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From: ear@wpi.wpi.edu (Eric A Rasmussen)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs,comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Modems
Keywords: 2400 MNP
Message-ID: <9522@wpi.wpi.edu>
Date: 9 Mar 90 01:33:51 GMT
References: <9489@wpi.wpi.edu>
Reply-To: ear@wpi.wpi.edu (Eric A Rasmussen)
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester ,MA
Lines: 28

In article <9489@wpi.wpi.edu> jayg@wpi.wpi.edu (Jay Giurleo) writes:
>Hi all.  I need some help in buying a new modem.  Basically what I need to know
>is whether MNP error protection circuitry is worth the extra money for a 2400
>baud modem.  Is it?  Thanks for the help!

I would suggest that whether or not you need the extra protection depends on
the quality of the phone line you are using.  Also, some cheaper modems are
more susceptable to line noise than most, but if you are buying a popular
brand of modem, such as a Hayes, Avatex, U.S. Robotics, or Telebit, I would
not worry about it.  I have an Avatex 2400 baud modem without MNP, and I very
rarely have any problems with line noise.  I have also used Zoom Telephonics
and Practical Peripherals brand 2400 baud modems without MNP and had no noise
problems.  In fact, the only 2400 baud modem I have seen that was below
standard was an Omnidyne, but it had been dropped off a table onto the floor a
few times.

In theory, MNP can also result in slightly higher data transmission rates by
utilizing data compression techniques, however this is only useful if you plan
on doing large file transfers over the phone, such as if you plan to call a
lot of bulletin boards.

One problem with MNP modems is that you only gain the advantages of MNP if you
are calling another modem with MNP, and I am almost positive that the modems
WPI has do not support MNP.

In summary, I would get the MNP if I had a noisy phone line and/or I planned
on doing lots of file transfers with bulletin boards that have MNP modems,
otherwise, I would save my money.