I posted some questions a few weeks ago about USB vs Hardware modems.
On the advice of a few posters (thanks Brett and Kirk) I "replaced" my
56K winmodem with a 33.6 hardware modem (DAVICOM 33.6 for $30 Cdn, I
still use the 56k winmodem for surfing). I've raced online twice with it
now and although latency has improved a little (high 200's to low 400's
instead of high 300's at best with the winmodem), its very stable and
the quality and sync bars are only slim red lines while racing. There is
still a little warping but the other cars don't wink in and out any
more, just a little side to side in turns. Another bonus is that I can
actually turn some of the graphics up: all trackside objects, most
textures on, sky and horizon off, cars only in mirrors, 1024x768, no
special effects, driver arms, bias set under the "I" (I have a celeron
400, V3 2000, Yamaha 724 soundcard, 64 Mb, and homebuilt wheel and
pedals.) At starts I get high 20's fps and then 36 once the cars get
spread out.
I tuned the DUN for GPL (error control off, max connection 19200,
hardware flow control, FIFO buffers one click from left). For those
thinking of upgrading their winmodem (and for VROC you really should), a
used 28.8 or 33.6 modem may be a cheap alternative to a USB modem.
Ken MacKay
Halifax, Canada
GPL Handicap +103.25
