delay/lag in voice

[bellini13]

I wanted to start this thread b/c i cannot find a thread that deals with this specific issue.

To keep the issue simple, here's the scenario.(all computers located in NY, USA)
1 ts2 server installed on a redhat9 dedicated server that i rent
1 ts2 client on winxpsp2...mine
1 ts2 client on winxpsp2...friend

we are both using cable for internet access, and have a router setup for local network.

The issue: no matter the codec used, there is a few seconds delay between either person speaking, and the other person hearing.

I have read this problem in other forums, and generally the answer goes 1 of 4 ways.
1. sound card/driver issue
2. someone is using a mic and speakers..and gets into an echo conversation
3. codec issue
4. bankdwidth issue

So..lets talk about these...
1. take that off the table..we both have used yahoo instant messenger to voice chat...and the high voice quality and no delay/lag tell me it's not a hardware/software issue. plus there are no humming/helicopter noises/echo

2. no issue..i use a headset with mic boom/noise cancelation. he has a standing mic and headset. plus in testing.. we can disconnect one of the mics and the problem still exists...this is not an echo issue.

3. we have tried most codecs and we both agree..there is little/no improvement, and we prefer the better sound quality. we don't believe this is the issue

4. i won't even have a conversation about this...i can prove no bandwidth issues since we can both file share over 1mbit/sec. and computers have network utlization under 5-10% while playing online games and ts2


so..these have all been talked about somewhere...I'd like to know what is left before we have to abandom hope. I am pretty certain that these are not the problem and would like some assistance or information on peoples experiences.

will anyone from ts2 development step to the plate with the actual solution, or just outright say thats how the software works.

[guldi]

I use TS since a long time and I'm quite sure* we do not have several sec. delay over the www => I guess t's a network / driver /... issue on your side

- Have you tested wave / direct sound ?
- what's the ping time to your dedicated server (for you and your friend) ?

Last but not least:
- The fact that you belive that your available file shareing bandwidth has anything to do with your latency (delay) doesn't gives me the impression you've understood a lot about networking, sry... but after reading your thread I think I have to be honest !
- you sound like you have made much better experice with Yahoo IM, why don't you simply use that one ?



* HOW do you measure the delay over the www ? TOO many people wanted to make me belive they have a huge delay but I still belive noon of them was actualy sure how to measure the real delay ?

[bellini13]

thanks for the reply...and the sarcasm...had a good laugh. It was the reply I was expecting...driver/client pc issue, and not possibly a ts2 issue...

yahoo is great 1on1, but i'd like to expand this to other people.

I will do some more testing tonight..i have played with both wave/direct sounds settings, and i believe were settled on direct sound. i'll need to get back to you on the ping numbers.

-so...i think 2% of the world probably even understand what we're talking about...latency/bandwidth...so to speak highlevel about networking... i think it's safe to say if i can fileshare...uploading file contents over 1mbps...it's safe to assume there is no latency uploading voice packets at best 300kbps ?

What I left out also in my first post is i use voip with vonage and there is no delay/lag/latency issues..and the sound quality is pretty even with normal phone usage...

so..instead of the back and forth on this...b/c i feel it coming...how about we look at the issue's and try to resolve.

all drivers are up to date, i do this regularly. if you want a dxdiag driver dump...let me know.

[guldi]

thanks for the reply...and the sarcasm...had a good laugh. It was the reply I was expecting...driver/client pc issue, and not possibly a ts2 issue...
Sry, but YOU were asking for THAT answer (by the way you wrote your thread)
yahoo is great 1on1, but i'd like to expand this to other people.
Doesn't Yahoo or skype uses peer to peer tech. ?
TS is server client based so no direct connection between the clients (=> clinent -> server -> client instead of client -> client as peer to peer uses)
What I left out also in my first post is i use voip with vonage and there is no delay/lag/latency issues..and the sound quality is pretty even with normal phone usage...
sry, don't know that service
My experience with skype was that is has somewhat lower delay than TS.


Have you already tested:
- Reduce DirectSound buffers
- My subjective ues was that switching to Wave produced lower delay