Faxing over VoIP

First some background on faxing and VoIP.

Faxing has been around for years and most of the protocols were written with the intent of sending those signals over traditional phone circuits using sounds.  Those sounds were turned back into data by the receiving fax machine, which expects a constant, steady transmission of data, without any loss.  If there is some loss of data the receiving fax machine will shut down the transmission.

The problem is that the codecs used by VoIP IADs are designed to compress voice, not the analog signals sent and received by modems.

In a VoIP Internet world, voice is first converted into packets and then they are sent over the connections that make up our our vast Internet.  They may take slightly different times to arrive at their destination.  In doing so some packets may be discarded, but the end result is that the receiving VoIP device has enough packets to make a clear and understandable conversation. 

We suggest these  settings on a fax machine for faxing over VoIP; slowing the transmission rate down and allowing the machine to continue receiving the transmission even though a few bits of data were lost, then faxing over VoIP can become more consistent.  Our suggestions in many cases can resolve issues that prevent faxing over a VoIP connection, but not in all cases. 

Not every fax machine comes with implicit easy to find instructions for slowing down the BAUD rate to 9600. Adding to this problem is that most recent fax machines transmit at higher speeds than 9600, so we have started to list some fax model's instructions to lower the transmission speed to a baud rate of 9600. We recognize that these instructions can be excluded from many of the manufacturer’s manuals and can also be difficult to locate from any source, even when calling your fax manufacturers support personnel. So to try to alleviate some of the VoIP frustration in achieving this important setting, we have decided to try to list some instructions to lower the baud rate to 9600 for some fax models.

G711 or Non-Compressed Codec

First make sure that your VoIP connection for you line that you fax on is set to G711. This is a non-compressed codec. G729 uses compression and will makethe fax fail. Some providers have a "Bandwidth Saver" setting. This would be a compressed codec. Make sure this is Not enabled. If you do not have access to this setting call your provider and make sure your connection is set for G711.

Why you need to lower the baud rate to 9600.

Faxing over VoIP can present certain challenges which require a slower transmission speed, so that most of the data gets to its destination. Packet loss, jitter, and latency all add up to corrupt a fax transmission over VoIP. When a fax machine determines that data is lost, it will shut down the transmission, even though with some bits of data lost you would still have a workable document. By slowing down the transmission speed to 9600, you increase the probability that most of the data will make the trip.

Lowering the Baud rate on an HP6110

You can set the Baud rate by following these steps:

  • Press the * and # keys at the same time.
  • Press 1, then 2, then 3. (Release each key before pressing the next.)
  • Select System Configuration, the select R/W parameters and press Enter.
  • Press 153 and then Enter. (This parameter is for sending. The parameter for receiving is 159.)
  • Press 2*, then Enter. The value should display. (This is the parameter for V.17 9600.-*see below for additional information)
  • Next press Cancel repeatedly until you exit the service menu.

The following instructions may also apply

  • Press Setup.
  • Select Advanced Fax Setup and then press OK.
  • Next select Fax Speed and then OK.
  • Select Slow for 9600 or Medium for 14,400. then press OK.

*One of our visitors suggested entering 1, which seemed to have a better result. This would relate to a Medium setting, so if parameter 2 does not work, try 2.

Lowering the Baud rate on an HP4110

You can set the Baud rate by following these steps:

  • Press the * and # keys at the same time.
  • Press 1, then 2, then 3. (Release each key before pressing the next.)
  • Service should now display, press the right arrow button until R/W parameters appears. Then press Enter.
  • You should see parameter 0. Press 2, then Enter.
  • Next press Cancel repeatedly until you exit the service menu.

Lowering the Baud Rate of an HP4219

  • Navigate to the Advanced Menu, First Go to Setup, Press 4 for Advanced Fax Setup
  • Then Select Slow Setting
  • Save Settings

Lowering the Baud rate on

HP6100xi, HP7410xi and HP PSC2210

You can set the Baud rate by following these steps:

  • Press the * and # keys at the same time.
  • Press 1, then 2, then 3. (Release each key before pressing the next.)
  • The display should show Service, press the right arrow button once and System Configuration should display.Press Enter.
  • Press the right arrow button until R/W parameters appears. Then press Enter.
  • You should see parameter 0. Press 153, then Enter. (Parameter 153 is for sending. The parameter for receiving is 159.)
  • Press 2, then Enter.
  • Next press Cancel repeatedly until you see the date and time display.

Lowering the Baud rate on a HP

Officejet 7300/7400 series all-in-one

  • Press Setup
  • Press 5 and then press 7. This will display the Advanced Fax Setup menu and then selects the Fax Speed.
  • Select the Slow Baud Rate from the following speeds:
    • Slow which equals 9600 (V.29)
    • Medium which equals 14400 (V.17)
    • Fast which equals 33600 (V.34)

Lowering the Baud rate on a Canon

Fax Phone B95.

  • Press Function.
  • Press Start/Copy.
  • Hit the Right Arrow until System Settings appears. Press Start/Copy.
  • Hit the Right Arrow until TXStart Speed appears.
  • Choose 9600bps.
  • Hit Function to return you previous level until you can choose RX Start Speed by hitting the Right Arrow.
  • Choose 9600bps.

You may find that these directions will work with other Canon fax machines or be close enough to find the correct TX and RX Start Speeds.

imageclass D780, the Canon B140, B120 and the B115.

Lowering both the Baud rate and disabling ECM on a Canon C855

  • Press Function.
  • Press Data Registration.
  • Hit the Up or Down Arrow until Fax Settings appears. Press Set.
  • Hit the Up or Down Arrow to navigate to the Sub Menus.
  • First Choose TX Settings. (This is for sending faxes.)
  • Select TX Start Speed. Choose 9600bps
  • Select ECM TX. Then OFF. This will turn off ECM while sending a fax.
  • Next select RX settings. (This is for receiving faxes.)
  • Select RX Start Speed. Choose 9600bps.
  • Select ECM RX. Then OFF. (This will turn off ECM for receiving a fax.)
  • Press Stop to exit.

* You may find that these directions will work with other Canon fax machines or be close enough to find the correct TX and RX Start Speeds.

Disabling ECM and Lowering the Baud rate on Canon imageCLASS D780

Under Fax Settings which can differ depending on exact machine navigate to Additional Functions, which will display the menus. The Additional Function Key will Blink. Use the Left (-) and Right (+) arrow to select the menu you want, in this case Fax Settings. Press Set.

  • Under User Settings navigate to TX Settings sets the transmission functions of the fax. ECM TX turn to OFF.
  • Under User Settings navigate to RX Settings sets the transmission functions of the fax. ECM TX turn to OFF.
  • Under User Settings navigate to Tel Line Settings then TX Start Speed set to 9600bps.
  • Under User Settings navigate to Tel Line Settings then RX Start Speed set to 9600bps.

Note as you navigate through the menu the default settings that are set on the fax will be in Bold.

Disabling ECM and Lowering the Baud rate on Canon Fax B140, B120 & B115

  • Press Function then press Start/Copy.
  • Select User Settings. Using the Left and Right arrows navigate to TX Settings.
  • Press Start/Copy to access the settings under TX Settings.
  • Select ECM TX and select OFF to disableduring sending.
  • Using the Left and Right arrows navigate to RX Settings.
  • Press Start/Copy to access the settings under RX Settings.
  • Select ECM RX and select OFF to disablewhile receiving.
  • Using the Left and Right arrows navigate to System Settings.
  • Press Start/Copy to access the settings under System Settings.
  • Select TX Start Speed. Select 9600bps. This will set the transmit or send speed to 9600bps.
  • Select RX Start Speed. Select 9600bps. This will set the receive speed to 9600bps.

Disabling ECM on a Canon Fax/Phone B95.

  • Press Function.
  • Press Start/Copy.
  • Hit the Right Arrow until TX Settings appears. Press Start/Copy.
  • Hit the Right Arrow until ECM TX appears.
  • Hit Start/Copy to turn it OFF.
  • Hit Function to return you previous level until you can choose ECM RX by hitting the Right Arrow. Press Start/Copy to turn it OFF.

Lowering the Baud rate on a Canon

Fax Phone B95.

  • Press Function.
  • Press Start/Copy.
  • Hit the Right Arrow until System Settings appears. Press Start/Copy.
  • Hit the Right Arrow until TXStart Speed appears.
  • Choose 9600bps.
  • Hit Function to return you previous level until you can choose RX Start Speed by hitting the Right Arrow.
  • Choose 9600bps.

You may find that these directions will work with other Canon fax machines or be close enough to find the correct TX and RX Start Speeds.

Lowering the Baud rate on Brother

fax machines.

  • Press the Menu or Menu/Set key. Then Fax, Miscellaneous and Compatibility.
  • Press the Up or Down key until you can select Basic. Basic reduces the modem speed to 9600 bps.
  • Press OK or Menu/Set or Set key.
  • Press Stop/Exit.

Note these instructions should work for the following models: Fax-1835C, Fax-1840C, Fax-1940CN, Fax-2440C, Fax-2820, Fax-2825, Fax-2920, MFC-210C, MFC-215C, MFC-240C, MFC-3240C, MFC-3340c, and most other MFC models.

Lowering the Baud rate and disabling

ECM on a Brother MFC 420CN

This multifunction Brother machine has a normal Fax BAUD rate of 14400. Use the following steps to set the machine to a basic setting which will both lower the BAUD rate to 9600 and disable ECM.

  • Press the Menu or Menu/Set key, then Fax, Miscellaneous, and Compatibility.
  • Use the Up or Down arrows to select Basic.
  • Press OK or Menu/Set or the Set key.
  • Press Stop/Exit.

Lowering the Baud rate on Brother Fax Machines*

  • Press the Menu key.
  • Press 2, Press 0, then Press 2 again.
  • Hit the Up or Down Arrow and select Basic.
  • Press the OK Key.
  • Press the Stop or Exit Key.

* You should find these directions will work with the following Brother Fax machines, FAX1360, FAX1860C, FAX1960C, MFC240C.

Turning on Overseas Mode on Brother Fax Machines*

Under Fax Settings which can differ depending on exact machine navigate to Additional Functions, which will display the menus. The Additional Function Key will Blink. Use the Left (-) and Right (+) arrow to select the menu you want, in this case Fax Settings. Press Set.

  • Press the Fax key to illuminate it.
  • Load your document.
  • Press the Menu key.
  • Press 2, Press 2 again, then Press 7.
  • Hit the Up or Down Arrow and select On.
  • Press the OK Key.

* You should find these directions will work with the following Brother Fax machines, FAX1360, FAX1860C, FAX1960C, MFC240C.

Lowering the Baud rate on Brother Fax Machines*

  • Press the Menu/Set key.
  • Press 2, Press 0, then Press 1.
  • Hit the Up or Down Arrow key and select Basic.
  • Press the Menu/Set key.
  • Press the Stop or Exit Key.

* You should find these directions will work with the following Brother Fax machines, FAX1840C, FAX1840CN, FAX1940CN , FAX2810 FAX2910, FAX2920.

Turning on Overseas Mode on Brother Fax Machines*

Under Fax Settings which can differ depending on exact machine navigate to Additional Functions, which will display the menus. The Additional Function Key will Blink. Use the Left (-) and Right (+) arrow to select the menu you want, in this case Fax Settings. Press Set.

  • Press the Fax key to illuminate it.
  • Load your document.
  • Press the Menu/Set key.
  • Press 2, Press 2 again, then Press 7.
  • Hit the Up or Down Arrow and select On.
  • Press the Menu/Set key.

* You should find these directions will work with the following Brother Fax machines, FAX1840C, FAX1840CN, FAX1940CN , FAX2810 FAX2910, FAX2920

Reference

VOIP Mechanic Retrieve from:  http://www.voipmechanic.com/voip-fax-settings-9600-baud.htm