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| 8x8 Packet8 VoIP Service with DV326 VideoPhone | 
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| Brand: 8x8, Inc.
Category: CE
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Format: Cd
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 0.1 x 0.1 x 0.1
MPN: EQU0401
Model: EQU0401
UPC: 743708336018
EAN: 0743708336018
ASIN: B0002L32HU
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 10 | | NEXT » |
 Best if served with no preconceptions December 10, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Ive had this phone and service since it became available, and its really great. The phone is configurable to match with your connection environment, so if you have a superior or crappy ISP you can easily adjust the phone's settings for the best experience.
I bought two of these phones when they first came out, and paid accordingly (ouch!) but it was because I had taken a position several states away from my fiance, who was busy completing an internship at school. So, it was long-distance relationship time.
I found that very few people have even used a video phone, and were either interested or dead set against the whole idea. The folks against it seem to have an attitude forged by watching too much science fiction over how video phones are used, rather than from direct experience. Let me describe video VoIP, at least how we used our phones.
First, these phones have an excellent hands-free microphone so we could walk around within typical earshot and still hold a normal conversation. An external audio jack provided with the phone allows for additional speakers, but we never needed them as the phone's speaker is quite excellent as is.
More importantly, this phone is equipped with external video jacks, both input and output, the output side of which we connected to inexpensive projector systems.
The end result is a blank wall in my remote apartment became a full-size extension of her apartment several states away, and visa versa. It was terrific, as we could study together like we were in the same place.
In the movies, people are staring into a little LCD screen and talking to it. Thats silly after about the first 2 minutes. Also, folks think the calls are just like from a cell or land line. Thats even more silly, as Video VoIP conversations for us anyway typically lasted several hours, and sometimes I would go into another room to play X-Box while she was on the cell with her mom. It made no difference; it was like she was in the next room...I could look into the next room to see when she was done arguing (I mean, talking) with her mom, in between sets of Counter Strike and Doom3.
On the technical side, setting up the phone couldn't be easier as it will automatically configure itself on your network with DHCP. The device also has a nice network configuration menu to switch between DHCP (automatic) and manual network settings. Ive used both and they work fine, and now use a static address for DNS name resolution by my telemetry gathering (syslog) servers, making the telemetry easier to sort and evaluate. These settings are also available for review and setting through the phones built-in web site. Additionally, the firmware takes care of updating itself from Packet8, though you also have the option to do so yourself.
Basically, use the phone the way that it suits your life, not the way other people expect you to use it, or any of that sci-fi induced crapola. And the more external audio / video connection options a given phone has the more you will be able to do with it in that regard. Might want to keep that in mind, no matter what phone you decide on.
Five stars...I love this phone : )
Awesome!!!! October 16, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This phone is truly a remarkable piece of technology that has connected me with my friends and family like never before. The video is in real time and the sound is just like a regular telephone. You can even connect a DVD player or a camcorder to the unit to play back family videos to the other party on their video phone. I highly recommend getting this phone not only because of the video capabilities, but also because it is cheaper than regular home phone service! This is a definate winner in my book!
 Awful customer service June 25, 2007
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Customer service is atrocious. Numerous e-mails with a simple billing question went unanswered and, like a previous poster I was billed for service for several months after I had ported my number to another provider, notwithstanding that there was no longer a phone number assigned to my Packet8 account.
Prior to transferring service I had numerous technical problems (which was why I dropped service) - STAY AWAY!!!
Packet8 Videophone is years ahead of Vonage and other telecom May 5, 2007
Forget the complaints. The customer service has been excellent for the 2+ years that I've had service. Video and audio quality have been great as well.
I carry the phone in a small case when I travel, just plug it into an ethernet port and it self-configures. In 30 seconds or so I'm up and running. I use it to make hundreds of calls (including my ex-wife in Canada) at no extra cost. Packet8 owns the technology and they charge less. Sure they should advertise, but if they did they'd have to charge what Vonage charges.
Keep in touch and SEE your family members, old friends...this is a no brainer.
Great Video Phone May 25, 2006
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have had this phone for 2 months now. Buying from Amazon was a $50 less expensive than buying from Packet8. Set-up and registration was no problem. Audio quality is exccellent-equivalent to my landline. Video quality is generally excellent. At times it slows due to my wife's basic DSL connection. I communicate daily with my wife in Mexico City, Mexico who has another DV326. Neither of us has had any problems. Our savings utilizing VOIP will be considerable-$75-$100 per month.
UPDATE After 2 years we are still using the phones to communicate between the U.S. and Mexico. We have upgraded the Mexico connection to obtain more bandwidth. We have had absoluely NO problems. We are talking upwards of 1000+ minutes per month. Total savings per month are now $300+. Packet 8 has added the ability to add a local Mexico City number to the system which will be great.
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