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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Cheap - and nasty in places,
By
This review is from: Philips VOIP1211 VOIP And Skype Compatible Digital Cordless Telephone (Electronics)
This bundle actually consists of a Philips DECT1211 wireless handset & base and a separate VOIP0211G USB to telephone interface, together with a power supply for the phone base, the necessary intercabling and an installation CD.
HANDSET The handset/base combination can be used as a normal telephone and because the radio link between handset and base is digital, it gives good call quality in this mode, together with call security. The build quality is reasonable and the phone offers 10 number-only memories, adjustable earpiece volume, lockable keypad, microphone mute and a choice of ring tones. However, this handset/base combo is not GAP compatible - so you cannot add further handsets to the base or add the handset to an existing DECT network. INTERFACE The VOIP USB/telephone interface is the other half of the package, allowing the Philips base, or any other handset with an RJ11 plug, to be connected to Skype. The reasonably-built interface is seriously let down by a truly dreadful 'Installation Guide' which is just as useless in German, French and Dutch as it is in English. The 'Guide' ignores the fundamentals (should the USB interface be plugged in during installation) and there is confusion as to whether Skype should be installed first, last or from the CD. My unit came with an Erratum sheet which confused the issue even further. For the record, I already had Skype working on my PC and just installed the USB driver from the CD with the USB/telephone interface disconnected. After installation I re-booted the PC then plugged in the interface once the computer was up and running. You are asked for the CD serial number, your name and e-mail address during the installation, all of which all seems way over the top for a £20 toy, especially when the Philips site FAQs tells you that you can't change that data - ever! In use, the interface gives mediocre call quality, worse than a normal telephone line and far worse than using a headset. It suffers from pronounced syballence, so Mississipi sounds like Miffiffipi, and I have had complaints that there is a pronounced echo of the other party's voice to be heard at the other end of the line. CONCLUSION The phone - rather good. The interface - poor. The 'Manual' - useless. If you want a cheap way of being able to make and receive Skype calls when you are away from the computer, maybe in the garden or another part of the house, this may be worth considering. If you are looking for audio quality which is the same as or better than normal telephone connections, look elsewhere. Rather a poor offering for a company like Philips.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ideal for occasional, comfortable Skype use,
By Lozza (Cambridge) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Philips VOIP1211 VOIP And Skype Compatible Digital Cordless Telephone (Electronics)
Contrary to other reviewers (and as A.Banister pointed out), it IS possible to make a Skype call directly from the handset. Granted there are no explicit instructions for this in the box, but anybody with access to google and 30 seconds to spare will learn you simply have to dial the speed-dial number followed by two hash (#) symbols (this number can in turn be programmed.
Admittedly the handset is quite plasticy and the instructions are pretty minimal, but for the price there really is no alternative. The range and quality are good, and the installation is pretty straightforward if you follow the booklet. The fact that the USB adaptor is separate from the phone base means the phone itself could be upgraded. 20 quid for a cordless Skype compatible phone really is a steal, and minor grumbles over the ease of use should be pretty insignificant in your decision whether or not to go for this.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
It does the job but with some ease of use issues.,
By AllenB (Yorkshire, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Philips VOIP1211 VOIP And Skype Compatible Digital Cordless Telephone (Electronics)
The outer box of this product contains one pack with a USB adapter and one with the DECT phone. Each comes with it's own instructions, and not a lot about the interface. You have to install and register the Philips voice centre software, then on restart skype asks if you want to allow this device access.
One drawback is you can't see the skype contact list on the phone. You can however set speed-dial numbers on your skype contact list - then dialling is a case of - phone connect button - speed num - plus ##. You do have to remember the speedial. The phone has 10 memories, but they are number only - so no text entry. Starting conversations from the computer screen is a doddle - pressing the main phone button opens the skype window. Excepting ease of dialling it is 60% of the cost of any other cordless VOIP set-up and it does the job well, no problems with range in our house. Conversation quality normally very good, occasionally some echo, but this is not the fault of the phone. I would recommend this for a low cost entry to cordless VOIP.
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