Sorenson VP-100 Videophone

TheXandieBoy · 12-22-2003, 06:01 AM

I have a question about Sorenson VP-100 Videophone ... does it's required have phone line service? I have only Cable Modem. I have TTY on computer ... i dont need phone. But I'm wonder if it's required. Let me know. Thanks.

Mark Rejhon · 12-22-2003, 09:35 AM

If you have people who already have this VP-100, buy one but I think you have to install a phone line too... (Unless it has a networking port, or a VoIP mechanism)

If you are just trying to reach somebody else who already has a computer+highspeed, buy them a $30 web camera instead. (Use Netmeeting or other Internet video chat) Properly configured web cams will usually have MUCH better picture quality than virtually any video crammed over a phone line anyway at 33.6Kbps.

Dennis · 12-22-2003, 09:44 AM

The Sorenson VP-100 videophone only requires high speed internet access. A phone line maxes out at 56Kbps and will not be fast enough to transmit video. DSL, Internet Cable, or other faster internet access is perfectly acceptable.

Did you get this free from Sorenson? Do they allow you to use it to connect to other deaf people or only to relay services?

I have several friends who like it because it's free, but aren't very happy with the service:

1) Limited to only Sorenson's service and hours (very limited hours, especially on Sunday and holidays)
2) Not having the option to use any of the other relay services (AT&T, Sprint, Hamilton) that do have longer hours or better service
3) Required to use the phone 30 minutes a month for relay service, or else it's not free.

If you want to be able to get a free webcam without those limitations, you can contact any of the above relay services, they'd be happy to help you out.

Boult · 12-22-2003, 02:25 PM

guys, did you ever visit www.sorensonvrs.com and check their system requirement at: http://www.sorensonvrs.com/support_s...quirements.php

it says:

Sorenson VP-100 System Requirements:
• 256K broadband Internet connection (i.e. DSL,Cable,LAN or high speed IP connection)
• Sorenson VP-100 (videophone appliance)
• TV with video input

THAT's ALL you need!

phone line may be needed if you plan to use VCO part of service offered by SorensonVRS.

Boult · 12-22-2003, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis

The Sorenson VP-100 videophone only requires high speed internet access. A phone line maxes out at 56Kbps and will not be fast enough to transmit video. DSL, Internet Cable, or other faster internet access is perfectly acceptable.

Did you get this free from Sorenson? Do they allow you to use it to connect to other deaf people or only to relay services?

I have several friends who like it because it's free, but aren't very happy with the service:

1) Limited to only Sorenson's service and hours (very limited hours, especially on Sunday and holidays)
2) Not having the option to use any of the other relay services (AT&T, Sprint, Hamilton) that do have longer hours or better service
3) Required to use the phone 30 minutes a month for relay service, or else it's not free.

If you want to be able to get a free webcam without those limitations, you can contact any of the above relay services, they'd be happy to help you out.

1) no, not limited to SorensonVRS service. It can be used as point to point chat with a friends who also have vp-100 OR D-Link's i2eye or any software based like Netmeeting or Envision SL. Can use other VRS like CSD(they started offering service to those with vp-100 or i2eye)
2) true but can use other VRS when one is extremely busy.
3)what phone? you mean VP-100? yes at least 30mins per month. Why do you get it for? Did you tell them that you use relay heavily? then they qualify you to get one and expected you to use it heavily.. hmm then make one vrs call that can be 1 hour long then forget it for rest of the month.

CSD does offer free webcam for their VRS service because they wants to help you to get connected to others thru VRS visually.

Encourage your friends to get videophone so you can chat with them via vp-100 more often but use vrs at least 30 mins. it is a good deal!

VP-100 users are growing daily... I have seen a VP directory.. it is growing.

merry christmas and happy new year!

Dennis · 12-22-2003, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boult

Can use other VRS like CSD(they started offering service to those with vp-100 or i2eye)

Can you test that for me? Do you have the VP-100 from Sorenson?

Last I heard, they were definitely blocking the usage of other VRS services. Perhaps you haven't updated your VP-100 internal software. If you haven't, great, that means you have options, otherwise, you're limited to Sorenson's service, whether they're open or up or not.

Just in time! I got a picture from a friend. (attached to this post).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boult

Encourage your friends to get videophone so you can chat with them via vp-100 more often but use vrs at least 30 mins. it is a good deal!

Yes, I think it's a great deal for those who already use VRS frequently -- but what about those who don't use it as much, or want it just for deaf-to-deaf chat? Are they misled by the "free" part because they have to make VRS calls to get those 30 minutes?

Boult · 12-23-2003, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis

Can you test that for me? Do you have the VP-100 from Sorenson?

Last I heard, they were definitely blocking the usage of other VRS services. Perhaps you haven't updated your VP-100 internal software. If you haven't, great, that means you have options, otherwise, you're limited to Sorenson's service, whether they're open or up or not.

Just in time! I got a picture from a friend. (attached to this post).

Yes, I think it's a great deal for those who already use VRS frequently -- but what about those who don't use it as much, or want it just for deaf-to-deaf chat? Are they misled by the "free" part because they have to make VRS calls to get those 30 minutes?

Allright, I got my VP-100 updated today and you are right.. they blocked it. eh.. and further checking and found that SorensonVRS re-added Sunday hours because I did use CSD on Sunday when SorensonVRS were closed I think in order to keep customer using SornesonVRS, they may be forced to have service on sunday afterall. So that doesn't matter since can make vp call on sunday with sorensonvrs afterall so still not limited. but if a person get i2eye by d-link then can use any vrs because not tied to one vrs.

I don't think they are misled... there are several that tries to get vp-100 by applying and say "I use VRS frequently more 10 hours dialy" and get qualified easily. I have one friend telling me will use vp-100 only for point to point chat instead of use it for vrs all the time.

If one want greater flexibility then get D-Link's i2eye they have one in wireless mode.

Boult · 12-23-2003, 12:51 AM

http://www.sorensonvrs.com/vrs_hours.php

http://www.sorensonvrs.com/vp100_update.php

https://www.sprintvrs.com/help/about.asp#dlink
instruction for D-Link i2eye using SprintVRS (CSD)
https://www.sprintvrs.com/graphics/sprintvrstv.pdf

SprintVRS now offer vrsMail (akin to voicemail for deaf)

Dennis · 12-23-2003, 10:22 AM

Sprint vrsMail is SWEET!

I wonder when that technology will ever come to be used for deaf people to leave Video Messages for other deaf people on their computers, if they can't connect directly via video.

12-22-2003, 06:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
TheXandieBoy The Master Xandie Boy Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 101	Sorenson VP-100 Videophone I have a question about Sorenson VP-100 Videophone ... does it's required have phone line service? I have only Cable Modem. I have TTY on computer ... i dont need phone. But I'm wonder if it's required. Let me know. Thanks.

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12-22-2003, 09:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mark Rejhon Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 275	If you have people who already have this VP-100, buy one but I think you have to install a phone line too... (Unless it has a networking port, or a VoIP mechanism) If you are just trying to reach somebody else who already has a computer+highspeed, buy them a $30 web camera instead. (Use Netmeeting or other Internet video chat) Properly configured web cams will usually have MUCH better picture quality than virtually any video crammed over a phone line anyway at 33.6Kbps.

12-22-2003, 09:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dennis \/ It's a computer patch. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Death Star HQ Posts: 1,732	The Sorenson VP-100 videophone only requires high speed internet access. A phone line maxes out at 56Kbps and will not be fast enough to transmit video. DSL, Internet Cable, or other faster internet access is perfectly acceptable. Did you get this free from Sorenson? Do they allow you to use it to connect to other deaf people or only to relay services? I have several friends who like it because it's free, but aren't very happy with the service: 1) Limited to only Sorenson's service and hours (very limited hours, especially on Sunday and holidays) 2) Not having the option to use any of the other relay services (AT&T, Sprint, Hamilton) that do have longer hours or better service 3) Required to use the phone 30 minutes a month for relay service, or else it's not free. If you want to be able to get a free webcam without those limitations, you can contact any of the above relay services, they'd be happy to help you out.

12-23-2003, 10:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
Dennis \/ It's a computer patch. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Death Star HQ Posts: 1,732	Sprint vrsMail is SWEET! I wonder when that technology will ever come to be used for deaf people to leave Video Messages for other deaf people on their computers, if they can't connect directly via video.