TDM400P vs ATA device?

tletourneau · #1 (**permalink**) March 16th, 2006, 04:12 PM

Hello all,

For my next question I am wondering what is better/easier for use with asterisk, a tdm400p (or a400p) or a device like the spa-3000? Here is my situation, I need 1 FXO and 1 FXS port. I am currently doing this using 2 Vegastream Vega 50's 1 8 port FXO and 1 8 port FXS. These devices are way overkill for my needs and (for me) very complicated to set up, not to mention they're borrowed.

So anyone with any ideas on the subject please chime in. What's better for call quality, * compatability, ease of setup/use and anything else anyone can think of for pros/cons either way.

Thanks!

Tom

bingoldsby · #2 (**permalink**) March 18th, 2006, 12:38 AM

Tom,

I'm afraid that I can't comment on anything but the Digium TDM400p card. I have one and it works very well - so far. It has been in the running machine for only a couple of weeks now, but so far so good.

I purchased it as part of a development kit from some internet retailer (one FXO and one FXS). The first card had a bad FXS and after putting it in and taking it out a few times, I found one of the little plugs on the main board was broke off. It was on an unused position. I contacted Digium and they graciously took back the entire board and replaced it all. Been working just right since.

So that's one POV.

adroitboy · #3 (**permalink**) March 18th, 2006, 06:24 AM

I won't claim to be an expert, but I can say that in the last couple of months I have had a couple of issues with the ATA devices (Sipura SPA-2000).dI have a TDM400 with 1 FXO port. I am considering getting a FXS module as I can then see if it's the sipura devices that are causing some of the issues.

Here are a couple of the issues...d
Once, I got no dialtone. The web interface worked. Rebooted and it still would not work. I unplugged it for a few minutes and it has worked since. Overheating?

Another issue was with the gain. I was having to turn the gain WAY down to avoid echo on VOIP calls. However when I called out the FXO port (using a POTS line), the audio was way too low. I couldn't figure it out and even posted questions asking about it. I didn't really get any suggestions except to turn up the gain on the POTS line. I fixed it be resetting and reconfiguring the SPA-2000. It works fine now.

What I do like about the ATA is that it is very flexible. I can put it nearly anywhere as we have ethernet in places where we do not have phone lines. It has 2 FXS ports and has seemed to work very well.

I hope that helps.

tletourneau · #4 (**permalink**) March 18th, 2006, 07:47 PM

Thanks for the responses, I guess I'm just trying to figure out what to do. What is less of a load on the * box. Does the TDM (or clones like the Sagnoma or OpenVox) have good sound quality? Things like that.

As I mentioned in my previous post I'm going to have to get rid of my current devices and I'm trying to figure out the best solution. Although cost is an issue (isn't it always) I want to get the best sound quality I can afford. That is primarily what I'm trying to figure out is how good is the sound quality TDM vs ATA. The wiring isn't a huge issue for me as I rewired the POTS lines to where I wanted them when I started this project, they all go to the location of the * server.

Again thanks for the responses! Anyone else with any advice and/or knowledge on the subject please jump in!

Tom

adroitboy · #5 (**permalink**) March 19th, 2006, 05:46 PM

If I were you, I would order a TDM card with 1 FXO and 1-2 FXS ports on it. You can always add more later. Try that out and if it's too expensive (the ATA devices give you more ports for the $$) then go with an ATA.

To me, I think you will have less factors to deal with and hence less hassle of you go with a TDM card. For my parents non-profit I think I will be doing this soon just so that we can reduce clutter. The sipura devices have been good, but I think that the TDM card with appropriate modules will be a better solution for us.

tletourneau · #6 (**permalink**) March 21st, 2006, 05:45 AM

OK, thanks! I think I'm going to go with a TDM card. Now I just have to figure out what card to get. Digium, Sagnoma or OpenVox. Any advice on that?

Tom

flydr2 · #7 (**permalink**) March 21st, 2006, 12:52 PM

From my point of view an ATA is trouble free... Simple to use... Much simpler to learn to configure.. And you don't need your PC to be on all the time... Also an ATA is easy to bring with you if needed.

So for simple phone systems... Use an ATA....
If you want more options than an ATA gives you... Use a TDM

tletourneau · #8 (**permalink**) March 22nd, 2006, 09:55 PM

Thanks for the response! Do the TDM cards provide a clock source like the X100P does?