TeamSpeex Voice Chat for The Masses

very good
key review info
application features
  • supports the Speex Codec
  • (0 more, see all...)

Games are usually stand-alone applications whose functionality is rarely enhanced by any third party application. There is, however one exception to that rule, which is voice chat programs which can greatly enhance any multiplayer game. When it comes to voice chat programs, tow are most commonly used and widespread: Ventrilo, commonly referred to as Vent, and TeamSpeak.

While Ventrilo is available for OS X, TeamSpeak is not, although the developers have promised a version for some time now. Fortunately, TeamSpeex is here to fill the gap, and although it is still only in the beta stages, it is looking good.

Speex not Speak TeamSpeex is not an official TeamSpeak client, it is a TeamSpeak client that is compatible with TeamSpeak servers but it is not the official one. Also, the program bears this name for the reason that it only supports the Speex codec. What does this mean in practical terms?

It means that, for one thing, it looks and feels like an OS X application. The TeamSpeex window contains only the channel list and the text area at the bottom, with the additional information being neatly tucked away in a drawer that can be opened when you need it. Similarly, the text area can be completely hidden, giving you a much nicer, cleaner interface. The biggest plus is how it takes up so little screen real estate.

Secondly, you will only be able to use no codec other than Speex. While the PC TeamSpeak client and servers can use any number of different codecs, this program only knows one of them, so you will only be able to interact with servers and channels that support it.

Thirdly, it does not have all the functionality of the PC TeamSpeak client. The list is too long to mention here. But mostly it has just the very basic functionality so that you can talk to the other persons.

Basic functionality Currently, TeamSpeex does not support many of the options available to users of the PC TeamSpeak client, offering only the most essential of features.

You can connect to any server; however, there is no quick connect feature, and you cannot define a list of servers for easier access. Once connected you can interact with the server, moving about from one channel to another without any issues. You can use either push to talk or voice activation, and you are given a few sound related options but that's it for the most of it.

While TeamSpeex lacks all of the advanced features and options, it is nevertheless functional, and, since there is no other TeamSpeak client available for OS X, it is the only option.

Only one codec? Although TeamSpeex currently only supports the Speex codec, the implementation is good, and the sound quality is great.

On the down side, you will only be able to interact with channels that are using the Speex codec. If you are using a private server, you can probably talk the admin into changing the codec to Speex, in case it was not being used already; otherwise, on public servers, you will have to find a channel that uses the codec or try to use another server.

Unfortunately, this is what makes or break the application. If you use a server and channel that uses the Speex codec, then you are home free, and can make use of this program. If not, you cannot use it, except to sent text messages to players, something that you can probably accomplish in-game in a much easier manner.

Beta Version It is important to remember that this is still a beta version of the program, and that there is still room for a lot more improvement until the final release. As for stability, the program seems very solid, and I did not encounter one single problem in many hours of use.

Hopefully the next release will add some of those missing features and maybe support for other codecs.

The Good The fact that it exists is pretty good. The program is stable and useable, and the developer seems to be improving it.

The Bad Only supports the Speex codec and only has the basic features and options.

The Truth While TeamSpeex may not be every bit the equal of the clients available on other operating systems, it is still very serviceable and a good start. If the server you need uses Speex, you are pretty much set, if not, you will not be able to get much use out of it, if any.

Here are some screenshots, click to enlarge:

Review image
Review image
Review image
Review image
user interface 5
features 3
ease of use 4
pricing / value 5


final rating 4
Editor's review
very good
 
NEXT REVIEW: MConvert