nice features than SPA962. The Dialling Plans feature is one of the real good features in S685IP.
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Telco @ 24th Jun 02:17PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I am hoping callcentric will support the protocol as once they do, consider this handset a done deal.

Might have to buy one for my folks too.
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reho33 @ 24th Jun 03:30PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

So there is no web interface for the unit or the ability to put sip uri's in the speed dial field?
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mgraves1 @ 24th Jun 04:35PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by reho33 :

So there is no web interface for the unit or the ability to put sip uri's in the speed dial field?
The web interface is strictly for setting up the DECT base. And, no the contact list does not support dialing by SIP URI.....yet.

Michael
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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jse75 @ 25th Jun 05:56PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Thanks to Michael for providing such good info about the Gigaset phones. I am excited they will be out in the US. I've been waiting!

Couple questions for anyone who may know:
1) When will the additional handsets (A58H's) be available for purchase?
2) Will the A58H handset work with the S675 base station? I'd like to have an answering machine but it sounds like the A58H handset is more stable for sticking on a desk to use the speakerphone.
3) Does the answering machine support both PSTN and IP calls?

Thanks!
Jason
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mgraves1 @ 25th Jun 06:03PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Jason,

I think that extra handsets will be available from day1.

Any combination of handsets can be used on any base. The base has the VM capability, so buy the S675IP and then add A58H handsets if you want local VM.

Yes, the VM works with both PSTN and IP calls.

Michael
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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jse75 @ 25th Jun 07:21PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Great, thanks. The preorder places don't yet have the separate A58H handsets available for preorder, but hopefully soon...
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mgraves1 @ 8th Jul 03:24AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

The inexpensive and wideband capable Gigaset SIP/DECT gear finally launches on Amazon »twurl.nl/vn6i7v #HDComms

Now that it's more generally available my review of the A580IP will post by the end of the week. »www.mgraves.org

Tony Stankus, Gigaset Product Manager for Emerging Technologies, will be our guest on this Friday's VoIP Users Conference call. See »vuc.me for connect details.

Michael
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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ropeguru @ 8th Jul 08:03AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Michael,

I have looked around but did not see answer to a question that I have.

For the contacts, are they per handset or can you enter them in one location and push them out? I really hate it when I have four handsets and have to add contacts individually to all four.

Thanks..
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mgraves1 @ 8th Jul 08:31AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Bearing mind that these are truly consumer products, it is understandable that you upload the contacts to each handset one-by-one.

The process is not like the central provisioning scheme common to more business oriented devices (Polycom et al)

OTOH, it's far better than many DECT systems that have no means of loading contacts beyond a lifetime spend typing on the handset.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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ropeguru @ 8th Jul 08:35AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Can you define upload one by one?? It can be done via the network using a computer to program then push individually in lieu of typing in all the contacts by keypad at each individual phone??

Just slightly confused but to my defense, I have only had one cup of coffee so far. :D
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mgraves1 @ 8th Jul 08:46AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Yes, you prepare a vcard file..which is one file with many contacts included. Then upload that file to a specific handset.

Select another handset and repeat as desired.
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ropeguru @ 8th Jul 08:47AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Much better.... Thanks..
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anon @ 9th Jul 11:36AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Actually, the handsets support handset to handset transfer of directories. So after you load one handset, it is extremely easy to push that directory to additional handsets.

Under Directory hit Options --> Copy List --> to Internal --> select handset to send to.
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ropeguru @ 9th Jul 12:16PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Good info... Thanks..
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mgraves1 @ 10th Jul 03:31AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

At long last my review of the Gigaset A580IP is completed an posted here: »www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/07/rev···-system/

This afternoon Gigaset Product Manager for Emerging Technologies, Tony Stankus will be the guest on today's VoIP Users Conference call. »vuc.me

Michael
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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randulo @ 10th Jul 03:43AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Hi all,

Thanks to Michael Graves who has continually attracted great guests for us VoIP geeks on the VoIP Users Conference, today's the day for a visit from Tony Stankus, Gigaset's North American product manager.

Those of you who "haunt" DSLReports (a veritable institution!), we encourage you to dial in to the conference and join a great bunch of regulars. You'll be able to chat directly with Tony and ask about the Gigaset line. We've seen some changes to hardware and software as we've interfaced with people like CEO/CTO and tech heads from Sipgate, Gizmo5, Twilio, Polycom. It's a small world, come meet all the players in it: »VUC.me - All the access methods are there. Preferred access is via g722 wideband if you can.

Follow on IRC: #voip-users-conference on irc.Freenode.net

"Zeeek/randulo"
founder, VoIP Users Conference
(Wow I joined DSLReports in 2003, the FWD days!)
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mgraves1 @ 10th Jul 03:47AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Gigaset_Man :

Actually, the handsets support handset to handset transfer of directories. So after you load one handset, it is extremely easy to push that directory to additional handsets.

Under Directory hit Options --> Copy List --> to Internal --> select handset to send to.
Very nice. It hadn't occurred to me to try from the handset.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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anon @ 10th Jul 10:55AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Another feature that might be useful is pressing the blue button to page the handsets - this also shows the base station's IP address on the handset display. Easy way to get the IP for your browser.
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anon @ 15th Jul 01:35AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Please... can we have them in retail channels in Canada? BestBuy and Amazon are both here, but they don't carry them! :(
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kaila @ 15th Jul 11:04AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Ok Michael, I'm placing an order have you to thank for this :)

Amazon's (US store) price + free 2 day shipping w/Prime is a winning combination..... but is showing temporarily out of stock.
--
Jeff Howe
Jeff's Blog - »www.jeffhowe.net/Jeffhowe.net/Blog/Blog.html
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mgraves1 @ 15th Jul 11:09AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

It seems that some thinks are in stock but not everything. Not sure what the scoop is on that. Perhaps Tony from Gigaset will chime in with details.
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otty @ 27th Jul 03:27PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by An0nym0us :

Please... can we have them in retail channels in Canada? BestBuy and Amazon are both here, but they don't carry them! :(
I have been waiting for this one for quite a while. Just ordered one from DirectDial »www.directdial.com/S30852-H2013-R301.html

They haven't confirmed availability yet but fingers crossed! (ok price too).

EDIT: Just to be clear: this is shipped from within Canada for $102CDN + shipping and taxes = $130 for me here in Toronto. Good price!

I believe they also sell in the US.
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anon @ 27th Jul 05:27PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

DirectDial's website says 'out of stock' :( And Silver? It only comes in black afaik.
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otty @ 27th Jul 10:15PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by An0nym0us :

DirectDial's website says 'out of stock' :( And Silver? It only comes in black afaik.
Both statements true.

Colour: I don't care.

Stock: got a message from the purchasing dept. saying they ave placed the order but it is back-ordered from the manufacturer. This appears to be true as BestBuy, Amazon etc. are also out of stock. DirectDial orders direct from Siemens.

I'll just wait and see. At least I've reserved my place in line.
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otty @ 4th Aug 03:40PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Update for Canadians (EDIT:apparently they also sell in the US. Prices below are in Canadian$):

Directdial now has the Gigaset S675IP in stock for $141 »www.directdial.com/S30852-H1915-R321.html

The A580IP is still not in stock but I contacted Siemens directly to ensure the product listed is actually the correct one. The manufacturer number is the correct number but the product is only available in black, not silver.
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mgraves1 @ 4th Aug 04:56PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Someone some time ago asked me if the keypads on the handsets are backlit. I finally got around to taking some pics of the three handsets to illustrate this.

»www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/08/gig···backlit/

Yes, they are backlit, but the effect is most pronounced on the S67H handset.

Michael
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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thadsaab @ 10th Aug 10:23AM:
S675 IP

I got the S675IP a couple days ago. It's by far the most advanced home phone I've ever used. I like it a lot so far. It was easy to get working. I still need to spend some more time studying the manual to learn how to use some of the features.

I did find a few quirks. I have the weather forecast for my screensaver (cool). But, the temperature is in Celsius and cannot be switched to Fahrenheit. I guess its time for me to finally convert.

Also, mgraves reported some problems importing a .vcf file on the A580IP. I'm happy to report that on the S675IP, contacts with three phone numbers are properly imported as a single contact. However, the semicolon separating the last name and first name are not recognized, so it all stored as a last name. Strangely, the exported file is correct. So, if you were to export a .vcf and then immediately import it, you would not get the same results. It's not real serious, and it was great to use a computer to put my contacts into a .vcf file and upload it instead of laboriously keying it all in on the phone.

I can't get any RSS feed to work on the handset. But, I hear the feature isn't that great anyway.

In short, it does a great job of being a multiline voip phone, but some of the bonus features are still a bit rough.

I'm trying to decide whether to get an A58H to go with it, or spring for an S67H. The A58H cannot be used to check messages on the S675IP answering machine or to configure the base station. Otherwise, I'd be happy with the A58H.
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anon @ 11th Aug 01:01AM:
Re: S675 IP

Yeah, sorry about the weather forecast. Coming soon is the ability to change between Celsius and Fahrenheit. We will have on the Gigaset.net portal the ability to select C or F. I will keep you posted. And, through the InfoServices browser, eventually you can select the weather forecast via the handset directly. RSS feeds will be improved too on the Gigaset.net portal. You can always add an SL78H instead of a S67H. SL78H allows for downloadable ringtones and images.
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thadsaab @ 11th Aug 11:04AM:
Re: S675 IP

The InfoServices browser is cool. CNN Top Stories works great there. But I can't get the same CNN RSS feed to work when I enter it on Gigaset.net. I also tried the Washington Post, this forum, and Michael Graves' blog without success. It would be nice if I could pick something from the InfoServices to use as the screensaver.

The SL78H looks great. But it's twice the price of the S67H--more than the cost of the whole S675IP. I just can't justify that expense.
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engineerdan @ 11th Aug 11:19AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by mgraves1 :

It's now six months since Gigaset US announced their intention to release the A580IP and S675IP in the US market. Happily, the wait appears to be nearing an end.
Is there any word when Amazon will fill the one-month-old back orders of the A580IP?
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otty @ 11th Aug 01:57PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by engineerdan :

Is there any word when Amazon will fill the one-month-old back orders of the A580IP?
I have cancelled my order for the A580IP and have replaced it with the S675IP as that one is already in stock. I just couldn't wait any longer :b
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otty @ 12th Aug 12:48PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Got my S675IP today. Less than 24 hour shipping from Directdial. Have yet to try it out. Will report back.
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engineerdan @ 12th Aug 02:37PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by otty :

I have cancelled my order for the A580IP and have replaced it with the S675IP as that one is already in stock.
Not a bad idea. However, I've already blown my self-imposed VoIP budget this year...

I guess I'll just have to wait. :(
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anon @ 14th Aug 12:12AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

A little bird told me that the A580IPs have arrived and should be available online within a day or two.
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kaila @ 14th Aug 12:42AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I hope your birdie is correct. I've had the A580 on order for a while as well.
--
Jeff Howe
Jeff's Blog - »www.jeffhowe.net
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fareedf @ 14th Aug 01:49AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

It can be ordered from Best Buy website now, this morning was showing as not available but now you can add it to your cart.
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otty @ 14th Aug 11:28AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I've got my S675IP all set up. I must say I'm a little disappointed with the build quality and how slowly menus load. Most of the important functions do seem to be working well. Probably should have sprung for the SL785IP but the price just couldn't be justified. I paid the same for my Nokia E51 that does all of the same stuff via wifi and WAY more. This phone is mostly a toy for me.

A few bugs: The email function does not support encrypted email from Gmail and Hotmail for instance. I'm having Gmail forwarded to my ISP email account so I can see it on the phone. Same with the messenger function.

Overall I've had a lot of fun setting this thing up. I just wish I knew someone else who had one so we could talk using the HD codec!
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mgraves1 @ 15th Aug 11:42AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I do agree that the S675 seems a bit sluggish compared to the others. It's as if it's feature set is taxing for the hardware, while the SL78H is on a more capable hardware platform.
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okigan @ 16th Aug 01:19AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by mgraves1 :

said by reho33 :

So there is no web interface for the unit or the ability to put sip uri's in the speed dial field?
The web interface is strictly for setting up the DECT base. And, no the contact list does not support dialing by SIP URI.....yet.

Michael
BeginVent:
Absence of this capability is rather frustrating. The whole point is to have this device to allow for transition from PSTN to VOIP.

And while this is absent one is bound to call out to a DID/PSTN!

And the feature of calling and IP (ex. 123.1.2.3) just adds pain to the injury. What all my friends now have to get a static IP and memorize it?
:EndVent

Ok, not that i have it out of system: any insight when this would be available?

If not -- sounds like a good thing to petition to gigaset and warn other users (amazon review in order anyway).

-Okigan
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okigan @ 16th Aug 01:32AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I'll second this as well, build quality seems heading in cheapo direction.

Configuration website is slow -- one could say not a big deal (annoying but if done one and right, i'd agree).

Navigation through menus is slow -- annoying all the time (Did i press the button, is it thinking, should i press it again, will it make i think longer...ahh, there is the menu opened)

Answering machine prompts are very loud compare to volume level on the messages themselves -- and no quick access to volume control (only through slow menu navigation).

All the "services" are slow to display -- disabled that feature.

It will be difficult to manage all but a very simple dial plan. Every option is a separate line and has to be edited on a slow web page -- make it a one text box where one could copy paste the whole dial plan (would make backup/restore possible too!)
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mgraves1 @ 16th Aug 09:14AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

To start, there are no perfect products! There are a number of things that were identified as lacking in my review of the A580IP, and the company has promised to give them consideration.

Even so, can you think of other devices at these prices that do what the Gigasets do? I can't, and I've tried a ton of stuff.

Handling SIP URIs is a big issue that needs to be addressed. But given that Gigaset is one of the founding members of HDConnect (»www.hdconnectnow.org) I think that they can't avoid adding that capability.

Even the expensive Kirk and Aastra enterprise DECT gear, at 3-5x the cost doesn't do some of the things that these Gigaset systems offer.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
reply
okigan @ 16th Aug 11:45PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Agree that there are no perfect products -- though a user finding issues like that shows that product has a way to go.

But that is exactly why I selected gigaset, this model has been out for some time in Europe and gigaset still provides regular updates (2/3 month).

So I spend a bit more and hope that gigaset will support my bet and with updates make it into a really good product in a short while (then i'll buy some more).

So for new owners what's (your guess on what's) best way to provide feedback to gigaset on the importance of SIP URI support? Post in this thread for now?

-Okigan
reply
anon @ 17th Aug 07:52PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

This is a great place to list suggestions, comments, etc... I encourage you to also post directly to www.gigaset-blog.com.
reply
anon @ 18th Aug 12:41PM:
dialing a SIP URI that is in the Call List

1) set Call Lists type to "All"
2) receive a SIP URI call or let incoming call time out
3) go to Call List

on S675IP

4) on selected entry hit Options
5) click Information
6) see the SIP URI
7) press dial from here
8) outgoing IP account will be Account #1 (if multiple accounts, and account #1 not registered, call will not go out)
9) pressing dial from the Call List without hitting Options-->Information only dials the 1747xxxxxxx before the "@" and not the string after the "@" (e.g. @proxy01.sipphone.com)

on A580IP

4) on selected entry hit Menu
5) scroll to and then click "Show Name"
6) see the SIP URI
7) press dial from here
8) outgoing IP account will be Account #1 (if multiple accounts, and account #1 not registered, call will not go out)
9) pressing dial from the Call List without hitting Menu-->"Show Name" only dials the 1747xxxxxxx before the "@" and not the string after the "@" (e.g. @proxy01.sipphone.com)
reply
otty @ 18th Aug 11:51PM:
Re: dialing a SIP URI that is in the Call List

How does one set call lists type to "all". When I open call lists I just get "missed calls - No entries". I can't see an option in "settings".

S675IP here.

Thanks for the help!
reply
anon @ 19th Aug 12:43PM:
Re: dialing a SIP URI that is in the Call List

To change Call List type:

Menu --> Settings --> Base --> Call List Type

and then check "All Calls"
reply
otty @ 19th Aug 01:09PM:
Re: dialing a SIP URI that is in the Call List

Thank you.

May I suggest that this be added to the function list so that you can access is by pressing the left function key from standby mode. At the moment I don't find the functions available to choose from there for one touch access very useful.
reply
xirian @ 20th Aug 04:28PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I just got my gigaset today. the only problem im having is transfering calls. the flash button doesn't do anything, the int button is only for transfering between the handsets on the base, and the code for my asterisk system (##) also doesnt work with it. Any idea how to get it to let me transfer via asterisk?
reply
anon @ 21st Aug 01:04PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

For the Call Transfer, when you have an active call on te S675IP, hit the Options softkey, then External Call, dial your number, hit send,then you will see both calls with a pointer indicating the active call. now, hit the Option softkey again and you can Confernece or Call Transfer.

You may need to adjust some settings on the Telephony -> Advanced Settings page for Refer method (I set mine to Automatic Refer Method for my Broadvoice connection).
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xirian @ 21st Aug 02:11PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Yeah I got that working. I also got the asterisk hotkey method (## in my case) to work. Had to change DTMF to "RFC 2833" under advanced. I have the A580 IP, not the s675, but it was more or less the same. except after going to external call, you dial the number, hit send, and then hitting flash the screen will say "call transfered".
reply
anon @ 21st Aug 03:10PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Ahhh yes DTMF method... I keep forgetting to tell people about that. Thanks for bringing that up. You can always add an S67H to your A580IP base in the future if you so desire.
reply
okigan @ 22nd Aug 12:47AM:
Re: dialing a SIP URI that is in the Call List

Gigaset_Man That is very interesting finding.
And (also?) to confirm that SIP URI is visible in the menu.

Tried to test if it can be dialed out, but that is a bit tricker to confirm with my setup.

So the functionality is really there, just not exposed in a useful way -- as mentioned we need contact list support. In fact same field in vcard as Outlook uses.

Kudos on the finding!
reply
anon @ 23rd Aug 08:46AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

For those of you who are annoyed by the slow menus of the gigaset configuration pages, try another browser, like k-meleon. To my suprise the sluggishness is entirely due to slow rendering browsers like ie and firefox. When using k-meleon the menus you'll get a much quicker response.
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otty @ 25th Aug 02:30AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by jan1973 :

For those of you who are annoyed by the slow menus of the gigaset configuration pages, try another browser, like k-meleon. To my suprise the sluggishness is entirely due to slow rendering browsers like ie and firefox. When using k-meleon the menus you'll get a much quicker response.
Interesting. How do you load that? Any risk of bricking it (ruining the device)?
reply
anon @ 25th Aug 04:06AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

k-meleon is a browser alternative you can install on your computer, not your phone. So there is no risk of bricking your device. You can download k-meleon from »kmeleon.sourceforge.net/
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mgraves1 @ 25th Aug 05:00PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by jan1973 :

k-meleon is a browser alternative you can install on your computer, not your phone. So there is no risk of bricking your device. You can download k-meleon from »kmeleon.sourceforge.net/
Thanks for the tip! I originally mentioned the sluggish web i/f in a draft of my review, but that reference was cut during editing.

k-meleon is dramatically faster than either IE or FF. I wonder why exactly?
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
reply
anon @ 26th Aug 07:21AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I've been wondering the same thing. The reason I found out about it is my targa dip 450 phone. It's a rebranded c450ip sold by lidl in europe. After upgrading firefox to version 3.5 I could no longer properly access the configuration pages. The pages were rendered only partly and took forever to load. Certain vital pieces of the configuration would not be rendered at all. At first I thought my phone was malfunctioning because I had the same behaviour with IE version 8. When searching the internet I found a posting at www.ip-phone-forum.de which suggested using k-meleon instead. I was amazed to learn that the problem is actually the browsers not properly rendering the pages.

@ GigasetMan:

Maybe gigaset can make a new firmware version available for the c450ip so new browsers will render the configuration pages correctly?

Also, owning a a580ip duo set I'd to see other new features as well:

1) as mentioned by others - calling a sip uri
2) calling anything other than usernames. This is closely related to #1 ofcourse. I'm using a voip out service where you don't get internal phonenumbers, but usernames. If i wish to call someone on the same network for free by calling the username it's not possible with the a580ip.
3) different ringtones for different sip accounts
4) enum support
5) shared address book. Now each handset has it's own address book. I'd like to be able to share a single addressbook among mutiple handsets. Then I would have to add a phonenumber only once and it would be impossible to have different numbers for one person on different handsets.
6) unwanted caller screening

I get many unwanted calls from people who are trying to sell me something. I find it very intrusive and I would welcome a feature to stop it. All the call centers don't send out their phonenumber when calling you. My idea is to add a feature that prompts for a pin code when there is no caller id availabe for the caller and that the phone will only ring when the caller has entered the right pin if no callerid is available. When the caller is sending out his callerid the phone would ring straight away though. An additional feature might be when a caller without callerid calls and doesn't know the pin he could leave a callbackrequest and could enter his phonenumber for you to call back on. This phonenumber could be shown on the handsets display together with a callback request.

7) better ip calling support as mentioned by others

It should be possible to use fdqn as well as ip addresses. On top of that, it's not possible to set the username you wish to call. Neither is it clear under which username the a580ip can be called. Also, for sip accounts it possible to choose whether you wish to use stun. I think this option should be available for direct ip dialing as well.
reply
anon @ 26th Aug 11:46AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

under 1) it should say: being able to call anything else but just digits
reply
foresto @ 26th Aug 12:54PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by jan1973 :

Maybe gigaset can make a new firmware version available for the c450ip so new browsers will render the configuration pages correctly?
Am I to understand that Gigaset IP phones' web configuration doesn't work properly with Firefox? Wow. I guess I won't be buying them.

Beyond that, allow me to echo jan1973's feature request. All of those features (except perhaps unwanted caller screening, which might be handled at the server level) would be appropriate features for a SIP phone. Support for arbitrary SIP URLs (including user names and domain names) ought to be considered minimum functionality for a SIP phone, IMHO.
reply
anon @ 26th Aug 01:41PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

@ Foresto:

Yes, when it comes to the c450ip that's correct. However, the c450ip is an older model not being actively developed or sold by gigaset anymore. I am disappointed though that a phone that's only 3 years old doesn't work anymore with current browsers. I would have expected a bit more than that. It is possible to configure the c450ip with k-meleon though, this browser has no problem rendering the pages.

When it comes to the new range of ip phones like the a580ip, s675ip, s685ip etc. this is incorrect. Firefox works 100% with this line of phones, although it renders the configuration pages slowly. When using another browser like k-meleon the pages are rendered much quicker.
reply
anon @ 26th Aug 02:26PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

@ Foresto about unwanted caller blocking:

I think the blocking should be done at the gigaset device. The reason for that is that my a580ip is connected to my landline as well. The company that provides me with my landline services doesn't offer this kind of service. I don't know of any sip provider that offers this as well. That's why you should have this set up in your ip phone, so one device can take care of your comprehensive blocking needs. (mind you, I use all 6 sip accounts in my phone)

@ Gigasetman, question and feature request about fallback feature:

On the gigaset.com website, it mentions that as of firmware version 2184 an auto fallback to pstn service is provided. I've tried to make my a580ip fall back to the pstn by unplugging the network cable of my phone and by disconnecting the cable from my adsl modem to the phoneline. In both cases all I got was an error that the call could not be made. When exactly will the phone use the auto fallback service?

I'm not very happy with the auto fallback feature to be honest. My landline is used for incoming calls only. Because of that, I have downgraded my landline contract in a way that my line rental is very low, but any calls made through my landline cost me dearly. With all of my in-laws living abroad, any auto fallback could potentially be quite expensive for me. Although I recognize the potential use for this feature, it should be possible to turn it off as well. Or be changed in a way that the handset will ask you whether the call should to made through the landline as it's not possible to establish it through voip. Could you pass this feature request on?
reply
xirian @ 26th Aug 10:18PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Theres an option in the settings for the auto failback. I don't use a landline so I have it turned off, but I think it was turned off by default. its actually on a per handet basis. Its under telephony -->
Number Assignment
reply
okigan @ 27th Aug 01:36AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Google Voice provides good enough filtering and SIPGATE also has some -- so there is some workarounds.

SIP URI support is much higher on the list of needed updates.
reply
anon @ 27th Aug 03:57AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

@ xirian:

thanks, I had missed that completely
reply
NeBlackCat @ 29th Aug 12:34AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Some suggestions, also posted as comments on mjgrave's excellent blog (kudos to him for his work, and to Gigaset for having open ears and an active participant here):

High priority

1) Bluetooth headset improvements - I get lots of complaints like low sound, choppiness, echo and lack of clarity using a (non-cheapy) Bluetooth headset that works fine on everything else. As soon as I switch back to the handset everything's fine. Haven't found a way to improve this yet, eg. changing external codecs. This is an A580IP quint system with an added S68H handset.

2) Being able to use screen savers without the handset eating/discarding your first key press when it's active. I'm constantly dialling wrong numbers because of this, and I don't want to lose the info services to fix it (the current solution is apparently to turn screensavers off). Heaven help you if the 2nd, 3rd and 4th digits of the phone number happen to be your emergency services!

3) (suggested by others too) SIP-URLs usable wherever phone numbers are.

4) (suggested by others too) per-voIP account distinctive ring. That is, handset rings a selectable ringtone depending on the calling VoIP account.

Medium priority

5) Ability to keep bluetooth headset active over multiple calls, instead of having to keep sending each call to headset after it's dialled.

6) To handle the case where you have multiple handsets around the house, some of them receive both domestic and business calls (on separate VoIP accounts), but you don't want just anyone (eg. not kids) to be able to pick up the business calls: be able to specify a PIN for each VoIP account, together with a list of handsets it applies to. Then, you have to enter the PIN before the handset will let you answer a call on that account.

At the moment you have to either move handsets around or have an Asterisk server. Or get some kids who listen to you.

Lower priority

7) A way to see what codec the last call used. I thought I'd seen this somewhere but can't find it.

8) An HTTP (or even telnet) based API on the base station, capable of performing anything you can do with a handset. That would allow some automation without a full blown PBX like Asterisk. For example, the first thing I'd do would be write a little call logger and dialler applet, and have a quick way to change handset configurations (eg. switch off business calls to any of them when I go out).

I realise these products are not supposed to be high end business devices, but they're already feature packed and excellent (and excellently priced) for SOHO, so one can hope.

Finally a question - for those of us that have left POTS well and truly behind, is there any chance of a model (or upgrade) that can do 3 simultaneous VoIP calls instead of 2+1?
reply
NeBlackCat @ 31st Aug 06:59AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Further to 2) I've also noticed that it doesn't always gobble the first character when picked up from the charger (having been left alone for a while). Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. I just noticed this so I'll have to find out what's different next time.
reply
mgraves1 @ 31st Aug 09:19AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by NeBlackCat :

1) Bluetooth headset improvements - I get lots of complaints like low sound, choppiness, echo and lack of clarity using a (non-cheapy) Bluetooth headset that works fine on everything else. As soon as I switch back to the handset everything's fine. Haven't found a way to improve this yet, eg. changing external codecs. This is an A580IP quint system with an added S68H handset.
That doesn't seem right. I have those systems and they don't have Bluetooth capability. Of the hardware being offered in the US only the SL78H handset has bluetooth.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
reply
im_chandave @ 31st Aug 10:18AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

He added the S68H handset which does support Bluetooth.

See ya...

d.c.
reply
mgraves1 @ 31st Aug 10:24AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Ah, my mistake. So he's not in the US at all. The S68H was never offered on US legal frequencies.
reply
engineerdan @ 31st Aug 10:25PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by mgraves1 :

...can you think of other devices at these prices that do what the Gigasets do? I can't, and I've tried a ton of stuff.
At long last, my A580IP finally arrived today. After tinkering with it for three hours, I can think of only one device that does what this particular Gigaset does. I once bought one of those really cheap PAP2T's on Ebay. You know, one of those counterfeit knock-offs? Actually, even that Chinese PAP2T worked OK for the first week... ;)

All kidding aside, I can't even get this unit to register with my local Asterisk server (it doesn't get easier than having the server in the same subnet, right?). Nor can I get the unit to connect to the factory for a firmware update. When trying the upgrade, I get a "can't connect to server" error (or something like that).

My network isn't to blame: After fighting with the Gigaset for a few hours, I plugged in another IP phone which registered to the local Asterisk server, set it's clock to the Virginia Tech NTP server, and worked fine with a quick test call.

My sense is that this particular unit wasn't properly tested before shipment or suffered an infant mortality failure. One way or another, it looks like this phone needs to go for another ride in the UPS truck.

What's the best way to get an RMA? Shall I do this through the place I bought it?
reply
jse75 @ 1st Sep 03:56PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Anyone have any comments about the speakerphone on the A580 handsets? I was going to get an S-model base for the answering machine and use the A58H handsets since they will stand up by themselves.

Specific questions:
1) How is the volume on the speakerphone?
2) Is it full duplex? If it's not, how choppy is the cutoff? (Some Panasonic phones, for instance their Globarange VOIP phone, really cut in and out in speakerphone mode making it hard for people to hear.)

Thanks
Jason
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mgraves1 @ 1st Sep 06:00PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

My wife uses it a lot. I don't.

My impression is that it's full duplex, but I've never gone about testing it explicitly. If it isn't then I haven't heard much problem with it cutting people off.

FWIW, I think that the speakerphone in the four handsets models that I have (A58H, S67H, S68H, SL78H) are all about the same quality.

OTOH, my personal opinion is that if you really want a good speakerphone...buy a good speakerphone. The one built into a cordless handset is never going to touch a proper speakerphone.

By proper I also include things that leverage soft phones on your PC. I listed my experience with a number of these here:

»www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/05/ove···rphones/

This is perhaps the best way to achieve speakerphone nirvana for under $100.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
reply
kaila @ 2nd Sep 10:33AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by engineerdan :

...What's the best way to get an RMA? Shall I do this through the place I bought it?
Sorry to hear about your experience, and I always try to RMA through the original seller. You might very well have a bum phone, but are (were) you able to confirm that the phone is receiving the IP/Subnet/DNS settings from your DHCP router/firewall. Or can you configure those settings manually? It really sounds like the phone for whatever reason isn't getting a network assignment.
--
Jeff Howe
Jeff's Blog - »www.jeffhowe.net
reply
engineerdan @ 2nd Sep 09:07PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by kaila :

You might very well have a bum phone, but are (were) you able to confirm that the phone is receiving the IP/Subnet/DNS settings from your DHCP router/firewall. Or can you configure those settings manually? It really sounds like the phone for whatever reason isn't getting a network assignment.
Thank you for your reply. I have successfully returned the phone to the original seller - with no fuss whatsoever. The only damage to my wallet is that I've had to pay for a bunch of shipping.

I'm afraid these symptoms are leading me in circles. The clock won't set, the unit can't download new firmware, and it won't connect to my PBX which is in the local subnet.

At initial power-up, the unit resolved network settings from my DHCP server. At that moment, it must have found the Internet because the handset began displaying the weather in London.

After entering the settings for my local AstLinux PBX, the unit complained that it couldn't register. Later, it said it couldn't find the server. I then tried a firmware upgrade and the unit couldn't find the firware server either. Thinking the firmware download and NTP problems related to DNS, I entered IP address for both servers manually. I thought this was working but, after a minute or two, the firmware download failed with an error zero and the clock still hadn't set.

I then assigned static IP addresses for the unit, gateway, and DNS. None of this helped. Here's the weird thing: throughout several hours of tinkering, the unit remained gleefully registered to the Giganet server. Also, I never had difficulty getting the web-interface to work. Thus, I'm stumped.

I'm now debating whether this was a one-of-a-kind problem relating to one phone or if some of these problems are firmware flaws. My sense is that Michael Graves wouldn't recommend a lame product so I'm tempted to roll the dice and try again - by buying yet another A580IP. That is, if the forum brain-trust thinks the phone will work properly in this configuration:

I'll have this phone living across town behind a dd-wrt router equipped with a Milkfish proxy. This location will connect to my Asterisk server by way of the Internet. I'm presently doing this with other phones (of various make and models). So... Would you expect this will work?
reply
kaila @ 3rd Sep 07:18AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by engineerdan :

.......I'll have this phone living across town behind a dd-wrt router equipped with a Milkfish proxy. This location will connect to my Asterisk server by way of the Internet. I'm presently doing this with other phones (of various make and models). So... Would you expect this will work?
Your setup should work fine as long as the new replacement works as advertised and supports SIP properly. I'd try getting it to connect with the local server first, then place it remotely.

Let us know how the replacement works out for you. I canceled my A580 order with Amazon yesterday and will likely reorder from one of the many suppliers that now have them. It was going on two months since the order with Amazon was placed with no fulfillment date in sight. They are the cheapest source by far, so I think either Siemens or Amazon are giving their higher priced channel partners the first shot.
--
Jeff Howe
Jeff's Blog - »www.jeffhowe.net
reply
engineerdan @ 3rd Sep 03:11PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by kaila :

Your setup should work fine as long as the new replacement works as advertised and supports SIP properly.
Thanks Jeff. I'll roll the dice and let you know.
reply
anon @ 5th Sep 12:44AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

engineerdan, sorry I didn't read your post in time to see if I could have swapped that unit for a different one. Did you order another one already?
reply
engineerdan @ 5th Sep 10:30AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Gigaset_man :

engineerdan, sorry I didn't read your post in time to see if I could have swapped that unit for a different one. Did you order another one already?
Gigaset Man:

That's a very kind offer. Thank you.

Yes, I've placed a second order (and pre-paid shipping - again) with the original vendor. However, now that I think of it, there's a slim chance they'll resend the unit I just returned!

I may ask you for a rain-check: Would you mind lending a hand if my poor fortune continues?
reply
anon @ 5th Sep 11:37AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Does anybody know how to add a DTMF sequence to a stored number dialed via sip?

For example if dialing a mailbox or calling card it would be nice to add "pause + PIN" so the mailbox can be accessed easily.

I tried mailbox# + "p" + pin but I always get a 404 error as there is no dial plan for the complete number. It would be nice if only the mailbox# could be 'sip-dialed' and the remaining numbers added via dtmf. Any ideas?
reply
anon @ 5th Sep 02:30PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Yes indeed! I'd like to see what's going on and how we can get it working. Let me know when you get the new phone. Where did you order it from?
reply
engineerdan @ 5th Sep 09:09PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Gigaset_Man :

Where did you order it from?
Best Buy.
reply
anon @ 7th Sep 08:16AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

@Gigaset man:

Maybe you could pass on another feature request. I've just made my first calls on the gigaset network, and the volume of the gigaset calls is really high. It's really uncomfortable.

It is possible to set the volume to low/normal/high for each of the sip accounts, but this is not possible with the gigaset account. I'd really like to see the option to set the volume for the gigaset network as well.
reply
thadsaab @ 10th Sep 12:13PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Here's another suggestion:
If the time was set by NTP in the last 24 hours, don't reset it using the time from the CID.
reply
anon @ 11th Sep 08:28AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Good idea! I will look into why it's not an option currently. thanks!
reply
xirian @ 11th Sep 12:16PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

How come when I switch to conference, it doesn't allow me to send touch tones anymore? I sometimes conference with my mother into her voicemail to bring up a certain message for her, but if i need to hit anything to the voicemail I have to separate the calls or it won't send the tone.
reply
kaila @ 11th Sep 03:02PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

It could be a DTMF issue. I don't have these phones yet but see if there are DTMF options that you can change. Try inband if you can.
--
Jeff Howe
Jeff's Blog - »www.jeffhowe.net
reply
engineerdan @ 13th Sep 10:43AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Gigaset_Man :

Let me know when you get the new phone.
My new phone arrive Thursday and works! The firmware update worked fine so I updated to the latest and greatest within minutes of having the power turned on. I guess my prior experience must have been with a "bum phone."

I did see some familiar symptoms. After discovering the following work-arounds (detailed below), I'm quite pleased with the Gigaset. Here's an unsolicited user report for those who may be considering this phone.

Quirks

After changing provider information, the screen updated with either "Registration Failed" or "Cannot Connect to Server" errors, even when all the provided information was correct. I blundered into the following solution to this problem.

Apparently, the screen updates before the registration process has completed. After being greeted by either error, I now routinely refresh the browser. After the refresh, I usually get an accurate registration status. Sometimes, it takes two refreshes before the registration status is correct. In other words, after being told "Registration Failed", I refreshed the browser and was told the line was "Registered."

Apparently something must be entered in the "Domain" field in addition to the "Registrar Server" field. In my case, I was registering to a fixed IP address. I found that if the IP address wasn't listed in both the "Domain" and "Registrar Server" fields, the unit failed to register (no matter how many times I refreshed the browser).

Suggestions

I found the two proxy fields a bit confusing. Apparently, one of the proxy fields is for a local network proxy; the other is for a provider proxy. However, this is unclear from their similar field labels "Outbound Proxy" and "Proxy Server Address." Less ambiguity in these labels will most likely reduce the number of tech-support calls.

I'll also echo comments from others regarding the screen saver. Users really liked the marquee scroll. However, in just a few days, I received numerous complaints about the first dialed digit being ignored whenever the screen saver is active. Also, displaying temperatures in Celsius in the United States is of little use. Once these problems are solved, I'll re-enable the screen-saver.

It took a bit of fiddling to figure out why VoIP calls didn't work at first. However, after reading the manual, it became apparent that the default (short press) SEND option had to be set to VoIP. Once I did this, everything worked as expected.

A more obvious approach might be to add a checkbox that would permit users to disable the PSTN jack. If disabled, the default (short press) send option could automatically be programmed to VoIP, not PSTN.

As mentioned by others, such a checkbox might permit three simultaneous VoIP calls when PSTN is disabled.

Summary

Despite a few quirks, it seems to be a heck of a phone for $90. I'm very pleased and would recommend it to others.

[Edit: For Clarity]
reply
kaila @ 14th Sep 12:43PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Thanks for the update and SEND option tip for getting voip to work. Glad things are working out for you. I desperately need to replace 3 (2 working) snom M3 handsets and am on the fence whether to go for the A580, go higher up the line, or have a mix.

Getting a third (or more) channel for voip would be welcome in my family.
--
Jeff Howe
Jeff's Blog - »www.jeffhowe.net
reply
okigan @ 18th Sep 12:56AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Just curious, has anybody successfully compiled/flashed gigaset firmware from gpl source from gigaset?

»gigaset.com/shc/0,1935,hq_en_0_1···,00.html
reply
mgraves1 @ 19th Sep 11:26AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Jeff,

I have an m3 system with a couple of handsets that I'd be willing to let go cheap!

Michael
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
reply
kaila @ 19th Sep 12:00PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Thanks for the offer Michael, but I'm moving off the M3. When they're replaced, I'll have an M3 base with two handsets that I'll sell for cheap!
--
Jeff Howe
Jeff's Blog - »www.ostjournal.net
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mlcarson @ 22nd Sep 10:19PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

What are the major advantages/disadvantages of the newly available Gigaset's versus the SNOM M3?
reply
mgraves1 @ 22nd Sep 10:27PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by mlcarson :

What are the major advantages/disadvantages of the newly available Gigaset's versus the SNOM M3?
Here's are a pair of reviews to help you understand in detail:

Gigaset A580IP
»www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/07/rev···-system/

snom m3
»www.mgraves.org/voip/?p=1403
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
reply
thadsaab @ 5th Oct 01:19PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I got a A58H over the weekend and registered it with my S675 IP base. They work together very well. I had been concerned that I would not be able to access the local answering machine in the S675 IP from the A58H. However, it works just fine, with no issues.

The A58H is so much more responsive than the S67H. Key presses are registered instantaneously. And, the keys feel better.

The biggest thing I miss from the S67H is the address book. The A58H only stores one number per name, so when I transfered the address book from the S67H to the A58H, a 1, 2, or 3 was added to the end of names with more than one number, with no way of knowing which was the cell, work, etc. Uploading the .vch was worse, since no number was appended to the name.

I wish the A58H glowed softly when it's on the charger like the S67H, but it's not like it's that important.
reply
xirian @ 8th Oct 02:40AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Has anyone set up the gigaset with voip.ms? I got my linksys ata working, but I can't get the gigaset to register.
reply
Arne Bolen @ 8th Oct 05:04AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by xirian :

Has anyone set up the gigaset with voip.ms? I got my linksys ata working, but I can't get the gigaset to register.
My Gigaset S685IP works excellent with VoIP.ms, no problems at all.
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xirian @ 8th Oct 08:39PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Arne Bolen :

said by xirian :

Has anyone set up the gigaset with voip.ms? I got my linksys ata working, but I can't get the gigaset to register.
My Gigaset S685IP works excellent with VoIP.ms, no problems at all.
I changed from the hostname to the ip of the voip.ms server and it registered. I guess the phone couldn't resolve it.
reply
blohner @ 8th Oct 09:54PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Question for those of you who use the A580IP or S675IP with a POTS line with Call Waiting: How well does it play together - specifically:
Do you see Call Waiting Caller ID
Do you just 'flash' to switch between two POTS calls

Background: I have my Vonage line (aka POTS since it comes with its own ATA) + 4 other VoIP lines (going through Asterisk+ a Sipura ATA) currently running into a old PBX that can't do either of the above and hope to optimize what I have...
--
I am addicted to speed --- OOL speed that is ---
reply
thadsaab @ 10th Oct 12:42PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by blohner :

Do you see Call Waiting Caller ID
Do you just 'flash' to switch between two POTS calls
I have a similar situation with an PAP2T ATA provided by Voicepulse. I had hoped that the S675IP would do everything you described. I had only had two opportunities to use call waiting so far, and had not been successful. Your post led me to make some experiments. Here are my findings:

When the Voicepulse line is in use and another call comes on that line, Call Waiting Caller ID works. BUT I can't switch to the call. The manual says to press the right button for options, but take the call isn't one of the options. If I press the "Flash" button, I hear a flash, but the ATA doesn't recognize it. It worked with "regular" corded and cordless phones. If I hang up on the first caller, after a while the phone will ring and I can speak with the second caller. Interestingly, when I browse the phone menu, the other party hears a click each time I press the button to scroll.

Using the VOIP connection to Future-Nine, Call Waiting Caller ID works. Switching works using the options menu. A great surprise was that handsets that are not in use ring and can take the second Future-Nine call without interupting the first one. When call waiting is used, the party on hold hears strange music. The S675IP settings show music on hold un-checked. Does Future-Nine add music? I doubt it.

That led me to explore making two calls out via Future-Nine from different handsets. That worked too.

One more thing: Once handsets are on a POTS or VOIP call, they will not signal incoming calls of the other type. The other handsets will ring.

I guess it's time for me to port.
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crazyk4952 @ 10th Oct 02:06PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Actually, F9 does have music on hold.
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Jimmo04 @ 10th Oct 06:39PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I got the A580 IP connected to my local Asterisk box and I've been unable to transfer calls using the phone (the ## trick works).

Also, I haven't been able to make the Flash / R-Key do anything useful :(
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mlcarson @ 15th Oct 05:11AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

How do these new gigaset phones actually sound when doing a voip to voip g.722 call across the gigaset.net network?

Is the hardware (mic/speaker) actually good enough to notice a difference vs g.711 calls?
reply
kaila @ 16th Oct 01:09PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Can any A58 owners confirm the handsets continually wake the screen every couple of minutes (presumably to update the screensaver- I haven't tried turning it off yet)? This behavior is definitely affecting battery life.
--
Jeff Howe
Jeff's Blog - »www.ostjournal.net
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anon @ 16th Oct 05:05PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by kaila :

Can any A58 owners confirm the handsets continually wake the screen every couple of minutes))))))
Confirmed. Unfortunately, the more I use these (The 58 & 67 specifically), the less I like them. I do like the form factor, but Siemens has really handicapped these handsets by putting in a very weak processor and limiting the functions. They can overcome the latter with sw updates, but the former will really limit what they can do.
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mgraves1 @ 16th Oct 05:41PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by mlcarson :

How do these new gigaset phones actually sound when doing a voip to voip g.722 call across the gigaset.net network?

Is the hardware (mic/speaker) actually good enough to notice a difference vs g.711 calls?
Yes, you can definitely tell the difference between g.711 and g.722.

That said, no the Gigasets are not the very best sounding phones around. They're good...great for the price, in fact. But my Polycom IP450/550/650s do sound better.

This is by no means condemnation of the Gigasets. You simply get what you pay for.

IMHO, the speakerphone on the cordless Gigasets is really not very good. While I understand that's it's a convenience feature, I wish I could disable it. My wife likes to use it a lot and I find it difficult to hear here when she does. It sounds as if she's off-mic all the time, and the room tone or ambient noise swamps her voice.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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engineerdan @ 17th Oct 09:25AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by mgraves1 :

That said, no the Gigasets are not the very best sounding phones around. They're good...great for the price, in fact. But my Polycom IP450/550/650s do sound better.
In my experience, part of the Gigaset's audio problem is that the handset microphone has limited headroom and distorts louder audio peaks. I've set the VoIP volume (in the html setup) to "low" and this symptom remains.

Fixing this problem (which wouldn't increase cost) would greatly improve the audio quality of the A580IP regardless of CODEC. Hopefully, this can be fixed through revised firmware but that would only be possible if the clipping distortion is taking place in the digital domain. It could just as easily be occurring in the hardwired, analog circuitry.
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cowcowcow @ 22nd Oct 08:51PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I find these very annoying on my a580ip:

1. Siemens got rid of the ability to "barge-in" eventhough you can initiate a "conference call" using complicated series of button pressing.

2. Siemens seriously need a UI designer to revamp their menu system. I had to create a menu-tree plan that I refer to for my 8YO Gigaset 4000. The menu system hasn't improved on the A580ip. I would also appreciate a searchable PDF manual. The downloadable ones have messed up text-encoding and are not searchable.

3. The message key light blinks if a call has been answered on a different handset, eventhough I have set the call-list to show "missed calls" only.

4. The need to press the "IP" key to initiate an IP call, annoying since I do not have a land line and all calls are IP calls.

Other than these, the phone is woking great.
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drak0 @ 23rd Oct 03:46AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

> 4. The need to press the "IP" key to initiate an IP call, annoying since I do not have a land line and all calls are IP calls.

this can be changed in settings->telephony->number assignment->Linetype for outgoing calls
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cowcowcow @ 23rd Oct 03:48PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by cowcowcow :

I would also appreciate a searchable PDF manual. The downloadable ones have messed up text-encoding and are not searchable.
The stand corrected. The PDFs on the product CD is searchable! Eventhough they are still password locked and you can't annotate and make little notes to yourself without first unlocking them.
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cowcowcow @ 23rd Oct 04:31PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by drak0 :

this can be changed in settings->telephony->number assignment->Linetype for outgoing calls
That's the way I set it too, but I still can't pick up the handset , punch in a few number, press the send button and go. Neither can I get a dialtone by pressing the green button. I would be interested to find out how do you make IP calls without first hitting the IP button.
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drak0 @ 23rd Oct 07:00PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by cowcowcow :

That's the way I set it too, but I still can't pick up the handset , punch in a few number, press the send button and go. Neither can I get a dialtone by pressing the green button. I would be interested to find out how do you make IP calls without first hitting the IP button.
I was just playing around with this yesterday - I have that setting and all I do is dial the number and press the call button - and it will dial over voip (it will show the phone icon with the "ip" text).....

good luck! :)
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cowcowcow @ 23rd Oct 07:13PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Thanks drak0, you are right. When I first pressed a number, "INT" popped up on screen, I supposed it meant "Intercom" and stopped! Disregard that and continue to press numbers, then green "talk" key. Works!
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mgraves1 @ 25th Oct 02:50PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

A few people have asked me if the Gigaset power supplies are universal models. The thinking is that the current state of the US dollar makes it attractive for Aussie & NZ folks to import the devices from the US.

I just checked my A580IP. Both the charging stand and the DECT based PSUs are 120vac only...not universal. This is a pity. It probably saved Gigaset about 50 cents in manufacturing. Universal supplies would definitely be better in the future.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
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topcat5 @ 3rd Nov 06:38AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by cowcowcow :

...annoying..... 3. The message key light blinks if a call has been answered on a different handset, eventhough I have set the call-list to show "missed calls" only..
I agree I find this very annoying as well. Does anyone know if there is a way to turn it off for missed calls. I thought there was a setting for this, but can't find it now. Probably my bad memory.

If the gigaset guy is still reading this, please add to the list of request features the ability to turn off the missed call indicator, or fix it so that it works if answered by another device.
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cowcowcow @ 3rd Nov 07:09AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by mgraves1 :

A few people have asked me if the Gigaset power supplies are universal models. The thinking is that the current state of the US dollar makes it attractive for Aussie & NZ folks to import the devices from the US.
Voltage aside, I believe NA models operate on different frequency to the rest of the world. Somebody please correct me, I would be please to know I can bring back some extra handsets from Asia. A58H is hard to come by here in Canada. I just ordered a set of C385... I hope that works.
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mgraves1 @ 3rd Nov 08:31AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by cowcowcow :

Voltage aside, I believe NA models operate on different frequency to the rest of the world. Somebody please correct me, I would be please to know I can bring back some extra handsets from Asia. A58H is hard to come by here in Canada. I just ordered a set of C385... I hope that works.
Yes, it's true. The US DECT standards are different frequencies than Europe. AFAIK, Australia adheres to the Euro standards.

Michael
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»blog.mgraves.org
reply
otty @ 10th Nov 03:24PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

My s675ip just informed me of a new firmware update. I installed the update and reset the handset.

The buttons have much better response time on the handset! I am very pleased with this.

I have not yet explored any other changes that may be included in the update but kudos to Gigaset for supporting this product!
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Arne Bolen @ 10th Nov 03:39PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

There are three good news in this update:

* Enhanced reliability of Gigaset.net service through implementation of a RTP-Proxy.

* Enhanced Auto-Fallback implemented. If the call via IP fails, the phone will automatically dial via next active IP account, trying all IP accounts one by one.

* Auto DTMF negotiation implemented.

However there is also a change of a feature in this update which could be bad for some people. The "Predial area code for local calls through VoIP" under Dialling Plans is now working in a different way than before. This change will cause problems for users in countries without area codes using both domestic and non-domestic VoIP providers.
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mgraves1 @ 10th Nov 04:56PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

One person has commented on my blog that he had some trouble after installing the upgrade. I’ve sent a message to Gigaset to inquire about the possibility of downgrading if that should become desirable.

I’ve also tweeted about the possible firmware issues as a way of polling users. So far today no-one who follows my tweets has reported any significant issues. Several have responded that they did install the update and find it working as expected.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»www.mgraves.org
reply
guitareth8 @ 12th Nov 10:08AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

For further information, it was me who posted on mgraves1 blog about problems. For info this is what I said:

Warning! I’d caution against updating your firmware to version 02214!! I have a an S685IP and since updating the firmware this morning my phone has been very erratic, dropping out etc. Spoke to my VOIP provider who traced my calls and said it was indeed losing connections and they said they’d had other users of Siemens phones today report problems since upgrading the firmware. I phoned Siemens support and they admitted they are aware of several reports of problems with the new firmware release. Said they are working on it but could not give me an ETA for a fix. They just told me to rest the base station and “that should fix the problems”. It seems that’s they’re standard suggested cure-all, but as I’d no choice I reluctantly did so. After doing that and spending 20 minutes reinserting all my settings etc. – you guessed it – problems are still there! As it’s not possible to downgrade the firmware I’m basically ****ed cos Siemens apparently released dodgy firmware!! Grrrr!!

...and I have further updated the blog today with:



Further to my earlier post, want to highlight the specific issues I’ve had since the firmware upgrade.

1. It did not save all my previous settings. e.g. It changed the DTMF over VoIP connections setting from RF2833 to "Auto" which I found meant trying to use key presses to respond to things stopped working!

2. My specific, and to be honest so far, ONLY problem otherwise since the firmware upgrade is that I’m now unable to make calls to UK 0870 or 0845 numbers. Whenever I try to dial them via my VoIP service (voipfone.co.uk) the phone just gives up and brifely displays “Provider Registration failed”. I queried this again with tech support at voipfone.co.uk but they have restated that it must be a firmware bug as

a) They’ve tracked my calls and in those instances the call seems to try for 90 seconds but then drops out.

b) They’ve confirmed these numbers are routed via same path as other numbers I’m dialling which DO successfully connect.

c) They confirmed they managed to successfully make IP calls to the same numbers with alternate handsets.

They also said they’d received several calls from other Siemens-using customers on same day, all of whom were having various issues since updating their firmware. They further stated that they no longer resell Siemens phones because of ongoing reliability issues, and also that when they previously did sell the phones they sold them with the auto-check for firmware updates option disabled – as they claim that Siemens has a history of releasing firmware updates that are buggy and cause problems on phones that were previously working fine.

Anyway, as Siemens customer care did confirm to me they were aware of problems with the 02214 update I can only hope they will address them soon and release a further update soon. They would not agree to email me when an update was issued, so I’ll just have to watch out for it!

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PX Eliezer @ 12th Nov 10:16AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Thanks so much for detailed post and for all your research! :)

I guess that it may be a good idea to wait a few weeks before installing ANY type of firmware updates or software updates, unless such an update deals with security issues.

I don't have hands-on with these Siemens phones, but I do know Siemens hospital software, and I have never been impressed.
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otty @ 12th Nov 10:19AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by guitareth8 :

I've been unable to make calls to UK 0870 or 0845 numbers. Whenever I try to dial them via my VoIP service (voipfone.co.uk) the phone just gives up and brifely displays “Provider Registration failed”
I am experiencing this problem with certain 1-800 and 1-888 numbers here in Canada as well using voip.ms(Also s675ip after the firmware update). The phone will hang for a while and then say "provider registration failed". If you watch the light on the base station it will go out for about 5 seconds too as if it reset.

Interestingly if I look at the call detail records on the voip.ms website some of these calls that never appeared to have connected apparently lasted for over a minute.

Not good Siemens..

Edit: These same calls work perfectly via voip.ms on the same internet connection using my Nokia E51 wifi
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im_chandave @ 12th Nov 12:19PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

For those having problems with firmware 02214, is G.722 enabled as well as G.711(u/a)?

I've found that if G.722 is enabled along with other codecs, then only a call to a G.722 endpoint will connect properly with audio. If you then call a G.711(u/a) endpoint then the call will fail after 1/2 sec of audio and the call will drop. If you remove the G.722 codec then the call to an G.711 endpoint will go through properly.

See ya...

d.c.
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mgraves1 @ 12th Nov 01:18PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by im_chandave :

For those having problems with firmware 02214, is G.722 enabled as well as G.711(u/a)?

I've found that if G.722 is enabled along with other codecs, then only a call to a G.722 endpoint will connect properly with audio. If you then call a G.711(u/a) endpoint then the call will fail after 1/2 sec of audio and the call will drop. If you remove the G.722 codec then the call to an G.711 endpoint will go through properly.
I'm definitely not seeing this behavior. I can call from my Gigaset handsets to my cell phone with no issues at all. I have an A580IP with A58H, S67H and SL78H handsets.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»www.mgraves.org
reply
Arne Bolen @ 12th Nov 02:27PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I use G711 on my S685IP with VoIP.ms, Callcentric, Telsome, Voxalot and Betamax. I do not see any connection problems on inbound and outbound calls. However the sound quality on G711 calls is not as good as it was before the firmware update, it is still good but the change is noticeable.
--
Linksys SPA962, Siemens Gigaset S685IP
VoIP.ms, Callcentric, Voxalot
reply
guitareth8 @ 12th Nov 02:35PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I have just tried removing the G.722 codec (Via web configurator> Telephony> Audio) and then tried a call to an 0870 number. What do you know - I can now call that number!!

Thanks heaps to im_chandave for the fix :¬)
reply
xirian @ 12th Nov 03:06PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

can someone who uses voip.ms post a screenshot of their gigaset settings? I can't figure out why I'm getting a 404 on every call.
edit: ok, I looked at the screen when it was connecting. It seems if I dial the area code, it prefixes 1(my area code) before the number and that was the problem all along :|

edit 2: What would cause a busy signal on incoming calls while outgoing works?
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otty @ 12th Nov 03:16PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by guitareth8 :

I have just tried removing the G.722 codec (Via web configurator> Telephony> Audio) and then tried a call to an 0870 number. What do you know - I can now call that number!!

Thanks heaps to im_chandave for the fix :¬)
This fix has worked for me too on 1-800/888/866 numbers!

It would be frustrating for anyone who likes to use G.722 though wouldn't it?
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im_chandave @ 12th Nov 10:14PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by otty :

said by guitareth8 :

I have just tried removing the G.722 codec (Via web configurator> Telephony> Audio) and then tried a call to an 0870 number. What do you know - I can now call that number!!

Thanks heaps to im_chandave for the fix :¬)
This fix has worked for me too on 1-800/888/866 numbers!

It would be frustrating for anyone who likes to use G.722 though wouldn't it?
Yes, VERY FRUSTRATING!!!!

I bought these phones specifically for G.722 conference calls. Now I have to keep the phone set to G.711 until I need G.722 for my conference calls.

The PITA thing is that this problem occurs only for outbound calls. Inbound calls using G.711 WHILE G.722 IS STILL ENABLED on the phone will go through properly.

I think someone in QA didn't try all their test cases before qualifying this revision.

Gigaset, HOW DO YOU DOWNGRADE BACK TO A PREVIOUS FIRMWARE REVISION !?!?!?

See ya...

d.c.
reply
guitareth8 @ 13th Nov 04:13AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Apologies for my lack of knowledge, but can someone explain to me in layman's terms what if anything I am likely to miss out on by no longer having the G.722 codec enabled? Can't say I've noticed any difference in performance/sound quality since I disabled it, but maybe it's only used for certain types of calls? (which would explain why disabling it has made 0870/0845/1-0800 etc calls work for some of us again).

And was that codec just added in this firmware release?
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e9th @ 13th Nov 12:41PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Will the Message Key flash in response to FSK VMWI signals received from the PSTN side?
reply
mgraves1 @ 13th Nov 01:00PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by guitareth8 :

Apologies for my lack of knowledge, but can someone explain to me in layman's terms what if anything I am likely to miss out on by no longer having the G.722 codec enabled? Can't say I've noticed any difference in performance/sound quality since I disabled it, but maybe it's only used for certain types of calls? (which would explain why disabling it has made 0870/0845/1-0800 etc calls work for some of us again).

And was that codec just added in this firmware release?
G.722 is a wideband codec that is only used when calling other, similarly capable, phone via IP. Calls via the PSTN are always G.711 or G.729.

G.722 capability was in the device from the outset.
--
Michael Graves
Houston TX
»www.mgraves.org
reply
im_chandave @ 15th Nov 08:40PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

So far the new firmware (022140) has a bug that has only manifest itself with an S68H handset using G.722 codec along with another codec (G.711u/a).

When G.722 is available as a codec choice on the handset for an OUTBOUND call, either the base unit terminates the call (and reboots) or the call is terminated immediately.

I think the problem is triggered by the reception of a SIP 183 "Session Progress" packet when G.722 is available as a codec.

I have been able to successfully make an outbound connection with G.722 and G.711u enabled to VOIP Service Providers that do not send back SIP 183 "Session Progress" indicators [SIPPhone/GizmoProject, ZipDX]. When I make a call to VOIP Service Providers that do send back SIP 183 "Session Progress" [ViaTalk, HKBN] , I get the disconnect or the immediate SIP BYE after the Gigaset receives the SIP 200 "OK".

For those of you that have S68H handsets and have upgraded their firmware to 022140, would you please check if your failed calls are based on receiving a SIP 183 "Session Progress" indicator packet from your VOIP Provider or endpoint?

Also on the S68H handsets, I bet you that your speakerphone audio on the handset decreases if there is any loud noises picked up by the microphone (like scratching on the mic)....EVEN WHEN THE MIC IS MUTED!!!

See ya...

d.c.
reply
Arne Bolen @ 15th Nov 09:29PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by im_chandave :

Also on the S68H handsets, I bet you that your speakerphone audio on the handset decreases if there is any loud noises picked up by the microphone (like scratching on the mic)....EVEN WHEN THE MIC IS MUTED!!!
I tried to scratch the mic while it is muted and I notice no decrease in the speakerphone audio.
--
Linksys IP Phone SPA962 - Gigaset S685IP
VoIP.ms - Callcentric - Gigaset.net - Voxalot
reply
im_chandave @ 15th Nov 10:46PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Arne Bolen :

said by im_chandave :

Also on the S68H handsets, I bet you that your speakerphone audio on the handset decreases if there is any loud noises picked up by the microphone (like scratching on the mic)....EVEN WHEN THE MIC IS MUTED!!!
I tried to scratch the mic while it is muted and I notice no decrease in the speakerphone audio.
Interesting. I've encountered this problem on 3 separate S68H handsets. All three were purchased from UK sources at different periods at least a year apart.

The codec we were using was G.722 on the handset during the testing. We heard this happen during last Friday's VUC conference call. Could you try it again with G.722 while connected to ZipDX's Wideband Demo: sip:wbdemo@login.zipdx.com?

Maybe it has something to do with which region it was purchased from and/or what language setting configured on the handset.

See ya...

d.c.
reply
Arne Bolen @ 16th Nov 10:14AM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by im_chandave :

The codec we were using was G.722 on the handset during the testing.
I tested using G.711 to a PSTN number.

said by im_chandave :

Could you try it again with G.722 while connected to ZipDX's Wideband Demo: sip:wbdemo@login.zipdx.com?
How do you connect to a SIP address using a Gigaset handset? I must have overlooked something because I did not know it was possible to call to a SIP address with a Gigaset handset.

said by im_chandave :

Maybe it has something to do with which region it was purchased from and/or what language setting configured on the handset.
My S68H handset is configured to use English.
--
Linksys IP Phone SPA962 - Gigaset S685IP
VoIP.ms - Callcentric - Gigaset.net - Voxalot
reply
im_chandave @ 16th Nov 11:05PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

It looks like my assumption about problems with G.722 and SIP 183 Early Media packets handling on the S68H was correct.

I modified my Asterisk box to not send SIP 183 early media reply packets to my S68H and outbound calls to G.711(u/a) endpoints no longer crash when G.722 is an available codec for the handset.

For those that have problems on the S68H handset with the new firmware (02214) and outbound calls, you have two choices while waiting for Gigaset to fix this problem:
    •Disable G.722 codec availability when call G.711(u/a) endpoints
    •Get your endpoints to stop sending SIP 183 reply packets or filter them out using an Application Layer Gateway (ALG) or SIP Proxy.


I'm cleaning up my modifications to Asterisk v1.4.x that will support disabling the sending SIP 183 replies on a SIP entity basis. When I have that I'll put it somewhere for others to grab.

In the meantime, you can quick-n-dirty patch your Asterisk yourself:
    •Modifications occur only in channels/chan_sip.c:sip_indicate() function
    •Look for the case condition for AST_CONTROL_PROGRESS
    •Comment out the instruction to send a SIP 183 response:
    transmit_response_with_sdp(p, "183 Session Progress", &p->initreq, XMIT_UNRELIABLE);

This will disable sending SIP 183 replies to all SIP entities. My patch will all you to specify which SIP entities should NOT receive SIP 183 Early Media indicators.

See ya...

d.c.
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e9th @ 17th Nov 12:52PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

Replying to myself, in case anybody else cares.

Yes it will. Good for you, Gigaset.
reply
anon @ 25th Nov 06:42PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

I haven't been able to get the VMWI to turn on when there are new voicemails at my VOIP provider though. I use Future Nine and VMWI feature is turned on in the online control panel. Has anyone had any luck configuring it?
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