Product Description

Specifications: * Skype ready digital cordless phone for internet telephony * Easy to install and use * Crystal clear sound quality * Instrumental melody ringers * Use with all major Voice over IP services and compatible with all major VOIP clients * Display colours: Black and White * Display technology: Liquid Crystal Display * Handset Volume Control : 3-level earpiece and loudspeaker volume * Handset ringers: Instrumental * Call management: Caller ID, Call waiting, Call on hold, Message Waiting, Call * Base station keys: Paging key * Handset keys: Line, Dialling keypad, Phonebook, Call log, Redial, Correction * Ease of Use: Keypad lock * Memory Capacity: * Name & number shared phonebook: 10 numbers * Call log entries: 10 * Re-dial List Capacity: 10 calls * VoIP Services Compatibility with all major providers * VoIP Client Compatibility with all major VoIP clients * Fully Integrated with Skype * PC Functionality: Use all functions of the PC to establish your phone calls * Speed: Full 12Mbps * System Requirements: * USB: Free USB port * PC OS: IBM or 100% compatible PC * Processor: Pentium-based PC with 400 MHz CPU or better * RAM memory: 128 MB * Hard disc space: 30MB or more * Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000 * Internet connection: 33.6 kbps or faster (Broadband preferred) * CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive: Yes * Power: * Mains power: 230V AC adapter to 7V/200mA * Power Supply USB adapter: by the PC * Power LED indicator: Red * Battery: 2 x Rechargeable AAA NiMh * Talk time: 10 hours * Standby time: > 100 hours * Radio RF power: <250mW * Accessories: * Included accessories: nAnalogue Line Cable, USB cable, Telephone Plug, 2 x AAA Batteries, AC-DC Adapter, CD-ROM with software & manual, User manual, Warranty Leaflet Handset dimensions: 149 x 50 x 32 mm

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41319 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Philips
• Model: VOIP1211S/05
• Released on: 2006-09-13
• Dimensions: 4.41 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
Why should you choose between low-cost and convenience? The Voip 121 VoIP USB adapter & telephone solution lets you use any VoIP telephony provider, for its low cost and the convenience of being able to speak without metering your call.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Ideal for occasional, comfortable Skype use
Contrary to other reviewers (and as A.Banister pointed out), it IS possible to make a Skype call directly from the handset. Granted there are no explicit instructions for this in the box, but anybody with access to google and 30 seconds to spare will learn you simply have to dial the speed-dial number followed by two hash (#) symbols (this number can in turn be programmed.

Admittedly the handset is quite plasticy and the instructions are pretty minimal, but for the price there really is no alternative. The range and quality are good, and the installation is pretty straightforward if you follow the booklet. The fact that the USB adaptor is separate from the phone base means the phone itself could be upgraded.

20 quid for a cordless Skype compatible phone really is a steal, and minor grumbles over the ease of use should be pretty insignificant in your decision whether or not to go for this.

One or the other but not both
This phone was delivered today. After getting it out of the box and reading the instructions, I packed it back up, came on to Amazon and asked for a returns receipt. The idea is good, but although this phone says that it does both normal phone calls and VOIP, there is no way to do it together. You have to unplug it from the phone socket, and plug it into the USB to phone connector to use it as a VOIP phone. I was under the impression from the description that this phone could do both together.
For the price it is a good piece of kit if you want to use it as almost completely landline or completely VOIP phone, but if you want half and half there are other phones out there that do the job better.

Cheap - and nasty in places
This bundle actually consists of a Philips DECT1211 wireless handset & base and a separate VOIP0211G USB to telephone interface, together with a power supply for the phone base, the necessary intercabling and an installation CD.

HANDSET
The handset/base combination can be used as a normal telephone and because the radio link between handset and base is digital, it gives good call quality in this mode, together with call security. The build quality is reasonable and the phone offers 10 number-only memories, adjustable earpiece volume, lockable keypad, microphone mute and a choice of ring tones.
However, this handset/base combo is not GAP compatible - so you cannot add further handsets to the base or add the handset to an existing DECT network.


INTERFACE
The VOIP USB/telephone interface is the other half of the package, allowing the Philips base, or any other handset with an RJ11 plug, to be connected to Skype. The reasonably-built interface is seriously let down by a truly dreadful 'Installation Guide' which is just as useless in German, French and Dutch as it is in English.

The 'Guide' ignores the fundamentals (should the USB interface be plugged in during installation) and there is confusion as to whether Skype should be installed first, last or from the CD. My unit came with an Erratum sheet which confused the issue even further.
For the record, I already had Skype working on my PC and just installed the USB driver from the CD with the USB/telephone interface disconnected. After installation I re-booted the PC then plugged in the interface once the computer was up and running. You are asked for the CD serial number, your name and e-mail address during the installation, all of which all seems way over the top for a £20 toy, especially when the Philips site FAQs tells you that you can't change that data - ever!

In use, the interface gives mediocre call quality, worse than a normal telephone line and far worse than using a headset. It suffers from pronounced syballence, so Mississipi sounds like Miffiffipi, and I have had complaints that there is a pronounced echo of the other party's voice to be heard at the other end of the line.

CONCLUSION
The phone - rather good. The interface - poor. The 'Manual' - useless.

If you want a cheap way of being able to make and receive Skype calls when you are away from the computer, maybe in the garden or another part of the house, this may be worth considering. If you are looking for audio quality which is the same as or better than normal telephone connections, look elsewhere.

Rather a poor offering for a company like Philips.