 |
|
|---|---|
| Original author(s) | Thorvald Natvig |
| Stable release | 1.2.0 / December 10, 2009 |
| Written in | C++ |
| Operating system | Windows Mac OS X Linux |
| Type | VoIP client and server |
| License | BSD / GPL |
| Website | mumble.sf.net |
Mumble is a free, open-source, cross-platform voice over IP application. Its primary users are gamers, and it is similar to programs such as TeamSpeak and Ventrilo. It uses a client-server architecture where users who want to talk connect to the same server.[1]
Mumble's stated design goal is not to create the most elite gaming utility but to create the most social one. The goal is to recreate the feel and social interaction of a LAN party. As such, Mumble has a very simple administrative interface and most of the engineering effort is put into sound quality and low latency.
As of version 1.1, all communication is encrypted to ensure user privacy.[2] As of version 1.1.7 Mumble has native support for Logitech G15 keyboard LCD display.
Contents |
Channel hierarchy
A mumble server (called murmur) has a Root channel and a hierarchy of channels beneath it. Users can link channels together to temporarily create large virtual channels. This is useful during larger events where a small group of users may be chatting in a channel, but they will be linked to a common channel with other users to hear announcements. It also matches well with team-based FPS games. Each channel has an associated set of groups and access control lists which control user permissions. The system is fairly complex allowing many different usage scenarios, but this complexity also makes it hard to configure.[3]
Sound quality
Mumble uses Speex not only as a voice codec, but also for noise reduction and automatic gain control. From version 1.2 CELT is also supported[4]. Mumble is optimized for low latency, resulting in faster communication. Mumble incorporates echo cancellation, which permits the use of speakers as well as headphones. With some games, like Call Of Duty on Windows, a plugin lets you hear the positional audio of other players.[5]
Overlay
There is an integrated overlay for use in games.[6] The overlay shows who is talking and what linked channel they are in. As of version 1.0, users can upload their own avatars to represent themselves in the overlay, creating a much more personalized experience. As of version 1.1, the overlay works with most Direct3D 9 and OpenGL games on Windows and has OpenGL support for Linux and MacOSX. With version 1.2.0 Direct3D 10 support is introduced.[7]
Positional audio
Mumble includes activate able plugins which enable you to hear the people talking with you from where they stand and how far away they are in the game you're playing together.[8] A range of distance and thus loudness can be specified so you can understand them no matter how far away they are.
If enabled, each audio packet will contain the information where the player is located.
There are two types of plugins. Those who read position data straight out of the memory and the Link plugin.
The Link plugin can be used by games themselves to send the position data from the game to the plugin. But for games to use this feature, the source code and thus binary files have to be altered. That's why mostly free, open source games and not proprietary ones implemented it until now.
A list of games which are supported for positional audio can be found here.
Server integration
Mumble is designed to fit into an existing social structure for gamers. As such, the server is fully remote controllable over D-Bus or Ice.[9] Channels can be created, users moved and even new virtual servers created. An example is included which shows how to use this integration to connect the server to a Battlefield 2 server and automatically place users in channels matching the right team and squad. Another included example shows how to authenticate connecting users through a phpBB3 database[10] which will avoid duplicate user/password information.[11]
See also
References
- ^ http://mumble.sourceforge.net/FAQ
- ^ http://sourceforge.net/blog/potm-200911/
- ^ http://mumble.sourceforge.net/ACL_and_Groups
- ^ http://sourceforge.net/blog/potm-200911/
- ^ http://mumble.sourceforge.net/Main_Page
- ^ http://sourceforge.net/blog/potm-200911/
- ^ http://mumble.sourceforge.net/Games#Overlay
- ^ http://sourceforge.net/blog/potm-200911/
- ^ http://ostatic.org/blog/interview-mumble-does-oss-voip-chats-for-online-games
- ^ http://mumble.git.sourceforge.net/git/gitweb.cgi?p=mumble/mumble;a=blob;f=scripts/phpBB3auth.py
- ^ http://mumble.sourceforge.net/DBus
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
