Gigaset US Update Page 7

Gigaset US Update Page 7
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 :¬)
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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 :

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.
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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?
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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
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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.
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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
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im_chandave @ 15th Nov 10:46PM:
Re: Gigaset US Update

said by Arne Bolen :

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.
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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
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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:

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:

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.
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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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