info on ISDN plz.......

[blito]

just wondering- do isdn modem thingies use the standard telephone sockets in the same way as a modem? are there any isp`s offering free services (toll-free dial-ups etc) is a 64k isdn really much better than a 56k v90? am i right in beleiving that 128k isdn requires 2 lines? am i a clueless spanner?
if it helps i am interested in CHEAP performance- low pings for games and high throughput for downloads (what mp3`s officer?)
ta
:E

[Smudge259]

if u r getting bt home highway they will fit a new digital box.i have been told that the isdn 64k is better for games as it is digital + othre bits that i dont really understand. i havent got it yet (3 weeks to go) but it has got to be better then my crap 56k connection with pings of @600.

[blito]

i shall be sticking to ntl because of their tv service ( my house has no arial)so bt hh is a nono

[Smudge259]

should try sky digital if the ntl digital service is anything like we have here then skys a better deal. at least you get free internet calls with ntl.

[theV0iCe]

hmm..if u want fast downloads isdn isnt where to look. Its brilliant for games but i only got it because i cant get cable or adsl in my area. ISDN still a good by though.

[blito]

ok- is osdn 64k as good for games as 128k--- i ask cos my g/f resents me unplugging the phone to go on the net and i gather u can use 1 channell (64k) for the pc and 1 channell for the phone,,, i would only use 128k fot downloads etc,,,
finally- whats the cost to buy, install and run at 64/128k
...btw- cable modems are out of my reach cos i have to spend money on mortgage/baby etc,,,

[Rigo]

ISDN is a rip-off really. We're paying £53 a month, £40 for HH and £13 for flat rate access.

ADSL or cable are a much better offer if you can get it in your area as that is just £40 a month and a lot faster.

There's no difference between 64k and 128k for games cos apparently the second connection is just an upstream one.

Pings are a lot better than modems, i normally get 40-100 compared to 250-400 for modem.

HTH!

[Cara]

1. ISDN (HH or ISDN2e) is a BIG improvement over 56k.
2. Instead of a crappy analogue connection it is digital.
3. You can still choose which ISP - if one goes broke dial
another, no problem. ADSL and CM's dont get a choice if
the exchange goes faulty or their provider dies (IGClick
anyone?) they have no connection cept crappy 56k. All
eggs in one basket u c.
4. It is old tech, but all the bugs are out, unlike CM's and
ADSL.
5. Ping wise in most games ADSL is about 20-30 below ISDN
which isn't exactly awesome is it?.

But, and you knew they'd be a but didn't you :), ADSL and CM's are cheaper to run, download huge amounts and are always on and sooner than later they will iron out the problems. If you had a choice you would be mad not to have ADSL. If you ain't got a choice ISDN is lots nicer than 56k!.

Cost 40.00 for HH (1yr contract minimum)
Cost 9.99 for BTFree (which is ok but not excellent)
ISDN2e is more expensive.

You can use the phone and have a single channel ISDN connection (64k) but if you bind the lines (128k) you can't use the phone (hh). 128k is no noticeable difference to games just downloads faster (at twice the price cos u r using 2 lines at once).

And I agree, it is too expensive for what it is.

[Smudge259]

Believe me if u had to put up with the pings i get on a 56k modem price doesnt matter. My budget would go to £100 per month for a better connection than 56k.