So, I've been playing online for a couple weeks, but I have NEVER heard anyone over the headset. I've just stopped even putting it on. Anyone have a clue as to what's wrong? Is there a setting somewhere that I missed that I need to change to turn on the voice function? (voice recognition works fine in single player)

I realize that a lot of the time people just don't talk, but I find it hard to believe that nobody EVER talks. And, I played in a game with one of my friends and I tried talking, he tried talking, and I never heard anything from him and he never heard anything from me.

What's the deal? It's pissing me off

I never had a problem with hearing other players online. I wonder if the online voice function uses a different port that might be blocked by certain routers. Are you using a Router?

Outside of the Spec Otts folk I have rarely ever heard anyone talk in SOCOM games with random people.

I have heard the thing about it often being a router problem though.

I have nothing but this penny-arcade comic to add

Do you have a D-Link router? Some of the D-Link routers aren't working too well with SOCOM.

Actually, I think it's a port issue. There's a range of ports that SOCOM uses for voice communication (or can use, it's a random choice).

Your router might be blocking those ports.

Try reading this: http://www.dslreports.com/faq/onlinegaming

Hmm, well yeah I do have a router. It's a lynksys. Today I tried placing the ps2 ip in the router DMZ so it's exposed to the internet. I still didn't hear anything over the headset today, but at least I know it's probably a router issue.

Thanks for the help. The dslreports link was quite useful.

This is from a thread on Sony's SOCOM board:

http://boardsus.playstation.com/play...essage.id=3974

SOCOM Headset Issues -- The problem is with your router / firewall ! (upd. 10/7)
HogarthNH
New Member


Viewed 969 times


SONY uses a protocol called UDP to send Voice Chat data on ports 6000-6999 (randomly selected).
Most firewalls will not forward these ports unless you specifically configure them to.

You can tell the firewall to forward ports 6000-6999, or you can assign your PS2 a Static IP address and, if your router supports a DMZ option, put the IP address of your PS2 into the DMZ port.

What is a DMZ? A pre-defined IP address that is completely unfiltered. Usually not a good idea on computers to use, but your PS2 uses Read-Only media -- so no one should be able to hack you to damage you.

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/onlinegaming
See "Voice Chat Problems" at this link, for more information, and ways to set up a number of popular routers.

Note some games do not facilitate voice chat.
Two major reasons why:
1. The host of the game does not permit these ports through their system.
2. SONY's hosting servers are overloaded and temporarily deactivate it on specific servers. (I'm not sure this is ever the case. Anyone got concrete evidence?)

However, even if you configure the ports, some routers may not let data through. The cheaper the router, the more unlikely it seems that it will work!

Verified not to work (at least, not as far as ANYONE can tell):
Linksys Network Everywhere NR041 (It's a new product with a very cheap implementation. Not recommended.)
D-Link DI-604
SMC Barricade 20xx series (dolson has been having all kinds of troubles, including nothing working after DMZing the PS2.)

Verified to work (if configured correctly):
Linksys BEFSR41 (via my personal experience - set a static IP and put that IP in the DMZ. From the status screen, write down the DNS address and put it in your PS2 manually.)
Linksys BEFW11S4 (via ims1981 -- this one has wireless 802.11b too. He says no settings required.)
Netgear RP614 (via lowlight-DJ)
Netgear RT314
D-Link DI-704

If anyone else has a router that works, feel free to let me know. Be sure to include the Model Number and mention if you had to make any major configuration changes to get it to work.
[email protected]

Message Edited by HogarthNH on 10-07-2002 05:06 PM

Message Edited by HogarthNH on 10-10-2002 10:39 AM

HogarthNH

---
SOCOM: Sir Dumpling

Disclaimer: I don't work for SONY Consumer Entertainment America, Zipper Interactive, Lithium, or anybody remotely connected with any of them. I am merely a consumer with an interest in reducing the frustration and confusion surrounding PS2 Online Gaming.

Online Gaming FAQ: http://www.dslreports.com/faq/onlinegaming

damnit, i have the Linksys Network Everywhere NR041.

Even when putting the ps2 ip in the DMZ it still blocks the ports SOCOMs voice chat needs? I thought this ip would be fully exposed to the net. Isn't that the point of putting something in the DMZ?

Well I use that cheap 2-Port Siemens Router that I bought for $9.99 A/R after I got tired of rebooting that $*@%! SMC Barricade for the XXX time. It's noticable faster and has presented zero problems with online gaming either with consoles or the PC. I think Circuit City has them on sale again as well as the 4 Port version for mega cheap A/R. Had no problems with SOCOMM online.