Voice and Video GSoC Project

[Maiku]

On Sat, Jul 19, 2008 at 3:11 AM, Birger Brunswiek <birger at brunswiek.org> wrote:
> Maiku wrote:
>>
>> I haven't quite worked out which codec to use by default, the one it's
>> using now is kind of garbled.
>
> Which code is now used by default? What codecs are available anyway?
>
>> At this point, the audio plays regardless of whether the person is
>> talking, which means it also plays constant background/white noise. I
>> think it would help a great deal to have something, perhaps similar to
>> Teamspeak or other voice conferencing programs, where there's an
>> adjustable level to where if the volume is below that level, it will
>> essentially mute. That would definitely help. Alternately, there could
>> be a button you hold when you talk. I'm not sure if it would be better
>> to have one, the other, or an option between the two.
>>
>
> I think having a button to press for talking is kind of bad for usability
> because you have to press the button most of the time. I prefer the
> threshold way you describe but with an automagically adjusted level (maybe
> you do need a manual way if automatically setting the level turns out to be
> difficult to get right). If this is implemented you will no longer hear any
> white or background noise. I think this can be somewhat confusing because
> the conversation seems interrupted. Then you may want to have a white noise
> generator as it is found in some SIP phones.
>
> Independently of this issue a mute button might be a good idea.
>
> Birger

On Sat, Jul 19, 2008 at 3:11 AM, Birger Brunswiek <birger at brunswiek.org> wrote:
> Maiku wrote:
>>
>> I haven't quite worked out which codec to use by default, the one it's
>> using now is kind of garbled.
>
> Which code is now used by default? What codecs are available anyway?
>
>> At this point, the audio plays regardless of whether the person is
>> talking, which means it also plays constant background/white noise. I
>> think it would help a great deal to have something, perhaps similar to
>> Teamspeak or other voice conferencing programs, where there's an
>> adjustable level to where if the volume is below that level, it will
>> essentially mute. That would definitely help. Alternately, there could
>> be a button you hold when you talk. I'm not sure if it would be better
>> to have one, the other, or an option between the two.
>>
>
> I think having a button to press for talking is kind of bad for usability
> because you have to press the button most of the time. I prefer the
> threshold way you describe but with an automagically adjusted level (maybe
> you do need a manual way if automatically setting the level turns out to be
> difficult to get right). If this is implemented you will no longer hear any
> white or background noise. I think this can be somewhat confusing because
> the conversation seems interrupted. Then you may want to have a white noise
> generator as it is found in some SIP phones.
>
> Independently of this issue a mute button might be a good idea.
>
> Birger

I think gsm is the codec it's picking, but the "default" relies on
which ones you have. Others include speex, mpa, pcma, pcmu, and siren.
I haven't had good luck with speex yet, but I have a couple of ideas
to try out with it.

I do agree that pushing a button can be a nuisance, but it would be
useful in an area with more background noise. I suppose having a mute
button could act as an inverted talk button, if it's that important.
You'd just have to click twice instead of holding and letting go.

 I was also wondering how feasible having the automatic threshold
would be. I'll have to play with that I think. If not, there is plenty
of room in the media preference page.

I can't say there's an issue with having no background noise. I've
used a few that work that way, completely muting between talking. It's
refreshing, at least to my ears, to have a pause in the whitenoise.
Also, the media interface will still be visible, so it's not like
you're talking on a phone and it just goes perfectly quiet.

I appreciate the feedback,
-Maiku