Ventrilo Server Hosting

Ventrilo is a Voice Over Internet Protocol application in which two or more participants speak to each other in real time using headsets or a built-in computer microphone in a manner similar to a conference call. It is a proprietary system with downloadable freeware clients available for Microsoft Windows. There is a client for Mac OS X, but it should still be considered to be in a "beta" form. Clients based on Linux are also planned, but not yet available.

Ventrilo can be used for simple voice chat. Some radio call-in shows use Ventrilo to cope with multiple callers. The voice quality is comparable to the voice quality over a telephone. People who participate in multiple player online games use Ventrilo to add the dimension of voice to the online game experience. This way they can talk over a hands-free headset and engage the mouse or action keys at the same time.

One of the Ventrilo developers' goals is to minimize bandwidth usage. However, people who still use dial-up connections may have to stick with low voice-quality settings in order to participate with real-time results. Gamers tend to be closer to the leading edge than the trailing edge of technology, though, so dial-up is unlikely to even be a consideration to them.

The most recent version of the Ventrilo client was released in late 2008 for Microsoft Windows and adds the capacity for private voice chats and expands the server host's ability to grant certain levels of access to people using the Ventrilo server that would normally involve knowing the master password. For instance, the server host may grant a particular user the ability to make new chat rooms or kick off abusive participants.

Ventrilo servers are virtual servers that allow from 10 up to 200 connections each that can be rented for a low monthly cost. There are a number of officially licensed Ventrilo server vendors with packages ranging in price from less than $5 per month to around $20 per month.

A Ventrilo server is a downloadable voice client that allows for the setting up of groups that can talk to each other online using microphones or headsets for a monthly cost that varies depending on how large the group is. Current Ventrilo servers can host up to 200 users. Ventrilo servers are independent of any online multi-user game, though gamers use Ventrilo frequently.

Users who rent a virtual Ventrilo server can choose who is allowed to connect and talk. One possible use would be among a group of 8 or 10 people who have become friends through blogging who want the opportunity to talk amongst themselves as a group. Someone would rent a Ventrilo server, then let the others know they can connect and talk.

There are some providers who will allow for payment from more than one person at a time, which allows the costs to be split among some or all of the participants. Because there are Ventrilo servers throughout the world, near real-time voice chat among multiple people is now a reality.

If a person rents the Ventrilo server from a hosting company, he or she generally gets access to a control panel to which they have unrestricted control. This person can customize variables like sound positioning, or special sound effects for one, some, or all participants in their particular group.

Ventrilo is designed to make minimal use of CPU resources while employing a simple, intuitive user interface that is easy to learn. This allows real-time voice chat without compromising the heavy-hitting applications that may be going on at the same time, like online games.

Suppose you want to set up a group of friends to be able to talk to each other any time using headsets or microphones and their Internet connection. You would find a Ventrilo hosting provider and select a monthly package depending on the size of the group you want to set up. Then you notify the participants, who download the free Ventrilo voice client. It is possible to set up a public Ventrilo group. This is an option that is used by radio call-in shows who use Ventrilo.

When you get your Ventrilo server set up, you log in as the administrator with a master password. Or you can add your information to a USR file that gives you administrator powers when you connect with your name or password.

You can also allow other participants in your group to have certain admin capabilities if you want. Once this is set up in the USR file, you have server administrator capabilities any time you log in to the server. If you have given some admin capabilities to other participants, they will then have those specified capabilities when they log in.

Like website hosting, Ventrilo hosting is becoming very competitive. Search on "ventrilo hosting" and you'll get a flurry of hosts all vying for your business. Ventrilo hosting providers compete based on price, group size offerings, and administrator capabilities. The providers also compete based on customer and technical support resources.

Generally, the larger you want your Ventrilo group to be, the more it will cost per month. A Ventrilo server that can host 10 participants may cost around $2.50 per month, while a server that can host 50 participants may cost more like $10 per month.

A small group might be ideal for siblings or relatives who like to keep in touch, while a larger group may be a solution for workers at a particular company to communicate with their colleagues who are scattered over the globe. And, as  mentioned earlier, online gamers create Ventrilo groups to enhance their gaming experience.

More Ventrilo hosting providers are now allowing 30-day trials, money back guarantees, and server redundancy to ensure customer satisfaction and minimize downtime. Many hosting providers also offer discounts for those who purchase several months' service up front.