8x8 Packet8 VoIP Service with DV326 VideoPhone

by 8x8, Inc.

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002L32HU
• Item model number: EQU0401
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #25 in Electronics > Office Electronics > Telephones & Accessories > Video Phones
  • #40 in Electronics > Office Electronics > Telephones & Accessories > VoIP > Handsets
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 9, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

As easily as making a regular telephone call, the Packet8 DV326 VideoPhone delivers high-quality full-motion video and clear, delay-free audio. The DV326 can be used on any broadband cable or DSL IP-based connection with Ethernet, such as LANs, WANs, and the public Internet. Designed for use with a Packet8 VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) service plan, the VideoPhone will enhance your phone calls with the addition of video, while saving you money on your phone bill.

The VideoPhone routes all calls over the Internet, allowing you to call standard phones, cell phones, and other Packet8 phones with equal ease.

The DV326 VideoPhone throttles through connection speeds from 84 Kbps to 684 Kbps and can deliver 30 fps quality video at 256 Kbps connection speeds and higher. It can also be used to make or receive normal audio calls from any cell or traditional phone. Easy to set up and use, the VideoPhone has everything you need to make a video call. There is no need for an external TV, monitor, keyboard, microphone, or speakers. The high-quality CCD camera delivers crisp, colorful images, while the 30-frames-per-second video quality and up to 352 x 288 resolution provide near TV quality video. The LCD screen tilts from 23 to 90 degrees to give you the best viewing angle, while features such as picture-in-picture, privacy mode, and freeze frame provide control over the video feed.

Ports for broadband and video/audio input and output are within easy reach.

With audio/video-in and -out ports, you can attach peripherals such as a plasma screen, camcorder, or projector. Echo-cancellation and no-delay technology help deliver high-quality audio signals. A 100-number phone directory helps you to keep track of all your important numbers, while 10-number speed dial provides quick access to the most important entries.

Working together, Packet8's VoIP technology and the DV326 VideoPhone allow you to enjoy all the features that you have come to expect from traditional phones, such as call waiting, caller ID, speakerphone, personalized voice mail, and three-way conferencing, while also taking advantage of features made possible only by utilizing the latest in Internet technology. Anyone with broadband (high-speed) Internet access can make unlimited calls within the U.S. and Canada for one low monthly rate. You also get unlimited worldwide calling to other Packet8 subscribers at no extra charge.

With Packet8 service, you can manage your account online, forward voice mail to your e-mail as an attachment, and even take your home area code with you when you travel, so your home or office can reach you without paying long-distance rates. All you need to get started is the VideoPhone, an existing high-speed Internet DSL or cable connection, and a home router or gateway with an open Ethernet port. Whether in the office or at home, the Packet8 VideoPhone delivers face-to-face communication anywhere in the world. It comes backed by a one-year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Videophone, AC adapter, AC power cord, Ethernet cable, RCA cable, external auto-sensing conference microphone with 6' cable, user's manual

Terms and Conditions
Buying this item signifies agreement to sign up for service with 8x8 and to pay a monthly subscription fee. For details about how the service works and for complete terms and conditions, visit www.packet8.net. For technical assistance, call 1-888-898-8733.

Product Description

With the same ease as making a regular telephone call, Packet8 VideoPhone delivers high-quality, full-motion video and clear, delay-free audio over any broadband (high-speed Cable or DSL) Internet connection. Designed with both residential and business customers in mind, this powerful standalone videophone will enhance your calls immeasurably while saving you money on your phone bill. Speak with color and see what youve been missing Using 8x8s Packet8 broadband phone service, Packet8 VideoPhone subscribers receive UNLIMITED video calling and regular calling in the U.S. and Canada for a low monthly flat-rate as well as enjoying UNLIMITED worldwide video and audio-only calling to other Packet8 subscribers.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packet8 customer for almost 2 years, February 9, 2005

By 

John D. Eberly - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 8x8 Packet8 VoIP Service with DV326 VideoPhone (Personal Computers)

Hi, I have been a packet8 customer for almost 2 years now. I love the service from Packet8, ... and I have tried the other providers as well. I have had voice for a while and love it, and decided to purchase the video phone since Grandma/Grandpa want to see there new grandkids. We love it! I also used Packet8 coupon code "gateshare" from http://www.gateshare.com to save $20. The site has a lot of useful information. I will never go back to the Plain old telephone system.

20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor Voice Quality, Poor Customer Service, But Inexpensive, August 23, 2005

By 

Martin Anderson "Martin" (Santa Ana, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 8x8 Packet8 VoIP Service with DV326 VideoPhone (Personal Computers)

[...]

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SUMMARY: VOIP is great for second lines, but not your primary line. At just $19.99 per month, Packet8 is cheap, but the audio quality is poor and customer service is terrible. If you want better quality, Vonage has much better sound quality and marginally better customer service for $29.99 per month.

REVIEW: There are a number of companies that offer the ability to use your broadband internet connection to give you a telephone jack that you can plug your regular phone into. This technology is known as Voice Over IP, or VOIP for short. When you sign up, you get an adaptor you hook up to your internet connection and to a regular telephone. When it works properly, you can pick-up your phone and make calls just like you normally might, but the call gets routed over the internet.

A lot has been said about using VOIP as your primary phone line, but I'd sum it up this way: Don't use VOIP as your primary phone line. VOIP lines can go down for many reasons, including power failures, internet outages, or VOIP network problems. But, if you want a feature-laden second-line, VOIP is the only way to go.

The technology is a fantastic idea and is loaded with great features, including the ability to get a telephone number in just about any area code, even if it is nowhere near where you live. Most VOIP providers give you the ability to have more than one number (in different area codes if you want) ring to the same line. They also provide caller ID, call-waiting, call-waiting caller ID, three way calling, call forwarding (including forwarding to multiple numbers at the same time), voicemail, and, some include the ability to transfer calls. These features are usually free, along with unlimited local and long distance calling. You can also take the adaptor with you when you travel and plug it into any internet connection (such as at a hotel) anywhere in the world, and use your phone to call anywhere in the U.S. for free.

I've tried Packet8 (this one) as well as Vonage.

Because the quality of the audio is very important to me, I was very disappointed with Packet8's performance. The voice quality sounds noticeably computerized. I also use Vonage, which charges more per month, but has audio quality which matches a traditional telephone line. Vonage also has the ability to reduce the sound quality if you want to reduce the bandwidth required, while Packet8 offers no option to increase the sound quality.

I also found that Packet8's support was terrible. I wanted to find out if the sound quality I was experiencing was the result of a defect or just a characteristic of the service. So, I called Packet8's "24-hour" support line. Although I placed my call at 1:30 a.m. and several times later in the morning and the following afternoon, I always reached an answering service who could do nothing other than take a message and promise a return call. The return call never came. In my view, a 24-hour answering service does not qualify as "24-hour" support, even if the calls had been returned.

I also sent several e-mails complaining about the sound quality, and the only response that I got asked me to send another e-mail if I wanted support. I did, but it was never returned.

I finally called Packet8's main number and asked to speak to a manager. The switchboard operator transferred me to a line that nobody answered. When I called back, she transferred me to a voicemail. When I called back again, she transferred me to a very rude person who insisted upon finding all of my e-mails before he would help me. When I suggested that he help me first, and find the e-mails later, he hung up on me.

I called again and the operator transferred me to the director of technical support's voicemail, where I left a message promising to cancel my service if I didn't get a return call. Five minutes later, I got a call from a senior technical support representative who said that he was asked to call me by the director of technical support. He called me on my regular phone line from a Packet8 line in their headquarters. The call had the same mechanized quality that my Packet8 line had, which led me to conclude the audio problems are normal.

All that said, if you won't need support, and you don't mind the digitized sound quality of Packet8, you can't beat the price. If you want better quality, Vonage (which you can buy at Amazon.com) offers better quality at a higher price.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars BEWARE - Worst customer service, February 6, 2009

By 

Paul G (Prescott, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 8x8 Packet8 VoIP Service with DV326 VideoPhone (Personal Computers)

I was a Packet8 customer for 4 years. WHen I started to have technical problems after moving to Arizona, I discovered just how bad customer service can be. I opened a problem ticket describe the poor quality of connections I was experiencing. The problem ticket was ignored for months, and I could get no response even after multiple attempts. When I finally cancelled my service with Packet8 and transferred my number to Vonage, I foumd that the worst experience was with their billing department. Packet8 continued to bill my credit card for 5 months. I have as yet been unable to extract a refund. I reported the incident to the FCC and am waiting to see if they can help deal with this company. Don't expect help from Packet8 if you have a problem. Vonage has excellent customer service, so far.