Polycom Communicator C100S USB Speakerphone for Skype-Grey
by Polycom Inc.
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List Price: Our Price: $106.99 You Save: $15.00 (12%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $99.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Polycom Communicator C100S USB Speakerphone for Skype-Grey
Customer Review: unbelievable sound
Summary: 5 Stars
I needed a high quality Skype phone to make calls overseas for my business and have tried a number of them. For one reason or another they were all less than adequate. But the Communicator is sweet! I cannot believe the sound quality. As other reviewers have mentioned it sounds as if the person you're talking to is in the same room with you. Far better sound than what my landline provides. I love the hands free operation and the simplicity. Now for the issues: I found the same problem as others reported with a worthless CD so went to http://www.polycom.com/support/voice/communicator/communicator_c100s.html and downloaded the Communicator software version 2.1 for Skype. That did the trick. The usb cable is too short so just get yourself an extension before the Communicator arrives and you won't be cursing. I was lucky in that I had one lying around ready to go. Their tech support is frightening. At first I mistakenly ordered the C100 (not the C100S) and called their support to ask a question. The guy I spoke with sounded like he just woke up from a bad dream. hey, sorry for annoying you buddy.... But with these minor issues aside I really do love this phone. At least with XP it works like a dream.Customer Review: Company misrepresented
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this several years ago, based on Polycom's assurances that there would be a Mac driver soon. That was about five years ago, and despite their claims (they told one user here 2007 he says), there is no evidence they are even working on one and its 2010.
Stay away unless you're ready to be tied to the obsolete Windows XP system; Microsoft itself has come out with several new versions (not updates) of Windows since then and there is no evidence on the customer service site that they are even considering upgrades even of their Windows software.
Too bad--this company had had an excellent reputation for their industrial conference system, but this product has, in my opinion, demonstrated their untrustworthiness.
It is astonishing that, according to some here, the company didn't do even a decent engineering job on the communicator--instead of the internal chip one expected, Skype control and signal processing is pretty much all in software, making the unit obsolete soon after it came out, given their neglect of software development,
If enough of us have been adversely affected by this, perhaps there is a basis for a class action lawsuit.
Customer Review: Works with Vista - But Understand its Limitations
Summary: 4 Stars
A number of people have claimed that this unit does not work with Vista. However, that is simply not correct. I have Vista Ultimate in Japanese, running an English language pack, and Skype which even more surprisingly is not yet fully compatible with Vista either.
First time you connect to your PC, it is possible that you will need to plug-in and out a few times before the drivers load - but they will load. Then you are on your way. Now, what does and does not work when using with Vista - on my PC:
1. Skype Button works fine.
2. Dial and hang-up button works fine
3. Volume (up and down) do NOT work
4. Mute button does NOT work
5. Speaker works fine
6. Microphone works fine
I use the unit for both Skype-Skype calls and Skype-out calls and the audio quality is good. I have asked and people at the other end have no problem hearing me, no echo and no distortion.
Overall a good product. When Polycom eventually release Vista drivers (and when Skype is fully compatible with Vista also) it will be a great product. In the meantime, understand its limitations but buy without fear that it will let you down.
Customer Review: Excellent product, well worth the money
Summary: 5 Stars
I needed a half dozen of these to set up an inter-office communications system for a client. The most important issue besides reliability and compatibility was sound amplitude and quality in a noisy environment, and this product is a winner. The Skype interface works flawlessly, and even on non-XP machines where the button functions and the enhanced audio processing of the Communicator software are not available it works very nicely. The fit and finish is superb and the quality obvious the moment you take it in hand, which came as no surprise to me because Polycom has been known for top shelf products for years.
The only drawback I can think of is that the USB cable, which stows very nicely inside the case for portable use with your laptop, is only a tad over two feet long and as a result I had to purchase USB extension cables for every desktop workstation since at best the existing cable will get you from the front of the computer to the edge of the desk, and running from a USB on the back of the computer and up behind the desk with the monitor and keyboard cables is out of the question, so you'll need to budget another ten bucks to Amazon for that one.
Customer Review: Simple to install and use, excellent sound quality
Summary: 5 Stars
I tried Skype with a headphone/microphone that was kicking around the house and was encouraged enough to order one of these little phones, expecting a clipped, jerky conversation that was difficult to understand, like a cell phone call. Not so. With the new phone and both people using Skype the conversation is amazing. It really is like being in the same room. I never before realized how much clipping regular phone lines employ in order to compress calls. The Skype phone sounds much better than the $300 Polycom conference phone on my desk. With only one person using Skype, intelligibility is about as good as a regular telephone call, but still far better than most cell phone calls. One nice little benefit is that when both people are using Skype, the call is free. No subscription fee, no nothing. Free to Hong Kong, or Mumbai, or anywhere for as long as want to talk.
However great the phone may be, its short USB cable is a pain. I'm giving these as Christmas presents this year, but including a USB extension cable with each phone.