TeamSpeak

TeamSpeak (TS) is a proprietary voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) application for audio communication between users on a chat channel, much like a telephone conference call. Users typically use headphones with a microphone. The client software connects to a TeamSpeak server of the user's choice, from which the user may join chat channels.

TeamSpeak
Developer(s)TeamSpeak Systems, Inc.
Initial releaseAugust 2001 (2001-08)
Stable release
3.6.1 / July 24, 2023 (2023-07-24)
Preview release
5.0.0-beta74 / May 9, 2023 (2023-05-09)
Operating systemLinux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, iOS, FreeBSD (Server Only/no Client), Android
TypeVoIP Software
LicenseProprietary, freeware
Websitewww.teamspeak.com

The target audience for TeamSpeak is gamers, who can use the software to communicate with other players on the same team of a multiplayer video game.

Server

The TeamSpeak server runs as a dedicated server on Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows and FreeBSD and uses a client based user interface or a command-line interface to control server administration and configuration. TeamSpeak clients are available for Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS — both 32-bit and 64-bit architecture.[1]

The TeamSpeak 3 server can be used at no cost for up to 32 slots (simultaneous users). For non-commercial use, non-profit licenses were available, until September 2018, that allowed to use the server with up to 512 slots. With it, server admins can choose to split up the slots into multiple virtual server instances (up to 2).[2]

Beginning from September 2018, the non-profit license was discontinued for the new license system.[3]

It splits the licenses into 3 Categories:

Name Max. simultaneous users Price Max. Virtual Servers
Free Server License 32 Free 1
Gamer License[4] 64-1024 $55–$500 1-2
Commercial License - - -

The commercial license is for "Companies/Businesses, who look for an internal voice communication solution".[5]

TeamSpeak Client

On Monday 14th October 2019, TeamSpeak announced a fully rebuilt version of their client software. Originally dubbed TeamSpeak 5 (with the name TeamSpeak 4 rumoured to have been avoided due to Tetraphobia), their new client has been released without a version number, and is just called "TeamSpeak".

The new client introduces a number of brand new additions to their services, including a modern global chat feature, a fully responsive user interface, free voice servers and many upgraded audio functions.

TeamSpeak 3

TeamSpeak 3[6] has been in development since 2004. It was a complete rewrite of TS2 with many new features, but has had infrequent updates on the development blog, and was first estimated to be released in mid-2006. The first public release of the TeamSpeak 3 SDK[7] was on June 5, 2008, with the integrated solution in the MMO game Vendetta Online.[8] Open beta of TeamSpeak 3 was released on December 9, 2009.[9] Open beta was closed on August 10, 2011 and replaced with TeamSpeak 3.0.0 Final, which was the first stable release of TeamSpeak 3.[10]

TeamSpeak 3 introduced the use of unique IDs, maintained in the program as identities, that are randomly generated at the time of a client's initial setup. An identity contains a nickname, which can be changed at any time, the Unique ID and an identity name, which is not visible to other users on the server. The unique id is used by the server to grant permissions to the user. Unique IDs replaced the need for a user to register with the server to keep their user group, be it a channel group or a server group.

Permissions system

When TeamSpeak 3 was first introduced in the Open Beta release, the server administrators were confronted with a major change in granting administrative powers to users, in the way of a permissions system based on boolean and integer, which permitted better user control.

The permissions system has two types of integer-based permissions: Power and Needed Power. The Power is the power level in numbers that the group/user has for that permission. The Needed Power is the power level in numbers needed by the group/user to use that specific permission. If the Power level is lower than the Needed Power level then the permission cannot be used. If the Power level is equal to or higher than the Needed Power level then the group/user will be able to use it.

TeamSpeak 3 also has a 5-tier hierarchy within its permissions system: Server Group, Client Permissions, Channel Permissions, Channel Groups and Channel Client Permissions. The five are used to override another type, also known as inheriting. This allows for highly complex permissions for users, giving users more powers and uses in TeamSpeak without giving away complete control to the users of the server.

With the release of later versions the TeamSpeak developers created easier ways to set up permissions in the way of a "Standard Permissions Display" by default in the client. This placed the original permissions system display behind the "Standard" one calling it "Advanced Permissions Display". This allowed beginners more ease of use when setting up a TeamSpeak 3 server. Some still prefer the Advanced system because it allows more control over which permissions get changed, whereas the Standard changes many permissions at the same time.

Update mechanism

TeamSpeak 3 uses an incremental update system that only downloads the files that need to be updated between releases, resulting in less bandwidth usage and faster installation.

Audio quality

It is possible to boost the microphone volume by applying software-based gain albeit at the loss of audio quality. Low THD hardware and dual-microphone noise suppression help clean up the noisefloor to allow software-base gain with less of an impact to audio quality.

TeamSpeak was mentioned numerous times within South Park's episode titled "Make Love, Not Warcraft" which aired October 4, 2006 on Comedy Central.[11]

See also

References
  1. "How to create a TeamSpeak server". IONOS Digitalguide. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  2. "Licensing". sales.teamspeakusa.com. TeamSpeak.
  3. "Not possible NPL License (how to get / renew etc.) - TeamSpeak". forum.teamspeak.com. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  4. Vista, Chula. "Pricing | TeamSpeak". www.teamspeak.com. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  5. Vista, Chula. "TeamSpeak 3 Licensing | TeamSpeak". www.teamspeak.com. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  6. "TeamSpeak 3". TeamSpeak Systems GmbH. Archived from the original on 2008-05-25. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  7. "Guild Software and TeamSpeak announce the Integration of TeamSpeak 3 within Vendetta Online" (Press release). Florence Espinoza. 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  8. "Now featuring.. Voice Chat!". Guild Software. 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  9. News. TeamSpeak. Retrieved on 2014-05-22.
  10. TeamSpeak 3 Final + iOS + Android Released. Forum.teamspeak.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-22.
  11. News. TeamSpeak (2006-10-11). Retrieved on 2014-05-22.
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