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Friday, February 08, 2008
Site Refresh - Mark @ 19:36 EST
Down but not out...its been ages since I have had the time to dedicate to 3dsoundsurge.com. I have now moved the site to a smaller, but stable virtual server and am planning to do a refresh of the look and materials.Unfortunately I still don't have the time (25+ hours per review) do reviews so am planning to have the site go back to its core values - education and advocacy for PC audio and particularly 3D audio. Something that I should be able to keep moving nicely with the time I have available. If you have any ideas or would like to contribute to revitalization of the site email me at 3dsoundsurge.refresh@gmail.com Thanks
Sunday, May 22, 2005
DTS Bridges PC / AV Component Connectivity with DTS Connect; Strategic Partnerships with C-Media and Realtek Bring High-Quality DTS Surround Sound Into PCs - Mark @ 09:13 EST
Om May 18th Digital Theater Systems, Inc. (DTSI) launched its newest PC initiative, DTS Connect, designed to enhance the entertainment value of the PC platform. DTS has formed strategic partnerships with C-Media Electronics Inc. and Realtek Semiconductor Corp., leaders in audio solutions for the PC platform, to offer DTS audio technologies with both companies' popular chip sets for PC motherboards, and PCI or USB soundcards. A DTS Connect-enabled PC provides two audio benefits to the consumer: DTS Interactive(TM) and Neo:PC(TM), for both multi-channel and stereo content. Taking full advantage of the maximum data throughput of the digital interface, DTS Interactive provides a single cable connection via S/PDIF digital audio output to a DTS-enabled surround sound system by encoding all audio into a DTS-compatible bitstream at 1.5Mbps. Neo:PC, based upon DTS' Neo:6 matrix surround technology, transforms any stereo content such as MP3, WMA or CD audio, into a 7.1-channel surround sound experience. "The introduction of DTS Connect will bring rich DTS surround audio to the PC market worldwide simply and seamlessly. No matter what original content consumers play - whether stereo or multi-channel - DTS Connect ensures simple installation of multi-channel audio for the PC, and brings new life to stereo recordings," said Brian Towne, Vice President, Consumer Division at DTS. "We're proud to be working with C-Media and Realtek, two of the largest PC audio solution providers, to launch the DTS Connect program." "C-Media is excited to collaborate with DTS to bring DTS Connect to the PC in what is yet another first for C-Media and Realtek. PC users and consumers will really enjoy the fantastic audio experience that this technology delivers," said Eric Cheng, President of C-Media Electronics.
Creative Announces Xtreme Fidelity And The Creative X-FI Xtreme Fidelity Audio Processor - Mark @ 09:03 EST
On May 12, 2005 Creative Technology Ltd. announced two major breakthroughs in audio technology: Xtreme Fidelity, the new standard in audio, and the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor. The combination of Xtreme Fidelity and the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor provides dramatic improvements to the recording and playback of MP3 music, accelerates and improves PC game play, enhances listening experiences for movies, and improves the capabilities, performance and quality of audio creation. Xtreme Fidelity
According to Creative, Xtreme Fidelity sets a new standard for audio by supporting a combination of 24-bit quality, stunning audio clarity with a minimum of 110db SNR and the new CMSS® (Creative Multi Speaker Surround) 3D headphone and surround speaker technology. Consumers will be able to upgrade their existing CD and MP3 music to the Xtreme Fidelity standard, using applications that can run on the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor. Being able to upgrade an existing library of music to Xtreme Fidelity differentiates it from other high-end music standards such as DVD-A and SACD, which offer limited selection and require consumers to repurchase their music in that specific format. When consumers upgrade their CD or MP3 music to the new Xtreme Fidelity standard, they will be able to experience playback that sounds better than its original CD recording. The Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity Audio Processor
The Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor has more than 51 million transistors, and is capable of 10,000+ MIPS. The Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor is 24 times more powerful than its predecessor, and is designed with multiple engines, so it can dynamically direct resources through a modular architecture to completely change the way audio is managed for any application. The Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor provides key modes that are optimized for experiences with MP3 music, gaming, movies and audio creation. Each mode is configured to dynamically dedicate the processor’s power to deliver only the features, quality and capabilities that the user requires. CD and MP3 Music
All CD music is in 16-bit resolution, which is typically compressed from an original 24-bit studio recording. When converting CD music to MP3 format, the music is compressed yet again. These types of compression result in a compromise of audio quality and clarity. The Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor drives new applications that can enhance MP3s by bringing them back to 24-bit quality, and allows the user to upgrade the music to multi-channel surround sound. This enhancement enables virtually all MP3 music to sound even better than it did on the original CDs. PC Gaming
Game developers and PC gamers want their games to run at the fastest frame rate. This has at times caused them to compromise audio quality and realism by reducing the number of simultaneous effects or turning off audio altogether, because the audio requires so much processing power that it slows the frame rate. This significantly reduces the quality of the gaming experience and can put gamers at a competitive disadvantage. With the power and performance of the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor, gamers will actually be able to experience accelerated frame rates during game play with all the effects turned on. In addition, game developers will now be able to make their audio environments in games even more realistic as they can build to the powerful new platform of Xtreme Fidelity. The Xtreme Fidelity standard provides a new extension of the EAX® Environmental Audio standard that was invented by Creative and is found in virtually all top PC game titles used today. With the new Xtreme Fidelity platform, Creative will deliver the fifth generation of EAX, which will immediately support hundreds of top games that are already available. DVD and Downloaded Movies
Many people who watch DVDs or downloaded movies on their PCs want to use headphones so they can listen at whatever volume they want without bothering others. Although this keeps the volume from disturbing others, the headphones do not deliver the compelling surround sound experience available with a multi-channel speaker system. With the processing power and performance of the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor, listeners will be able to enjoy the Creative Multi Speaker Surround 3D headphone technology, which provides the experience of a multi-channel speaker system through virtually any headphones. Enhanced Audio Creation
The Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor is designed to deliver pristine audio recording quality, with advanced features and effects for music and audio creation. The Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor features an SRC engine that is so precise that any audio resolution is converted to any other resolution at near transparency with 136db THD+N and digital-matched recordings in resolutions from 44.1kHz to 96kHz. The Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor also supports ASIO recording with latency as low as one millisecond with zero CPU load. The Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor delivers so much power, performance, quality and capability that it will be also used by E-MU Systems, the Creative Professional audio business, for future desktop authoring solutions designed for professional musicians. Experience Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity Audio Processor Applications at e3
Creative will be providing a sneak preview of the new applications made possible by the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor at e3 2005 in Los Angeles, from May 18-20. To view the demonstrations, or to get more information about the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor and Xtreme Fidelity, visit booth 2228 in the West Hall during show hours. For more information about the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor and Xtreme Fidelity, visit http://www.soundblaster.com/products/x-fi/technology/. You can also check out an article posted by ExtremeTech.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Doom 3 EAX Patch - Mark @ 21:21 EST
This news should have been up a while back but I continue to struggle with regulard site updates. So, in case you have missed it, Creative has released a beta driver update for the Audigy 2 series to bring real-time EAX® ADVANCED HD™ effects processing, fully hardware based 3D mixing and full hardware based audio anti-aliasing to Doom 3. That's the good news. The bad news is even though I was slow in posting the update the other half of the required update, the actual Doom 3 patch (v.1.3) is still not out. You can get all of the details from Creative. You can see the word on the Doom 3 1.3 patch from the in the .plan update from Timothee Besset. Thanks goes out to A. Tollis for the pointer.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Logitech Cordless Headset for Xbox Review - Mark @ 21:20 EST
XYZ Computing has posted a review of the Logitech Cordless Headset for Xbox. Here's a snip:The standard Microsoft Xbox headset, which tends to come packaged with subscription cards is very much the default Xbox headset, in no small part due to the fact that almost any third-party headset needs the Microsoft-brand adapter in order to function (save for a special few, including some “speakerphone” systems, and today’s Logitech review). There just aren’t any cheaper, third party solutions for the most part. However, there are certain options that are both a step up in quality as well as a step up in cost. One of these options is the Logitech Cordless Headset for Xbox.
Philips HDRW720 DVR/DVD recorder review - Mark @ 21:18 EST
Designtechnica has posted a review of the Philips HDRW720 DVR/DVD recorder. Here's a snip:More than eight years ago, DVD (called Digital Versatile Disc at the time) burst onto the scene and offered the best quality audio and video images available, all on a new shiny 5-inch disc that looked like a CD. It was predicted that it would replace the aging VCR in just a few short years. However, at that time it was perceived by some to have one serious or fatal flaw: it could not record. In the beginning, this was viewed as the format's possible Achilles’ heel. No recording ability was thought to be the death knell of any video format. Well, times have changed and DVD recorders are finally starting to make inroads with consumers. Philips, the leading proponent of the DVD+RW format, has come up with a terrific recorder; it includes an integrated personal video recorder with an easy-to-use on-screen guide that makes recording your favorite show a snap.
TerraTec Producer Rolls Out PHASE X 24 FW Featuring Xtended FireWire™ - Mark @ 21:16 EST
TerraTec Producer is poised to unveil PHASE X24 FW, the professional version of PHASE 24 FW. Featuring a range of connection options and sophisticated FireWire™ technology housed in a stand-alone aluminum chassis, this device is built to convince. Sporting two analog inputs(line, hi-Z or mic in with 48V phantom power), four outputs, digital I/O, MIDI I/O, insert jacks and gain knobs, PHASE X24 FW is theall-round studio interface for discerning users.The two combination jacks on the front panel of the external housing accept 6.3 mm (1/4") jack plugs for instruments such as electric guitars and basses, as well as XLR connectors for microphones. Equipped with status and clip LEDs, these inputs' levels are individually adjustable using two dedicated gain knobs. On demand, 48-volt phantom power can assigned separately to each channel. With four line outs (two main and two monitor each!), the PHASE X 24 FW's crystal-clear signals are easily sent loss-free to outboard devices. Boasting 24-bit /192-kHz signal processing and 111 dB signal-to-noise ratio, the device delivers the fidelity users have come to expect from TerraTec. What's more, two front-panel inserts accommodate external effectors, for instance, compressors and other
signal processors. An adjustable headphones output, a digital interface (optical) for S/PDIF, AC3 and DTS formats, and a MIDI I/O round out the range of connection options. Courtesy of a FireWire™-enabled link to users' computers, all data are sent fast and latency-free to their destinations. All cords and adapters required to connect the device are included. TerraTec Producer's extended audio system also ships with a handy tote bag enabling users to enjoy the new PHASE's many benefits here, there and everywhere. Priced at 359.00 euros (MSRP), PHASE X 24 FW is set to hit stores in May 2005.
Key features: - FireWire™ audio system
- 2 microphone/instrument inputs (XLR combo jacks)
- Analog design developed jointly with SPL®
- Individually assignable 48V phantom power
- 2 gain knobs
- 2 analog inputs (balanced 6.3 mm (1/4") jacks)
- 2 inserts (stereo 6.3 mm (1/4") jacks)
- 4 analog outputs (balanced 6.3 mm (1/4") jacks)
- 1 optical digital I/O
- 1 MIDI I/O
- Digital hardware mixer
- 24-bit / 192-kHz analog signal processing
- 24-bit / 96-kHz digital signal processing
- 109 dB signal-to-noise ratio, analog inputs (A-weighted)
- 111 dB signal-to-noise ratio, analog outputs (A-weighted) For more details visit TerraTec's website
TerraTec Producer: WAVE XTABLE - Mark @ 21:14 EST
With WAVE XTABLE, TerraTec Producer is set to unveil a soundboard with 500 additional sounds featuring GM and XG modes and professional quality sound. The board is equipped with 16 MB memory affording instant access to sounds - without audible latency and without tasking the computer's memory. Up to 128 voices may used simultaneously for a variety of applications ranging from elaborate orchestral arrangements to contemporary electronica and rock sounds.WAVE XTABLE's offering of more than 500 additional sounds runs the full gamut of popular genres of music. Included on the board are all orchestra and many other acoustic instruments, unusual electronic sounds, 10 complete drum kits and an SFX kit. All are based on real instruments whose sounds were painstakingly digitized and burned to the WAVE XTABLE's ROM. A touch of a button is all it takes to audition this remarkable array of sounds. Installation couldn't be any easier: WAVE XTABLE plugs into the wavetable connector slot - no further installation necessary. This simple twist of the wrist transform the audio card into a powerful sound generator. WAVE XTABLE is fully compatible with the prevailing MIDI standards GM and XG. Priced 149,00 euros (MSRP), TerraTec Producer's WAVE XTABLE will hit well-stocked stores in May. For more details visit TerraTec's website
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