: We have an application that has the following characteristics
: - Will have 2 PCs at remote locations connected via phone line.
: - Will need to download images as well as data.
: There is a suggestion that we use fax/modems. The reason being that
: we can make use of any compression that the fax hardware does and also
: that the central (server) site will be able to receive images from other
: sites with only paper fax machines. The questions that arise are :
: - Do fax cards incorporate data compression? What kind? How effective?
Yes they do (but dont know what or how effective)
: - Is there available fax software (esp Windows based) that will allow
: a program to operate the fax card via API or a software library? I
: may also have to be able to obtain the image data for some image
: processing.
Yes , or at least I have been told there is, however if you can find some, can
you send me details.
: - Given the second point above, preferbly should incorporate scanner
: support also in the API.
Pass
: - I assume that I can easily use the fax card alternately as a fax
: machine as well as a data modem. Can I confirm this?
Yes, any fax/modem software will allow you to use the modem for both data and
faxes.
: - If I use the fax card as a data modem, can I also make use of
: hardware compression facility? How?
No you cannot use the fax hardware compression because faxes use a different
standard. However if you get a fax/modem capable of supporting v42bis or MNP 5 and above you can get compression of upto 4 times (not this figure is for *PURE*text.
: - Can I manipulate the resolution of the fax? ie can I have 150dpi,
: 300dpi, 100dpi etc fax?
Most fax software has the ability to use both standard and fine `fax`
resolutions, although only a few will support very fine resolutions.
: I certainly hope someone can answer these questions as well as provide
: recommendations for products. Any advice is appreciated - as you may
: guess, I know nothing about fax technology and certainly nothing about
: PC Fax applications.
Now the important data: the fax card ought to be able of upto 9600 baud send
(and 4800 baud for recieve) - to cut down phone bills. The data modem should be
a minimum of 2400 baud although 9600 or 14.4Kb are preferable (again for speed)
also the fax should be of group 3 type (this means that you can send grey-scale
pictures via the fax. (however this is only any good if your fax software is
capable of recieving group3 faxes (mine isnt!)
: Thank you very much.
: jin meng
Hope this helps, (if you want more, drop me a line, and I will try to help.)
