Recently in videophone Category

Anyone of you have an experience with malfunction with Sorenson's videophone - VP-100 & VP-200 and D-Link's DVC-1000 which it is impossible to get fixed and suggestion for the replacement?

My friend owns the working Sorenson VP-200 for four months old until somehow her videophone screen turned into bizarre static or glared video, never come back to normal. She tried to look for the solution through videophone user interface preferences on screen and around the physical hardware to figure this out and cannot find the solution. She decided to contact the Sorenson tech support through email to explain the issue about her videophone. They asked her the questions: fix the modem? Unplug the videophone? Or, the television is broken? She tried to explain clearly in plain English – static video comes from machine itself. She took six email attempts into four days with tech support about the videophone malfunction and they never took her words for requesting to replace a new videophone. She has an idea, decided to take evidence photos to send through email:

The tech support immediately followed this issue, and replaced her a brand new videophone VP-200. My friend is not very pleased with tech support for lack of expertise.

I am wondering how tech support is doing their job for wasting the time to listen the words from videophone users, and why does the tech support does not provide something different other than FAQ system, like asking for the picture to prove that videophone has malfunction?

The pictures are worth thousand, thousand of words.

CSDVRS is redistributing DLinks to people in need of a videophone. If you have a DLink you don’t use anymore, you can help those in need, and we’ll send you $25 as a bonus for your generosity.

Today I went to see the open house for Sorenson VRS offices in Pittsburgh, PA to hire more interpreters to bring more productive the time with video relay service (VRS) through Sorenson videophone.

The people at Sorenson said not allowed taking any pictures inside Sorenson offices. Dang.

I toured around Sorenson small office, there are eight office cubes (not room). Each cube has VP-200 hidden beneath above the television and under the wooden shelf. Sadly, they are not allowed to show or touch VP-200 (physical full 360 view, inside and out.) It's even more sad that I can't see more detalis about VP-200.

I asked a question the Sorenson interpreter about the salary difference between interpreter (travel to meeting, activities, etc.) and its interpreter relay service. The interpreter woman said SAME. Hmm, does she tell her truthfully?

Sorenson VP-200 Videophone features:
- Up to 30 fps H.261 or H.263 video performance
- H.323 or SIP compliant
- Network integration, including Ethernet and 802.11b chipset support available
- G.723.1, G.729, and G.711 audio support
- Full duplex acoustic echo cancellation
- Supports CMOS or CCD video input and NTSC or PAL video output (LCD support possible)
- Complete on screen user interface, supporting 256 color and transparency (customizable by OEM partner)
- Support for IR remote control and telephone interface
- Supports video display on standard television, plus full duplex speakerphone using TV speakers
- Linux operating system

Additional hosted services also integrate with Sorenson Media back-end services including:
- LDAP videophone number directory (provided at no cost of OEM or end customer)
- Automated firmware updated
- User profiles, allowing customization of each device to specific user simply by logging into the videophone
- Call tracking and accounting system

Finally about time, the second version of Sorenson videophone will be available in summer 2006 or later. I knew in my mind VP-200 will replace my VP-100. Read the Grant's FAQ article about getting VP-200 if you don't want to watch signed TV or read on PDF through Sorenson official website.

I kept wondering myself Sorenson VP-200 features will have to offer. Here is my top five I would like to see:

1. Private Address stored through network server so we will never get lost address in case if videophone is broken.
2. Password protected. It's all about security.
3. View camera angle (horizontal & vertical) and zoom level. It can be flexible to place videophone any place closer or farther.
4. Accessories. The videophone can support above the flat-panel TV such as LCD and plasma
5. Additional Inputs/Outputs (composite, component, HDMI and S-Video). 16:9 would be nice, but will it sum up the bandwidth? I believe this will be a issue.

UPDATE (4/16/2006): VP-200 Revealed.

Sorenson is giving away free their brand name device, videophone (VP) to deaf customers. The customers use Sorenson's only VRS (Video Relay Service) to call and blocked the third-party VRS providers to call from Sorenson VP device. Remember this?

Soon, not anymore. Effective July 1st 2006, Sorenson Communications allow the user to call interpreters of other VRS providers from Sorenson owned VP device. This is very good news for us, which are more efficient and easier to make phone calls through VRS.

I also have i2eye DVC-1000 and Sorenson VP-100 videophones. I chose VP-100 actively because there are high number of Deaf customers use Sorenson - the same format of VP address which is easier for us to call each other on same videophone model. Ask Alan.

The debate between DVC-1000 and VP-100 is becoming old news now. It's a shame for Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) to outsmart the customer for switching CSD VRS service from ACME VRS (think of Sorenson VRS).

My friend complained about their router and videophone:

I am using Verizon DSL line, with 2-in-1 box of modem and router, I have problem with this. I am able to sending (call) the people on videophone, but I am unable to open receive calls, but it can be saved the log in incoming calls (missed calls) to call them back. I am very frustrated with videophone calls.

I don't have the instruction manual book for the modem/router, and have troubling with Verizon customer service through email for understanding between their router and my videophone.

Videophone connecting several different kinds of the router for functionality through the network (such as IP, firewall, etc.) is not always perfect for all customers. For my question, does videophone work with all routers? How can I know if mine is compatible?

I went Sorenson knowledgebase site to find what router can be compatible with their videophone. They listed 30 names - not enough of brand and machine type that does work/not work with videophone(s).

I believe it needs take more analytics. Because of that, I went Nintendowifi.com site, and I am very impressed with their quality of service - they shown the numerous lists - over 100 wireless routers are compatibility with Nintendo DS WiFi to play wirelessly, and it keeps updating whenever newest wireless router comes out.

If you already own the router for several years and getting videophone that does not support the router - that means you have to be forced (not necessarily) to get router - any D-Link products that are compatibility with videophone. The videophone installer offer free D-Link wired router.

If you prefer to keep your router different from D-Link, you will have hard time to configure the settings for the router to get videophone working correctly.

My blog visitor, Cyndy sent her comment in my previous entry about Dlink and Sorenson Videophone debate, I answered her great questions:

Do you use the Sorenson's VP 100 or D-Link's DVC 1000 all the time? Which one is best VP?
I use Sorenson's VP-100 for now because of there are high capacity number of deaf people in Pittsburgh area use Sorenson and it is easier for me to use Sorenson's videophone number instead IP address. Sorenson has improved the relay service such as eliminating time-waiting list today. I still haven't say which is best because I haven't use D-Link DVC for long time.

I wonder if Sorenson call thru into the D-Link with connection for communicate on video. Is that working out thru or block the connection?
No. If you are Sorenson user to call D-Link user, you need their IP address to call this number. Also Sorenson user unable to call external video relay service such as Sprint Video Relay Service. D-Link user can call any video relay service - external and internal.

I read your storytelling about hackers on Sorenson use IP address, on names in VP Directory. I believe that's true about hackers can prey into the laptop or computer's folders or files. Could those lost anything or damage?
This is possible likely the hacker can find the IP address to access and hack the computer (not include the videophone.) It is mostly likely to be mischievous such as modify changes or delete the files on the computer if you did not set the security settings (such as ant-virus program, internet security) to protect your computer.

Thank you, Cyndy!

I recieved a message in Deaf forums, I thought I could post this here to share with you:

As if you never heard the broadband videophone, please read the previous entry in my blog: VRS: Sorenson vs. Sprint & CSD before reading the entry below. Also, don't forget to read the comments after reading this entry in same page!

Now, I have been using DLink's DVC-1000 for 2 months since I put Sorenson VP-100 into dust. Been using DVC-1000, there is downside of DVC-1000 is the interface design - when I am not on call, I can see myself from self-view window full. When I get on call, the self-view window cuts in half - only I can view myself in the middle, but cannot view myself around borders of self view window. I know it is hard to explain, so I can give you an example of the picture below:

In video settings to change the brightness and contrast; DVC-1000 does not show the video window display while changing the video settings at same time on the screen. You have to make a guess to change how big or small the brightness and contrasts are, and then go back to main window screen to judge yourself to view the better video. If not, you have to go back to video settings to change it, and forth, vice versa. Sorenson's VP-100 also has video window display in video settings. The winner goes to Sorenson VP-100 over DLink's DVC-1000 for friendly interface environment.

There are biggest disadvantage for both DVC-1000 and VP-100: the address list can be store into the videophone. If they are damaged or destroyed, then all of the addresses contact list will be lost. My advice: Use your back-up plan to write down the paper for address lists, in case if something happens.

Well, a short-conclusion: which is better, DVC-1000 or VP-100? In my opinion, if I want better VRS service and doesn't care about better interface, I chose DLink's DVC-1000 over Sorenson's VP-100. You decide.

I have heard two different views between Sorenson and Dlink heating up with debates. I remember what people were saying about them; so I decide to share with you from their words: