CapTel 800 FAQs | CapTel

How does CapTel 800 work?

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:15:57 -0500

The user dials the number of the person they wish to call on the CapTel 800 phone. The call is transparently connected over the phone line to a service that provides the captions. At the Captioning Service, a specially-trained operator uses voice-recognition technology to transcribe whatever is said by the other party. The captions appear on the CapTel 800 display screen. User can hear the other party, plus read the captions to be certain of what is said.

NOTE: The CapTel 800 phone does not generate captions of the phone call on its own. The phone works with the Captioning Service (over the telephone line) to display captions during your calls.

What equipment do I need to use CapTel 800?

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:35:16 -0500

A CapTel 800 telephone (available at a reduced cost to qualified users in many states).
Your state must offer CapTel service as part of its Relay Service (see states that provide CapTel service).
Analog telephone line(s). DSL supported if appropriate filter in place. Not compatible with PBX systems unless analog port available. Not designed for use with digital cable, VOIP or cellular telephone services.
Standard electrical power (AC adapter plugs into standard wall outlet).

What is the difference between the CapTel 800 and the CapTel 800i?

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:18:14 -0500

There are two main differences:

CapTel 800i is for people with high-speed Internet access / CapTel 800 is for people who do not have high-speed Internet access.
With CapTel 800i, people call your phone number directly and you get captions. / With CapTel 800, callers need to dial the captioning service first and enter your phone number in order for you to get captions*.

Apart from the differences listed above, the two phones are nearly identical. They look the same and have most of the same features.

* If you use CapTel 800 in 2-Line mode (optional), people can call your number directly, they do not have to dial the service first. Learn more.

What is the difference between CapTel 800 in 2-Line mode and CapTel 800i?

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:09:46 -0500

Both have all the same features and benefits, they are just set up differently. 2-Line CapTel requires two different analog telephone lines to be connected to the CapTel 800. (Applicable charges for an additional telephone line from your telephone service provider). CapTel 800i only needs one phone line and an Internet connection. There may be cost savings on your phone bill if you have "bundled" Internet and telephone services combined (varies by provider).

I don't have two telephone lines - can I still use my CapTel 800 phone?

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:23:45 -0500

YES, the CapTel 800 works with just one telephone line as well (1-Line mode). Using 2-Line CapTel is purely optional. You can still make and receive telephone calls with captions with 1-Line CapTel. The main different between 1-Line mode and 2-Line mode is in the way that incoming calls get captioned. With 1-Line mode, callers need to dial the captioning service first, then enter your telephone number, in order for you to see captions of the call. With 2-Line CapTel, you can turn the captions on and off at any time, on any incoming or outgoing call.

Change the size of the captions

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:59:29 -0500

You can adjust the font size of the conversation captions to be larger or smaller, making the captions easier to read. You need to change the font size before or after a call, you cannot change the font size during a live captioned call.

NOTE: Changing the font size applies only to conversation captions. The font size and style for your CapTel 800i menu Options always remains the same.

To change the caption font size:

With the handset hung up, press the YES button to see Options.
Press the DOWN button repeatedly until Display Settings is highlighted. Press the YES button to select.
Press the DOWN button until Set Conversation Font Size is highlighted. Press the YES button to select.
The display screen shows what the current font size setting is.
Press UP or DOWN buttons to select the font size you want: SMALL, MEDIUM, or LARGE.v
Once you've selected the font size, press the YES button to accept or press the NO button to exit.
Press the NO button repeatedly to exit out of the menu system.

NOTE: You need to adjust/select the caption font size before or after a call. You cannot adjust the caption font size during a live call.

Change the color of the captions

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:03:34 -0500

You can change the color of the caption font and the background color on the display screen to a color combination that you prefer. You need to set the conversation colors before or after a call. You cannot change the caption colors during a live captioned call.

Color choices include: WHITE, RED, GREEN,BLUE, CYAN, MAGENTA, GRAY, BLACK OR YELLOW.

NOTE: Changing the font/background color applies only to conversation captions. The font size and style for your CapTel 800i menu Options always remains the same.

To change the caption font and background color:

With the handset hung up, press the YES button to see Options.
Press the DOWN button repeatedly until Display Settings is highlighted. Press the YES button to select.
Make sure that Set Conversation Colors is highlighted. Press the YES button to select.
The display screen shows what the current text color and background color are set to, with an pointing toward the Text Color setting. Press the YES button to select Text Color.
A color palette appears on the bottom of the display. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to move through the various font color choices. When you find a font color you prefer, press the YES button to accept.
The display moves down to indicate Background Color. Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys to move through the various background color choices. When you find a background color you prefer, press the YES button to accept.
Press the NO button repeatedly to exit out of the menu system.

NOTE: Whichever color you select for text will not be available as a background color choice.

Updating Your CapTel 800 Software

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:11:10 -0500

Your CapTel 800 can check if any new software updates are available, then update automatically over your telephone line. This means you’ll always be able to take advantage of the latest features & technology as long as you own your phone. You can even set a delay so that the update occurs automatically at a more convenient time (for example, overnight).

Directions (PDF version)

To update your CapTel 800 software:

With the handset hung up, press the YES button to see Options.
Press the DOWN arrow button repeatedly until Settings is highlighted. Press the YES button to select.
Press the DOWN arrow button repeatedly until Phone Settings is highlighted. Press the YES button to select.
Press the DOWN arrow button repeatedly until Update Phone is highlighted. Press the YES button to select.
Press the YES button to begin updating your phone, or press the NO button to exit.
NOTE: You can set the update to begin automatically at a more convenient time. Press the UP arrow button to set up a timed delay. Select when you want the update to begin (in 1 hour, in 2 hours, etc.) using the UP and DOWN arrow buttons. Once a delay has been set, you can continue using your CapTel phone to make/answer calls. This will not disrupt the planned update process.
Your CapTel phone checks to make sure that your software is up to date. If a new software version is available, your CapTel phone automatically updates to the most current version, then resets itself so you are ready to make calls.

Also: Updating Your CapTel 800i Software

What is the difference between the CapTel 840 and the CapTel 840i?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:09:43 -0600

There are two main differences:

CapTel 840i is for people with high-speed Internet access / CapTel 840 is for people who do not have high-speed Internet access.
With CapTel 840i, people call your phone number directly and you get captions. / With CapTel 840, callers need to dial the captioning service first and enter your phone number in order for you to get captions*.

They look the same and have most of the same features.

Additional Features of the 840i

Built in Answering machine records voice messages and captions
Extra large display screen with variable font sizes and colors
WiFi Compatible

* If you use CapTel 840 in 2-Line mode (optional), people can call your number directly, they do not have to dial the service first. Learn more.