DSL filters going bad?

[Maverick]

I recently called up qwest.net DSL tech support because my ping times were becoming horrendous while playing CS.

The tech did her basic diagnostic checks (which I had already done). Then she asked me when I got my modem/filters. I told her I'd gotten them about two years ago (aug '99). She said that my problem could be that my DSL filters are too old.

According to her, DSL filters should be replaced once a year because they wear down and stop working eventually. It sounds like garbage to me but I figured I'd ask in here. Is it true?

 

[MichaelD]

Good question. The only things that are in those little boxes are some coils, a resistor and a capacitor. I know that caps can leak....but not only after two years. Hmm...I dunno the exact answer to "do they go bad?".


But, I DO know this; bad filters would have nothing to do w/your ping time or your download speeds. The filters aren't inline with the line that goes to your DSL modem.

All those filters are, are low-pass filters. I believe they pass all frequencies below 10KHz (10,000 Hz) The human voice tops out at around 10KHz (unless you are Mariah Carrey!) so passing any freqs above 10KHz would be kind of pointless. DSL operates at frequencies way above human hearing. The filters ensure that you get no residual static or other noise thru your phone. How is the voice transmission quality on your phones that are hooked to said filters? If you are hearing static or they can't hear you or other stuff like that, then there's a probability that the filters are bad. You could go buy one filter and install it on a phone and check it that way. Good luck.

 

[Maverick]

phone quality is fine, I dunno what that tech was talking about. Thanks for the input though.

 

[MrHelpful]

Isn't Concert A 440Hz? If that's true, then 10KHz would be way too high for voices...