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Service Hints & Tips

Document ID: VLAR-3X9NGX

MWave - Various questions and answers

Applicable to: World-Wide

Question:
What's so great about the Mwave 2780 chip?
Answer:
The MDSP2780 chipset), a 60 MIPS processor, has the following features:

-	44.1KHz MPC-2 16-bit audio with real-time compression
-	Simultaneous audio play and record
-	Digital audio mixing with up to 8 open .WAV files concurrently
-	General MIDI-compatible 32-voice wavetable synthesizer
-	SoundBlaster software support
-	14.4/14.4Kbps fax/modem (28.8Kbps modem with free software upgrade)
-	Voice-over-data feature to allow simultaneous voice conversation over same phone line as modem transfers (requires a free software upgrade, downloadable from the IBM PC Company BBS or the ThinkPad Forum on CompuServe)
-	Full-duplex answering machine with variable message playback and voice compression
-	Full-featured telephone and speakerphone (optional feature required)
-	DSP is software-upgradeable to faster fax/modem speeds and other features

Question:
I have a ThinkPad 755 or 760 with the Mwave 2780 chip. The free ThinkPad Mwave 2.0 software upgrade increases the modem support to 28.8Kbps (V.34). Can this same upgrade be used with other Mwave products, including IBM's Audiovation/WindSurfer/WaveRunner/Multimedia Modem, and other IBM and non-IBM products?
Answer:
No. The "Mwave 2.0" package is specific to the ThinkPad 755 and 760 systems. There are other 2.0 updates for the IBM WindSurfer Adapters (ISA and MCA), Multimedia Modem, and V.32bis DSP Data/Fax Modem (and perhaps the other IBM adapters as well). Owners of OEM sound/modem cards have to contact their card vendors for updates, because the card vendors will need to customize the new drivers obtained from IBM before they can be used.

Question:
I can't seem to get my Mwave modem to connect reliably at high speeds to other V.34 modems. Are there any patches for this?
Answer:
Yes. Download a file called V34_178.ZIP from many electronic sources. This is an update for the Mwave 2.0 software.

Question:
I have an Mwave-based ThinkPad, Aptiva, or other system, or an adapter. What sound card driver should I use for it?
Answer:
The system or adapter should have come with DOS/Windows and/or OS/2 drivers. If not, or if they don't work correctly, and you are forced to select a sound card from the application setup list, look for a SoundBlaster 1.5 or SoundBlaster Pro option. Mwave emulates both cards.

Question:
I have an Mwave-based ThinkPad, Aptiva, or other system, or an adapter. What fax card driver should I use for it?
Answer:
If the fax software doesn't offer an Mwave option, select "Generic Class 2" or another modem of this type.

Question:
I frequently play games, audio CDs, or digital audio while using the Mwave modem for transferring files, answering phones, and so on in the background. Sometimes the sound cuts out temporarily, or the modem operates at less than full 28.8Kbps speed. Why?
Answer:
Although the Mwave 2780 chip is a 60 MIPs processor, even it can become overtaxed occasionally while it is processing multiple complex commands at once. When this happens it will reduce the modem transmission speed, or temporarily suspend the audio function in order to process the other tasks. If this happens frequently, you might want to set the modem to a top speed of 19.2Kbps or even 14.4Kbps, in order to keep from exceeding the capacity of the Mwave processor. Some experimentation should allow you to determine the maximum modem speed that can be maintained for your needs without interrupting other functions.

Question:
What's call discrimination?
Answer:
The Mwave modem and software have the ability to distinguish between incoming data, fax, and voice calls. When the Aptiva Communication Center is running you can receive faxes and voice messages. The system will recognize them all and handle them accordingly. (Faxes go into the fax queue, while voice calls go to the answering machine function.) It will also allow for hands free (speaker phone) operation.

Question:
If I answer the telephone by picking up the handset, will I disrupt the computer's ability to discriminate between call types?
Answer:
No, answering the phone will not prevent Mwave's Discriminator from trying to detect if the event is a voice or FAX call. However, it is recommended that you close the Discriminator before answering calls with the telephone attached to the computer.

	Search Keywords
	Hint Category	Mwave
	Date Created	11-08-98
	Last Updated	19-11-98
	Revision Date	19-11-99
	Brand	IBM Options
	Product Family	Communication Adapters, Modems
	Machine Type	DSP, 14.4K, 19.2K, 28.8K
	Model	All
	TypeModel
	Retain Tip (if applicable)
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