RapidBox Skype Adaptor Review
I received my RapidBox 2 days ago and have been using it with great satisfaction. I bought it for its Auto Calling Router function. That means, I can plug my normal (PSTN/POTS) phone into it and use it to make and receive calls as usual as well as make/receive Skype calls. All from the same phone.
Package Content
The package comes with
a. the RapidBox,
b. the software CD,
c. a USB cable,
d. a phone cable.
Installation
Installation is a snap. You first connect the box to your PC using the supplied USB cable. It doesn't say USB 2.0 or 1.1 on the box, but from the website, it does say it is USB 1.1 compliant. Since I have a USB 2.0 port, it does not bother me. In any case, for VoIP calls, most of us would be more limited by the bandwidth of our broadband upload speed than the throughput of 12MB per sec for USB 1.1.
Next connect the 'LINE' port of the box to your phone jack in the wall using the supplied phone cable. Thereafter you connect your phones - I'm using a cordless phone to the TEL 1 port and another phone to TEL 2 port.
One other thing that made me choose this RapidBox is that it has 3 RJ11 ports. No product I have seen in the market has 3 RJ11 ports!
Finally, load the CD and click the rapidsetup.exe file. A few more mouse clicks and the software - rapidSoft - is installed on your windows machine. And you're all set.
What it is
Rapidbox does what it says - it lets you make/receive regular phone calls as well as Skype calls.
Surprisingly, there's really nothing complicated about this device. To toggle between PSTN (regular phone calls) and USB (VoIP phone calls) channels, press *. In USB channel, to make a call press #. This is all that you need to remember!
So, to make a VoIP call through Skype,
a. pickup handset
b. from the dialtone, you can tell if the phone is in USB or PSTN channel. (You can set the default channel through the rapidsoft software) If you are in PSTN channel, press * to switch to USB channel.
c. then press '11' (or whatever your Skype contact's quickdial number is). For SkypeOut, dial '00'+countryID+CityID+phone number.
d. Press # and Skype will start calling. That's all!
To receive calls, there is nothing you need to do except pick up the handset, be it Skype or regular calls. When I receive normal phone calls, my caller ID display still works like usual. As for Skype call, it has no caller ID. And of course, I am able to answer my calls with the first cordless phone or the 2nd phone connected to the rapidbox!
One great advantage I really love is, I am now able to also use my phone to chat when I call through my VOIP service provider. The trick to do is this:
a. pick up the handset
b. again, switch to USB channel (if you're in PSTN channel)
c. Press any key on your phone. Just anykey. This would make Skype think that you are going to call now. So, the USB channel dialtone is off. (Much like a normal phone, when you start dialing, the dialtone is turned off)
d. Dial using your softphone.
e. Once your party answers, you dont have to sit in front of the PC anymore. You can walk around the house and chat like normal. The rapidbox has turned your phone into a cordless USB Skype phone!
What it is not
RapidBox is not an ATA device. So, even though it is written on the website that it complies with H.323, MGCP, SIP protocol, it isn't really, in the strictest sense, an ATA device and definitely not an IP phone.
Conclusion
I think RapidBox is a really versatile USB VoIP adapter. With size smaller than my palm, it also sits nicely on my desk. I am considering setting up a "rapidbox network" in my office, so that everyone in the office can call through Skype and we all can still receive regular calls from our customers. That would be a real money saving deal!
Sean
Note by the editor : Just to clarify, as I've had loads of emails about this, the RapidBox Adaptor is for Skype only. It will not work with SIP or the VoIP User free outbound PSTN service.
Feedback from RapidVoIP regarding Mac drivers:-
"A mac version is on the "popular-demand" list. But until our
engineers say it's ready, don't hold your breath for it. It may take months"
Added: Thursday, January 20, 2005
Reviewer: Sean
Score:
Related web link: RapidVOIP
hits: 94268
Language: eng
[ VoIP Reviews Main ]
Posted by Anonymous on Mar 24, 2009 - 09:19 PM
Your rating: 
What kind of Voip Phone do you need to use with this? |
|
Posted by flood on Sep 21, 2006 - 06:47 AM
Your rating:
Ho yes... one last thing... you can tell the driver not to open the skype windows :-) really usefull if you share your computer! |
|
Posted by flood on Sep 21, 2006 - 06:44 AM
Your rating:
To get the latest driver, go there!
http://www.tiptel.be/fr_top.asp?lang_id=2&mid=502&pid=502
And in addition of Skype Driver, there is also a driver for voipbuster!
That's really great!
With this new driver, you can decide that when you use skype, it leave the pstn line close. And to switch between PSTN and Skype/Voipbuster you have to dial ** (2 stars). So you can dial *69 or other star command without loosing your connection.
It seems that Tiptel are selling the same device...
I gave you the beglium URL because all pages in there site are not up to date...
The version of the driver for skype I used is 3.0.0.24
And for Voipbuster, 2.0.0.2
This is now a good product! |
|
Posted by groucho on Aug 27, 2005 - 03:01 PM
Your rating:
Is the Rapid Box the same as the Skype Box? How does it compare with the USB VoIP Adapter at http://www.multicomresearch.com/USB_VoIP_Adapter.htm?
|
|
Posted by flood on Aug 27, 2005 - 06:38 AM
Your rating:
Here a copy of the e-mail sent to the technical support... (support@rapidvoip.com) and they never answered :-(
It's not that the RapidBox is not a good product... but with a better driver, it could be better. And maybe also with a better design (hardware).
If you leave alone or want to use it only with Skype (or softphone) it's a perfect product.
"Hello,
I just received my rapidBox-R-Type. I found that during a Skype Call, the rapidBox open the PSTN line.
Is there a solution so I can keep my PSTN line free during a skype call? It's not because I'm on Skype that I don't want to receive call on my PSTN line... with my other phones.
And imagine this scenario :
One person (A), with a phone not in the rapidBox, calls someone (Z) with the PSTN line.
An another person (B), with the phone connected to the rapidBox, calls someone with Skype line.
(A) hangup but (B) still on the skype phone...
what happen? the line stay open and in some case, the connection with (Z) is still there. So the (Z) line will stay busy and if it's a long distance... it will cost a lot.
The second point is you cannot dial on the PSTN line a number like *69 or *98 because the * switch between PSTN and Skype. In my area, I can replace * with 11 (one one) so I can go in my voicemail by dialing 1198 instead of *98. So no question here, just a remark. :-)"
|
|
Posted by Bakki on May 26, 2005 - 08:29 PM
Your rating:
Oh, and two more things noticed after using it a couple of months.
If you restart your computer while having a regular (POTS) conversation, your call with be interrupted. It has something to do with RapidBox being reset or something. That means things can get ugly if you are fixing your Windows installation while your wife is downstairs talking on a cordless. ;)
Second thing. Don't expect too much from software support. Rapidbox software is the same OEM software package that comes with Mplat and other (identical) devices, and it hasn't been updated for months. In other words, the "Skype-popping-up-while-talking-via-POTS" thing is still there, despite RapidBox support people's assurances that it will be fixed.
The thing is, this device and its software is produced by some unknown Asian manufacturer and than labeled (and priced) by various resellers.
But the bottom line is - if you ignore the little quirks and nuisances, it's basically OK. |
|
Posted by Bakki on Mar 18, 2005 - 01:48 PM
Your rating:
The device is cool and works OK. There is one BIG problem with it. Whenever the handset is picked up, Skype window pops up too. No matter wheather you intend to make a regular or Skype call. This surely is a big nuisance if the RapidBox attached phone is used by other family members - you'll have Skype popping up all the time while you work on your PC. And there's nothing you can do about it. |
|
Posted by Johnmax on Mar 04, 2005 - 08:11 PM
Your rating:
Rapid folks have released another version of their rapidbox. This time they make the box rings, though at the expense of a port. check it out! |
|
Posted by louisphilip on Mar 04, 2005 - 06:41 AM
Your rating:
This is a great review... thanks, I will certainly put a link to this review from my web site.
At http://www.summitcircle.com/ I have created a large directory of Skype phones, Skype add-ons (like answering machines, Skype-Outlook integrations etc) and Skype communities.
I've already found more than 40 different Skype phones out there. |
|
Posted by peder on Mar 01, 2005 - 05:27 PM
Your rating:
Does this telbox works also if you only have skype and just having a broadband connection(fiber) and no analoge telephoneline.
Regards
Peder |
|
Posted by maldodd on Feb 28, 2005 - 03:40 AM
Your rating:
Hi Sean
Interesting where you say -
A)
>I think RapidBox is a really versatile USB VoIP adapter. With size
smaller than my palm, it also sits nicely on my desk. I am considering setting up a "rapidbox network" in my office, so that everyone in the office can call through Skype and we all can still receive regular calls from our customers. That would be a real money saving deal!<
Have you given any thought as to how that can be done?
B) <One great advantage I really love is, I am now able to also use my phone to chat when I call through my VOIP service provider. The trick to do is this:
a. pick up the handset
b. again, switch to USB channel (if you're in PSTN channel)
c. Press any key on your phone. Just anykey. This would make Skype think that you are going to call now. So, the USB channel dialtone is off. (Much like a normal phone, when you start dialing, the dialtone is turned off) d. Dial using your softphone. e. Once your party answers, you dont have to sit in front of the PC anymore.<
Do you have to be at the computer to dial? I ask this because you say, "Once your party answers, you dont have to sit in front of the PC anymore".
|
|
Posted by bernardsullivan on Feb 26, 2005 - 01:37 PM
Your rating:
I would like some advice on this. I bought one of these boxes in the UK but cannot get it to work. The software all appears to be ok and the power and line LEDs are lit. Because UK phone line uses BT phone skts that are nor RJ11, I detached the RJ11 to BT cable from my phone and used it to connect the USB box to the phone line. I used the supplied RJ11 to RJ11 to go from the phone to the TEL1 skt. I have no dialling tone and no control of the box. Any ideas please? I bought the box from VOIPcity but they haven't been able to help so far. |
|
Posted by mjy78 on Feb 22, 2005 - 05:40 AM
Your rating:
Great product, but still missing the ability to use the phone without the computer being on. Wouldn't a better solution be to make the box connect via ethernet to your router or cable modem, and run embedded linux with skype on it? Would probably cost a little more, but most people would be prepared to pay the premium to avoid needing to have their computer on. |
|
Posted by swinster on Feb 16, 2005 - 12:15 AM
Your rating:
After a lengthy discussion on the skype forum and elsewhere, I have decided that a device such as the rapidbox is NOT the answer. I still belive that a phone should be a phone and not need a PC to work. Skype at the moment simply dos not offer this option, although I belive that a simple development of the RapidBox and such devices could well prove to be the next step forward.
If someone could take the RapidBox and an ATA and combine them we would be getting somewhere. In which case it would have outputs for USB, POTS and Ethernet. This would allow SIP and POTS call if the computer was switched off, and additionally Skype calls if it were switched on. Throw in some nifty call waiting features whereby you could change between a SIP, Skype and POTS call at the touch of a key, and you are getting there. A single handset (possibly linked to others in the house) that would recieve and make calls through all three mediums.
The ultimate stage would be to embed the Skype software into a router or handset. Only then will Skype by a plusable VoIP solution. Even so, in the UK the Skypeout charges are not that different to standard landline rates - they need a MUCH better rate card to be of true benifit.
|
|
Posted by ssampier on Feb 13, 2005 - 05:54 PM
Your rating:
I have a brother that lives in Germany and I have looked at different VoIp options. I think this RapidBox Skype solution would work well for me, since I can make SkypeOut calls for cheap without the monthly subscription rates of Vonage and VoIP phones. Plus, with the RapidBox I can use Skype without the dorky USB or bluetooth headset.
The reviewer didn't note what high-speed Internet service he was using. Would I be at disadvantage with ADSL connection running at 768 kbps upload and download speed? |
|
Posted by Johnmax on Feb 04, 2005 - 06:25 AM
Your rating:
Buyers should note that not all phones will ring on Skype. My buddy's phone does not. Only the rapidbox rings. Other than this, everything is as what is reviewed above. |
|
Posted by dean on Jan 25, 2005 - 05:03 PM
Your rating:
>>Mac OS X software<<
No. According to their FAQ there are no drivers for the RapidBox for Mac OS X or Linux. They look to be thinking about it (they didn't rule it out).
I have emailed for a clarification on it, as it's possible their FAQ has now been superceded. |
|
Posted by GeeMan on Jan 25, 2005 - 03:49 PM
Your rating:
Any likelihood of Mac OS X software any time soon? |
|
Posted by dean on Jan 25, 2005 - 01:15 PM
Your rating:
"without the PC being on"
As JohnMax rightly points out, this is not possible on Skype. Not yet anyway.
Skype is currently a software based system, and that software requires a PC or Mac to run.
Until Skype release a Firmware version of their software, having a dedicated phone for use with Skype without a PC is simply not possible. |
|
Posted by Johnmax on Jan 25, 2005 - 10:01 AM
Your rating:
grandstream-486 is a SIP phone. You subscribe to a SIP provider and pay their VOIP rates. RapidBox is not a SIP phone but a USB adapter as said in the article. There are quite a few factors to concern when deciding whether to use SIP phone or Skype. If you want to get one for grandmum, SIP phone or asterisk phone would be good. No PC. As for me, I use Skype and subscribe to my asterisk provider. I Skype my buddies for free and call my loved ones through my asterisk provider. If I found a better rate than my asterisk provider, I switch. No hassle. Still using rapidBox to chat. Also, I have a server running at home. Cheap wintel box but enough to serve my own web pages and have my Skype running all the time. If you skype, you can reach me like normal phone call. For free. |
|
Posted by Ksl on Jan 24, 2005 - 04:59 PM
Your rating:
Interesting, But I do believe it should be possible to dial up skype, without the PC being on, is there no method of inserting a default IP address. I know that my friends in Denmark have been using a sytem well over a year, now, whereby they can phone world wide over the ADSL line, without the pc being on.
I have discovered there supplier is a danish company called Telefin and it appears that they are using the grandstream-486. I am awaiting a sample from the manufacturer, for testing. |
|
