Paradise WaveCom 56K Modem Pro Review

Date: 12th December 98 by Jereme Wong

- The Good - The Bad - Test System Configuration - Conclusion - Rating - Other reviews

Paradise has all along been known as a company that manufactures display card right from the days when we are still talking about CGA or EGA display. However, in recent years, faced with the increasing competition from Taiwan companies that manufacture cheaper display cards, Paradise decides to market computer memory chips, central processing units and other basic computer components through their subsidiary Paradise Innovations. In addition, they market a proprietary line of computer peripherals, under the Paradise Brand Name, including PC conferencing products, multimedia products and modems. WAVECOM 56 MODEM PRO is one of the few modems marketed by Paradise Innovations. Using Lucent's V.90 Venus chip set, it is one of the first official manufacturers of the new Lucent modem which takes voice/fax calls even when the computer is turned off. As stated in the October 14, 1998 issue of the PC WORLD, Mr. Eric Brown stated that "Soho users often ignore the fax and voice features built into their modems in favor of stand-alone fax and answering machines. The issue is not so much quality and features as it is availability--most users shut down their PC's at night, which means shutting down voice and fax connections as well. The modems can even be programmed to initiate a voice call to notify remote users when a message has arrived. Features built into the Venus chip set include support for full-duplex speakerphone, caller ID, call waiting, and caller ID on call waiting." With this much to offer, isn't this modem just too good to be true? Let's find out!

 

These are the contents of the box:

• (1) 56K External Modem PRO
• (1) Data/Fax/Voice Communications Software

• (1) CD-ROM with Software Driver and User Manual

• (1) RJ 11 Telephone Cable
• (1) RS 232 Serial Cable
• (1) Power Adapter

The Good

The All in One Modem

The modem comes packaged in a solid white box which includes the installation drivers in CD-ROM version and also a 9 or 25 pins RS232 serial cable. Measuring at approximately 18cm by 14cm, the WaveCom 56K Modem Pro is almost squarish in shape. With a few buttons like play, fast forward, rewind, just to name a few, the modem looks like a typical answering machine except for that row of LEDs at the side of it that gives it away.

Setting up the modem was a breeze. With the help of the Quick Setup manual that comes with the modem, I could get a internet connection within ten minutes of installation. Designed to be plug and play, Windows 98 detected the modem immediately. After searching for the various drivers found on the CD-ROM, the WaveCom 56K Modem Pro was setup without much difficulties. However, one point to take note is that in order for proper 56K internet connection, the country code for the modem must be recognised. This is done under the Control Panel/Modem/Properties/Connection/Advanced folder. Add in under the "Extra Settings" input box "%T19, 0, countrycode" where the country code is given in the chart that comes with the modem. After this step, you are ready to have a proper V.90 56K connection with your individual ISP. On average, I could achieve a decent connection of 50K with both Singnet and Pacific Net ISPs.

Like most other modems in the market, the WaveCom 56K has the ability to send or receive faxes. However, unlike any other modems that need a PC to be turn on to receive fax, the WaveCom 56K is able to receive fax or voicemail without having to turn on your PC! This is made possible by storing the faxes as data in the memory chip of the modem, allowing the user to download the faxes at a convenient time to the PC or to the printer direct.

The modem also doubles up as an answering machine. With 2MB of RAM onboard, you can record about an average of 2-minute total of voice messages. Also, with the utility program that comes with the modem, you are able to fully customise the languages for the greeting messages recorded when the modem acts as an answering machine. With a wide selection of languages like, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Chinese, UK English and American English, the installation of the preferred language is as easy as clicking the "Update" button found on the utility program. In addition, you can also record your own greeting message into the modem.

Some of the screenshots by the utility that comes with the modem

The WaveCom 56K Modem Pro allows you to access the voice mail messages from remote places. By just calling your Modem Pro phone number from any remote place, and then pressing the "#" key, you will enter into the Remote Access System. The system will then request you for a 4 digit PIN code. After which, you will hear the number of stored messages/faxes together with the caller alert status. The system will then carry on to play back the voice messages. There is also a "Call Alert" feature on the modem to notify you of any new incoming fax or messages.

Lastly, the modem also acts as a hands free speakerphone. With an external mic and speaker output found on the back of the modem, you can connect one of those headphone sets that comes with a mic attached so that you can use your computer and talk on the phone at the same time, without the need to physically hold the phone with your hand. Talk about convenience!

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The Bad

The present version of the WaveCom 56K comes with a standard 2MB RAM on board. It does not provide an upgrade at the moment. Perhaps Paradise will look into this and provide an upgrade path to the memory in the near future. Another thing to note is that the internal speaker is not really clear once the volume is turn up. The sensitivity of the on board mic is also relatively low. However, these two problems could be solved using external mic input or a better speaker output. Last on the list is that the modem does not have any RD/SD indicator LEDs. There is only a CON LED indicating whether the modem is connected online. Apart from the little connection icon found on the windows taskbar, there is no physical indication on the modem itself to tell whether the modem is sending or receiving data.

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