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What to look for in a ModemJan 09 '00 Write an essay on this topic.What’s up with this? Aren’t all modems the same? Not by a long shot. The main difference is in how the data is processed. This can either be done on the modem or by your CPU (processor). If the modem processes the incoming analog signal onboard (on the modem) than this lowers the CPU requirements and the modem can download faster because the processor on the modem is made specifically for the purpose of converting the analog signal in to a digital data stream. These modems are known in the industry as Hardware Modems because they have a processor onboard to convert incoming signal. The other type of modem, the one that makes your CPU convert the incoming signal, is known as a Winmodem. The easiest way to tell the difference between a Winmodem and a Hardware modem is the CPU requirements of the modem. If it requires a Pentium 133 or faster to run it is a Winmodem. All modems come with two features, data transfer and fax capability. The only other standard feature is voice. There are two flavors of voice transfer, Full Duplex and plain vanilla. A modem with full Duplex support has two stereo plugs on the back, one for a microphone input and one for a speaker output. Some Full Duplex modems have two pins on them so that you can connect them to your sound card internally. This is a nice feature because it means you won’t have to deal with more cables to mess around with. I have a few problems with the non-Full Duplex voice. I my experience they don’t work at all. Suppossedly you can use you sound card and the modem together. The modem dials up and you communicate through the sound card. However, whenever I’ve tried this is doesn’t work. Standards: There are three standards out there right now v.90, x2, and Kflex. What are these you ask? Well The standard itself does not really matter. The standard only matters if you are trying to connect to a modem that has a different standard. What happens if you connect to a modem with a different standard is that the maximum transmission speed is cut in half to 28.8K. V.90 is supposed to be a standard that is compatible with both X2 and Kflex. The difference in standards will only affect you if your isp does not support v.90. If they don’t then you will be better off getting a modem with the same standard as your ISP.  |
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