Fax Modems

Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1992 20:10:31 -0800 From: Justin D. Bukowski <jdb@ocf.Berkeley.EDU> Subject: [*] Fax modem answers I received several responses to my questions about Fax modems for the Macintosh. I've compiled them in the following report, and I've included another report written by Mark Scrivener, a poster on comp.dcom.modems, about a poll he took between the Supra V.32bis and the ZyXEL U-1496 (also V.32bis). Mark, in turn, included a report from Paul E. Platt on a modem "shootout" between the Supra, ZyXEL, Gateway Telepath, and Zoom. Also discussed in Paul's report are the Practical Peripherals, Courier HST Dual, AT&T and Motorola modems, though he didn't test them. Thanks to Yoshio Turner for sending me Mark's report. My original post to the digest follows: >Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1992 23:45:53 -0800 >From: Justin D. Bukowski <jdb@ocf.Berkeley.EDU> >Subject: Fax modem info/reviews wanted > >I've become interested in purchasing a modem with at least >send fax capability. Receiving might be nice, too. I'd like a >source of information and/or reviews on what's available. I've >looked in the archives and found some recommendations but I'd like >to know more. Some specific questions: > >How are fax modems different from normal modems? Software only or >do they have special hardware? (ROMs, etc?) >Are they reliable for transmission? What about receiving? >How does speed compare to a stand-alone fax machine? >What software is available? Recommendations? >Can a modem be set up to pick up on incoming calls, scan for a fax >transmission signal, and if none, let the call through to an >answering machine? If so, what software and hardware is required? > >Please reply through e-mail or to the digest. Pointers to discussions >on the net or in the Mac magazines would be appreciated. If I get >a decent amount of information I'll compile a report for the archives. > >Thanks. >Justin Bukowski jdb@ocf.berkeley.edu I was really looking for answers to my questions and not recommendations on what to buy, since there are already some reports in the archives on just that (/info-mac/report/fax-modems.txt, /info-mac/report/ inexpensive-modems.txt, also a nice report on modems in general is /info-mac/report/modem-guide-10.txt) but it seems that the offerings change rapidly so I'm grateful to those who included their opinions. First, the six responses to my post: (begin replies) ******************** >From: i6bk@odin.cc.pdx.edu (Brian Korver) > How are fax modems different from normal modems? Software only or > do they have special hardware? (ROMs, etc?) Both. That is, you need the firmware to communicate in the FAX modem format. Plus you need the software to print/receive faxes. > Are they reliable for transmission? What about receiving? Some people have no trouble, some people have lots of trouble. Whatever, you can get a FAX modem now as cheap as non-FAX modems so it doesn't make much sense to not buy one. The computer modem part of them should be just as…