Do you want Push To Talk? Because I do! Here's why.

Would you like to avoid hearing your buddy munching on funyuns? Does your party healer sound like they are sitting on top of a jet engine? Is your GM a mouth breather? If you can say yes to any of the questions above then I have the answer for you. Push to talk! Lots of fun upgrades are being implemented into Roll20 but let's not overlook one of the most basic features required for VoiP in gaming. In the past they claimed this feature could not be implemented but according to TokBox (the people that provide our audio and video) say that's just not true! Sure you could use Vent, Mumble, or Skype but why use additional programs when our issues could be solved within the app? Also people using Chromebooks would finally be able to partake in quality audio communication. In case you are unaware of what Push To Talk is, here is a brief description: if enabled the microphone will be muted unless a specific key (generally assigned by the user) is held down. At such time the microphone will start broadcasting audio. When the key is released the microphone will automatically mute itself again. Click here to view and vote on my suggestions post!

Another common analogy: Like a walkie-talkie, except you can still hear the other people.

The Aaron said: Another common analogy: Like a walkie-talkie, except you can still hear the other people. Everytime I make a post you always come back with something I wish I had used to begin with. Can I just hire you to write everything for me?

Hahahaha. That depends on your budget. =D

And you'd have to get in line...

As someone with severe coughing problems, I fully support this.

Let's all also remember that as it gets warmer for summer...people will start using fans. Fans are horrible for microphones.

>.> <.< I have a Yeti Blue microphone. It doesn't pick up background noise. =P But yes, PTT is useful. That said, there are applications that you can use to get the PTT functionality system-wide. PTT for Windows 7 and 8 was the first result of a google search.

Very true Brian. Good points indeed. But if I am paying for a service that has potential to have the capabilities I need, wouldn't I want someone to atleast try? Also Chromebooks don't have the option of installing programs. This feature would also help attract new players and subscribers. One of Roll20's selling points is that it doesn't require any software installation, but currently that just isn't the case.

GenericTitle said: Very true Brian. Good points indeed. But if I am paying for a service that has potential to have the capabilities I need, wouldn't I want someone to atleast try? Also Chromebooks don't have the option of installing programs. This feature would also help attract new players and subscribers. One of Roll20's selling points is that it doesn't require any software installation, but currently that just isn't the case. Don't misunderstand me, I don't think it's a bad idea. I'm just saying that until and unless the feature is implemented, you have options. =)

I have a Logitech headset with a "push to mute" button on the cord. I mainly picked it up because I have a turbine on the other side of the room that pushes enough air that will blow small children to the ground. PTT would be a good idea for people without such headset functionality.

We are up to 8! Only like 100 more to go before the devs even respond! We can do it!

GenericTitle said: We are up to 8! Only like 100 more to go before the devs even respond! We can do it! GenericTitle, You do know that the devs will work on suggestions even if they have 1 vote for while they read all the suggestions made, they do not usually respond to any of them. They let their work speak for them. Your post about the devs not responding is pushing the CoC common courtesy and touching on No Predictions of Developer or Moderation Action. While I like your suggestion, just be careful on how you word your posts.

I didn't mean anything by it besides the fact it wasn't getting any traction with the members. The devs do good work. You're taking my encouragements a bit too personal. I pay as much as I can per month and being accused is almost a bit insulting. But oh well. I'll bow down.

Responded in pm.

Thanks for being more clear. I meant no offense to the devs/mods. Just want what's best for everyone! Thanks.

That is we (mods and devs) want also.

I run a mumble server on a raspberry pi computer and it supports push to talk, although you need a fixed IP to do this. I have been using mumble for six months now and it has proved to be very reliable. I have used it with players from three different continents playing simultaneously without any lag as, almost as if they were sat at my own dining room table. I also like google hangouts as well as it supports screen sharing and video. I have never got on well with the built in video and voice system as this seems to be the least reliable system. My favourite voip clients in order are Mumble ( solid and reliable, supports push to talk and level triggered speech, it supports multi rooms so you can run a multi party game, low band width ) ( unfortunately no camera ) Google Hangouts ( Solid - however it does not support push to talk, supports video, best launched outside of roll20 ) Viber Ok ( I have never used it for a playing RPG) Skype ( I find skype to be quite flakey, it often drops it's connection for me anyway) Roll20 ( Roll20 seems to fall over for me when I have two or more players connected ) It is essential for all your players to wear head phones whilst playing, in order to prevent audio feedback. The roll20 team could easily host mumble servers for their players to use. I think it took me 4 hours to set up the server on my raspberry pi machine. There are windows versions of the server as well.

Mumble is amazing for sure. There are several apps that I'm sure people use. But I also believe if we can get the voice and video system that is already implemented updated to support some of the features the other clients use, we could make everyone happier. Some people out there aren't super tech savvy so having to download more applications might be confusing for some. Roll20 makes everything super easy. Log in and make sure its turned on, then boom you are ready to go. I have faith we can get this going. Just a few more upgrades!

I agree it's best to have everything in one place. Mumble is an open source project it may be possible to adapt it to your needs or pay the mumble developers to make a web based plug in for you. I would also like to be able to play foley sound fx to my players by pushing a button on a pop out panel that would be super cool.

Jack T. said: It is essential for all your players to wear head phones whilst playing, in order to prevent audio feedback. I have not used headphones with my VOIP in something like five years, and I can count on one hand the number of times I've been the source of audio feedback. (And never for more time than it took to turn a dial.) Admittedly, my microphone is more expensive than the vast majority of headphones/headsets on the market, but the point remains that headphones are not the only solution.

The point is that many players will have cheap microphones, so it is much easier to insist that everyone uses head phones. The worst and most disconcerting thing is when you hear you own voice echoing in your ears a second or two later when you are trying to narrate a passage of text. I appreciate that there are some disabled players who might not be able to use head phones easily, in which case I will tolerate them not using head phones.

The biggest issue for me currently is that my wife plays as well. She is usually in the same room as I am. So we will have to go back and forth making sure we mute each other or remember to turn the mute on our headsets back on. It is tiresome. It may not seem like much but it is.