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The Week in
Review: April 1-7, 2002
Last week's features at
3DsoundSurge
Last week's sound news
Drivers and bugs
- New Santa Cruz beta drivers for Windows
XP/2000/ME
Turtle Beach has released a new beta (v4161) for
its Santa Cruz soundcard. As always it should also work just fine with the identical
card VideoLogic sells under the SonicFury name. Here's what's new in this release
- Fixed 'no sound' on some WinMe systems when resuming from standby
(s3)
- Fixed noise on resume from standby (s3 state) if eq or fx were
enabled.
Thanks to Dan88 for the pointer.
- Sound Blaster Extigy Application Web Patch
Creative Labs has released
the following software updates for the Extigy
- PlayCenter 3.01.22 (to 3.01.23)
- RemoteCenter 1.40.14 (to 1.40.15)
- Recorder 2.00.22 (to 2.00.24)
- Mixer 2.01.11 (to 2.01.12)
It's available for all supported OS (Windows 98SE, Windows ME,
Windows 2000 and Windows XP).
New games, demos, patches and bugs
- Global Operations Supports 3D sound and EAX
Global Operations which went gold last month supports 3D sound and EAX according to a review of
it on 3DgamingDaily. Here's the sound snip:
The sound is great and EAX sound is supported so set up those
5.1 speakers and immerse yourself into the game. The ability to hear the enemy running
around is crucial when you are caught behind enemy lines. Explosion and weapon sound
effects are well done and the roar of a machinegun followed by the sounds of the bullets
ricocheting can really make you think twice about entering a room or emerging from your
much-valued cover. Although nothing graphically stands out as ground breaking in this
game, it does its job very well.
- Blood 2 Omen for Xbox features DD 5.1
Blood 2 Omen for XBox feature 3D sound, that is DD 5.1, according to a review of it on MyGamer.
- Might and Magic IX v1.2 Patch
3DO has released a version
1.2 patch for Might and Magic IX. This patch file is intended for use with English
(United States) versions of Might and Magic IX only and addresses a number of issues that
are listed on the download page.
- Star Wars Jedi Knight II with 3D sound and EAX
Advanced HD impressions
If you want some impressions of the 3D sound and EAX Advanced HD support in Star Wars Jedi
Knight II: Jedi Outcast you can check out this
thread in our forum.
Reviews of soundcards, speakers, headphones and MP3
players.
- Sound Blaster Extigy
Tom's Hardware has posted an overall positive review of
the Sound Blaster Extigy, Creative's external (USB) sound card / hardware Dolby
Digital decoder combo. While the review includes a section that rebuts some of Creative's
marketing claims it's worth noting that Creative's own FAQs admits to the 24/96 and EAX
Advanced HD limitations of the product. When it comes to the s/n ratio I agree that, at
least when it comes to the Audigy, the claimed s/n of 100 dB is not actually achieved in
our own tests but we have not tested the Extigy. When it comes to the gaming performance,
the Extigy as expected falls behind other products in the FPS area. Creative themselves
notes that hardcore gamers should stick to the Audigy but for faster machines such as used
in the Tom's Hardware tests I have to question the true significance of dropping from 178
fps to 154 fps. Finally it should be noted that the Audigy cards cannot decode DTS.
Rather, it's the software DVD players such as PowerDVD or WinDVD that can handling those
decoding chores on the Audigy. Thanks to James Byrne for the pointer.
- Onkyo HTS-L5 Home Theater Package
Design Technica has taken a quick look at the Onkyo HTS-L5 Home
Theater Package, a $1,300 system that consists of a 5.1-channel surround receiver, a
DVD/CD player and a six-component speaker bundle. The TX-L5 receiver, provides DTS, Dolby
Digital, and Dolby Pro-Logic II support. There's no indication if it also includes 6
channel analog inputs.
- Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 510D
Gamespot's Steven Smith has posted a short
review of Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 510D. In the review you find comparisons to
Monsoon flat-panel models (the only one they done a review of is Monsoon IM-700), Altec
Lansing's 641, Klipsch ProMedia 4.1 and Logitech's Z-560 but not Klipsch ProMedia 5.1.
Overall they come to a very positive conclusion where the subwoofer was considered a
strong point even compared to Klipsch ProMedia 4.1 (worth noting the 5.1 version of
Klipsch system offer better quality). However they found midrange to be weak spot compared
to the ProMedia 4.1 and some of the other expensive systems. They also note that it's not
quite as loud as the ProMedia 4.1 or Z-560. I have not listened to the ProMedia 4.1 but
based on Mark's comment on that system compared to the Sirocco Crossfire I doubt I would
agree with their midrange impressions. Can be interesting to
note that Steven Smith found the shrill and overly sharp highs that he complained about in
his review of the
MegaWorks 210D to be fixed.
- Logitech Z-560 and Z-540
There are three new Logitech Z-560 reviews for your perusal. First up is one from
PCRivals. One bit worth noting is despite what you will read in the intro to this
review, Logitech has been selling speakers for quite some time. More importantly, the
speakers are specified as 400 Watts RMS and not PMPO as stated at one point in the review
and the generalization they make about ported subwoofers is very off base. Many high
quality hi-fi subwoofers are ported...Getting to their impressions, like most they were
very impressed with the performance although they found that they might be a bit bass
heavy. The second looks come from Gaming in 3D. This overall very
positive review (they find that the Z-560 is the most impressive computer multimedia
system they have ever heard) includes pictures of the inside of the system as well as
comments on the printed ratings on the drivers. Note that the ratings printed on drivers
are typically maximum sustained power handling capabilities. That means the drivers can
handle more power for shorter bursts so those numbers alone cannot be used to debunk total
system power ratings. That's not to say that I believe that the full system can sustain
400 Watts RMS but the amplifiers used in the Z-560 certainly are capable of delivering
more power than the suggested total in this review and in objective loudness tests the Z-560
comes out at the top of all 4.1 systems that we have tested.
It's also worth noting that there are some higher end multimedia
systems (looking at all configurations including 2.0 and 2.1) that do an excellent job on
lower midrange, upper bass and overall balance beyond the quality offered by the Z-560.
When it comes to upper bass on the satellites the Z-560s are clearly above average (but
not without betters) in their extension but I come to the same conclusion as this review
in wishing for more attenuation ability on the subwoofer control for more neutral bass
levels. When it comes to M3D, just to be clear, it is not a technology that gives true 3D
audio for gaming. For more on M3D you can check out our Stereo
to 4 or 5.1 Expansion Technologies article.
Finally we have a review from
Invisible Dream. This review is also very positive. In fact they found that "hands
down, the Logitech Z-560s sound better than the Klipsch v.2-400s in everything"
that they tested with. One point of note is that the phase plug does not drive nearly all
of the sound on the Z-560 satellites. For it actually does, or is at least supposed to do
you can check
out page 2 of our Z-560 review. Invisible Dreams has also tested
the entry level Logitech Z-540 speaker system. They found it to be a good budget
system that puts out a surprising amount of bass.
- Harman Kardon HK695 Speakers
Mikhailtech has posted a review of Harman
Kardon HK695. It's a $60 stylish 2.1 system which features bass, treble and virtual
surround. The virtual surround should work with any device that output a rear channel, for
example any 4 or 5.1 soundcard.
- iRiver SlimX IMP-350. (MP3 Player)
T-Break has posted a review of iRiver
SlimX IMP-350, a portable CD MP3 Player. iRiver previously mostly famous for designing
the original RioVolt (sold by SonicBlue). The IMP-350 features upgradeable firmware,
supports Winamp Playlists, resume, MS WMA support, FM tuner, anti-shock protection of up
to 480s and wired remote control with LCD display. Despite plenty of complaints it ends up
with an editor choice and a score of 9.5 out of 10.
- NoiseControl Magic Fleece Noise Killer
Digital-Explosion has posted a
review of Noisecontrol's Magic Fleece. It's an acoustic layered fiberglass felt which
acts as a sound barrier, or dampener. Digital-Explosion was amazed how well it worked.
- NoiseControl Novibes III HDD Isolation
PC Stats has posted another review of a device from NoiseControl that let you reduce the
noise your PC create. This time it's Novibes III HDD Isolation
they put to the test. As the name indicates it reduce the noise your hard drive
creates. PC Stats was not exactly amazed with the difference this product made.
Other sound news
- First International Digital Debuts Ultra-Portable
Wireless Music Adapter
First International Digital, Inc. (FID), a Motorola spin-off and maker of the irock! 500
and 600 series MP3 players, has introduced a new wireless music adapter that links
portable music devices to any car or home stereo. Priced at only $29.99, this inexpensive
accessory enables any MP3, CD or tape player to broadcast to a nearby car or home stereo
system without cables or wires, with full stereo sound and no hassles. You can find more details in the
press release
- TDK's MOJO 620 CD-MP3 Digital Jukebox Released
TDK Electronics Corporation has announced it is now shipping its second-generation MOJO
620 CD-MP3 digital jukebox. MOJO 620 is the first addition to TDK's planned family of MOJO
CD-MP3 digital jukeboxes. The newly designed MOJO 620 builds on the original MOJO with
exciting new navigation, playlist organization and playback capabilities such as full ID3
support, the industry's largest 4-line display, upgradeable firmware and a unique Lyric
Sync(TM) display feature that lets users view the lyrics of favorite songs during
playback. You can find
more details in the full press release
- PoGo! Products Launches First Portable MP4 Player
PoGo! Products has introduced Flipster, the first dedicated portable multimedia player
that supports a variety of multimedia formats. Flipster allows users to enjoy watching
full motion videos (MPEG-4) on its full color LCD display, store and listen to MP3 audio,
view high-resolution still images, record and listen to voice memos and live recordings as
well as play games. You can find more details in the press release
- Intervideo Continues U.S. Retail Expansion
InterVideo has announced that WinDVD, its software for watching DVDs on a PC, is now
available for purchase in two versions at all Micro Center computer stores. InterVideo is offering its DVD playing software in two versions: WinDVD and
WinDVD Plus, each with advanced audio support. WinDVD features full audio capabilities
including Dolby® Digital decoding for 2 to 5.1 channels and Dolby Headphone technology
for virtual surround sound with only two speakers. WinDVD Plus includes the same Dolby
support and also features DTS audio decoding -- including playback for DTS-encoded,
multi-channel CDs. WinDVD retails for $49.95 and WinDVD Plus for $69.95 You can find more details in
the press release
- delaydots.com releases Spektral plug-ins
delaydots has announced the release of Spektral plug-ins. The Spektral plug-ins contain
three DSP plug-ins available in DirectX media format (VST PC version scheduled May, 2002)
for use in "off-line" hosts such as Sound Forge and Cool Edit Pro. Plug-ins also
works with Sonar, Nuendo, Wavelab, Cubase, Fruity Loops and Logic Audio. For details read the press release
Is there an interactive element to the music in Dungeon
Siege?
Yes! As a player progresses through the game, they will receive different "mood"
settings. A mood includes the fog distance and color, the music and ambient tracks, the
EAX setting, and the weather. A great deal of effort was put toward giving every area in
Dungeon Siege an appropriate mood. This means that when the player runs inside a cave, the
fog turns black, the music changes, and the EAX effects shift.
In fact, even when the player is simply traversing a large field, they may notice subtle
changes in sound and weather taking place around them; all of which is handled via the
mood system in which EAX plays a considerable part.
Dungeon Siege boasts a huge, uninterrupted 3D world. How long did it take to add EAX to
every cave, dungeon and crypt?
We were able to integrate the EAX features by using our mood system, which was fairly
simple. The moods are defined in an easy-to-read text file. Using the Siege Editor, a
simple trigger can be placed in areas to change the mood of the region. When EAX support
was added to the mood system, it only took a couple of hours to go through the text file
containing all of the moods in the game and add appropriate EAX settings for them. It was
just a matter of adding a single line of code.
Will EAX be available in 'Siege Editor', the utility for creating
user mods?
We used the Siege Editor to place sounds and set up the EAX moods, and this functionality
will be included in the Siege Editor, which will be released around early May.
Thanks to PascaL for the pointer.
For more news from last week check out our news archive.
Upcoming features at 3DsoundSurge
- Reviews that we are currently working on:
Updated Santa Cruz/Sonic Fury and GameTheaterXP reviews
Hercules Fortissimo II
Terratec DMX Xfire 1024
CMedia CM8738 Reference Review
Full Audigy Review
Full Philips MMS305 Review
- There are several other hardware reviews in the pipeline
including, but not limited to the following:
Guillemot Maxi Sound MUSE
Terratec m3po
DigMedia MusicStore
Philips Seismic Edge
Lots of other stuff on the go in including several guides and major site revisions that we
will soon be releasing more details on.
As always if you have any ideas for products we should review or
features we should do, please let us know.
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