Modem reccomendations

i want a good internal 56k modem, i live in an area with really bad phone lines and id like one with with both 56k and k56flex standards. so far i like the creative modem blasters and im thinking of getting one

[sbp]

Do you have an isa bus slot TommyBoomfiger? If so creative labs modemblaster (model number 5601} fits the bill http://www.modemblaster.com/product/di5601.html

Another good isa hardware modem is Diamond's SupraExpress 56i SP. http://www.supra.com/default.asp?menu=supra_56i_sp&sub_menu=&item=

A good pci hardware modem is Actiontec's callwaiting modem: http://www.actiontec.com/products/modems/cwi/cwi_overview.html

These are all hardware modems not one of those infernal winmodems.

i got 1 isa, 4 pci and 1 auto amr (modem riser slot). i dont know what will go in the amr slot or even what it is. i thought pci was better for modems than isa. are creatives modems software modems? i need something that is compatible with win 98SE and win2kpro. and id like to have one with voice capabilities just for the hell of it.

[Edited by TommyBoomfiger on 11-11-2000 at 06:43 PM]

[giambona]

I've always liked 3Com/USR's the best.

its been a long time since i have bought a modem giambona, i also like usr modems, dont know how i even looked that one over. thanks for reminding me.

[sbp]

"i thought pci was better for modems than isa."Nope. They perform the same. One thing to note is isa is on its way out. Many new motherboards are not coming with an isa bus slot.

"are creatives modems software modems?" Creative labs modemblaster (model number 5601} is not a winmodem.

Most pci modems are winmodems. Some isa bus slot modems are winmodems.

USR's 56K Performance Pro Modem is a hardware modem but it doesn't have voice capabilities.
http://www.usr.com/products/home/home-product.asp?sku=3CP5610A

[Scojo]

The best modems are made by 3com (us robotics). My OEM winmodem would drop my signal all the time. I haven't had a problem since I upgraded to a courier V everything. They aren't cheap, though.

Scott

[Aristo]

Diamond SupraExpress is one good modem though you have to think twice before you buy. Diamond is gone and their driver developement sucks. They released no more than twice driver update for my old MX300 sound card.

3COM produce quality modem and I've always chosen 3COM modems when I build new sys for customers.

[Dave_7]

A modem is a modem is a modem... when it comes to your phone lines... therein lies the problem. You could have THEE finest hardware modem, but if your phone lines are old or in bad shape, you'll have no chance at getting near 52000 or even 48000. Fortunately for me (even though I now use DSL) I can connect at 52000 on a regular basis... that's because my phone lines are relatively new AND close to the switching station (which is why I can get DSL service... it's a vicious cycle, I know).

ISA modems are not winmodems. Not all, but most PCI modems are winmodems. I have an ISA Diamond Supra. Old school from my old computer, now in my P3V4X motherboard.

The only REAL reasons to AVOID a winmodem these days are if you are going to run Linux or if you have a dog of a system (i.e. 300MHz or below). Otherwise, winmodems are too cheap to pass up. $15 at a computer show. And any new computer will have enough processing power to handle the winmodem without it slowing down enough to notice.




Dave.

[Scojo]

I would want to add to what Dave said. While he is 100% correct that even the best 56k modem are not going to get you to 56k if your phone lines sound like Niagara falls, they aren't all exactly the same. The extra $$$ for a good modem buys you increased signal holding and recovery abilities. This will help you to stay connected when there is a glitch on the phone lines. It is also possible that you will connect at a little higher speed, but still not faster than 56k. One of the ZD Net pubs had a good review of different modems a year or two ago and they found some differences between different models. A good read.

Scott