Phonex Wireless Phone Jack Info
Wireless Telephone Jack For Satellite Television Connections
Anyone that subscribes to Dish Network, Direct TV, or TiVo knows that a telephone connection is required. The Phonex Wireless Phone Jack is an easy way to add one.
A common problem in many homes that subscribe to satellite television or have dial-up Internet access is the lack of access to a phone jack near where the computer, TiVo, DirectTV, or Dish Network converter box is located. Almost every home however has access to electricity in order to power the satellite and television devices. Thanks to the Phonex Wireless Phone Jack subscribers to such services can now easily add a telephone jack anywhere in the entire home without needing to cut into the walls and pull cable. Does it really work?
How the Phonex Phone Jacks Work
Using the same basic wireless technology that is used in other common RF based devices the Phonex Wireless Phone Jack system plugs into a home's standard power outlets then transmits a wireless signal from the base unit to a receiver unit somewhere else in the home. The hard line telephone cable is plugged into the base unit while the receiver is plugged into the satellite receiver, TiVo box, or even into a standard telephone. The two boxes send signals back and forth to allow the remote telephone or receiver to act and operate exactly as if it was plugged into a hard telephone line. One base unit can control and communicate with up to eight receiver boxes placed throughout the home.
Phonex Wireless Phone Jacks Approved by Major Satellite Providers
The major players in home satellite television as well as the TiVo company have all signed on to give their approval to the Phonex system. Using the system saves installers time and energy by not having to worry about telephone access near the receiver or TiVo box. In addition to simply providing telephone access the units also are able to pass caller ID signals through to the equipment allowing caller ID information to be displayed on the television screen when used with appropriately equipped receiver units.
Problems Associated with the Phonex Wireless Phone Jacks
While the Phonex products are relatively easy to use and set up the satisfaction that many users have with the system is mixed at best. Remember that these units use a wireless frequency similar to that of standard Wi-Fi, and thus the units are affected by the same things that adversly affect Wi-Fi communications as well. Some users report not being able to get the receivers farther than twenty to thirty feet from the base unit without losing the signal. Others report even less depending on the layout and wall construction of their home. As with all wireless technologies some problems can be alleviated by moving or relocating other electrical devices in the vicinity of the base unit and receiver.
In general off-site reviews of the Phonex Wireless Phone Jacks have been positive but mixed with mostly short term dissatisfaction. Those that kept the unit for more than a week or two report that the jacks work well although not generally good enough to be used for applications such as dial up Internet access unless in very close proximity to the base unit. As with all things, keep the receipt and be prepared to fiddle with the unit's settings and environment to get the best signal possible.
