| Best Data Products - Learning Center |
| |
| How to Buy The Right 56K Modem
For You |
| |
| Buying
a 56K modem, also known as a dial-up modem or analog
modem, can be confusing. There are several different
form factors and processor options to choose from. |
| |
| For example, should you buy a PCI Modem, a USB Modem,
or a Serial Modem? What is the difference between USB
1.0 and USB 2.0? Do you need a controller-based modem,
a controller-less modem, or a soft modem? |
| |
This brief tutorial will explain the different modem
options available to help you choose the correct modem
for you!
|
| Hardware Modems, DSP-controlled Modems, and Soft Modems |
| |
| 56K modems come with three different processor types: |
| |
Hardware modems, also known as a "controller
modems" or "hardware-controlled
modems"
DSP-based modems, also known as a "controller-less
modems"
Software-based modems, also known as "softmodems" or "win
modems"
Of these three types, hardware modems are the most powerful.
DSP-based modems |
| |
| Of these three types, hardware modems are the most
powerful. DSP-based modems are the second most powerful,
and softmodems are the least powerful. |
| |
| In order to send and receive data over the Internet
or a network, modems have to process outgoing and incoming
data streams. Hardware-based modems have special hardware
chips onboard that do most of this processing. Because
of this, hardware-based modems do not have to rely on
sending information to and from the computer’s
central processor, which can slow down transmission speeds
and place a heavy drain on the computer for performing
other tasks. |
| |
| DSP modems have some of the processing capability of
hardware modems, but not all. As a result, they are faster
than softmodems but not as fast as hardware modems. |
| |
| Softmodems must rely almost entirely
on the computer’s CPU to process the data. As a
result, they are the slowest modems and place the greatest
burden on the CPU, which may slow down other applications
running on your PC. |
| |
| How you are going to use the modem
generally determines which is the best processor type
for you: |
| |
| Hardware Modem: If you will use your
modem daily for several hours or more you should most
likely buy a hardware-based modem. |
| |
| DSP Modem: If you plan to use your
modem daily for an hour or more then a DSP modem would
be the best choice. |
| |
| Softmodem: If you plan to use your
modem for simple Internet access a few times per week,
a softmodem is probably the most suitable. |
| |
| You should also consider your computer’s
processor speed. In general, the slower your computer’s
central processor is, the more powerful a modem you should
purchase. This is because less powerful modems put more
of a strain on the computer’s own processor. So
you should only use a weaker modem (softmodem) if you
have a fast central processor. You can check your processor’s
speed by consulting the documentation for your PC. You
can also check within Windows by selecting "Properties" on
the "My Computer" icon. |
| |
| Here are some general guidelines: |
300 MHz or less: A hardware controlled
modem would be best.
300 MHz - 1.0 GHz: DSP controlled modem would be best.
Over 1.0 GHz: Softmodem would be acceptable. |
| |
| Form Factor: USB Modem, External Serial
Modem, PCI Modem, ISA Modem, PCMCIA Modem |
| |
| 56K modems come in 5 different form
factors: |
| |
1. |
USB Modem (external) |
2. |
External Serial Modem |
3. |
PCI Modem (internal) |
4. |
ISA Modem (internal) |
5. |
PCMCIA Modem or Laptop Modem (external) |
|
| |
| To purchase the correct form factor,
you should consider what options are available for your
computer, the performance required, and the ease or difficulty
of the installation. |
| |
| 1. |
USB Modem: If you have a USB port available (either
USB 1.0, USB 1.1, or USB 2.0) you might consider
a USB modem. They are the easiest modems to install,
since they do not require you to open your computer
case. USB modems can usually be found in DSP and
hardware-controlled versions. |
| |
|
| 2. |
External Serial Modems: Like USB modems, serial
modems are external and easy to install. They are
usually hardware controlled and offer excellent performance. |
| |
|
| 3. |
PCI Modems: These are the best-selling modems,
and are generally the kind of modem that comes installed
a new machine. PCI modems come as either DSP modems
or softmodems. You should only purchase a PCI modem
if you are comfortable opening your PC case and installing
a new PCI card. |
| |
|
| 4. |
ISA Modems: These are also internal modems. To
use an ISA modem, your PC must have an available
ISA slot. These slots or usually only found on older
PCs. Consult your system documentation to verify
your slot type. These are usually hardware controlled
modems, sometimes DSP-based. |
| |
|
| 5. |
PCMCIA Modems or Laptop
Modems: This is a "card"-type
modem that can be used only with a laptop. If you
have both a laptop and a desktop PC, you might want
to purchase a USB modem instead, since it can be
used with either type. For simplicity and ease in
traveling, a PCMCIA modem is the best choice. |
|
| |
| Modem Vendors: Diamond Multimedia,
Best Data Products, U.S. Robotics |
| |
| Some of the leading vendors for 56K
modems are Diamond Multimedia, Best
Data Products, and
U.S. Robotics. |
| |
| • BestData
modems have been a leading brand of modems for more than
a decade. |
| • Best
Data Products has been offering quality 56K modems for
over 20 years. Their SmartOne modems are known for their
value and durability. |
| |
|
|
