FAQ

The best way to tell is to consult the phone systems documentation or in a corporate environment to call your company's teleservices department. Here is additional information to help you determine the type of phone system.

Analog phones are used for public switched telephone networks plain old telephone service (POTS) from Ma Bell. However, some private exchanges support analog telephones, fax machines, and modems. Look at the back of your telephone; if it says, complies with Part 68, FCC Rules, and has a Ringer Equivalence Number (REN), the phone and line are analog.

Digital telephone systems are usually found in corporate environments. Most PBXs (private branch exchanges) are digital. Signs that the phone and line are digital: phones with multiple function keys and/or multiple lines, the need to dial 9 for an outside line, no fax machines or modems connected directly to the phone line. Caution: if analog equipment is connected directly to a digital telephone system, it will not work, and the equipment can be damaged.

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When the Voice Center Conference Phone is first connected to power, it will blink 3 or 4 times as it calibrates itself to the acoustic environment. The Voice Center Conference Phone actively measures the rooms reverberation characteristics and initializes the DSP setup (digital sound processing) to avoid objectionable echoes and feedback. The Voice Center digital sound processing continuously adjusts the conference phone performance during a conversation, but its response depends on the acoustic environment detected when initially powered up. Therefore, it is important to place the Conference Phone on the table or desk where it will be used before applying power. If you significantly change the acoustic environment (for example by moving the Conference Phone), cycle the power: unplug the power adapter, then plug it in again. This allows the Voice Center Conference Phone to calibrate for the new surroundings and deliver optimal performance.

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The Voice Center digital sound processing reduces speaker output if microphones are picking up echoes/feedback. If you are using the conference phone in a small, closed room without sound-absorbing walls, it is likely that microphones are picking up echoes and reducing speaker output. To avoid this problem, you can use the microphone selection switch to activate only two of the CP-2012's four built-in microphones. See page 12 of the Users Manual for instructions. Also, make sure the Conference Phone is at least 20 inches (0.5 m) away from any wall.

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To minimize echoes, place the Conference Phone at the center of the room, or at least 20 inches (0.5m) away

     from any wall or vertical surface.

It is important to place the Conference Phone on the surface where it will be used before applying power. When

     power is applied to the Conference Phone, it will blink 3 or 4 times while it automatically calibrates itself for the

     acoustic environment. Digitalsound processing continuously adjusts the conference phone performance during

     a conversation, but its response depends on the acoustic environment detected when initially powered up.

If you significantly change the acoustic environment (for example, by placing the Conference Phone in

     a different location), cycle the power (unplug the power adapter, then plug it in again). This allows the

     Conference Phone to adapt to the new surroundings and deliver optimal performance.

Do not move the Conference Phone during a conversation.

Use the Conference Phone in an environment as free as possible from background noise.

Whenever possible, keep items that could cause noise or acoustic interference away from the Conference Phone

     and any external microphones (if used). Items that could compromise audio quality include plants, cups, and

     papers near the microphones.

Have speakers direct their voices toward the Conference Phone or External Microphone (if used).

Speak at normal conversational volume

To obtain best audio quality, adjust the microphone setup for the room size and arrangement:

      In a small, closed room without sound-absorbing walls, use the microphone selection switch to activate

           only one or two of the Conference Phones built-in microphones. See page 12 of the Users Manual

           for instructions.

     For large rooms and irregular layouts (such as L-, U-, and T-shaped conference tables), connect

         external microphones. See the Voice Center Accessories page for additional information.

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