Xbox live chat, party system and MW2 - how does it work?

[sygyzy]

I am very confused about how XBL voice chat works. I will note what I've observed and how I think it works. I would appreciate it if anyone could make corrections or fill in the blanks.

1. When I am playing Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) without a wired headset plugged in, I only hear chat amongst players when in the lobby waiting for the next match to start. I seldom hear chat during the game. By hear, I mean coming out of my TV/speakers.

What is supposed to happen here?

2. Is there a difference between party chat and direct/private chat? For example, I formed a party and we were not allowed to chat in MW2 multiplayer, in the games we played together. However, on a different occasion, I started a party but my friend started a "private" chat so we were able to still chat in a MP game.

3. Is there a difference between having a party inside MW2 and having a party seperate form MW2? Or are they one and the same? How come I used my dashboard to create a party but they didn't appear in my MW2 lobby?

 

[Furyline]

2. You can have a lot of people in a party chat, while private chat is just you and one other person. For some reason private chat is still allowed in MW2 multiplayer but party chat is not.

3. Yes they are different. You have the Xbox Live party from the dashboard, and then you have the in-game party. Once you are in MW2 you can invite your xbox live party to the game party. They are two separate parties.