8x8 Packet8 VoIP Service with DV326 VideoPhone
By: 8x8, Inc. Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 10
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 On: 2007-12-10
Ive had this phone and service since it became available, and its really great. The phone is configurable to match with your connection environment, so if you have a superior or crappy ISP you can easily adjust the phones settings for the best experience.
I bought two of these phones when they first came out, and paid accordingly (ouch!) but it was because I had taken a position several states away from my fiancé, who was busy completing an internship at school. So, it was long-distance relationship time.
I found that very few people have even used a video phone, and were either interested or dead set against the whole idea. The folks against it seem to have an attitude forged by watching too much science fiction over how video phones are used, rather than from direct experience. Let me describe video VoIP, at least how we used our phones.
First, these phones have an excellent hands-free microphone so we could walk around within typical earshot and still hold a normal conversation. An external audio jack provided with the phone allows for additional speakers, but we never needed them as the phones speaker is quite excellent as is.
More importantly, this phone is equipped with external video jacks, both input and output, the output side of which we connected to inexpensive projector systems.
The end result is a blank wall in my remote apartment became a full-size extension of her apartment several states away, and visa versa. It was terrific, as we could study together like we were in the same place.
In the movies, people are staring into a little LCD screen and talking to it. Thats silly after about the first 2 minutes. Also, folks think the calls are just like from a cell or land line. Thats even more silly, as Video VoIP conversations for us anyway typically lasted several hours, and sometimes I would go into another room to play X-Box while she was on the cell with her mom. It made no difference; it was like she was in the next room...I could look into the next room to see when she was done arguing (I mean, talking) with her mom, in between sets of Counter Strike and Doom3.
On the technical side, setting up the phone couldnt be easier as it will automatically configure itself on your network with DHCP. The device also has a nice network configuration menu to switch between DHCP (automatic) and manual network settings. Ive used both and they work fine, and now use a static address for DNS name resolution by my telemetry gathering (syslog) servers, making the telemetry easier to sort and evaluate. These settings are also available for review and setting through the phones built-in web site. Additionally, the firmware takes care of updating itself from Packet8, though you also have the option to do so yourself.
Basically, use the phone the way that it suits your life, not the way other people expect you to use it, or any of that sci-fi induced crapola. And the more external audio / video connection options a given phone has the more you will be able to do with it in that regard. Might want to keep that in mind, no matter what phone you decide on.
Five stars...I love this phone : )
On: 2007-10-17
This phone is truly a remarkable piece of technology that has connected me with my friends and family like never before. The video is in real time and the sound is just like a regular telephone. You can even connect a DVD player or a camcorder to the unit to play back family videos to the other party on their video phone. I highly recommend getting this phone not only because of the video capabilities, but also because it is cheaper than regular home phone service! This is a definate winner in my book!
 On: 2007-06-25
Customer service is atrocious. Numerous e-mails with a simple billing question went unanswered and, like a previous poster I was billed for service for several months after I had ported my number to another provider, notwithstanding that there was no longer a phone number assigned to my Packet8 account.
Prior to transferring service I had numerous technical problems (which was why I dropped service) - STAY AWAY!!!
On: 2007-05-05
Forget the complaints. The customer service has been excellent for the 2+ years that Ive had service. Video and audio quality have been great as well.
I carry the phone in a small case when I travel, just plug it into an ethernet port and it self-configures. In 30 seconds or so Im up and running. I use it to make hundreds of calls (including my ex-wife in Canada) at no extra cost. Packet8 owns the technology and they charge less. Sure they should advertise, but if they did theyd have to charge what Vonage charges.
Keep in touch and SEE your family members, old friends...this is a no brainer.
On: 2006-05-25
I have had this phone for 2 months now. Buying from Amazon was a $50 less expensive than buying from Packet8. Set-up and registration was no problem. Audio quality is exccellent-equivalent to my landline. Video quality is generally excellent. At times it slows due to my wifes basic DSL connection. I communicate daily with my wife in Mexico City, Mexico who has another DV326. Neither of us has had any problems. Our savings utilizing VOIP will be considerable-$75-$100 per month.
On: 2006-05-13
Beware, while the equipment works alright, the customer service is atrocious. I had packet8 service for several months and decided to go back to a standard landline for quality and bundling issues. I ported my number, and called the cancel my packet8 service. I believed everything was taken care of. Packet8 billed me for 5 subsequent months after the number was ported out, and even after escalating the issue to their supervisors, they refuse to give me credit for the service fees even though there was no number on the account on which to use the service.
If you choose to purchase this product, you are warned, you are dealing with an unscrupulous company that is so happy with their terms and conditions that they cannot use reasoning to make a decision.
On: 2006-01-01
I have had Packet8 for over a year now and have had the same problems that you would expect from any established telco. Meaning that I have been without service for a half hour, once the entire year. A call to their tech support was answered immediately and I was informed that they were updating some routes. Problem was fixed 30 mins later. This is our primary telephone service, and I have our box wired into the whole house so all of the lines are live. Packet8 uses the least amount of bandwidth of any VOIP carrier and the quality is better than traditional POTS. Here is what it all comes down to folks with all of the VOIP carriers. If you have a bad broadband connection, then you will have a bad VOIP experience. If you have a bad experience with Packet8, which again uses the LEAST amount of bandwidth, then you will have more problems with any of the other VOIP providers. The people who complain about the VOIP all complain about voice quality issues which has nothing to do with the VOIP carrier and everything to do with the 50 splitters you installed on the cable line that your dog regularly chews. So make sure you have a excellent broadband connection before you think of trying any VOIP service. Then get Packet8.
On: 2005-08-24
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SUMMARY: VOIP is great for second lines, but not your primary line. At just $19.99 per month, Packet8 is cheap, but the audio quality is poor and customer service is terrible. If you want better quality, Vonage has much better sound quality and marginally better customer service for $29.99 per month.
REVIEW: There are a number of companies that offer the ability to use your broadband internet connection to give you a telephone jack that you can plug your regular phone into. This technology is known as Voice Over IP, or VOIP for short. When you sign up, you get an adaptor you hook up to your internet connection and to a regular telephone. When it works properly, you can pick-up your phone and make calls just like you normally might, but the call gets routed over the internet.
A lot has been said about using VOIP as your primary phone line, but Id sum it up this way: Dont use VOIP as your primary phone line. VOIP lines can go down for many reasons, including power failures, internet outages, or VOIP network problems. But, if you want a feature-laden second-line, VOIP is the only way to go.
The technology is a fantastic idea and is loaded with great features, including the ability to get a telephone number in just about any area code, even if it is nowhere near where you live. Most VOIP providers give you the ability to have more than one number (in different area codes if you want) ring to the same line. They also provide caller ID, call-waiting, call-waiting caller ID, three way calling, call forwarding (including forwarding to multiple numbers at the same time), voicemail, and, some include the ability to transfer calls. These features are usually free, along with unlimited local and long distance calling. You can also take the adaptor with you when you travel and plug it into any internet connection (such as at a hotel) anywhere in the world, and use your phone to call anywhere in the U.S. for free.
Ive tried Packet8 (this one) as well as Vonage.
Because the quality of the audio is very important to me, I was very disappointed with Packet8s performance. The voice quality sounds noticeably computerized. I also use Vonage, which charges more per month, but has audio quality which matches a traditional telephone line. Vonage also has the ability to reduce the sound quality if you want to reduce the bandwidth required, while Packet8 offers no option to increase the sound quality.
I also found that Packet8s support was terrible. I wanted to find out if the sound quality I was experiencing was the result of a defect or just a characteristic of the service. So, I called Packet8s "24-hour" support line. Although I placed my call at 1:30 a.m. and several times later in the morning and the following afternoon, I always reached an answering service who could do nothing other than take a message and promise a return call. The return call never came. In my view, a 24-hour answering service does not qualify as "24-hour" support, even if the calls had been returned.
I also sent several e-mails complaining about the sound quality, and the only response that I got asked me to send another e-mail if I wanted support. I did, but it was never returned.
I finally called Packet8s main number and asked to speak to a manager. The switchboard operator transferred me to a line that nobody answered. When I called back, she transferred me to a voicemail. When I called back again, she transferred me to a very rude person who insisted upon finding all of my e-mails before he would help me. When I suggested that he help me first, and find the e-mails later, he hung up on me.
I called again and the operator transferred me to the director of technical supports voicemail, where I left a message promising to cancel my service if I didnt get a return call. Five minutes later, I got a call from a senior technical support representative who said that he was asked to call me by the director of technical support. He called me on my regular phone line from a Packet8 line in their headquarters. The call had the same mechanized quality that my Packet8 line had, which led me to conclude the audio problems are normal.
All that said, if you wont need support, and you dont mind the digitized sound quality of Packet8, you cant beat the price. If you want better quality, Vonage (which you can buy at Amazon.com) offers better quality at a higher price.
On: 2005-07-28
I have been a Packet 8 VOIP customer for 1 1/2 years. We use the VIDEOPHONE from Packet8 for Video Conferencing in USA & CANADA at out 4 offices. THE PRODUCT WORKS GREAT! We have 72 VIDEOPHONES installed in the 4 offices. We have tried the other providers as well.... but found them more costly and WEAKER Technology. BEST BUY FOR CHEAP SMALL BUSINESS VIDEO-CONFERENCING.
On: 2005-02-10
Hi, I have been a packet8 customer for almost 2 years now. I love the service from Packet8, ... and I have tried the other providers as well. I have had voice for a while and love it, and decided to purchase the video phone since Grandma/Grandpa want to see there new grandkids. We love it! I also used Packet8 coupon code "gateshare" from http://www.gateshare.com to save $20. The site has a lot of useful information. I will never go back to the Plain old telephone system.
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