Most people are familiar w/ NetMeeting and other software that let you talk to others over internet. VOIP is similar. However, it also uses your phone - interface we're all familiar with.

Instead of connecting your phone to wall, you connect it to a box either VOIP company provides or you buy on your own. This is modem. You need highspeed/broadband internet for this. Your modem plugs into your cable/dsl modem and now it can 'talk' btwn your phone and internet.

Your phone lines already do pretty much what VOIP does, just w/ different/older technology (well, some of it's new w/ optics and such, but...).

How hard is it to setup?

It's actually very easy. Assuming you have company send you a modem or you buy a kit at store, you simply plug modem btwn your current cable/dsl modem and your computer (e.g., out from your cable modem now goes to new box and out from that to your computer). It also has a phone jack for your regular phone.

Once it is on, it will boot up and configure itself.

What are benefits?

There are many benefits depending on company you go w/, but here are a few I have (all of these are free w/ monthly fee- $14.99 for my setup):

1. Features like caller id, call waiting, call waiting caller id, call forwarding, etc.

2. Voicemail

3. Email alerts for new voicemail.

4. Web access to voicemail - you can play your messages on your computer.

5. Auto-forward - if phone is ever down or isn't answered, it's auto-routed to another number

6. Online management of all features, settings, account, etc.

7. Computer dialing - highlight any number on your computer, hit F6 and it sets up call from your phone to theirs - very convinient!

Bells and Whistles

The VHS option is not bad, but you most likely already have one you can plug into inputs of DVD recorder.

I have a DVD recorder for archiving TiVo shows as opposed to accessing my TiVo from my PC. This is nice because it means I can also archive VHS tapes, camcorder tapes, etc. w/no extra work.

I do have a TV card in my PC so I can do this, but using DVD recorder is easier.

My motto is: buy what you WILL use and not what you CAN use.

I've bought lots of things that CAN do a lot, but in reality I don't use all extra features. Not in all cases, but in this case, I say pass on bells and whistles.

Again, there are models w/ all types of features, but if you buy one that is a DVR, DVD recorder, VCR, TV tuner all in one and one part breaks, it's all broke.

Realize Something About Technology

Remember - this is new technology and will only get better and cheaper. If you buy top of line today, it's going to be out of date and/or cheap tomorrow. Test waters w/ a 'good' model and upgrade when time is right.

Editing Your Recordings

Chances are - you won't. It's a pain for most part and usually requires DVD-RAM or DVD-RW discs to do it and they're more expensive. If you have a lot of free time for this, you're a rare person.

I was looking for this type of solution in getting ready for having a baby and I knew I wasn't going to be sifting through and editing hours of video.

If you're really interested in editing, look in to PC options. Pinnacle, ArcSoft, Adobe, etc. - they have good solutions for that.

DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW