Saturday, May 19, 2007

Tesco Internet Phone Adapter

I've just bought a Tesco Internet Phone Adapter IPA-1000 (it was on sale, and I had some Tesco Clubcard Vouchers to use up). Some notes:

When it's first plugged in, it stays flashing red for awhile, this is it downloading firmware.

It appears to really be a Virbiage 3010. Freshtel have the manual - which importantly includes the username and password for the web interface to the device (something distinctly lacking in the Tesco manual).

I've got it running with asterisk - fairly simple with the web interface. Just go to the provider tab, enter the server name/ip address, username and password and it connects.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

GrandCentral Expands

GrandCentral have increased their coverage area, so New London, CT numbers are available. They also appear to have dropped geolocating ip addresses when you try and join (so no need to go through a US proxy to join).

I've been able to get a New London number, and it's forwarding to my Gizmo number!

Friday, May 11, 2007

BT Opens Vision To All

Broadband TV News is reporting that BT have launched BT Vision to the general public. The V Box will cost £199, plus a £60 installation charge and a £30 connection fee (so, really it's almost £300). They will be launching a self install package at some point in the future. The BT Vision web site doesn't mention any of this yet. According to the article, the V Box will first be available from John Lewis stores, and then eventually at Comet.

I think £300 is a bit steep for a PVR. It might not have been too bad if the V Box had some Media Centre features (ie, I could use it to view content on the PC, and the ability to transfer files between a PC and the V Box). But from what I can tell, it doesn't - though for all I know it might, as the BT Vision website is a little thin on technical detail.