OCplus News Post
.......MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA

                                

NetComm InModem 56 [internal PCI modem ]

July 27-2002

SPONSORS

Features & Benefits:
NOW with V.92 fast connect*

The InModem 56k connection delivers high-speed voice, data and fax transmission. The InModem ( LUCENT CHIPSET ) has an on board DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for better CPU (Central Processing Unit) performance.

 

  • Dual V.90 and K56Flex
  • User Friendly Plug and Play
  • Data, Fax, voice modem
  • Includes desktop faxing and voice software

to achieve V.92 connectivity, your ISP must support it. If not, the modem reverts to 56K V.90

The above : from the Netcomm web .

Well ive been using this modem for the last week on my computer and let me tell you it wipes the floor with my swannsmart turbo external modem . For a long time ive held the view that internal ( pci ) modems were inferior to external modems , due to there price , and the fact that they relied somewhat on the computer ( cpu etc ) to function correctly . Well no more , there is nothing like actually using one and seeing what it can do first hand , to set you straight . So far ive tested 3 Drivers with this modem , the original as supplied with the modem , the 8.10 Drivers , available from Netcomm and a third driver from Agere 8.22 . I must say that WinXp took to the 8.22 drivers like a duck to water and I have gotten the best connections ever with Iprimus and at 50.200BPS or 52000BPS time in time out . The 8.10 drivers from Netcomm were also equally stable but some times there would be the dreaded double hand shake and the resulting 32000BPS connection speed , with both Win98 and XP .

With the InModem 56 my connections to iprimus have been a lot more stable than with my SwannSmart Turbo Ext modem , the SSt being dropped by ( iprimus ? ) at least 2 times a day at the worst possible moment , as well I have never been able to get the SSt to actually work with iprimus and Windows 2000 and XP , I dont know why , but with both win2000 and XP the modem just rang out , never connecting to the server , well , no such problems with the Netcomm InModem 56 I can happily say . Though to date , win XP seems to be the more stable platform for surfing the web ( yet to lose the connection ) whilst Win98 still suffers from server drop outs , again at the worst possible moment , even with the Agere 8.22 drivers . 

Conclusion:

The time Ive spent with the Netcomm inModem 56 has only been a week , but it has certainly impressed me with its stability , and compatibility , running smoothly ( and better than my external modem ) with 2 operating systems ( dual boot ) Win98SE and WinXP . I beleave that the price on this modem Retail is under $50 ( under $40 at some )  from many computer outlets , and for that kind of money , well that makes this Modem one hell of a value for money deal , and if you log on at Netcomm and register your modem purchase online , you can extend the warranty on this modem from one year to three years , now that ain't too shabby at all . Since the Agere 8.22 drivers are not official for this modem ( they are official Agere pci Lucent Chipset Drivers ) and its use at you own risk , Im not going to give you a direct link to AGERE .. Even though they work so well with WinXP its not funny , I can tell you that a simple yahoo search will reward your efforts if you need to try the 8.22drivers .

I have nothing bad to say about this internal modem at all , it has given me no problems at all , and has only rewarded me with trouble free operation ( one more thing , dialing in , now get connected first time , every time , a new experience for me , as with my ext modem it took at least 3 attempts ) so I hope you all will understand when I give the Netcomm InModem 56 10 out of 10 , for being a serious value for money product , and one that I can recommend as a good / cheap product , and  its not too often you can use cheap and good in the same sentence, but this is one of those rare occasions , well done Netcomm .  

Matt Korhonen