I am looking for a microphone/speaker combo that can be connected to
the minijacks of a PC.  The device will be used for video conferencing
and therefore must support echo cancellation.  I am looking for
something like the SoundPoint PC (from Polycom) and CallPort (from
Coherent).  Unfortunately, both products have been discontinued.  If
such a device can be found, I need vendor and price information. 
Thank you.

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Clarification of Question by mencius-ga on 08 Mar 2003 17:10 PST

This is my use of this service.  After reading the tips section, I
think I should elaborate a little more.

I have spent more than half a day searching for an answer on this
topic and came up empty.  It appears to me that this technology was
once available but is no longer in fashion.  My hope of finding a
device went down drastically since I started searching.  I am simply
hoping that maybe I did not do the searching correctly and that there
is still a chance that something exists out there.  If you could find
one for me, I will definitely be happy to offer a tip.

Thank your for your effort

---

Request for Question Clarification by jackburton-ga on 08 Mar 2003 18:01 PST

hi mencius,
Is this of any use??...
http://www.ahernstore.com/phonfaq.html
-
Alternatively, I have found a *new* SoundPoint pc (boxed) for sale on Ebay.
Would you like me to direct you to the relevant page???
Let me know. thanks. JB

hi mencius,
After I posted my "request for clarification", i found some other
places where you can buy "SoundPoint PC" new! ...So here is your
answer:
 
You can buy this product from the following vendors:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount PC International
7790 S. Wheeling Court   
Building 4  
Englewood, CO 80112  
Phone: 800.696.1885  
Fax: 303.649.9828  
http://www.discountpc.net
 
Sales contacts:
Mike Wright - mike@discountpc.net - (303) 649-9575
Todd Frank - todd@discountpc.net - (303) 649-9576
Paul Marino - paul@discountpc.net - (303) 858-0506
 
"New product sold in the retail box - 30 Day warranty... 
Listed above is a unique integrated speaker and microphone audio
device. These items retail for $219ea. We have them for $35 because a
Dot.com went bankrupt. Get'em while you can.... Awesome price and
awesome quality from Polycom. Enjoy the Savings!"
http://www.discountpc.net/details.asp?id=138&from=home
 
To register & purchase, click here:
http://www.discountpc.net/terms_conditions.asp
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gowavetech.com
Click here for "Soundpoint PC" info:
http://www.gowavetech.com/appg1.html
Contact details:
WAVETECH, INC.
27110 TAFT ROAD
NOVI, MICHIGAN 48377
Toll Free Number 	1-800-913-9283 (WAVE) 
Phone Number 			248-305-5500 
Fax 			248-305-7500 Customer Service Dept. 			Ext. 108 
Sales Dept. 			Ext. 100 
mailto:webmaster@gowavetech.com
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
NTDTEL.com
Click here for info:
http://www.ntdtel.com/teleconf/soundpoint.html
Contact details:
Telephone:1-800-533-4014  or 425-921-3200
Fax: Our fax machines are on 24 hours a day. If you would like to fax
us your order, call 1-800-272-FAXS (3297)
Outside U.S./ Canada: Please dial 425-745-4111
E-Mail: Sales@ntdtel.com  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click here for "Soundpoint PC" for sale on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3404780740&category=3702
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Search terms used (Google):
soundpoint
"supports echo cancellation"
"echo cancellation"
Search terms used (Froogle)
"soundpoint"
"soundpoint pc" 
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=%22soundpoint+pc%22
Search terms (ebay.com)
"soundpoint"
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your question. I hope this helps! 
If you need to, feel free to ask for "clarification" before you rate
the answer. I am happy to help if there's a problem with the info i
have supplied.
many thanks!
--JB

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Request for Answer Clarification by mencius-ga on 08 Mar 2003 21:34 PST

JB,
Thank you for a quick response.  I am really impressed with what you
have found so far.  I must confess that I am an avid Google user
myself (Google is my home page!).  And still I missed PhoneBridge and
the list of vendors that you found for me on SoundPoint PC.  Let me
spend some time to go over your findings tomorrow.

I am building a video conferencing product for business use. 
SoundPoint PC will serve my prototyping purpose for now.  But in the
long run, I cannot rely on a discontinued product. :(  Let me ponder
over my options for a while.

Nonetheless, as a first time user, I am very pleased with this service
so far.

---

Clarification of Answer by jackburton-ga on 09 Mar 2003 08:29 PST

thank you for you comments mencius,
I am pleased to hear you're happy with the findings. Let me know what
you decide, and if you require any further "clarification", before you
rate answer.
Thank you. 
--JB

The answer was timely and right to the point.  It helps me solve my
immediate problem.  As a first time user of Google Answers, I find
this a very satisfying experience.  Good job, jb!

phi-ga, I am not sure I understand your differentiation between local
and network echo.  My understanding about echo is as follows.  When A
calls B, for instance, and if B's end does not have echo cancellation,
A will hear his/her own echo.  Please educate me if there is something
that I have ignored.

I was wondering . by echo cancelling u are refering to local echo  or
network echo ?network echo should be compensated for in the software u
use

Thank you very much, mencius!   Glad to be of service!