Relays

What type of Relay do you use?

  • VRS

    Votes: 11 44.0%

  • Internet Relay (i.e. IP-Relay or WebCaptel)

    Votes: 6 24.0%

  • TTY with text-only on both ends

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • TTY with VCO

    Votes: 2 8.0%

  • Captel phone

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Other

    Votes: 1 4.0%

  • None

    Votes: 5 20.0%
  • Total voters
    25
AlleyCat

AlleyCat

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Sorry if this was done before. If it were, hopefully there's enough new members here that we might see new responses. There's been a few threads about different types of Relay services. Which one do you use (or prefer)?

Would be interesting to see what the majority of d/Deaf/HOH use.
 
1) I picked internet relay. I use IP-Relay.

2) I used to use webcaptel when I had a landline, but I don't anymore, since I can barely even hear the other person speaking/not speaking so I didn't know when to jump in.

3) I had VRS (Sorenson) for a short while. It caused all sorts of haywire with our cable service in the house (it would shut it down constantly). Having both Sorenson and Comcast (our cable company) repair techs come out several times to diagnose the problem, change out routers, etc. never really fixed the problem. I gave up using it.
 
Noticed that we can only make one choice. What about those of us that use a combination?

I picked TTY with VCO because that is what I use for my landline which is what I make the most calls on.

For cell service, because of the grade of service available in my location, I use two phones. The browser in one is used like the computer is for web CapTel and the other phone is used for me to speak into.

Am thinking about getting prepaid T-Mobile or one of their MVNOs to try out the Hamilton wireless app version that uses simultaneous voice & data. We do not have a combination of fast enough & stable enough service here on Sprint, T-Mobile or PagePlus (a Verizon MVNO) to use Wireless CapTel by Sprint = my voice side of the conversation cuts in and out which makes it hard for the hearing person on the call to understand me.

You will notice, so far, I had made no mention of AT&T. They have us stuck in a 2G area and there is an area that I go to that is also 2G with some of it even partner 2G. There have been some signs that they are working on LTE but NOT 3G. I am not sure what that will do.
 
AlleyCat said:
1) I picked internet relay. I use IP-Relay.

2) I used to use webcaptel when I had a landline, but I don't anymore, since I can barely even hear the other person speaking/not speaking so I didn't know when to jump in.

3) I had VRS (Sorenson) for a short while. It caused all sorts of haywire with our cable service in the house (it would shut it down constantly). Having both Sorenson and Comcast (our cable company) repair techs come out several times to diagnose the problem, change out routers, etc. never really fixed the problem. I gave up using it.
Click to expand...

You can download Purple, Convo, or ZVRS application on your smartphone or computer. It does not require any configuration. If you want Sorenson app, then you have to contact CIR.
 
I use Sorenson and Convo. I do have Purple, but rarely use it.

I used ZVRS, but I deleted it for good because I was disgusted by its practices of smearing NAD president candidate at NAD a year ago, I lost my respect for ZVRS.

I rarely use Internet relay unless it is a back up if internet is down.
 
I asked Purple, CSDVRS, and Sorenson to come out several times a few years ago, and only Sorenson replied, which is why I have it.

Purple tried to get me to use their services with empty promises of getting free stuff. I was also turned off by their salespeople calling me at bad times to badmouth all other VRS providers.

In my area, Sorenson's tech support is pretty bad, it takes about a week to get someone out to look at issues. Half the people they sent did not know how to fix issues and blamed it on Comcast.

Alleycat: Did you have cable or DSL when you had all the issues? If it was cable...I figured out the typical issues....you have to assign specific ports in your wifi router in order to send and receive calls without black screen issues. Once I did that, all issues went away.

PM me if you want more info.
 
Last edited:
I see that we can vote only once. I use both my Sorenson VP 200 and Siprelay from AIM. Those days, that is the only time I go on AIM.
 
Sorry guys. It didn't occur to me that some might use more than one kind. If the mods can change that for me that would be great.
 
green427 said:
In my area, Sorenson's tech support is pretty bad, it takes about a week to get someone out to look at issues. Half the people they sent did not know how to fix issues and blamed it on Comcast.

Alleycat: Did you have cable or DSL when you had all the issues? If it was cable...I figured out the typical issues....you have to assign specific ports in your wifi router in order to send and receive calls without black screen issues. Once I did that, all issues went away.

PM me if you want more info.
Click to expand...

We originally had Comcast. We dropped it in favor of the Dish ($100 vs $250 Comcast bills). So at the time we had all the original VRS problems, it was cable. Now we have Dish and DSL. But I have yet to try the VRS again since the Dish.

That's interesting info about specific ports in the wifi router. I will get back to you at a later time about that. :ty: !!
 
Internet Relay will be phased out on the last day of this month.
 
Wasn't sure what to answer. I have a CaptionCall that replaced my CapTel, but I also have my P3 which uses IP-relay
 
I use Sorenson VRS primarily to VRS calls and it's very handy than using TTY. My TTY is collecting dusts for several years. Most of the time I use texting to friends, co workers and supervisors/boss. It's more convenient and saves time. I use VRS for customer service, making reservations, or things like that.
 
Tousi said:
Internet Relay will be phased out on the last day of this month.
Click to expand...
Not all of them? SIP will be closed down July 31.

I use VRS and IP relay down here in Australia. Depending what I call, if I need to keep evidence of the converastion, IP relay is the answer.
 
And two other companies too in just 2 months.

JClarke said:
Not all of them? SIP will be closed down July 31.

I use VRS and IP relay down here in Australia. Depending what I call, if I need to keep evidence of the converastion, IP relay is the answer.
Click to expand...
 
I use Purple and i711, depending on whether I am calling deaf or hearing, or whether I feel like doing my hair. (Haha)
 
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