We have a Uniden ELX500 cordless telephone handset in the office (used here primarily for its Bluetooth connectivity). How do we add a WinChime ringtone?
This handset, compatible with other phones in Uniden's 5.8 GHz digital
(non-DECT, non Voip) multiple-extension product line, is unusual for cordless
phones, having a flip-phone form factor, USB mini-port, connectivity to a
computer, Bluetooth, programmable ringtones, and other assorted goodies.
We were curious if the handset supported MIDI files, MP3 files, or other. As of this writing, the Uniden phone customization software would not work successfully on Vista, but did run on WinXP. Runnng the program, we were suprised to find that image file transfer was supported, but not audio or music files.
So how does this handset allow ring customization? The answer is to record the ringtone through the handset microphone itself. Simple, perhaps not the highest fidelity, but it works. Here is a method never likely to be adapted by the cellular telephone world, intent on generating extra revenue from users ready to throw cash at them for the latest pop tunes or wallpaper, even though tied to a particular electronic device and non-transferable.
MIDI files sound different when played on varous computer sound devices, so we chose a PC with best sounding MIDI rendering. We also changed WinChime scale, instrument, and pitch range, to sound distinct from any other ringtones.
(download) (scale=funky, instrument=vibraphone, pitch=50)
On the handset, click MenuButton-> RingerOptions-> 5)Rec/Edit->
Options-> Record , and hold up to computer speakers while WinChime is
playing.
Our cordless telephone now has a unique wind chime ringtone, helping you to relax whenever the phone rings!
WinChime RingTone: Tracfone V176
(copyright Sagebrush Systems, July 2007)