Ventrilo

Ventrilo
	Ventrilo Screen Shot (names screened out for privacy) this is for a radio station
Initial release	August 3, 2002
Stable release	3.0.5; 3.0.3 (Server) / August 24, 2008
Operating system	Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows (Client); Microsoft Windows, Linux (Server)
Type	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 video 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 and for Mac OS X, and future support is planned for operating systems based on the Linux kernel. The server is available under a restrictive license and is available for all of these systems as well as Kopi, Solaris, NetBSD and FreeBSD. Although there is no version for Linux, it can be used with WINE.

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. Presently, however, 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. It is often referred to as "Vent". In game, if you are using ventrilo, it is also known as "Venting". Ventrilo is also popular among players of other genres of online games, especially MMORPGs (World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, Navy Field, etc.) 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.

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.

Version 3.0.4 was released on 11 November, 2008 for Windows that includes new features for the Aero User Interface for Windows Vista and on 23 November 2008 for Mac OS X that now includes tweaking some Users Volume where they might appear quiet However, there is still no GSM support for the Mac platform.

Version 3.0.5 has been released, the photo seen is 3.0.5 on a Vista machine. This server is for a satellite & internet radio station.

Other features include: private voice chats, 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

In versions prior to 2.1.2, one could freely run their own private server, but could not rent their slots to other people.

Starting after version 2.2.0, the free version of the server could only host 8 simultaneous connections. If you want more than 8 simultaneous connections, you must now either purchase a license for the "Pro" version of the server, or rent a server from an officially licensed hosting company. Flagship has limited "official licensees" to legally registered corporations with other specific requirements.

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.

Pricing can vary among "officially licensed" hosts, depending on many variables.

In music videos

Techno artist Basshunter released the song, "Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA" in Sweden (sung in Swedish). The title translates to "We are sitting on Ventrilo, playing some DotA", referring to the VOIP client.

In NASCAR

On April 15, 2009 Flagship Industries announced their sponsorship of the No. 30 Ventrilo Tundra at Kansas Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Gateway International Raceway for the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. The No. 30 Ventrilo Tundra is driven by veteran NASCAR driver Todd Bodine for Germain Racing.

References

Notes

Ventrilo server 3.0.3 was released in late August, 2008 for pro hosting companies. Resolves SPAM exploit.
A new user access rights system was released in Ventrilo 3.0.0.

External links

Ventrilo Help and Guides