The Week in Review: November 18-24, 2002

Last week's features at 3DsoundSurge

Last week's sound news

Drivers and bugs

• New nForce Unified Driver Package
  NVIDIA has release a new WHQL certified unified driver package for their nForce 1 and 2 motherboards. You can select the version for your operating system from this page. This brings the audio driver to v3.06 WHQL and the audio control panel to v3.07. Here are the highlighted audio related changes:

  • Fixes audio DirectX BSOD issue on Windows XP systems
  • Adds ASIO driver support
  • Adds OpenAL driver support
  • Updated nForce Audio control panel
  • Incorporates performance improvements and other bug fixes

• No Starch Press Releases "The Sound Blaster Live! Book"
  No Starch Press has released "The Sound Blaster Live! Book". This guide to the world's most popular PC sound card (over 100 million installed) shows readers how to enhance their digital audio experience when playing games, composing music, or collecting and listening to their favorite tunes. The authors of box run the two most popular, unofficial, Sound Blaster Live! websites. Lars Ahlzen is the founder of the "Live! Center". Clarence Song runs the popular "ALive! - Sound Blaster Live! Resource" website. For more on the contents of the book you can check out the full press release.

   

   

New games, demos, patches and bugs

• Asheron's Call 2 Fallen Kings has gone gold
  Microsoft Game Studios and Turbine Entertainment have announced that Asheron's Call 2 Fallen Kings has gone gold and shipped to stores. the sequel to the popular multiplayer online role-playing game "Asheron's Call," features a new 3-D graphics engine that delivers some of the most sophisticated graphics available on a PC. The fantasy game features a dynamic, evolving world that plunges players deep into exciting quests and adventures. The title boasts a revamped combat system as well as in-depth crafting system that gives players a chance to pursue noncombative skills

  On the audio front the game is supposed to feature 3D sound and excellent use of dynamic music according to several interviews.

• Superman: The Man of Steel for Xbox Supports 3D sound
  Atari has shipped Superman: The Man of Steel, a third person action/adventure game featuring the World's Greatest Super Hero, to retail stores this week, exclusively for the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft. Based on a story co-written by DC Comics, Superman: The Man of Steel challenges players to protect Metropolis from super-villains Brainiac 13 and Lex Luthor, as well as a legion of malevolent robots intent on taking over the world.

  The game features Dolby 5.1 3D spatial sound effects and an evocative, movie-like score composed especially for the game. You can find more details in the full press release from November 13.

• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell for Xbox has shipped
  The Xbox version of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell are now both shipping.

• Dragon's Lair 3D has Gone Gold
  Ubi Soft Entertainment has announced that Dragon's Lair 3D: Return to the Lair has gone gold for the Xboxand the PC. Developed by Dragonstone Software, Dragon's Lair 3D features the same fun, pick-up-and-play gameplay that made the arcade version a blockbuster hit in 1983. Now gamers will be able to experience Dragon's Lair 3D with the highest quality graphics and sound available today. Both versions of the game was launched on November 18. The game is according to an interview taking advantage of 3D sound. You can find more details in the full press release.

• Spearhead multiplayer demo
  A multiplayer demo of the expansion pack to Medal of Honor, Medal of Honor Allied Assault Spearhead, has been released. You can grab it from 3D Gamers.

• Arx Fatalis Patches
  The JoWooD.com Website now offers downloads of a new 3.2 MB patch for Arx Fatalis, updating the EAX supporting RPG to version 1.15. The new version optimizes save and load times, and provides an on-screen mini-map option.

• Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Interview @ Soundblaster.com
  Creative Labs SoundBlaster site feature a new interview with Martin Pollas, lead audio programmer on Hitman 2. The interview of course focus on Hitman 2 and EAX. Here's a couple interesting bits

  Q3. When we spoke previously about the original Hitman, you mentioned that you wanted more interactive music in you next game. Were you able to achieve this in Hitman 2?
  A3. In Hitman 1, we used DirectMusic as the music playback system. At that time, I thought that if we were to use DirectMusic again, we should make more use of the interactive features which a system like this provides. But Hitman 2 is a multi-platform title, and also we decided that we wanted real orchestral music. You can only really achieve this by streaming all the music tracks from disc. Of course this limits what you can do, but I still think there is a good level of interactivity to musical score in Hitman 2 .

  Q4. Were you able to put in any new audio features that weren’t possible with the original Hitman?
  A4. In Hitman 2 we make use of the occlusion features of EAX, one thing that did not make it into the original game.

  Q5. Where do you think EAX Advanced HD is used to particularly good effect in Hitman 2?
  A5. Personally, I like the part when you enter the German Embassy, on level2-4. When you enter the entrance hall of the Embassy, you will hear occluded piano music. As you enter through the two doors that connects to room with party the music becomes louder, and once in the room you will hear then music with a beautiful reverb.

Reviews of soundcards, speakers, headphones and MP3 players.

• SoundBlaster Audigy 2
  Ferrago.co.uk has posted a review of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Sound Card. Like all reviews I have seen of the Audigy 2, this one is very positive.

• Logitech Z-640
  Otaku PC has done a review of Logitech's new budget ($100) 5.1 system, the Z-640. The review is mixed but in the end concludes that it's a good buy if you want an "inexpensive set of speakers with a boomin' bass".

• Nike-Philips psa[cd8 & psa[cd12 MP3 CD Player
  Hardware Zone has posted an overall positive review of the Nike-Philips psa[cd8 & psa[cd12 MP3 CD Players.

• Nike-Philips psa[64 Digital Audio Player
  Hardware Zone continues its coverage of Nike-Philips MP3 players with a review of the Nike-Philips psa[64 Digital Audio Player. It's a $250 flash based MP3 player with 64MB memory. Features includes 5 equalizer presets, LCD display and upgradeable firmware. The review is very positive with a score of 4 out of 5.

• CPUfx Z4 Watercooling Kit
  TechSpot has posted an overall positive review of the CPUfx Z4 Watercooling Kit. We mention watercooling kits for their potential very low noise generation but this one from the review appears to be on the noisy side.

Other sound news

• Spatializer Announces Virtual Digital Theater
  Spatializer Audio Laboratories Inc., announced their latest audio enhancement technology, Spatializer Virtual Digital Theater today at COMDEX. A virtual algorithm designed to maximize the audio experience provided by standard (i.e. low end) PC and notebook speakers and headphones; Spatializer Virtual Digital Theater brings what the press release calls "high fidelity, immersive sound to the computer".

  Spatializer Virtual Digital Theater processes sound in real-time and enables the OEM to custom tailor the effect not only to the hardware but also the audio environment. Eliminating all traces of reverb, the experience is robust, theater-like and completely personalized. The algorithm runs automatically in the background when the PC or notebook is booted. It seamlessly integrates to the Windows XP environment and is easily accessed though a system tray icon on the taskbar for added convenience. Spatializer Virtual Digital Theater enhances all audio on the PC by working outside of the typical multimedia applications.

  For some additional details you can check out the full press release.

• SRS Labs’ New 5.1 Circle Surround® Technology Used on ESPN NFL and NBA Telecasts
  SRS Labs, Inc. announced today that SRS Labs' Circle Surround(R) ("CS") technology is currently being used by ESPN to deliver 5.1 surround sound to its viewers nationwide during live sporting event telecasts. SRS Labs' subsidiary, SRSWOWcast Technologies has provided ESPN with professional Circle Surround equipment for telecasting the programs in Circle Surround. ESPN will use CS during ESPN's National Football League (NFL) and National Basketball Association (NBA) games and the network will display the Circle Surround logo before and after each CS-encoded telecast.

  SRS Labs point out that Circle Surround is an optimum surround encoding solution for television because it enables networks to encode up to 5.1 channels of discrete program material for transmission over existing stereo production/distribution infrastructure with no modifications. Circle Surround technology is also the only surround sound format that can encode 5.1 channels of surround sound for transmission using any two-channel medium.

  For additional details you can check out the full press release.

  Circle Surround encoding was announced for Windows Media 9 Series in September, and should be available in early 2003. This will enable content creators to deliver a 6.1 surround sound experience over a two channel carrier such as Internet streaming or CD. This technology will also appear soon in new products for the PC, including audio hardware and software DVD players. Circle Surround encoded material is best played back with Circle Surround II decoders, but remains compatible with Pro Logic and Pro Logic II decoders.

• Spatializer First to Introduce Audio Recording Enhancement for Consumer Applications
  Spatializer Audio Laboratories Inc has announced Spatializer Audio Alchemy(TM), a complete video pre-processing solution designed to enhance digital audio sources including camcorders and live broadcasts. Audio Alchemy removes distracting environmental noise and features an advanced equalization processor to compensate for frequency response limitations in the audio recording hardware and transducers. In addition, Spatializer Audio Alchemy also performs spatial reconstruction to simulate the original acoustic environment, and normalizes the dynamic range of the digital audio source to a level compatible with home theater environments. Spatializer Audio Alchemy will be available for leading DSPs targeted at Recordable DVD devices as well as for PC applications.

  For additional details you can check out the full press release.

• SigmaTel Introduces C-Major 6-Channel Audio Codec
  SigmaTel Inc. has introduced the C-Major STAC9758 AC'97 2.3 audio codec. This latest general-purpose, 6-channel, 20-bit, 96 kHz, full-duplex codec offers a high signal-to-noise ratio in excess of 90 dB with low distortion. The STAC9758 offers for the first time a Universal Jacks(tm) capability to allow for reconfiguration of the various audio connector functions. The Universal Jacks reconfiguration is the next major step beyond SigmaTel's lead in Jack-Sensing capability, allowing detection of connected audio devices using proprietary on-chip circuitry.

  Universal Jacks(tm) allows the codec to detect the type of audio device (microphone, headphone, powered speaker, etc.) that is plugged in to a particular jack, and then configure automatically that jack to match the device. In addition to SPDIF output at 48 kHz or 96 kHz sample rates, the STAC9758 supports ADAT® Optical "Lightpipe," a common multi-channel format in the pro-audio industry used for royalty-free transmission of 8 channels of 20-bit or 24-bit, 48 kHz uncompressed digital audio over a single standard Toslink optical cable. For additional detail you can check out the full press release.

• Philips Showcases Technologies for Connected Homes and Workplaces at COMDEX 2002
  Royal Philips Electronics is to highlight its focused technology strategy at COMDEX 2002 by showcasing several new products and solutions based on core competencies in display, storage, connectivity and digital video processing. Philips' world leads in storage will be represented by exhibits of the latest optical storage-based data drives for PCs. Along with the new USB-based external Jack Rabbit 32-speed CD-RW drive, Philips will unveil its latest DVD+R/+RW data drive. Offering faster, 4x write speed on DVD+R media, the new drive will enable the creation of 4.7-gigabyte DVDs containing video, images and PC data in less than 15 minutes.

  Philips will also be demonstrating its solutions for the PC multimedia experience: to meet the performance demands of the latest applications, Philips will be exhibiting two brand new sound cards featuring Dolby® Digital 5.1 multichannel audio (via software decoding). For details on other products to be showcased you can check out the full press release.

• NXT to showcase new innovations and in-market products at COMDEX 2002
  NXTplc, the British flat-panel audio technology company, will showcase a wide range of the latest products to incorporate NXT's SurfaceSound and SoundVu technologies at COMDEX Fall 2002 in Las Vegas. Exciting new advances in NXT's SoundVu technology will be on show, including NEC's recently launched VALUESTAR T PC system. The unique properties of SoundVu technology turn the system's 17-inch monitor into a Distributed Mode Loudspeaker, marrying sound and vision as one.

  NXT will also be exhibiting a range of SurfaceSound technology enabled products such as the Game Boy Advance Mini-Woofer loudspeaker accessory product.; the TDK Tremor S150 Spacia multimedia speakers; the Philips Acoustic Surround Power 4.1 System; the Brookstone Wafer-Thin System; and, the SoundpaX Travellers, the latest version of the popular cardboard SoundpaX speakers.

  For lots more detail you can check out the full press release.

• Cirrus Logic Becomes Newest Licensee of Verance Copy Protection Technology for DVD-Audio
  Verance has announced that Cirrus Logic has licensed Verance's audio watermark technology for inclusion in a new line of high-performance chipsets for DVD devices. Under the license, Cirrus Logic joins a growing number of semiconductor designers to adopt Verance's highly optimized commercial watermark technology implementations that facilitate quick and easy integration of the Verance technology into chipsets destined for high-volume consumer products.

  Cirrus Logic recently unveiled a programmable DVD platform that enables DVD manufacturers to reduce the time it takes to get their products into the marketplace. This feature-rich, multi-functional chip solution, the CS98200, is designed to help bring advanced consumer features such as DVD-Audio at more affordable consumer price points. Verance's watermark technology will be included in this new line of processors that should be available to consumers by various manufacturers in mid 2003.

  For additional details you can check out the full press release.

• MPEG Claims ``A Major Step Forward'' in Making aacPlus A Core Component Of MPEG-4 Audio
  Following on the story posted below, Coding Technologies, the industry's leading provider of audio compression technologies for the mobile, digital broadcasting and Internet markets worldwide, announced yesterday that the MPEG organization has promoted the aacPlus technology to final proposed draft amendment status as part of MPEG-4 Audio. Called "High-efficiency AAC" by MPEG, Coding Technologies has already released updated aacPlus libraries to match the current specification. In addition, industry leaders Texas Instruments, Loudeye, and M4IF have offered their support for the improved MPEG-4 Audio standard.

  aacPlus is the combination of MPEG AAC and Coding Technologies' SBR (Spectral Band Replication) technology. SBR is a unique bandwidth extension technique, which enables audio codecs to deliver the same quality at half the bit rate. SBR is a backward and forward compatible method to enhance the efficiency of any audio codec; putting the "PRO" in mp3PRO and the "Plus" in aacPlus. As a result, aacPlus delivers streaming, as well as download, CD-quality stereo at 48 kbps and excellent quality stereo at 32 kbps. This level of efficiency fundamentally enables new applications in the markets of mobile and digital broadcast.

  For more details you can check out the full press release.

• Turbocharged MPEG audio on the way
  That's the title of an article over at C/Net that reports that the section of the Moving Picture Experts Group responsible for the digital-audio portion of the MPEG-4 digital-media standard is close to approving a digital-audio proposal that promises digital music in smaller files, with no significant loss in quality. The story goes on to report that the new proposal, using technology from Swedish company Coding Technologies, would let digital-audio data be compressed into files half the size of what they would have been using the most recent set of standards--without a perceptible dip in sound quality. For further details check out the full C/Net article linked above

• Where Is MP4?
  There's lots of attention the last couple of days on MPEG-4 including this new article on the Newsfactor Network titled "Where Is MP4?".

• iRiver America Announces NextGeneration MP3 CD Player SlimX
  iRiver has announced its next generation CD portable -- SlimX 400. The award-winning SlimX MP3 CD product line now features an all new stylish design packed with accessories appealing to discriminating consumers who value outstanding quality, functionality and style. The SlimX 400 is iRiver's premier MP3 CD player and comes with an expansive accessories package including wraparound iRiver headphones, custom carrying case, four-line backlit remote control, power adapter, rechargeable batteries with built-in charger, external battery pack and a complete car kit for music on the road. The SlimX 400 also has a new auto-EQ option that adjusts to listeners' music and free software upgrades available at the iRiver website. For further details you can check out the full press release.

• InterVideo Introduces WinDVD Platinum At Comdex
  InterVideo, Inc. has announced WinDVD Platinum which includes a number of new features including DivX™ support, making WinDVD Platinum the ultimate way to watch DivX movies. The new software is also the first DVD player to include Dolby Virtual Speaker Technology, a brand new technology from Dolby that replicates rich, surround sound audio over only two speakers. In addition to Dolby Virtual Speaker functionality, WinDVD Platinum also includes several new features not found in any other version of WinDVD including: Movie Effector and advanced de-interlacing for higher quality video, docking capabilities, new skins and support for 96 khZ/24 bit audio. For some offical statements and additional details you can check out the full press release.

  In related news Digital Silence has a short interview with Dolby where they reveal that Cyberlink and nVidia are both expected to offer the Virtual Dolby surround sound later this year.

• MontaVista and InterVideo Offer Software DVD Player for Embedded Linux
  MontaVista Software, Inc., the company powering the embedded revolution(TM), and InterVideo, Inc., a leading provider of DVD software, have introduced LinDVD, InterVideo's Linux DVD-playing software which has been validated and optimized for MontaVista(TM) Linux(R).

  LinDVD provides DVD playback on MontaVista Linux, producing what is decribed as crystal clear images at full video frame rates, AC-3 5.1 channel audio and other advanced features found on high-end DVDs. LinDVD can also support hardware MPEG decoders for set-top box and PVR (Personal Video Recorder) applications.

  For addititional details you can check out the full press release.

• Ricoh Announces 4x DVD+RW/+R Drives and Media
  Ricoh Company, Ltd, a co-technology developer of the CD-RW and DVD+RW rewritable formats, announced its next generation DVD/CD writable drives and media products. The new internal 4x speed DVD/CD drive boasts the highest DVD recording speed and allows 4.7GB of data to be burned onto a 4x DVD+R disc and a 4x DVD+RW disc in less than 15-minutes. Ricoh also announced its entry into the notebook computer market with an industry first low-powered, slim-line drive. Ricoh has scheduled to ship drives and media during 1Q of 2003. For details you can check out the full press release.

• Panasonic Captures 60 Percent of Hot 2002 Recordable DVD Market
  The Recordable DVD market experienced a heat wave of its own last summer, as consumers rushed indoors to get their pick of the newest in affordable and cutting-edge Recordable DVD technology. Sales of Recordable DVD players to consumers in the first three quarters of 2002 grew more than 100 fold over the comparable period in the previous year, led by Panasonic, which captured more than 50 percent market share, according to NPDTechworld.

  The surge of Panasonic share in the market follows the August release of the Panasonic DMR-E30 recordable DVD player, which carries a suggested retail price of $699.95. Panasonic expects the growth trend to continue and even accelerate now that its DMR-HS2 DVD recorder is widely available for $999.95. For additional details you can check out the full press release.

• ATI's New ALL-IN-WONDER 9700 PRO Now Shipping
  ATI Technologies Inc. has announced that the ALL-IN-WONDER® 9700 PRO is now shipping. ATI's new flagship multimedia video card, ALL-IN-WONDER 9700 PRO is available for USD $449.00 and complements ALL-IN-WONDER® RADEON 8500DV at USD$199 and the value-priced ALL-IN-WONDER® RADEON 7500 at USD$149. For full details on the hardware and software bundle you can check out the press release.

• Panasonic Showcases All-In-One DVD/CD Burning Solutions
  The DVD industry is on fire this 2002 holiday season and Panasonic just turned up the heat with the December availability of their multi-format DVDBurner II. Being spotlighted at this years COMDEX, Panasonic's DVD products continue to lead the DVD market with innovation and interoperability of the complete product line. The Panasonic branded DVDBurner II (LF-D521U), is the company's next-generation combination DVD/CD that takes the confusion out of buying a Recordable DVD drive -- providing users the compatibility, ease of use and cutting edge technology that they have come to expect from Panasonic.

  Meeting DVD Multi specifications, the new DVD drive builds on the success of Panasonic's currently available DVD-RAM/R DVDBurner by extending the drive's capabilities to include read/write support for all Recordable DVD formats approved by the DVD Forum and read/write support for CD-R/RW discs. Universal and affordable at $399*, the DVDBurner II enters the hot DVD market as it continues to amaze industry watchers as the fastest growing electronics category in the market place. For further details you can check out the full press release.

  Panasonic has also announced its Slim DVD Multi Drive, a combination DVD/CD burner drive offering all multi-media functions in one laptop-size tailored unit. The new drive shares key features with the company's standard half-height DVD Multi Drive (DVDBurner II), including read/write support for all DVD Forum approved recordable DVD formats; as well as read/write support for CD-R/RW discs. The Slim DVD Multi Drive enhances any laptop by delivering the convenience of high-speed writing and playback capabilities, universal DVD-R compatibility, the benefits of RAM technology and all with easy switching capabilities between media formats. Again, for further details you can check out the full press release.

• DVB Recognizes DTS Digital Surround Sound As Broadcast Option
  DTS has announced that the DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) Project has provided a mechanism for carrying the DTS Digital Surround® sound format as part of its Digital Television (DTV) specifications. The DVB is a technical consortium of more than 300 companies that is establishing common international specifications for the move from analog to digital broadcasting around the world. Facilitating the inclusion of DTS Digital Surround within the DVB broadcasts offers greater options for surround sound quality for both broadcasters and consumers.

  As the globally recognized initiative for adopting new technologies for consumer benefit, the DVB responded to requirements from its members to provide the technical means of carrying the DTS multi-channel audio format in DVB transmissions. DTS Digital Surround technology gives broadcasters new scalable multi-channel audio solutions previously unavailable for broadcasting, including the ability to equal or exceed DVD-quality sound.

  For some official statements and additional information on scalability, ease of implementation, compatibility and DVB you can check out the full press release.

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.
  

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