Features
Quality
Value
Overall

Introduction

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has dramatically brought down the cost of making long distance calls, with quality at par and sometimes better than calls made through ordinary telephone. Traditionally PCs powered with software such as Skype and Google Talk have been used to initiate VoIP calls. The NetGear SPH200D Skype Phone is a revolutionary product that allows you to make calls in dual mode - through the conventional phone line and through Skype VoIP. You can do all of this without the need of switching on your PC. You can now enjoy free long distance calls by using the SPH200D running on Skype.

What is in the box?

The NetGear SPH200D box includes three components.

Cordless Base Station

The Cordless Base Station is a white box of the size of a DSL modem. The box needs to be connected with a broadband router through a LAN cable provided with the device. The Base Station also connects to the phone line from your wall outlet through a standard RJ11 connector. The base station can support upto three additional SPH150D handsets which can be bought separately.

Cordless Handset (SPH150D)

The second part of SPH200D is a Cordless Handset which has a range good enough to cover your house. The handset interfaces with the base station through a wireless link. The device uses a standard named DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication) that gives the phone longer range and better clarity. The handset is also equipped with a speaker phone with reasonable loudness allowing you to speak hands-free.

Charging Cradle

Finally, there is a Handset Cradle attached to an AC adapter that holds and charges the cordless handset. When not in use the SPH150D cordless handset fits neatly in the cradle.

SPH200D and Skype Connection

The SPH200D Skype phone has the Skype software preloaded in the device and does not require any additional installation. Skype allows you to call your online friends worldwide, through their PCs (or their Skype Phones) free of charge. However, if you wish to reach them on their phone, you will need to use a service named SkypeOut that helps you make worldwide calls for cheap. You can buy pre-paid credits to use the SkypeOut service through Skype.com.

To begin using either the free service or SkypeOut, you need to register for a free Skype ID at Skype.com. When you switch on the phone for the first time, you will be prompted for a Skype Id and Password that you will be able to enter the way you type in text messages. You also have an option to save your login details so you dont need to do each time you switch the phone on.

The phone book feature of the phone allows you to save upto 500 Skype IDs of your contacts and allows you to call them at the press of a few buttons.

Overall look and feel

The phone has rather conventional white décor with no possibility of customized colors or textures to match the theme of your home. As compared to competitor skype phones like those offered by Philips, NetGear could be said to have improvised on the aesthetics. However, the aesthetic shortcoming is well compensated by overall performance.

Conclusion

VoIP is a fairly advanced technology that has helped the convergence of voice and data services. Devices like NetGear SPH200D allow you to make the best of these recent technology developments. The experience of NetGear in manufacturing quality wireless devices is indeed evident in the innovative SPH200D Skype Phone. The device has the potential to save a lot of long distance calling costs and all that without needing to use a PC. With an average broadband connection, the device is capable of giving very good clarity and while it lacks a few advanced functionality offered by its peers, it performs very well for most users.

Pros:

• No PC needed
• Upto 4 handsets supported
• Skype application pre-loaded; simple login wizard
• Good range and clarity

Cons:

• Can not switch to a landline call when Skype is in use
• Advanced features such as multi-line conferencing are missing
• No choice of color or design

Technical Specifications

Netgear SPH200D pictures

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