Echo problems, what's the reason?

[ericmachine]

Hi everyone,

Few questions:-

a) If I call my colleague's extension just right beside him, I noticed there's echo and noise really bad. Both are using Bria3 softphone and also using built-in Mac microphone. I am not sure whether this is a problem of elastix or bria3.

b) If I call my colleague's office number (his direct number is linked to extension 1000, which is configured to his mac's bria3 soft phone) via my mobile number, the echo is worst and super noisy quality. He is using his Mac's built-in microphone. Is this normal too?

c) Is there a tool for mac or windows to test out the speed of the SIP calls? or diagnotics something like that?

Sometimes the line is really clear, sometimes really bad.

What are the possible scenarios due to the line quality? This includes calling between extensions in the same company.

We have an E1 line, 10MB internet line too.

Any help? Thanks.

 

[soborno]

Hi,

Try to test it with "hard-phones", and see what happens.

Regards,
Claudio

 

[Bob1]

ericmachine,

One of the worst tests you can perform for echo includes the following

1) Ringing an extension that is close to you
2) Using a softphone
3) Using and open microphone on a PC

Looking like you have hit the jackpot....you pretty well cover all three...

Softphones work well but not in an environment where you are calling each other close to each other. There are many factors, which include the PC hardware, but in particular, both microphones are hearing the same background noise and even worse, they are hearing your voice in your phone and your colleagues phone may be hearing your voice. This means that the echo cancellation tries to kick in, delaying the call, which then causes echo....there are several other pieces of software "compensation" that kick in because the same background noise, in some cases the volume lowers due to this issue.

It is further excerbated as users turn their mic gain and volume up to compensate, which again causes more echo.

If you ever do a test for echo, always place the person in another room. I suggest doing this first before looking at other areas..

Regards

Bob

 

[ericmachine]

Noted and thanks

Any good microphone wired or wireless?

Is there any sip tools to test voice quality on LAN, Wireless LAN, VLAN, etc?

Probably can gauge better from there

 

[Bob1]

Ericmachine,

One of the things I mention is use a good headset, it doesnt have to cost $100+ dollars, but use a reputable brand. An open mic on the desktop, and speakers will not cut it....
Make sure it is not analog, but a USB connection (basically a digital connection).

Simple Network tester is a simple tool, and really is useful (15 day trial).....but it runs on PC....

Regards

Bob

 

[ericmachine]

Noted, will make sure I get a USB version instead

How about those Jabra USB headset for handphone? I wonder it can be used for this case, but those I seen don't have any noise cancellation. What do you think, Bob?