bad line on Skype: USB is the culprit

to share my experiences of using skype, I've discovered that the best
quality connections are when both parties are using a PCI card to connect to
the internet. I've found consistently that those using USB connections get
bad quality lines, with the voice dropping out and distorting. This is
probably because usb hogs the processor and doesn't leave much left for
voip.
If you're having consistent bad lines with skype and you're using a usb
device for broadband, bin it and get yourself a router and an ethernet PCI
card.

"tg" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:435a8ac9$0$345$(E-Mail Removed)...
> to share my experiences of using skype, I've discovered that the best
> quality connections are when both parties are using a PCI card to connect
to
> the internet. I've found consistently that those using USB connections get
> bad quality lines, with the voice dropping out and distorting. This is
> probably because usb hogs the processor and doesn't leave much left for
> voip.
> If you're having consistent bad lines with skype and you're using a usb
> device for broadband, bin it and get yourself a router and an ethernet PCI
> card.
>
>
>
Stating the obvious.

"tg" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote ...
> to share my experiences of using skype, I've discovered that the best
> quality connections are when both parties are using a PCI card to connect
to
> the internet. I've found consistently that those using USB connections get
> bad quality lines, with the voice dropping out and distorting. This is
> probably because usb hogs the processor and doesn't leave much left for
> voip.
> If you're having consistent bad lines with skype and you're using a usb
> device for broadband, bin it and get yourself a router and an ethernet PCI
> card.

USB network devices are notoriously poor.

NewUser;\) <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
[...]
> USB network devices are notoriously poor.

I'd go as far as to say that all USB devices are poor.

USB is a compromise interface, designed to replace a variety of more
suitable interfaces with a single idiot-proof connector. It's not
surprising that an interface mainly designed for attaching slow
devices such as keyboards and mice isn't so hot at high-speed
latency-sensitive applications.

--
PGP key ID E85DC776 - finger (E-Mail Removed) for full key

"Nick" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:hHD6f.8096$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "tg" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:435a8ac9$0$345$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> to share my experiences of using skype, I've discovered that the best
>> quality connections are when both parties are using a PCI card to connect
> to
>> the internet. I've found consistently that those using USB connections
>> get
>> bad quality lines, with the voice dropping out and distorting. This is
>> probably because usb hogs the processor and doesn't leave much left for
>> voip.
>> If you're having consistent bad lines with skype and you're using a usb
>> device for broadband, bin it and get yourself a router and an ethernet
>> PCI
>> card.
>>
>>
>>
> Stating the obvious.

maybe to you, but not to 99% of the computer using population it's not.

tg wrote:
> to share my experiences of using skype, I've discovered that the best
> quality connections are when both parties are using a PCI card to connect to
> the internet. I've found consistently that those using USB connections get
> bad quality lines, with the voice dropping out and distorting. This is
> probably because usb hogs the processor and doesn't leave much left for
> voip.
> If you're having consistent bad lines with skype and you're using a usb
> device for broadband, bin it and get yourself a router and an ethernet PCI
> card.
>
>
>
While running a speed test through my USB adaptor, my CPU
usage jumps from 2% to about 5%. A Skype call (not at the
same time) pushes it up to 30%. I'd imagine almost anything
that competes for CPU time could cause a poor connection.
Is it reasonable to scapegoat the USB device? What about
USB-connected Skype-phones?

"Peter" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:435b6b13$0$346$(E-Mail Removed)
> NewUser;\) <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> [...]
> > USB network devices are notoriously poor.
>
> I'd go as far as to say that all USB devices are poor.
>
> USB is a compromise interface, designed to replace a
> variety of more suitable interfaces with a single
> idiot-proof connector. It's not surprising that an
> interface mainly designed for attaching slow devices such
> as keyboards and mice isn't so hot at high-speed
> latency-sensitive applications.

I don't know, USB 2.0 is ok, I have an external hard drive that I use for
backups and the response speed from that isn't so different from my
internal drives. I wouldn't use USB for communications though.

Ivor

"Jim" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> tg wrote:
>> to share my experiences of using skype, I've discovered that the best
>> quality connections are when both parties are using a PCI card to connect
>> to
>> the internet. I've found consistently that those using USB connections
>> get
>> bad quality lines, with the voice dropping out and distorting. This is
>> probably because usb hogs the processor and doesn't leave much left for
>> voip.
>> If you're having consistent bad lines with skype and you're using a usb
>> device for broadband, bin it and get yourself a router and an ethernet
>> PCI
>> card.
>>
>>
>>
> While running a speed test through my USB adaptor, my CPU usage jumps from
> 2% to about 5%. A Skype call (not at the same time) pushes it up to 30%.
> I'd imagine almost anything that competes for CPU time could cause a poor
> connection. Is it reasonable to scapegoat the USB device? What about
> USB-connected Skype-phones?

I use USB and Skype works just fine. Chatting, browsing and doing a few
downloads at the same time - no probs with the calls.

"Jim" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> tg wrote:
>> to share my experiences of using skype, I've discovered that the best
>> quality connections are when both parties are using a PCI card to connect
>> to
>> the internet. I've found consistently that those using USB connections
>> get
>> bad quality lines, with the voice dropping out and distorting. This is
>> probably because usb hogs the processor and doesn't leave much left for
>> voip.
>> If you're having consistent bad lines with skype and you're using a usb
>> device for broadband, bin it and get yourself a router and an ethernet
>> PCI
>> card.
>>
>>
>>
> While running a speed test through my USB adaptor, my CPU usage jumps from
> 2% to about 5%. A Skype call (not at the same time) pushes it up to 30%.
> I'd imagine almost anything that competes for CPU time could cause a poor
> connection. Is it reasonable to scapegoat the USB device?

only way you'd know for yourself is to change your internect connection from
usb to PCI ethernet. My mate changed his from a usb ethernet to pci one, it
made a huge difference on skype.

"Ivor Jones" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote ...
> > > USB network devices are notoriously poor.
> >
> > I'd go as far as to say that all USB devices are poor.
> >
> > USB is a compromise interface, designed to replace a
> > variety of more suitable interfaces with a single
> > idiot-proof connector. It's not surprising that an
> > interface mainly designed for attaching slow devices such
> > as keyboards and mice isn't so hot at high-speed
> > latency-sensitive applications.
>
> I don't know, USB 2.0 is ok, I have an external hard drive that I use for
> backups and the response speed from that isn't so different from my
> internal drives. I wouldn't use USB for communications though.

Agreed I have 3 x USB 2.0 Drives and they are fine. Wouldn't use USB for
much else though.