FOOD FOR THOUGHT Ability to set a specific codec for and outbound route

[vmikalinis]

Hi All, I run G722 inside my network and have a trunk from Voip.ms for which I use a 10 connection licensed G729 codec. From what I've read, the system is transcoding when an outbound call is made and losing quality in the process. I noticed a patch was created over at Freepbx (freepbx.org/trac/ticket/5915) that allows you to set the codec outgoing and eliminate the transcoding and wasn't quite clear whether or not I could apply the patch or how to do it or if it is built into a newer version of PBXIAF. Calls sound fantastic inside my network (G722), but there is a noticeable drop in quality outbound. Thanks for any help that anyone can provide.

 

[tbrummell]

Ummm...I hate to state the obvious.....but G729 sounds like a cell phone for a reason, it's a compressed codec.

 

[vmikalinis]

I can switch the trunk to G711 but will still be transcoding outbound from G722. From what I've read, if I want to eliminate the transcoding I would have to give up G722 and change everything internally and externally to G711 (G729 would require licenses). That's why I was inquiring about the patch which seems to allow you to run G722 internally and then G711 or G729 when calling out the way the calls come in from the trunk. I guess this may end up in a future release, it would be nice to be able to set it.

 

[leemason]

G.729 only requires a license for transcoding. Asterisk will pass-thru G.729 without the need for a license. However if you try to transcode without a license it won't work. So if the trunk and end points both support G.729 and simple pass the traffic through Asterisk that's fine. But if Asterisk has to transcode (for example to play a message in ulaw or alaw format) then that needs a license.

G.729 is compress and so does offer lower quality but when I've used it the difference is not really that noticeable.