Video Communication / Fax

[Chaser32]

Maybe someone can help me out. I have an all-in-one printer,fax,scanner,copier. I want to be able to send faxes (using the fax machine) through the computer (without having to pay for a seperate phone line just for the fax.)

In addition, I want to be able to make video conference phonecalls through the computer. What do I need other than a good web cam / mic.

Any suggestions, software etc.??

[cHiNgY1788]

you need a modem to send faxes through the computer (not through the internet)

[Chaser32]

I guess what I was looking for was something a little more modern. With the advent of VOIP Services, you would think there would be a way to integrate a fax ito the equation. Digitally Signed Certificates are great as long as there is a standard. So until then, hand signed faxes are a nescessity.

[oracle128]

Unless the fax machine comes with a specific port for interfacing with a PC, as well as the software to go with it, it's not possible.

[cHiNgY1788]

there is online fax
i havent tried it, its not free, ive looked into it a while back...

[Chaser32]

Unless the fax machine comes with a specific port for interfacing with a PC, as well as the software to go with it, it's not possible.

My fax has USB type "B" , parallel port and 3 standard phone jacks. However I do not have any software for it.

[oracle128]

My fax has USB type "B" , parallel port and 3 standard phone jacks. However I do not have any software for it.There's a good chance that port will only be for using the printer, and probably the scanner. But if you want to see if it also allows using the fax functionality in the way you want it too, you'll need to check with the manual or the manufacturer's support line.

Personally, I've never heard of a fax machine that can interface with a PC's modem to send out the fax (that's what you want to do, right? Scan a message through the fax machine, which sends it to the PC, which then sends the fax through its modem?). Maybe there's some middleware out there that can do this though, but I doubt it'd be suitable for SOHO use. I know that one company I worked at had all incoming faxes sent to a PC, which then emailed PDFs of the fax to a specific person, depending on which number was used to send the fax. But, I don't think there was any physical fax machine involved (only a PC interacting with a PABX), and I don't think it worked with outgoing stuff.