Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. Communications Division SupraSonic 288V+ / 336V+ PC Frequently Asked Questions 10/2/96 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Will the SupraSonic work internationally? A: The SupraSonic 336V+ will operate in phone systems of similar design to the United States and Canada. However, each country has its own design requirements for compliance with their respective phone systems. As of this FAQ release, no PTT approvals outside North America exist for the SupraSonic line. Q: Will Caller ID pass through the computer itself? A: Assuming that the Caller ID service has been activated by the phone company, the stream can be passed through our modem and into a stand-alone Caller ID box or phone. Due to the line load necessary, we recommend that the Caller ID snooping be turned off in the modem to correctly pass it to the external phone/box. Q: Will the SupraSonic work with Windows NT? A: The SupraSonic 336V+ PC version is designed to operate with the Windows 3.1x and Windows '95 operating systems. You should be able to define and select the modem through the Control Panel and expect the hardware to perform. The included software is not designed for Windows NT and will not operate as expected. Diamond has not performed extensive testing of the Windows NT operating system with the SupraSonic products. Q: Can I upgrade the SupraSonic 288V+ PC to support 33.6Kbps? A: The SupraSonic 288V+ PC version is able to be upgraded to support the 33.6Kbps data mode via the Flash ROM. The released Flash ROM is available now through electronic distribution. Q: Does the SupraSonic offer Simultaneous Voice and Data? (ASVD or DSVD) A: No. The SupraSonic allows for voice or data on the line at a given time. At this time, no open, interoperable standard exists for Simultaneous Voice and Data - current modems touting DSVD are proprietary and will only talk with another modem of same model. We do not expect the current SupraSonic models (V+) to support either a V.61/V.34Q (ASVD) or V.70 (DVSD) standards without major hardware changes. Q: Does the SupraSonic offer a full-duplex speakerphone? A: The SupraSonic 336V+ provides voice communications through the included headset or message playback through external speakers. Our SupraExpress 336i Sp includes a full-duplex speakerphone for hands-free communications. Q: Does the SupraSonic support Silent Answer? A: Yes. Q: What version of FaxTalk Messenger is included? A: FaxTalk Messenger v3.0 is included with the PC unit. We will periodically release updates with new versions of software. Due to our licensing agreement with Thought Communications, we can not provide these updates electronically. Our technical support staff can resolve issues that may have been handled through a newer software release. Q: Does the SupraSonic play my audio CD while on hold? A: Music on hold would require some physical connection between your sound card and the SupraSonic. The Diamond TeleCommander audio/telephony card supports this function since both the sound card and the modem are built into the same card. Q: Will the Flash ROM upgrade the speed of the SupraSonic 288V+ PC unit? A: Yes, the Flash ROM provides support for additional speed enhancements that can be downloaded as available. The current flasher is available on our web site. Q: When you record a message, can you use the telephone or only the included microphone? A: You can record via the included headset, a microphone, or a telephone handset connected to the SupraSonic. Q: Can I forward calls with the SupraSonic? A: The FaxTalk Messenger software for the PC supports Call Forwarding by use of the Flash function. This service must be purchased from your regional Bell operating company, or be a part of your phone system. If you support the Flash function, it can be issued through FaxTalk, a dial tone will be heard and the new number can be entered. The call is then passed to that new number. This can be accomplished at any mailbox. Q: Can I save Caller ID information into a database by name and number? A: Applications that support Caller ID and are able to perform this function (call tracking software, personal information manager, etc) can use the SupraSonic to complete it. This is not supported in FaxTalk Messenger. Q: Does the SupraSonic work with other FAX, Voice, and Data software? A: Under Windows 3.1, specify the COM port and other modem settings where the SupraSonic resides. Under Windows '95, select the SupraSonic 336V+ as the Current Device in the application. Q: Can the SupraSonic be setup as a Fax on Demand Server? A: The FaxTalk Messenger program for the PC allows you to create document selections in any number of mailboxes. Each mailbox can be assigned a voice greeting if necessary. Mailboxes can be setup to send a series of documents or to specify a single document with a 1-9 keypress. The caller needs to be on a FAX machine handset or a FAX/modem to use the FAX on Demand options. Q: What is the voice sampling rate? A: The voice is sampled at 7200bps. FaxTalk Messenger can compress the voice using 2, 4, or 8 bit ADPCM compression. These samplings are listed as Low, Medium, and High Quality recordings and are user selectable. Higher quality equates to more disk space usage per second. Disk space consumption will average 1.5k - 5.0k per second of recording. High Quality recordings are comparable to digital answering machines and PBX systems. Q: Can the SupraSonic distinguish between voice and FAX calls? A: Yes. The SupraSonic 336V+ auto-discriminates the incoming call and can pass an inbound FAX beyond the voice messaging system and store it to the hard disk. Q: If I'm using the modem and a phone call comes in, will the SupraSonic be able to answer it? A: Like a standard phone, when in use, additional callers will hear a busy signal. Call Waiting services can be used to help inform you of other inbound calls, but to a modem, this sounds like a lost connection, and will hang up the modem. Q: Does the SupraSonic work with a 2-line telephone? A: You can attach a 2-line telephone to the SupraSonic 336V+, however, the second line signals are not passed through the modem. There is no advantage of adding this to the SupraSonic. Q: Does the SupraSonic support the AT+V commands? A: Yes, as a voice modem, the SupraSonic supports the extended AT voice commands. Q: Does the SupraSonic support Unimodem or Unimodem/V under Windows '95? A: Yes. The SupraSonic includes .INF files supporting the universal modem driver (Unimodem) and voice extensions (Unimodem/V) for Windows '95. These files tell applications what functions are available on the modem and how they will respond to commands. Unimodem drivers are the TAPI drivers for modems. Q: What are the major differences between the SupraFAXModem 288e and the SupraSonic 336V+? A: The SupraSonic provides voice support for receipt of voice messages and answering machine functionality, a 32-character LCD panel describing the operations of the modem, and a significant jump in data throughput performance. Q: Can I select a phone number/person to dial from the computer then pick up the handset and talk? A: Yes. The dialer application includes a phone book where the number can be selected. Dialing progress will be heard through the included headset or attached speaker. At any time during the call, you could pick up the handset and continue the conversation. Q: Are there plans to release an internal version of the SupraSonic 336V+? A: At this time, we do not have plans to release an internal version of this model. Future SupraSonic products are being looked at with both internal and external versions. Q: Can you tell if someone has picked up their messages? A: From the system where the SupraSonic is installed, any or all mailboxes can be viewed with their activity. Q: What color is the SupraSonic 336V+? A: The SupraSonic 336V+ is enclosed in a black aluminum case. Four rubber feet are mounted to the bottom of the chassis. The power switch is located on the front of the modem for easy access. Q: Where do I connect the SupraSonic 336V+ to? A: SupraSonic 336V+ connects to a 25-pin serial port. You can use a 9-to-25 modem adapter if you only have a nine-pin serial port connector available. Q: Is the included PC software 16- or 32-bit? A: FaxTalk Messenger is a 16-bit application. This allows it to run under both Windows 3.1x and Windows '95. A 32-bit printer driver is included to support Windows '95 printing. Q: How many mailboxes can be created? A: The PC version supports over 10,000 mailboxes for voice and FAX. Q: Can I use a separately purchased headset? A: You can use any headset which provides a single 2mm jack similar to the one on the included headset. Since the SupraSonic is tuned for the headset we provide, Diamond can not guarantee the quality or function of other devices attached to this jack. Q: Does FaxTalk Messenger store the Caller ID information for future use? A: The current release of FaxTalk Messenger does not store the Caller ID information, rather it is displayed during the call on the modem LCD panel and in the call alert pop-up box. We are looking at future enhancements to the software which will incorporate this option. --- End of FAQ --