Arena Prep - Questions.

[.:Vex69:.]

Hey guys, me and a buddy just started hitting the arena together.
And I just had a few quick questions...

1) We think it would be better if we started communicating through mic versus on the game. So with that being said, what are ways we can communicate through mic, I heard you have to pay for vent for your own server, is their other programs available for free?

2) I noticed alot of players are able to tape their videos. We would like to do this to pick out our flaws and improve on them. Stupid question I know, but how does one tape their gameplay?

3) Also any recommended mods I should use?
I currently have:
- Proximo
- Cooldowntimers2 ( I think?)

Thanks.

[Zulran]

1. Vent is worth every penny you'd pay. You can also probably find a free Vent server, or use a Guild Vent server that you're members of. Ventrilo is, by FAR, the best.

2. Use FRAPS - just Google it. It's the best. They will explain how to use it, then authenticate your version for a few bucks to have no time length limitations. Or get a hacked version if you can find one.

3. Mods are subjective - the ones I find most useful are X-Perl Frames, Titan Panel, and Soundtrack (I love having Final Fantasy Boss music come on when we pull Gruul). If you have problems with spell rotations, absolutely pick up a Cooldown Timer. I'm a healer, so it's a bit easier for me.

[PlayThemAll]

I thought WoW now had built in voice capability? I believe there are is an options tab under the sound options menu.

You might want to try that first

[Zulran]

I thought WoW now had built in voice capability? I believe there are is an options tab under the sound options menu.

You might want to try that first

It's horrible. Horrible. Horrible.

That's really all I can say on it.

[TPMdm]

2. Use FRAPS - just Google it. It's the best. They will explain how to use it, then authenticate your version for a few bucks to have no time length limitations. Or don't get a hacked version and don't look for them.


Fixed, that kind of talk is not allowed here

[Cattleya]

It's horrible. Horrible. Horrible.

That's really all I can say on it.
I really don't understand this attitude. It's easier than vent (just try dealing with vent server compatibility if you play on a mac) and the sound quality is fine. I've found that people that sound horrible on voice chat sound horrible on vent too.

Yes, it lacks some nice features like individual volume controls for players, but you gain the ability to not have to window out to see who is talking if you don't know everyone's voices well.

For doing arena, the voice chat will work just fine and save a lot of trouble and set up.

Blizzard has improved the way you set up of it from when they first released it. (Yes, having to exit all the way out of the game because you changed a minor setting was stupid, but they fixed that. Now you can make changes on the fly without restarting the game.)

[BIGBEN]

I've tried the built in voice a few times, when I've come across players who don't have ventrilo.

I'm in a guild which has a 2.1.4 server running, which I think is free.

Anyway, I have to agree that the built in voice is just horrible....and I've tried team speak as well, and in my opinion, that is almost as bad as the built in.

I recomend ventrilo :)

[Magikhat]

Join a guild, use and abuse their vent.

[Zulran]

I really don't understand this attitude. It's easier than vent (just try dealing with vent server compatibility if you play on a mac) and the sound quality is fine. I've found that people that sound horrible on voice chat sound horrible on vent too.

Yes, it lacks some nice features like individual volume controls for players, but you gain the ability to not have to window out to see who is talking if you don't know everyone's voices well.

For doing arena, the voice chat will work just fine and save a lot of trouble and set up.

Blizzard has improved the way you set up of it from when they first released it. (Yes, having to exit all the way out of the game because you changed a minor setting was stupid, but they fixed that. Now you can make changes on the fly without restarting the game.)

Well, I'll help you understand. I mean, I can only speak from personal experience - but... I say it's horrible because it doesn't work for me! My volume is about 5% what it should be when it's turned up all the way, so no one hears me. I've tried *everything* on 5 different occasions - and so did those in my party. Only on 2 of those occasions, did I hear 1 single other person in the party each time. The other 3 either couldn't figure it out, or something was wrong. I believe in the stupidity of the masses, but I think these kinda results show how easy WoW In-game chat messes up, and isn't a reflection of stupidity.

I've figured out Teamspeak, I've figured out Ventrilo. I've even figured out LOTRO in-game chat. Turbine made it work. I haven't a clue what's wrong with WoW in-game chat.

[Cattleya]

Well, I'll help you understand. I mean, I can only speak from personal experience - but... I say it's horrible because it doesn't work for me! My volume is about 5% what it should be when it's turned up all the way, so no one hears me. I've tried *everything* on 5 different occasions - and so did those in my party. Only on 2 of those occasions, did I hear 1 single other person in the party each time. The other 3 either couldn't figure it out, or something was wrong. I believe in the stupidity of the masses, but I think these kinda results show how easy WoW In-game chat messes up, and isn't a reflection of stupidity.

I've figured out Teamspeak, I've figured out Ventrilo. I've even figured out LOTRO in-game chat. Turbine made it work. I haven't a clue what's wrong with WoW in-game chat.

The number one problem we seem to come across is that for Voicechat you generally need to go into your Window/Mac control panel settings and turn the mic all the way up. From there you can usually adjust the in game mic volume to something reasonable that avoids distortion. That's solved probably 90% of the voice chat problems we've run across.

I've used both, and at least for smaller groups, I prefer the voice chat. It's certainly a lot easier if you regularly pug people in groups. No passwords, no extra dowloads, no windowing out constantly while getting it working... If you are in a guild raid and everyone is already set up on vent, sure it's great. Outside of that though, I'll take voice chat.

I get annoyed with the elitest attitude you get out of some people. I've been in Pugs where 4 people all hop on voice and then ask the 5th if they have a mic/can turn on voice chat. "Oh, I only have a mic for vent." Seriously, how hard is it to to hit a couple of buttons in your settings? Of course, said person also usually leaves the group half way through for a Kara run.

Of course my favorite is the people who use their guild vent in a PuG while leaving their voicechat turned on. You get to hear all of the lovely things they are telling their guild about the group. I've stopped letting them know we can hear them.

[Zulran]

Maybe it's just a Shadow Council thing - but absolutely *no one* uses Voice Chat in game. I've never ran with a pug (outside those 5 times I mentioned earlier), good or bad, that even suggested we use it. Now, I mostly just do Kara/ZA with my guild on Vent.

I've just never had a hard time with Vent, or a reason not to use. It's got so many extra features. Someone's talking too low or has a crappy mic? Modify their volume so it comes in at 800%. Someone has a booming voice - set them lower. Someone is doing crap you don't want to hear - mute em. All at the push of a button.

[xDarkDrifterx]

1. Just use the in game VOIP (voice chat), IMO it's not as bad as some people make it out to be, I think it has more to do with your comp and it being able to handle the extra bit of data. I've used it many many times and have had no problems, it just take some tinkering with your sound options to get the right balance of voice / game sounds / music.

2. Fraps, Gamecam, if you're on a MAC, WoW now has a built in option to capture your play sessions.

3. ArenaMaster is nice.

[Pisken]

Skype (the phone program) is usefull too for up to 5 people doing a conference call , free, and low on memory.

No server needed , no compability issues , AND you can use it to phone "regular" calls ...not for free though :grin: