MFC-4420C
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FAQs & Troubleshooting |
Distinctive Ring is a function of your unit that allows a person with one line to receive fax and voice calls through two different phone numbers on that one line. One number is assigned as the fax line number and the other number is assigned as the voice line number. Each number is then given its own distinctive ring pattern allowing the type of incoming call (voice or fax) to be identified by its specific ring.
In order to use the Distinctive Ring feature with the unit, you must subscribe for Distinctive Ring service through the local telephone company. Ident-a-Ring, Smart Ring or Ring Master are some of the names given for this type of service.
Once you have subscribed to the local telephone company for this service, the machine will then need to be programmed to recognize the ring pattern assigned to the fax number. Before programming your machine, verify the telephone company has activated the distinctive ring number. Once the distinctive ring is programmed in the machine, the unit will recognize a fax call through the selected ring pattern within 2 cycles of ringing and will automatically answer with a fax tone. When the voice line is called, the machine will recognize the voice line ring pattern and will not interrupt the call.
Follow these instructions to program the Distinctive Ring feature:
In reference to voice mail and telephone answering devices, Distinctive Ring is the only time Voice Mail can be used on the same phone line as a Brother unit and the only time an external Telephone Answering Device (TAD) does not need to be connected directly to the machine. When using a TAD or Voice Mail, they must be set up to always (even if the line is busy) answer after 4 or more rings and you cannot use Toll saver features. It takes the Brother machine two complete ring patterns before it answers the call. If the TAD or Voice Mail is programmed to answer in less than 4 rings or if you utilize a Toll Saver feature, the TAD or Voice Mail may answer the fax line before the machine can recognize the distinctive ring pattern.
Turning Off Distinctive Ring
If you currently have the Distinctive Ring feature enabled on your machine and you wish to turn it off, follow these steps: