Just update via my handset.

Everything seems to be working and I can confirm that the web interface now works with IE8.

Bob

Thanks Bob for the information on IE8; I'll download it sometime. In the meantime, my handset displays have sprung back to life, informing me the weather forecast for Sheffield is "clouds, rain" - nothing new there then! The gigaset.net website is still nicht verfügbar (not available).

Well, I can (sort of) use IE8 with my updated firmware, but the screen doesn't format correctly and it takes forever to refresh. Meantime, Google Chrome works like a breeze (I was experiencing problems with version 2). 

Hi johpal

Which screens are you having problems with (with IE8)? I've just had another quick look and mine look fine.

Bob

@bobboulby

'Morning Bob, you're bright and early. My problems start at the login screen; I see the text displayed, but not the graphics. This used to happen with Chrome, but when I refreshed the screen, everything appeared together (Chrome now works perfectly). I've tried IE8 before and actually reverted to IE7, but the more I use Chrome (and FireFox), the less I like IEx, that now, to me, appears a bloated dinosaur.

By the way, Gigaset.net still isn't back online, although my (gloomy) weather forecast appears to be updating on the handsets.

Strange, I've just checked again and it's working ok for me. Still, as you say, other browsers are available   

Bob

Hi folks...

Is the C475IP still a good buy today or have any better products been released that I should consider? I have no VoIP equipment at present and would prefer a device that allows VoIP and normal landline calls.

Thanks for any advice.

I've had my A580IP for about 5 months now and I'm still delighted with it. I've not checked the market recently but I'd still recommend this product. Prices seem to be falling too, I paid around £50 but Amazon are currently selling the A580 for £45.40.

Bob

Dont forget if you dont use your gigaset username/nickname it gets deleted after a while  so re-register it or lose it

In addition Siemens did say we would only get free gigiaset to gigaset for a temporary period


puddy

Anyone need a reasonably cheap 2nd handset for their C475/S685 ( and possibly A580 ) systems.
Tesco have reduced their DP45 additional handset http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.202-8562.aspx to £27.97.
Its basically a Siemens S45 handset, Ive just got one and it works fine with my C475IP.
If you want to check what functionality it should have with your base unit then go to the gigaset compatibility database
http://gigaset.com/shc/0,...IP_PRODGRP%253AHO,00.html

Heads up - there's a new version of the firmware available ths morning - details below.

Gigaset A580 IP Firmware update 11/2009
02214

New features:

VoIP: Call transfer also possible for incoming calls.*
VoIP: Performs audio codec negotiation up- and downwards during a call.
VoIP: Acoustic signalling of received out-of-band DTMF-tones during a call.
Web Configurator: new languages - Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. English is preinstalled. The rest of the available languages will be downloaded when they are selected.
Web Configurator (Settings/Telephony/Number Assignment): Enhanced Auto-Fallback implemented. If the call via IP fails, the phone will automatically dial via next active IP account, trying all IP accounts one by one.
Web Configurator (Settings/Telephony/Number Assignment): Support of a web-based "Call Manager" for incoming and outgoing calls. Works under the premise: IP provider runs a BroadSoft-system.*
Web Configurator (Settings/TelephonyAdvanced Settings): Auto DTMF negotiation implemented.
Web Configurator (Settings/Security): Transport Layer Security (TLS) for Gigaset auto-configuration and TR-069 implemented.*/**
Switzerland: Free VoIP calls between Gigaset IP phones via Phonet.ch. If the entry Phonet.ch is not in the directory, the handset has to be re-registered at the base station.

Provider relevant features:
- SIP over TCP: The prefered transport protocol (UDP/TCP) can be set via the provider profile.
- Period for the automatic check of provider settings is configurable via the provider profile.
- Web Configurator (Settings/IP Configuration): VLAN-Tagging for virtual networks implemented.*/**
- TR-069: Support of Auto-Configuration Server (ACS): Alcatel/Lucent and Gigaset Software Suite.
- Interoperability with softswitches: Asterisk (V 1.4.18), Broadsoft (R14SP5), IP Centrex, Sylantro AS (V4.1.1), Nortel CS2K.

Improvements:

Enhanced reliability of Gigaset.net service through implementation of a RTP-Proxy.
Web Configurator: Support of Internet Explorer 8.0 and Mozilla Firefox 3.5 (with MS Vista) improved.
Telephonebook down-/upload via Web Configurator: vCards are now uploaded correctly.
Improved behaviour during conference calls.*
Automatic check for firmware and provider profile updates improved.
SMS via IP: reception of linked SMS improved.*
CLIP for Brazil, Russia, Netherlands, Great Britain: error correction.
Correction of Russian display texts.

Provider relevant features:
- Handling of audio codec G729 improved.
- VoIP: support of  "0+<Number>" format for incoming calls (CLIP).*
Known Bugs:
Web Configurator (Settings/Services): incorrect provider names in the online-directory list. The functionality is not affected by that.

V02214 » correct      
AT - Norway » AT - Herold
CH - Panama » CH - [tel.search.ch]
DE - Mexico » DE - klickTel
DK - New Zealand » DK - De Gule Sider
NL - Morocco » NL - De Telefoongids
NO - Netherlands » NO - Gule Sider

* provider-dependent
** device-dependent  

Someone's up early Bob, Thanks for the info.
TBH I cant see much in there that's really useful apart from maybe..
The main feature that's really missing is SIP calling using a URI rather than the rather limited IP address that the Gigaset supports.

I agree but if I'm honest, I don't really understand half of the new features anyway  . I'll probably update to stay on the latest version though.

The feature I'd like to see is the ability to set dialling plans for specific times of the day.

e.g. for numbers starting "01" use the voip line between 08:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday, otherwise use the pstn line.

Otherwise I'm very happy with the functionality and stability "as is".

Bob

Warning! I'd caution against updating your Siemens phone  firmware to latest version 02214 as released 11/09!! I have a Gigaset S685IP and since updating the firmware this morning my phone has been very erratic, dropping out etc. Spoke to my VOIP provider who traced my calls and said it was indeed losing connections and they said they'd had other users of Siemens phones today report problems since upgrading the firmware. I phoned Siemens support and they admitted they are aware of several reports of problems with the new firmware release. Said they are working on it but could not give me an ETA for a fix. They just told me to reset the base station and "that should fix the problems". It seems that's their standard suggested cure-all, but as I'd no choice I reluctantly did so. After doing that and spending 30 minutes reinserting all my settings etc. - you guessed it - problems are still there! As it's not possible to downgrade the firmware I'm basically ****ed cos Siemens apparently released dodgy firmware!! Grrrr!! 

Thanks for the warning - I think I'll give installing this update a miss !

Bob

Sounds like a good move.
Thanks for the heads up guitareth .