Fax/Modem which is better? Conexant or Lucent?

[toronado455]

There are different levels of hardware support for a modem,
one of the most easily distinguished features of a true
(commonly called) hardware modem is that it needs no driver
support, as that is built into even ancient and crude
operating systems). Although some have an *.INF file
called a driver, it is merely a cosmetic identification
measure, not necessary to get it to work.

This one though, has a winmodem driver, 350K or larger
download (depending on OS) rather than a ~5K INF file.
http://www.encore-usa.com/Drivers/ENF656-EHW-INPR_Driver_XP.zip


Looks like a winmodem to me, and one that costs slightly
more due to having the audio functionality/jacks on it. If
you want jacks, ok, but if not then you can save a couple
bucks and get one that's even smaller (useful if you want
best airflow to cards above, like a video card).




That'd work too, but there was a time when Lucent (Agere)
had the best drivers so I'd probably go with this one,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16825180008
Things change though, maybe the others' drivers are as good
today but it may not even matter, it is only for faxing...

The following is a hardware PCI modem for example,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16825104131

So basically a *real* hard modem isn't going to be $9. That makes
sense. Thanks for the info. I'll probably go for that Agere one.

 

[toronado455]

Update. I saw two modems with the "Hummingbird" brand at Fry's.

One is designated a "Controllerless" modem and has the Agere chip and
costs $15.
http://www.taicom.com/cpebu1/product/modem/ha56c.htm

The other one has the Smartlink chip and is $13.
http://www.taicom.com/cpebu1/product/modem/ms56s.htm

Question: What does "controllerless" mean?

The Taicom web site is very poorly designed. Based on that alone I
don't want to buy either one of those.

And here is one I'm considering that is available on Directron:
http://www.phoebemicro.com/products/LUNAR_EXPRESST.php

 

[kony]

Update. I saw two modems with the "Hummingbird" brand at Fry's.

One is designated a "Controllerless" modem and has the Agere chip and
costs $15.
http://www.taicom.com/cpebu1/product/modem/ha56c.htm

The other one has the Smartlink chip and is $13.
http://www.taicom.com/cpebu1/product/modem/ms56s.htm

Question: What does "controllerless" mean?

The Taicom web site is very poorly designed. Based on that alone I
don't want to buy either one of those.

And here is one I'm considering that is available on Directron:
http://www.phoebemicro.com/products/LUNAR_EXPRESST.php

IMO, you are splitting hairs, they're all pretty similar and
only $10 or so. Once upon a time, how much hardware assist
it had mattered more as CPUs were slower, but today it's
more a matter of entire hardware modem (thus supports all
operating systems) or winmodem (only windows support though
main now have Linux drivers too... you'll have to research
that for any particular chipset if it's important).

I wouldn't be concerned about the Taicom web site though,
the modem itself is probably extremely similar to the
phoebemicro link you posted next... and in general, you
would be better off with a chipset supported by the chipset
manufacturer, as an unknown/generic/relabeled chip might be
harder to find drivers for later (for Windows Vista, for
example, if Vista didn't happen to have winmodem support
which it might for the most popular chips).

 

[Rod Speed]

Update. I saw two modems with the "Hummingbird" brand at Fry's.

One is designated a "Controllerless" modem
and has the Agere chip and costs $15.
http://www.taicom.com/cpebu1/product/modem/ha56c.htm

The other one has the Smartlink chip and is $13.
http://www.taicom.com/cpebu1/product/modem/ms56s.htm

Its pointless obsessing about items that are that cheap, they'll both work fine.

Question: What does "controllerless" mean?

That is what handles the AT commands etc that you dont
even see anymore. Very reasonable way to do a modem.

The Taicom web site is very poorly designed. Based
on that alone I don't want to buy either one of those.

Thats a lousy way to choose a modem now that the technology is so mature.

And here is one I'm considering that is available on Directron:
http://www.phoebemicro.com/products/LUNAR_EXPRESST.php

Either of the first two are fine.