Ventrilo

Infobox Software
name = Ventrilo



caption = deletable image-caption
author =
developer =
released =
latest release version = 3.0.1 (Windows and Mac clients)
3.0.3 (Server)
latest release date =24-Aug 2008
latest Mac version = 3.0.0 (Mac OS X)
| operating system = Mac OS X, Windows
platform =
language =
genre = VoIP client and server
license = Proprietary Freeware
website = http://www.ventrilo.com/

Ventrilo is a proprietary Voice over Internet Protocol program with clients for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Most users of Ventrilo use a headset or microphone and use the program to talk to each other, similar to a telephone conference call. Ventrilo is often used by multiplayer computer game players.

Usage

Users install the Ventrilo client and connect to a Ventrilo server. The Ventrilo client is released as freeware and is available for Microsoft Windows. A full version is available for Mac OS X, and future support is planned for operating systems based on the Linux kernel. However, the client has been under development since 2005 with no new updates, leading some to believe that a Linux client will not be released. The server is available under a restrictive license and is available for all of these systems as well as Kopi, Solaris, NetBSD and FreeBSD.

The default sound quality is comparable to a telephone but it can be changed to a higher quality by changing to a different codec. Ventrilo currently supports GSM Full Rate, and Speex as their main codecs. As of this date though, the Mac OS X client is still unable to properly use most servers due to a lack of support for the widely used GSM codec.

The Ventrilo developers have attempted to keep its bandwidth to a minimum but users with a low-bandwidth dial-up connection may still find themselves restricted to using low quality settings.

Gamers can use the software to communicate with other players on the same team of a multiplayer game. Communicating by voice gives a competitive advantage by allowing players to keep their hands on the mouse and action keys while playing a fast paced game such as a first-person shooter, particularly in team-based, tactical games. This kind of quick and easy communication can be crucial for those who participate in electronic sports. Most gamers refer to Ventrilo simply as "vent." Ventrilo is also popular among players of other genres of online games, especially MMORPG games and real-time strategy games.

The gaming instant messaging utility Xfire displays the Ventrilo server address to which the user is connected.

Ventrilo is also used as a call-in method on radio shows, and for general voice-chat.(NOTE: the picture of the vent server is used for an Internet radio and satellite radio station.)

The quality of the speech depends on the users' sound cards and microphones and the codec selected by the administrator.

Versions and features

Version 3.0.0 was released on 14 November,2007 for both Windows and Mac OS X. It includes many new features, including per-channel codec selection, and hotkey combinations (as opposed to the previous single-key limitation). As usual, upgrade is mandatory for both the server and the client.

However, there is still no GSM support for the Mac platform. Other features include: private voice chats (though, the "captain" of the chat will be able to be heard by other people in the private chat if he/she is in the private chat which can be intrusive) a new bindings folder menu and the ability to give people certain "powers" without giving them the master password (the ability to kick, ban, make rooms, etc).

History and licensing

For the past two years, 2.3.0 or 2.3.1 (depending upon platform) has been current. After version 2.1.2, Flagship Industries changed the software license governing the Ventrilo server to limit connection capacity of the freeware server to 8 users. A new license was also debuted for the "Pro" server which supports more than 8 simultaneous users. Among other restrictions, only companies wishing to host multiple servers with a minimum of 1000 slots may purchase licenses for the "Pro" server at the sole discretion of Flagship Industries. Additional restrictions include having a "legitimate business license" and the expectation that slot counts will "grow on a regular basis." Flagship Industries reserves (and exercises) the right to refuse licensing.

Version 2.3.2 of the server can host a maximum of 200 connections, according to the included documentation. Unlike later versions, version 2.1.4 of the client can still connect to servers running 2.1.2. Older versions are no longer supported according to Flagship's EULA agreement.

The licensed hosts can vary and offer pricing that can also be cheaper and not all offer the high quality modes -- though this is starting to change from increased market competition and customer demand.

There are many resellers (licensed indirectly). Reselling Ventrilo is simple, and many hosts offer reselling packages such as:
* TypeFrag (http://www.typefrag.com)
* DarkStar Communications (http://www.darkstarllc.com/)
* NationVoice (http://www.nationvoice.com)
* HurricaneHost (http://www.hurricanehost.com)

imilar programs

* TeamSpeak
* Mumble
* Roger Wilco
* Skype Peer to Peer software

ee also

* Voice over IP

References

* [http://www.ventrilo.com/about.php Ventrilo features (2.3)/pictures of 3.0 discusses the useage]
* [http://www.ventrilo.com/forums/ Ventrilo forums (good source of info)]
* [http://www.ventrilo.com/changelog.php Ventrilo Features]
* [http://www.ventrilo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23397 The Ventrilo forum thread where the guide was posted]

External links

* [http://www.ventrilo.com/ Ventrilo official website]
* [http://www.ventrilo.com/news.php?article=pending2007 Ventrilo announcement about new release]

Notes

* Ventrilo server 3.0.3 was released in late August, 2008 for pro hosting companies. Resolves SPAM exploit.
* A new [http://www.ventrilo.com/uar.php user access rights system] was released in Ventrilo 3.0.0.

Setup Guides and Tutorials

* Ventrilo Flash Tutorials -- http://www.typefrag.com/support/ventrilo-tutorials/
* DallasXtreme Setup Guide -- http://dallasxtreme.com/setup.php
* DarkStar Wiki Guide -- http://wiki.darkstarllc.com/index.php/Category:Ventrilo_Servers