Wireless Headset?

Hello, I've been using voice chat over the internet with friends recently
and was wanting to get a wireless headset so I don't have to sit in front of
the computer to talk with them. Does anyone know of a relatively cheap
wireless headset? The only one I can seem to find is the Planatronics VoIP
set-up, but that is in the $200 range. I can't seem to find anything
cheaper... is there? Thanks a lot!!!
Eric

you want to bone up on "usb bluetooth adapters" $20-$50 and their ranges.
then look at something like the "Logitech Mobile Pro Headset" $80
and you might want to never again post to multiple newsgroups at the same
time

"Eric" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bjZNd.29715$Yu.21003@fed1read01...
> Hello, I've been using voice chat over the internet with friends recently
> and was wanting to get a wireless headset so I don't have to sit in front
of
> the computer to talk with them. Does anyone know of a relatively cheap
> wireless headset? The only one I can seem to find is the Planatronics
VoIP
> set-up, but that is in the $200 range. I can't seem to find anything
> cheaper... is there? Thanks a lot!!!
> Eric
>
>

>The only one I can seem to find is the Planatronics VoIP set-up, but that
>is in the $200 range.

Ridiculous price. You can buy a proper wifi VoIP phone for that sort of
money,
Zyxel 2000W, Senao etc.
Cisco makes them too, but make sure you are sitting down before asking the
price !
Regards,
Martin

On Mon, 7 Feb 2005 23:50:48 -0700, "Eric" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Hello, I've been using voice chat over the internet with friends recently
>and was wanting to get a wireless headset so I don't have to sit in front of
>the computer to talk with them. Does anyone know of a relatively cheap
>wireless headset? The only one I can seem to find is the Planatronics VoIP
>set-up, but that is in the $200 range. I can't seem to find anything
>cheaper... is there? Thanks a lot!!!
> Eric

Can you use an ordinary cordless phone?

Barry

> On Mon, 7 Feb 2005 23:50:48 -0700, "Eric" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>>Hello, I've been using voice chat over the internet with friends recently
>>and was wanting to get a wireless headset so I don't have to sit in front
>>of the computer to talk with them. Does anyone know of a relatively
>>cheap wireless headset? The only one I can seem to find is the
>>Planatronics VoIP set-up, but that is in the $200 range. I can't seem to
>>find anything cheaper... is there? Thanks a lot!!!

I have a Plantronics DSP-400, USB, folding headset.
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/2898224 $70
The audio quality using Skype is astounding, distracting. The other party
sounds like they are in a radio studio. Using Cisco softphone, the audio
is not as good, but still very good quality. It has a mute button and a
volume control on a belt-clip on the line cord. The volume control adjusts
the Windows volume control, not just headset volume.
I find that the folding headset collapses when I set it down, so I have
to fuss with it a bit before I put it on.

The quality of the headphones is good enough that I no longer use standard
headphones to listen to music.

The Plantronics DSP-300 is the same thing, without the folding headset.
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/2898214 $60

I also have Plantronics M-110 over-the-ear over-the-head Headset which
plugs into the speaker and microphone jacks, instead of USB. This is a lot
cheaper, but inconvenient for me, and I don't like the audio quality.
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/2662862 $20

http://www.skype.com free skype-skype peer-peer internet phone, low cost
dialout to normal phones, no calls from normal phones.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 15:33:24 +0000 (UTC),
(E-Mail Removed) wrote:

>The audio quality using Skype is astounding, distracting. The other party
>sounds like they are in a radio studio. Using Cisco softphone, the audio
>is not as good, but still very good quality.

It's more a matter of codecs than headsets. However, USB headsets do
tend to sound better. Skype uses iLBC codec:
http://www.ilbcfreeware.org
Cisco phones can use a variety of codecs, but G.729A is the most
common. The consensus is that iLBC sounds considerably better than
G.729A. iLBC costs less because there are no royalties.

>http://www.skype.com free skype-skype peer-peer internet phone, low cost
>dialout to normal phones, no calls from normal phones.

Also includes keyboard to keyboard instant messaging (which I use when
someone forgets to turn on their audio).


--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831.336.2558 voice http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
# (E-Mail Removed)
# (E-Mail Removed) AE6KS

In alt.internet.wireless Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 15:33:24 +0000 (UTC),
> (E-Mail Removed) wrote:

>>The audio quality using Skype is astounding, distracting. The other party
>>sounds like they are in a radio studio. Using Cisco softphone, the audio
>>is not as good, but still very good quality.

> It's more a matter of codecs than headsets. However, USB headsets do
> tend to sound better. Skype uses iLBC codec:
> http://www.ilbcfreeware.org
> Cisco phones can use a variety of codecs, but G.729A is the most
> common. The consensus is that iLBC sounds considerably better than
> G.729A. iLBC costs less because there are no royalties.

Oh, yes... the Skype audio is far superior to the Cisco Softphone audio.
But the USB with the DSP electronic lump in the cord is superior to the
simple headset that uses my onboard ESS Maestro with either service.

>>http://www.skype.com free skype-skype peer-peer internet phone, low cost
>>dialout to normal phones, no calls from normal phones.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
>http://www.skype.com free skype-skype peer-peer internet phone, low cost
>dialout to normal phones, no calls from normal phones.

Can you set the ports it operates over? I call the Turks & Caicos a
lot, and C&W is blocking Vonage phones from operating there...

On Thu, 31 Mar 2005 07:39:25 -0500, William P. N. Smith wrote:

>(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
>>http://www.skype.com free skype-skype peer-peer internet phone, low cost
>>dialout to normal phones, no calls from normal phones.
>
>Can you set the ports it operates over? I call the Turks & Caicos a
>lot, and C&W is blocking Vonage phones from operating there...

Skype defaults to port 27727 for incoming connections which can be
changed. It also defaults to ports 80 and 443 as alternative ports,
which can also be changed. These will usually take care of any port
blocking. I don't think Cabals and WireLoss is sniffing packet
content or doing traffic analysis, so it should work.


--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 AE6KS 831-336-2558

In alt.internet.wireless William wrote:
> (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
>>http://www.skype.com free skype-skype peer-peer internet phone, low cost
>>dialout to normal phones, no calls from normal phones.

> Can you set the ports it operates over? I call the Turks & Caicos a
> lot, and C&W is blocking Vonage phones from operating there...

There is an options page which includes the ability to select a port for
incoming connections. The default is randomly selected at installation
time. Mine is 2491. There is also a checkbox to use 80 and 443 as
alternatives. Outbound wants to use some port above 1024, but can use 80
and 443. It can also be configured to use a proxy.
http://www.skype.com/help/faq/technical.html

There is also a service that I don't use, called SkypeIn. For 10Euros for
three months you can have a number where people can call into your Skype
phone, located in various countries. The Turks & Caicos aren't on the
list, but it might be handy if you have high speed access while you are in
the islands, and chose a SkypeIn number local to the people you wanted to
have call you. (Or get them to use Skype for free.)

--
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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5