TyTN bits & pieces...ROMs...Cingular...UMTS...settings..

[DeviLduck]

1. This unlocked HTC TyTN originally came with 05/30/06 ROM installed. I tried different HTC, Dopod, Qtek,I-mate, etc. ROMs available on this Forum but the current one (7/22/06 shown in sig) being used is the most stable I found. All were about the same speed wise. All have the same BT audio problems. Some ROMs really choked with certain utility software, e.g., Spbs & SKtools. Some ROMs are loaded down with stuff you'll never use & can't get rid of easily. This ROM works the best here with demanding chess software & online chess programs, as well as various utilities which are known to cause problems. The real improved TyTN ROM we need isn't released yet!

2. Serial # HT628xxxxxxx. No screen alignment problems.

3. 2 GB SanDisk MicroSD card, formatted as fat32, correct memory detected on device. No data losses so far. I have made backups (Spb) to card & restored with no problem, USING SAME ROM ONLY. All syncs (MS4.2) made to WinXPsp2 computer...works normally.

4. Cingular network settings used = same as Cingular 8125. Found that the TyTN Phone setting\Band settings WORKED BEST when BOTH set to AUTO. When specific settings, i.e., GSM or WCDMA, GSM(1900+850)+UMTS(1900+850), were used, the speeds were much less or erratic for some reason I don't understand. In fact, UMTS connects infrequently & Edge drops way down. This finding may only apply to San Francisco Area. The tests performed all used the DSLReports Test Server-S.F. & 2Wire.com server. A soft reset was done between each test or change of parameters.

5. Also, I found that the Cingular (8125) setup for MEdia Net (which also uses proxy settings) works the best & attains the highest speeds overall. Other settings, especially those needed for audio & video streaming (where proxy is not used), were not as good. Tests included TyTN Cingular settings from various websites, e.g., BengalBoy, etc..I'm still working on finding the optimal settings for non-proxy use. However, I will say, I've been able to play online chess & listen to streaming audio, simultaneously, something not possible with any other ppc or mobile device used. So, even the non-proxy connection through Cingular with TyTN works well.

6. The device Network setting indicates "UMTS Cingular" when connected to UMTS. For G (Edge & less), the Network setting will indicate only "Cingular."

7. Top pda screen indicator U or G. Of course, G appears for Edge or less bandwidth. Speeds generally average about 175-260 kBit/sec Edge or 600-1200 kBit/sec UMTS. The higher speeds are happening more frequently around the San Francisco Bay Area, as Cingular improves the network. Areas where I used to get only Edge speeds are now coming in as UMTS.

8. It's possible Cingular's use of HSDPA software is beginning to bump up the average UMTS speeds, in S.F. area.

9. The TyTN gets much better phone signal than my 8125 & about the same as the excellent 2125. Old Nokia still best in this department. The phone audio quality, both in & out, is MUCH better than Cingular 8125 or I-mate Jamin.

10. I have noticed more Dropped calls with the TyTN, compared to the 8125, 2125, I-mate Jamin & an old Nokia. Maybe that's due to Cingular Network changes related to UMTS, who knows, but others have reported this as well.

11. The TyTN sliding keyboard is heads & shoulders above the 8125! Totally solid mechanism. Thank heavens. It's easiest to use of any pda keyboard experienced.

12. Besides the useful registry BT tweaks one needs for the TYTN, I did find the reg tweaks to pipe the History, Cookies, & Temp Internet Files to MicroSD card, an excellent improvement! With the better TyTN Internet speeds, this tweak means more than before.

13. Using Clip-on Bluetooth Stereo Headset, DKSH-06, spec v1.2.(Shenzhen Trykey,Hongkong) & Motorola H700 BT earpiece. Both excellent with TyTN.

[yak86]

Hi, Do you think you could list the settings that you're using in detail? Thanks!

[the blues]

yea i agree with the above post. im also running the hermes on the cingular network and are interested in the settings you are using to attain such good speeds.

[john1027]

Nice post DeviLduck.

I found that the phone/band settings you use work the best where I am in the Northern VA/Wash DC area. I have never seen any UMTS speed better than the low 800s. As you said, it will get better as the HSDPA software becomes further deployed.

UMTS is still sporatic around here and I have found a few times where the device gets hung up looking for a service. The phone will work but there is no data connection. This only happens on when I have auto/auto selected. If I chose GSM/auto, there is never a hang-up. It ususally happens when I had a UMTS connection and then drop off to an E (G on the display).

[john1027]

Nice post DeviLduck.

I found that the phone/band settings you use work the best where I am in the Northern VA/Wash DC area. I have never seen any UMTS speed better than the low 800s. As you said, it will get better as the HSDPA software becomes further deployed.

UMTS is still sporatic around here and I have found a few times where the device gets hung up looking for a service. The phone will work but there is no data connection. This only happens on when I have auto/auto selected. If I chose GSM/auto, there is never a hang-up. It ususally happens when I had a UMTS connection and then drop off to an E (G on the display).

[iboj007]

John,

Are you on the MediaMaxx (MediaNet) plan or pdaconnect plan?

Also please post the settings if you are onthe MediaNet plan. IT is very confusing as to what are the proper settings. Someone should post a definitive guide to the different plans/settings and what the restrictions and limitations are of each plan.

I am in Silver Spring and will be getting my TyTN on Monday/Tuesday of this week. It will be interesting to see what speeds I get up here....Some users are reporting anywhere from 900kbps to 1.2Mbps in our region.

~O

[DeviLduck]

Hi, Do you think you could list the settings that you're using in detail? Thanks!

Cingular Support with settings:

MEdia Net connection profile
http://onlinecare.cingular.com/support/deviceConfig.do?content=https://cingular.atgnow.com/cng/tutorials/KB56475.html

My ISP connection profile
https://cingular.atgnow.com/cng/tutorials/KB65755.html

TyTN settings:
Start\ Settings\ Personal\ Phone\ BAND\
Select your network type\ AUTO\
Select your GSM/UMTS band\ AUTO

Start\ Settings\ Personal\ Phone\ Network\ Current Network
Will show: UMTS Cingular or Cingular

After changing settings a soft reset is recommended.

[DeviLduck]

John,

Are you on the MediaMaxx (MediaNet) plan or pdaconnect plan?

Also please post the settings if you are onthe MediaNet plan. IT is very confusing as to what are the proper settings. Someone should post a definitive guide to the different plans/settings and what the restrictions and limitations are of each plan.

I am in Silver Spring and will be getting my TyTN on Monday/Tuesday of this week. It will be interesting to see what speeds I get up here....Some users are reporting anywhere from 900kbps to 1.2Mbps in our region.

~O

My understanding is that you would be using these settings regardless of plan.(PDA/Phone) Different phones have different settings. The various plans have options you choose according to need.

In my case, I'm paying $39.95 for UNLIMITED Internet & MEdia Net with a PDA/Phone, which includes email. This is separate from the phone plan.

If you register a Smartphone with Cingular, e.g., Cingular 2125, you can choose a plan for $19.95, for UNLIMITED MEdia Net, does not include email. This plan availability is already going through some major changes.

There are other plans which give you access to Cingular Video & Multimedia content, according to need. These are separate from your Phone plan too.

One popular topic on some Forums involves Cingular users who figured out a way to get the full benefits (of the $39.95 UNLIMITED Plan), by subscribing to the $19.95 MEdia Net Plan. If Cingular will give you that lower rate with the HTC TyTN, Cingular 8525, or other related unlocked branded tytn form factor phone, as legally registered, then that's cool. Here in S.F., a PDA/Phone requires the higher rate plan for Unlimited. If you don't use Internet, then other options are there.

Since the Cingular Plans & Costs structure info is changing as the UMTS Network is being developed, I advise you you to contact Cingular Customer Service for those details. You can be sure these rates will be changing. Available Plans will undergo changes by Jan 2007, count on it. In the near future, if a definitive guide of Cingular Plans & respective differences in settings/limitations, etc., could be pulled together, I'll try to make that contribution here. All this info is in flux right now. Also, the Cingular 8525 availability is still in early stages.

The general criticism is that Cingular costs more than other Providers for Internet/Media related services. However, their Network seems to be the best choice for getting the most out of the TyTN in the San Francisco Bay Area. When other providers ramp up UMTS, I expect Cingular will reduce plan costs & offer more economical packages.

If you're getting a TyTN, I would recommend you sign up for a Plan that gives you true UNLIMITED Internet. Separate charges based on Mbytes downloaded or uploaded will shock you! You can always change it later, if the speeds or connections don't work as advertised where you live.

[eeter]

Remmember that UMTS uses the 1900MHz while GSM is on 850 MHz
850 coverage is superior (RF propagation). HSDPA speed should reach 1.8 mb in few months after T1's are added and to 3.8 mb when new devices based on new Qualcomm chipset are announced. Curently only the Sierra wireless and Option cards are available. Dropped calls on UMTS will improve as CW is optimizing the IRAT HO settings ( when you handover from UMTS to GSM ). Future ROM will fix many problems as CW will launch its 8525 Hermes very soon

[john1027]

DeviLDuck and iboj007 - sorry I haven't replied but i have been away for a couple days. I'm actually a bad case study as I am connecting thru a private company proxy server on an account where we have unlimited voice and data. Unfortunately, the company I work for still has several thousand 2003 devices in play and are using old AT&T SIM cards. Some of us try to play with what we have (the AT&T) SIM cards and use them in our own purchased WM5 devices.

Contrary to what some have written, I can get 3G/UMTS speeds in and around Wash., DC using the older AT&T card. However, it does hangup at times. I know my problems are most likely all related to the SIM card. Because of that, I usually just set the TyYN phone to let me connect thru Edge. I would point out that the TyTN gets me better reception and speeds than my previous S-200. There was a thread here that explained why you would get faster Edge speeds on the TyTN even if you chose GSM/auto under the band settings. Until my company issues new Cingular 3G cards, I will be sticking with Edge settings but even at that, it is a vast improvement over the S-200 connection speeds that I have seen.

[iboj007]

John,

Thanks for the reply.

I can't seem to get 3G at home in Silver Spring...I popped my 3g Cingular SIM into an Cu500 and 3g popped up for about 30 seconds...it then defaulted back down to Edge.

I'm pretty sure that I'll get it from work tomorrow in Tysons Corner and i'll let you know the results.

Currently I am on Auto/Auto as settings and using the MEdiaMaxx 200 plan (unlimited data plus 200 SMS).

[john1027]

Great. I work at National A/P and get a pretty good signal there. I went out to Dulles the other day and watched it all the way out on I-66 and it was very stong in the Tysons to Dulles corridor. I guess with all the high tech HQs that are out that way, they made sure they got it first! I am just hoping my company gets the SIM cards converted over to the Cingular 3g sooner than later as it will not work reliably with my present card.