Background white noise! RESOLVED!

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 2:19 pm Post subject:

Definitely try a different adapter.. I had 2 RT31P2's, both were noisy (in my opinion), but one of them was far worse than the other.

Posts: 26 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 26

I got another PAP2. The volume is lower. But, the white noise is still there!

It is not worse. But, it is not as good as my original POTs. Am I expecting too much?

Posts: 26 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 26

With this new adapter, the noise decreases when I lift the handset on the second line. I can clearly hear the difference as I hang up and lift the handset on the second line.

Should I just return this adapter and ask Vonage to ship me an RTP300?

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

I would.

Posts: 282 · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:42 pm Post subject:

Navid200 wrote:

With this new adapter, the noise decreases when I lift the handset on the second line. I can clearly hear the difference as I hang up and lift the handset on the second line.

Should I just return this adapter and ask Vonage to ship me an RTP300?

I wouldn't keep the unit that has noise that is reduced with the second line off-hook - in my opinion that is a defective unit and the noise will be unacceptable (again, in my experience). The PAP2 I'm using does have some white noise, probably a little more than my POTS line did, but I don't really notice it at all during conversations - it is more noticeable right after you break dialtone and are dialing your number.

I think you have three options open at this point:
1) Get another PAP2 from CC - If you're not happy, they will replace it without question - and see if there is any difference. If not, return it and get your money back and move to option 2
2) RTP300 from Vonage. I have no experience with this unit, but several people on the forum really like it.
3) No Vonage, stick with POTS.

FWIW, my PAP2 has worked really well and the sound quality is very good on the unit I have. The noise issue on certain PAP2s is real, and if you Google, you'll find a number of people who had noisy units, but I also think you can get a good one. There is a simplicity to having a compact stand-alone telephone adapter that I like, but it may not be your best choice if you can't get one that satisfies your ears.

Posts: 26 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 26

I called customer service again. The guy spent a lot of time again having me unplug things and program my router ....

He told me that my cable modem (Toshiba PCX220) was the main problem. He said that it was DOCSIS 1.0, which is old and I should get one that is DOCSIS 2.0.

Is that true?

He said that they cannot ship me an RTP300 for $9.99 now since I opted to get my own adapter when I signed up. I said that I could just cancel my subscription since I joined a few days ago and then join again and opt to have the adapter shipped to me. He said that I had to speak with account management.

Before doing that I would like to find out more about the cable modem. Does anyone here have the same cable modem?

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 11:49 pm Post subject:

Cable modems aren't my forte, but I believe it was the Toshiba PCX1000/PCX1100 that were the packet droppers, not sure if the 220 also contains this flaw or not. I'm sure a few other forum members will chime in on this one.

Posts: 26 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 26

I got RTP300 and it is quiet. Compared to the two PAP2 models I tried, it is very quiet.

The Vonage customer service was excellent. I was impressed.

Posts: 282 · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:31 pm Post subject:

Glad you found a solution that works for you. Now start enjoying those lower phone bills!

Posts: 277 · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:41 pm Post subject:

Navid200 wrote:

He told me that my cable modem (Toshiba PCX220) was the main problem. He said that it was DOCSIS 1.0, which is old and I should get one that is DOCSIS 2.0.

Is that true?

Glad you like your new RTP300, but that line the rep gave you is absolute BS. DOCSIS 1.0 vs. DOCSIS 2.0 has absolutely nothing to do with anything here. If your modem was dropping packets, it might cause your audio to cut out, or calls to be dropped. But there's no way that a cable modem is going to do anything that will contribute to white noise on your analog phone connection. The rep was either ignorant or trying to tell you something just to get rid of you!