HELP NEEDED >> Fastest Computer Modem for Sending Faxes

pradeep1

Golden Member
Jun 4, 2005
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Hello all,

We have a server in our office running the crappy but useful WinFax Pro 10 on it. We routinely send out about 1500-2000 faxes a month. Right now, the fax modem is an elcheapo one I bought from Newegg, and it maxes out fax transfer at 14,400 baud (I know, the horror).

I do know that fax machines say they can receive at 33,000 baud. If this is correct, where can I find a fax modem that will let me send out faxes at that speed?

Any and all help is appreciated.
 

zephyrprime

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
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I don't think Newegg's info is correct. Look for a modem that supports v.34bis which is the 33.6kbps standard. But be aware that many fax machines in use are older and cannot receive data at that speed. Also, there are newer compression methods used in newer fax machines and that is very important to getting higher fax speed.
 

zephyrprime

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
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And there are also some fax machines that are network capable I believe. You may want to look into that.
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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I don't know of a fax/modem that can do over 14.4 - I don't think there are too many fax machines out there that can do more than that either, though there are some. You might consider switching fax software as WinFax is typical Symantec bloatware that uses much more resources than necessary.
. Try HotFax Message Center 6 from SmithMicro.com with your fax/modem.

. Then there are the Brother MFC series - many of them have the 33.6 Super G3 modems in them. And Brother has some of the best networking of any of the all-in-ones (all have wired network connectors and some have wireless built-in as well (and some that don't have wireless have optional wireless adapters) - just about every function is networkable. As a result, the software for the Brothers is a bit more complex.

Remember, you can't send faxes faster than the machine on the other end can receive, so most often you'll be running at 9600 bps or 14.4kbps regardless of how fast. And the complexity of the doc you are sending also affects the apparent speed as the doc image has to be converted into a .BMP type of image to be transmitted by fax.

.b.h.
 

pradeep1

Golden Member
Jun 4, 2005
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Thanks guys for the info. I actually have a Brother MFC8820DN in the office, and it has one of those fancy 33k modems, so I was assuming most decent fax machines would as well. Maybe I need to hook up Winfax to use the modem in that machine.

For using Winfax, I know it sucks, but it is the only one I know that has all the features that we need. I wish Symantec never bought out Delrina....maybe then we'd have Winfax v20.0 by now. But I'll check out the other software you suggested.
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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I guess I was editing/adding to the post just above yours as you were posting. Yeah, give HFMC6 a try. It's cheap so you won't be out much if it doesn't work out. www.BlackIce.com also has some good faxing software.

.bh.
 

pradeep1

Golden Member
Jun 4, 2005
1,099
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Thanks for the heads up. I'll check both of them out.


Originally posted by: Zepper
I guess I was editing/adding to the post just above yours as you were posting. Yeah, give HFMC6 a try. It's cheap so you won't be out much if it doesn't work out. www.BlackIce.com also has some good faxing software.

.bh.