Final thoughts, links and HEXUS.right2reply
[Please note that, as a result of further tests, another page follows this one and contains our final final conclusions]
At a glance
Pros
* Inexpensive
* Potentially VERY useful and a great enhancement to Skype
* Compact size
* Potentially VERY useful and a great enhancement to Skype
* Compact size
Cons
* Doesn't work reliably in
any situation we tried
* Doesn't work with wired phones out of the box - optional (and not easy to find) adaptors may do the trick but not yet tested
* Doesn't work with some DECT phones out of the box - optional (and not easy to find) adaptors may do the trick but not yet tested
* Drivers not Windows Logo approved
* Doesn't work with wired phones out of the box - optional (and not easy to find) adaptors may do the trick but not yet tested
* Doesn't work with some DECT phones out of the box - optional (and not easy to find) adaptors may do the trick but not yet tested
* Drivers not Windows Logo approved
After making and taking a lot of calls, we've had to conclude that the D-Link DPH-50U that we were sent doesn't work reliably.
If we wanted to be charitable (though in truth, we don't much feel like it,) we might add the rider, "at least when used with the NTL DECT phone".
Trouble is, we were never able to use it with any other phone. That's because it's not possible to connect wired phones to the D-Link box without using adaptors - and none are included in pack. And, as we've also made clear, we found that our second DECT phone, the BT Synergy 2110, was incompatible with the D-Link, too - though we're going to try to get it working when we've acquired the necessary adaptors.
We'd probably be perfectly justified to say at this stage, "Steer well clear of the DPH-50U until you hear that D-Link has come up with MkII hardware and software that work reliably".
But, we're not prepared to say that at the moment, even though, when we google for user reviews of the product, it's clear that our problems are far from uncommon.
However, although we now think that the issues may relate to USB and the D-Link's excessive power requirements, we're not going to be 100 per cent convinced that the lack of reliability is totally down to D-Link until we've put other phones in place of the DECT model we used.
So, for now, our advice is, "Definitely don't buy but, instead, wait and see".
We'll test the D-Link with some other phones - assuming the adaptors do the trick - and will update this review soon after.
We're also planning to review the two other Skype USB adaptors showcased last month and expect one of them, the USRobotic 9620, to turn up shortly.
By trying that competing and directly comparable USRobotics product - and by using other phones - we might be able to give the D-Link something approaching a clean bill of health.
Truth is, though, what we're expecting is that we'll then be in a position to condemn D-Link's MkI implementation whole-heartedly.
Watch this space.
[Please note that the intermediate conclusions above have been superseded. Check out the next page - Final final thoughts - Aug 3 update]
Thoughts on this review? Share them with us over in the HEXUS.community.
HEXUS.links
HEXUS.community - discussion thread about this reviewHEXUS.headline - report from June's Skype showcase
HEXUS.lifestyle.review - MSI StarCam 370i
HEXUS.headline - Carphone Warehouse reveals details of 'free' broadband - it's war!
Skype - rates for SkyeOut calls
Skype - rates for sending text messages
Skype - software version history (Windows)
Wikipedia - entry about Skype
MoneySavingExpert.com - pricing call-checker service
HEXUS Where2Buy
It's possible that you'll be able to find some online reseller offering the D-Link for less than the £35.66 all-up price that we discovered at RL Supplies. If you do, be sure to let us know in the HEXUS.community.For the socket adaptors, we'd heartily recommend LinITX.com whose prices for both are very reasonably. Better still, the company's selection of delivery charges include first-class postage - in our view the appropriate option for low-cost items - which is charged at close to cost, rather than having a big markup on top as seems all too typical with many online retailers.
HEXUS Right2Reply
At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If D-Link's's representatives choose to do so, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.[Please note that the intermediate conclusions above have been superseded. Check out the next page - Final final thoughts - Aug 3 update]
