Steam adopts Skype chat codec

Feuer Frei! · 03-22-11, 08:33 PM

Steam Guard won't be the only new feature Valve is introducing to its digital distribution and online-gaming platform this month. Beyond the new security measure, Valve today announced that it has updated Steam's voice chat system with the Silk audio codec, better known as the compression format used by online-communication leader Skype.
According to Valve, the Silk codec will offer a "significant quality improvement" over Steam's previous communication technology. However, that voice-quality enhancement won't come without its drawbacks, as Valve said that the new codec may require increased bandwidth in certain situations.
Whereas the old system required 15kbps of bandwidth, the Silk protocol features a dynamic bit rate that fluctuates between 8kbps and 30 kbps. This range hinges upon "the range of data in the voice signal and current network conditions," Valve said. The studio also said that it has improved voice chat connectivity and reliability with the update.
The switch-over to the new Silk codec is effective for all Steam users as of today. It can be activated by clicking the "Start Voice Chat" button in either individual or group-chat scenarios, and it is also available for in-game communication.

Meh, won't affect me, i don't use Steam.

SOURCE

Gargamel · 03-22-11, 10:34 PM

I saw that in todays update. But yeah, meh... i don't use voice.

CCIP · 03-22-11, 11:35 PM

Personally, I've always used Skype for playing games with friends on Steam anyway, so... not exactly much of a difference to me either!

As for public voice chat on game servers for Source-based games, that's always been so phenominally stupid that I always have it muted. I got no interest in listening to random idiots yell at each other.

Castout · 03-23-11, 12:09 AM

When I speak English everybody's heads will turn and said WTF is that

So typing is good besides you can pretend not noticing them

Feuer Frei! · 03-23-11, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castout

When I speak English everybody's heads will turn and said WTF is that

So typing is good besides you can pretend not noticing them

Yea but do you type better than you speak English?

Castout · 03-23-11, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

Yea but do you type better than you speak English?

Abosulately

Feuer Frei! · 03-23-11, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castout

Abosulately

Aha, i see. You have proven that that is correct.

papa_smurf · 03-23-11, 05:38 AM

Only use TeamSpeak for voice. As much as I like Steam, I will not be using this.

03-23-11, 07:55 AM

I'm haven't been in a situation that would require voice chat in a game since my days in EvE Online.

Herr-Berbunch · 03-23-11, 12:05 PM

I usually don't use this, that, or the other, don't know why - I have TS and Ventrillo, I use Steam! Nor do I type to others in-game as I can never find the right blasted key!

03-22-11, 08:33 PM	#1
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	Steam adopts Skype chat codec Steam Guard won't be the only new feature Valve is introducing to its digital distribution and online-gaming platform this month. Beyond the new security measure, Valve today announced that it has updated Steam's voice chat system with the Silk audio codec, better known as the compression format used by online-communication leader Skype. According to Valve, the Silk codec will offer a "significant quality improvement" over Steam's previous communication technology. However, that voice-quality enhancement won't come without its drawbacks, as Valve said that the new codec may require increased bandwidth in certain situations. Whereas the old system required 15kbps of bandwidth, the Silk protocol features a dynamic bit rate that fluctuates between 8kbps and 30 kbps. This range hinges upon "the range of data in the voice signal and current network conditions," Valve said. The studio also said that it has improved voice chat connectivity and reliability with the update. The switch-over to the new Silk codec is effective for all Steam users as of today. It can be activated by clicking the "Start Voice Chat" button in either individual or group-chat scenarios, and it is also available for in-game communication. Meh, won't affect me, i don't use Steam. SOURCE __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

03-22-11, 10:34 PM	#2
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	I saw that in todays update. But yeah, meh... i don't use voice. __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.

03-22-11, 11:35 PM	#3
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	Personally, I've always used Skype for playing games with friends on Steam anyway, so... not exactly much of a difference to me either! As for public voice chat on game servers for Source-based games, that's always been so phenominally stupid that I always have it muted. I got no interest in listening to random idiots yell at each other. __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

03-23-11, 12:09 AM	#4
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	When I speak English everybody's heads will turn and said WTF is that So typing is good besides you can pretend not noticing them __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/

03-23-11, 05:38 AM	#8
papa_smurf Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 2,851 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Only use TeamSpeak for voice. As much as I like Steam, I will not be using this. __________________

03-23-11, 07:55 AM	#9
Rilder Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I'm haven't been in a situation that would require voice chat in a game since my days in EvE Online.

03-23-11, 12:05 PM	#10
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I usually don't use this, that, or the other, don't know why - I have TS and Ventrillo, I use Steam! Nor do I type to others in-game as I can never find the right blasted key! __________________