Because of some recent statements which were made in the shoutbox about voice communication software, i've decided to make a post about this. I think the result of this discussion should not be the opinion of someone but the best solution for the community and it's members. So I please you to be openminded towards every software there is currently on the market.

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Ventrilo 3.0

[+]
~ Good skin: just necessary information on the screen
~ usually easy setup
~ Server Administration is easy trough ACL
~ 64bit and 32bit version
~ Comment function

[-]
~ skin has maybe too less information? No server info, no logs...
~ huge delay
~ too little settings - no echo reduction, no noise reduction
~ not working properly with Windows 7 (even not Ventrilo 3.0 - There are still people with problems)
~ High costs for Server hosting
~ If you use more than 1 version (e.g. 2.1 and 3.0) It is not remembering your passwords
~ Direct Sound problems on some systems

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Shockvoice

[+]
~ useful plugin System (e.g. Whiteboard) which could be useful in NS2 when people dont know maps (OR JUST FOR FANA)
~ very easy serveradministration (everything trough the client)
~ very low delay (still higher than mumble and TS3)
~ FREE HOSTING

[-]
~ this program has too many bugs cba to count them all just a small overview:
~ high CPU load
~ 30% of the people can't even join a server
~ need .NET 2.0 at least
~ ugly info system which appears ingame in the middle of the screen if the client is open WTF?

...

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Mumble

[+]
~ low latency
~ Open source
~ ingame overlay (in NS2 there will be loads of new people, i hope :) )
~ Setup assistant
~ ACL
~ adjustable interface
~ FREE HOSTING

[-]
~ Worst Serveradministration I've ever seen
~ the ACL used here is a joke 99999999999999999 settings to give someone channeladmin
~ 99999999 Settings for your own voice setup
~ difficult interface
~ bad voice quality
~ before you can use it you have to set a million settings

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Teamspeak 3

[+]
~ very low delay
~ Good voice quality
~ if people got problems with their internet you can fix it with using another codec for the channel
~ easy serveradministration
~ Pluginsystem (make an ensl client? )
~ available SDK
~ easy setup for first use
~ adjustable interface (make it look like vent just by pushing down the borders or install a skin)
~ Channel subscription (you dont want to see all the channels because it destroys the overview? Just unsubscribe!)
~ Server Information (just if you want, if you dont want them just put them away)
~ Server Logs (just if you want, if you dont want them just put them away)
~ Friendssystem (Your friend is on another TS3 and you want to join him? NP use TS3 Friends ;) )
~ uniqe ID: NO LOGINS OR PASSWORDS you give someone rights or ban someone and this guy stays banned or keeps his rights without taking in LOGINS or passwords.
~ FREE HOSTING
~ Awaysystem ( you can leave messages )
~ Databrowser ( NO LONGER RAPIDSHARE OR SHIT LIKE THIS ) Share your files directly - upload them to the channel.
~ you can ignore single actions of others
~ using LUA
~ send messages to people if they are offline (they dont have to join ur server to get them)


[-]

~ some people say the volume is too low
~ uniqe ID brings some problems (e.g. you format your hdd then you get a new ID)
~ still in BETA
~ you have to order a free license if you want to host more than 32 slots ( you can host then 512 slots)
~ what pisses me really off -> NO COMMENTS - but a chat which you can use channelwise, serverwise or just person to person.

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Well my personal favorite is Teamspeak 3 although i am really missing the comment function which I got used in Ventrilo. Maybe it is possible to make a plugin for that but still it is a BIG minus.
Ventrilo is not fullfilling my needs anymore... Teamspeak is giving me much more possibilites especially if I am working on stuff with other people I would miss the databrowser for fast sharing.
Shockvoice is no option this program is a bug itself. Mumble too difficult for the most people and needs too much time to setup... you don't gain anything by investing this time in comparison to other VOIP software. I think a lot of people got prejudices towards Teamspeak because they got the old TEAMSPEAK 2 in mind but they actually have to notice that Teamspeak 3 is a COMPLETELY NEW program. There is nothing similiar to teamspeak 2 but the name. Teamspeak 3 is getting very popular although they still problems with their image which is caused by very long development and Teamspeak 2.

By the way if youre interested in testing Teamspeak 3 just join (vent.team-russia.net (hosted in germany)) for some functions you need rights. Just ask an admin for a channel and the specific rights and check it out!

What do you think?

you sold ts3 well.. i'd hope if it got popular, people would make some shexy plugins for it

Cant say thats objective info and very inaccurate at times, for example TS3 has setting that can raise invidual voice thus no need to compromise. I'm fine with Mumble and TS3 since I dont want any extra costs for the community.

I recommend you ignore everything above and test em, I find TS3 the best.

agree, ts3 sounds like the best option. used it yesterday and found nothing to complain about

My major complaint with TS3 is that only Speex works fine, the CELT is low-latency but breaks totally with some users and you have to switch to Speex, which is imo. a bit worse than Ventrilo 3. Even speex has occasional minor sound distortions.

Comments are another thing.

I have no complaints about Ventrilo 3 though.

macpersil just wants ts3 so he make some plugins which include more trojans and backdoors -.-

TRC

Cant say thats objective info and very inaccurate at times, for example TS3 has setting that can raise invidual voice thus no need to compromise. I'm fine with Mumble and TS3 since I dont want any extra costs for the community.

I recommend you ignore everything above and test em, I find TS3 the best.

I never said it should be objective I just said that we should stay openminded and I think I am. Ofc i got a fav. but everyone has or not? I mean Danny is loving ventrilo and he says so. I know the most about Teamspeak and Shockvoice thats why i posted that much about these two tools.

jiriki

My major complaint with TS3 is that only Speex works fine, the CELT is low-latency but breaks totally with some users and you have to switch to Speex, which is imo. a bit worse than Ventrilo 3. Even speex has occasional minor sound distortions.

Comments are another thing.

I agree but you also have to mention that TS3 is still in BETA while Ventrilo 3 is out for about a year or even more now.
While TS3 is facing some starting problems which they try to fix (just watch the forums) Flagship industries are not intrested to invent new software as long as the money flows.

GibbZ NS is too boring atm so i program some stuff instead of playing. I am just bored by playing the same enemy 24/7 ... no motivation = playing shit.

Well it wont matter cause the vote will decide !

But i would like to ask for one tiny thing .. make a vote out of the two most voted .. like Stupid mapvotes do!!

I honestly believe that TS3 will win this even though ventrilo has more votes than TS3 now.

Think about it Ablens Mapvotes change all the time in second take cause ppl refuse to read past the first map they kind of like !!

Obviously i prefer TS3 (mumble would be even better but well tahts a lost cause i guess) !

CU !

Mp you've been playing the same enemy for a good 3-4 seasons now. :p

The soundquality of TS3 is a bit low IMO. Otherwise no complaints, the startup tutorial is easy to follow and sets everything you need right away.

Ventrilo 3.0 has better quality, and since I am used to it i simply think its the best. Feature wise they are equal for me since i only use the programs to speak, and therefor the only thing diffrent is how to connect and soundquality.

Then we have to remember that Vent3.0 actully costs, so thats a big plus for TS3 right there. IMO the choise is, as the polls also shows, between TeamSpeak3 and Ventrilo3. Both have a long history of use in gaming communities and are tested programs.

I'd rather prefer using smoke signals or ts3..

<3