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The Week in
Review: September 23-29, 2002
Last week's features at
3DsoundSurge
Last week's sound news
Drivers and bugs Hercules Game Theater XP/ Gamesurround
Fortissimo III 7.1/ Digifire 7.1 Drivers
Hercules
has releases new drivers that are now in a unified format for their Game Theater XP,
Gamesurround Fortissimo III 7.1 and Digifire 7.1 cards. Interestingly they don't list the
Fortissimo II but the common element of all the cards that are listed is 8 channel analog
outputs. In the case of the Game Theater XP it's using the existing outputs in a different
manner, just as was the case when the rear center via an earlier update. Here's the change
list:
Improvements:
- Unified driver structure (Game Theater XP/Gamesurround Fortissimo III
7.1/ Digifire 7.1). This allows for a better engineering response time to any known bugs.
- Simplified End-user installation process: Cleaner install / uninstall
involving less registry manipulation.
- Improved performance & stability (notably with Win XP)
- Memory management, stream-lined registry handling
- DSP resource usage improved
- 8 channel WAVEFORMATEXTENSIBLE implemented. Compatible with Power DVD
PRO EX in 6.1 and 7.1 DD EX modes.(if available in your hardware)
- 8 channel analog output using the headphone jack. (if available in
your hardware)
- MiniDisc® mode added. Help to resolve the tracking problems &
improves compatibility with MiniDiscs® recorders.
Fixes:
- Various mixer bugs addressed.
- Disappearing center & sub
- Better handling of gameport resources with Nvidia nForce chipset
equipped motherboard.
New NOMAD Jukebox 3 Firmware
Creative Labs has released
new firmware (v1.20.06) for the NOMAD Jukebox 3
New
games, demos, patches and bugs
Arx Fatalis Gone Gold
JoWooD's 3D role-playing game, Arx Fatalis, has gone gold and will be making its North
American debut in late October. Arx Fatalis promises RPG enthusiasts a rich storyline
combined with a large world filled with both friendly NPCs and enemies. When we posted
news of the demo we noted that there was a recommendation of EAX 2.0 and A3D 2.0 cards.
Now nothing new has supported A3D 2.0 for some time so it will be interesting to get
confirmation on what level of audio support is in the final release. You can visit arxfatalis-online.com for
screenshots and more information on the game.
- Tribes 2 Re-Release Patch
Sierra has released a Tribes 2 Re-Release patch which contains a number of bug fixes and
gameplay changes/additions. I don't see anything audio related in this new patch. You can
check out the list of changes as well as get a download link over at Avault. You
can also get the full feature list
update over at Sierra's site.
- SoundMAX SPX Used in Chase: Hollywood Stunt
Driver for Xbox
BAM! Entertainment, Inc. has announced that Analog Device's advanced Audio Rendering
Technology, SoundMAX® SPX, has been incorporated into vehicle-based stunt game Chase:
Hollywood Stunt Driver for the Xbox video game system. SoundMAX SPX's "animated
audio" - interactive, event-driven sounds that respond to game physics, environmental
variables and user input - allows for hyper-realistic sound effects in Chase's Hollywood
setting of multimillion dollar sets, special effects, huge explosions and amazing stunts.
For lots more details on the game which should hit the shelves this week you can check out the full
press release
- Listening In On Liberty City
We just noticed that Creative Labs had posted an interview with Producer
Leslie Benzies and audio programmer Raymond Usher where they talk about the audio in
the Grand Theft Auto series. Here's a snip:
Q: Raymond, the ‘Dynamic Acoustic Modelling’ option
certainly adds some extra dynamism to the positional sound – what exactly does this
technology do, and how does it work?
A: This technology uses the surrounding walls as acoustic mirrors to
create secondary 3D sound sources. Each of these secondary sources is also appropriately
time delayed. As you move through the city the reflections change since the relative
location of the surrounding walls change. It’s very subtle, but adds an extra dynamic
dimension to the audio.
Reviews
of soundcards, speakers, headphones and MP3 players.
- AOpen AX4B 533 Tube Motherboard
Active Hardware has posted a review of
the AOpen AX4B 533 Tube, a motherboard that uses a tube based preamplifier on the
audio stereo line output. I am only focusing on the audio aspect where they are very
impressed with the tube aspect but not impressed with the use of the Realtek ALC650 codec.
Just one comments to add some balance and that is their statement that "Vacuum-tube
amplifiers have always produced better sound than transistor amplifiers" is one that
is highly debatable. That is what they have done is state the position of the tube
fanatics without acknowledging that there is another camp, including some that would be
considered to be audiophiles that just as clearly does not subscribe to the tube is best
position.
- Samsung Yepp 90S MP3 Player
Techwarelabs has posted an overall positive review of the
Samsung Yepp 90S MP3 Player. Like is the case with many players the bundled headphones
did not impress and they also had a complaint about battery life.
- Plextor PleXCombo 8/8/24-8U
Hot Hardware has posted a review of the
Plextor PleXCombo 8/8/24-8U, an external USB 2.0 based combo drive that can burn discs
at 8x, re-write information at 8x and read DVD discs at 8x speeds. Hot Hardware concludes
that unless you need the portability offered and have USB 2.0 then you are better off
going with an internal solution which will be both faster and less expensive.
- Arctic-Cooling SuperSilent PRO TC
Is your PC cooling downing out the quiet parts of your music, games or movies? If so you
might be interested in checking out EXHardware's review of Arctic-Cooling SuperSilent
PRO TC where on the noise front the review points out that "the fan is also
incredibly quiet on it's own even when running at full speed. Arctic-Cooling definitely
nails the term SUPERSILENT!".
Other sound news
- Creative Introduces Sound Blaster Audigy 2
Creative Technology has announced the new Sound Blaster® Audigy™ 2 sound cards. The
major new features includes Advanced Resolution™ DVD-Audio with amazing 24-bit/192kHz
sound quality, THX® certification, 6.1 surround sound from Dolby Digital® EX movies and
24-bit/96kHz recording. On the gaming front improved 3D audio with 6.1 support and 64 3D
sound streams are the two most important additions. The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 and Sound
Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum are both slated for worldwide shipment in October. You can find
a lot more details in the
press release. As you will see it's the Asian press release but the US is identical.
Neither one mentions what software will be included except that the game bundle are Hitman
2 and Soldier of Fortune 2. For even more details on the various technologies you can check out Creative's Soundblaster.com
- Creative SB Audigy 2 Reports
A couple of Creative SB Audigy 2 reports are up. Ours based on Mikael's attendance of the
Creative Europe event will be coming some time this week. First up in the outside reports
is a first hand
report of the Singapore launch event by VR-Zone Hardware. Second is one from Extreme Tech
that summarizes the main new feats (also outlined in the recent press releases we posted)
and also notes that in North America some of the original Audigy versions will continue to
be available, at least for the time being.
- Creative Introduce 6.1 PC Speaker System
Creative Technology Ltd. has announced a new 6.1 speaker system called the Creative
Inspire 6.1 6600. It of course includes a subwoofer and six speakers, powered by 120 total
Watts. It's the first multimedia speaker system that we are aware of to introduce a
rear-center speaker. Of course Creative releases this to capitalize on the launch of their
new Audigy 2 but anyone with Hercules line-up of 6.1 output cards can take advantage of
these low cost speakers. Priced at only US$129.99, the Creative Inspire 6.1 6600 is slated
for immediate worldwide shipment. For more details you can check out the full press release
or the very similar (but different pricing) press release from Creative Asia.
- Creative Clarifies Report on Its Ultra-Quiet
Component Solution For the PC
Creative has released a press release to clarify a report from Bloomberg that it plans
"to introduce a computer for music and movies." The release notes that
the report is inaccurate, as Creative has no plans to introduce a computer or PC.
What drove the report was that during the Singapore launch of its
latest sound card, the Sound Blaster Audigy 2, Creative showcased the Sound Blaster Audigy
2 in a very quiet PC casing and power supply that has an integrated liquid-cooling system.
These individual ultra-quiet components that are essential to build a very quiet PC are
especially important for the market segment that the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 is targeted
at.
These ultra-quiet components are being trial marketed by Creative
under the SLiX(TM) brand. The SLiX ultra-quiet component concept is a way Creative hopes
to show the PC builders and system integrators how to build a very quiet PC, which would
be very important for the PC's move into the living room as an entertainment device.
For some additional rationale you can check out the full press release.
- DTS Featured on First Major DVD-Video Title With
High Resolution Audio
Multi-channel audio innovator DTS has announced that the upcoming release of "Queen's
Greatest Video Hits 1" will be the first major DVD-Video available worldwide to
feature a DTS 96/24 high resolution soundtrack. The availability of DTS 96/24 on DVD-Video
discs brings the highest quality sound to a wide consumer base: owners of DVD-Video
players. There are currently 60 million DVD-Video players worldwide that can play a DTS
5.1-channel soundtrack. The newest generation of DVD players and A/V receivers can decode
a high resolution 96/24 soundtrack in addition to the core 5.1 channels. The press release
notes that previously, this level of audio resolution was typically offered only through
DVD-Audio discs. DTS 96/24-encoded software is always backwards compatible with older
DTS-capable receivers by playing the material in standard 48/24 resolution. As I
understand it the 96/24 format just like the 48/24 uses lossy compression unlike the LPCM
tracks of high resolution DVD-Audio. For more details you can check out the full press release.
Also of interest are much earlier press releases from Analog Devices and from Cirrus Logic
announcing their digital audio decoders for DTS® 96/24.
- Dolby Laboratories Shows Sound Technologies at
CEDIA 2002
Dolby Laboratories is showcasing its technologies at the Custom Electronic Design and
Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo 2002, being held in Minneapolis from September 27 to
29. Dolby will demonstrate how its technologies can enhance entertainment experiences
throughout the home, for both consumer electronics products (e.g., DVD players, high-end
audio systems, and digital televisions) and personal computers, regardless of the type of
home network (e.g., 1394 wiring, CAT5/5E, or wireless). Also highlighted in the booth will
be the new Dolby® DP564 multichannel audio decoder, for high-end home theaters. One statement in the press release that I strongly disagree with is their
claim to be "the de facto multichannel audio standard for PC [SNIP]...games".
DS3D is very clearly the multichannel format for PC audio games with Dolby technology
being strong in console games (which was the part I snipped). Regardless, there's lots of
interesting stuff on the go from Dolby including in the PC arena, it was recently
announced that Dolby has teamed with Microsoft and Dolby licensees (Cyberlink, InterVideo,
and Nvidia) to implement Dolby's audio technology within the Windows® XP Media Center
Edition. For lots more on their presence at CEDIA you can check out the full press release.
- Dolby Laboratories Expands In-Flight
Entertainment Program
In response to the growth of Dolby® Headphone technology in the consumer market, Dolby
Laboratories announced that it is expanding its In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) program,
making it easier than ever for airlines to use Dolby Headphone technology so their
passengers can experience full, authentic Dolby surround sound as they fly. As part of the IFE program expansion, Dolby is taking over the management of
the Dolby Headphone program for IFE from Lake Technology of Australia, who previously
offered it under the Lake In Flight Technology (LIFT) program. In addition, Dolby
announced that Austrian Airlines has joined Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific,
and Lufthansa in adopting Dolby Headphone technology on its planes. Austrian Airlines will
offer Dolby Headphone technology to its business-class passengers, as part of their
premium service.
For more on the program and the technology you can check out the full
press release.
- More on Hypersonic Speakers
If you checked out the MSNBC/Newsweek
article you would have come across a reference to and quote from Joseph Pompei, who’s
developed a rival product under the name Audio Spotlight. Thanks to Russ Shilling's email I am passing on a
link to the Audio Spotlight site
- Pioneer Introduce New Elite Product Introductions
at CEDIA
Pioneer Electronics unveiled new projection televisions, speakers and home theater systems
at the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo. Most of the
new products carry the Pioneer Elite brand name. On display
at Pioneer booth was A demonstration of Microsoft's Windows Media Audio Pro and Windows
Media Series 9 technology, The revolutionary new Pioneer Digital Sound Projector, a single
speaker with 254 drivers creates the illusion of multi-channel sound. Reference big-screen
projection televisions with an enhanced lens system for superb picture quality, The
widescreen projection televisions, The first-ever home theater system under the Elite
brand. You can find some additional bits in the press release.
Pioneer also released separate press releases for the new home
theater system and digital sound projector that utilizes
a single-source speaker panel to deliver discreet 5.1 channel surround sound audio with
more than 500 watts of power. The new hometheater system offers a universal
DVD-Audio/SACD player with 108 MHz/12 bit video processing and bass management. You can
find a lot more details in the press releases.
- Boston Acoustics Expands Speaker Offerings
Boston Acoustics has introduced its BT line of high-power, high-output home theater
speakers. The main speakers, BT1 and BT2, are high-powered L/C/R (left/center/right)
units. Under initial pricing, BT1 speakers are $1,000 each and BT2s are $1,800 each, with
the BT1200 subwoofer at $1,400. You can find more details in the press release. Boston Acoustics also announced the expansion of its Designer(TM) speaker
line with the addition of two dipole in-ceiling speaker systems. Called the VRi585T2 and
DSi465T2, the new speakers are designed with two inputs, a dual voice coil woofer, and two
tweeters. "The T2s have a competitive advantage in that they provide uncommon
performance for two common applications," said David Kroll, Boston Acoustics'
director of Custom Audio. As a "whole-house" product, either model has the
ability to deliver full-range, two-channel stereo sound from a single installation
location--ideal for hallways, bathrooms, and other small to midsize rooms. You can find
more details in the
full press release.
Finally Boston Acoustics also announced the launch of a new,
three-way in-ceiling speaker system as its latest addition to the company's VRi(TM) family
of reference in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. Called the VRi595, the new speaker system
will be priced at $800 and is styled to blend into any decor and skillfully engineered
with a unique, rotating baffle so that the sound may be directed towards the listening
position. More details
are available in the press release.
- Philips Offers New Home Entertainment Solutions
at CEDIA
At the Custom Electronic Design Installation Association Show (CEDIA), Philips Electronics
showcased its complete line of consumer electronics products designed to create the
ultimate home entertainment experience. Featuring stylish designs and the latest
technologies, Philips' new products include: Philips iPronto, the widescreen home
entertainment LCD projector, 50-inch Flat Plasma television, Pixel Plus® televisions,
DVDR985, DVD962SA, LX8000SA Super Audio CD Home Theater system and the Emotive micro audio
systems. You can find more details in the press release.
- Pioneer use TI Tech for World's First Firewire
DVD Player and Audio/Video Receiver
Texas Instruments (TI) Incorporated has announced that Pioneer Corporation has chosen TI's
integrated 1394a-2000 (FireWire) link layer controller for the world's first 1394-enabled
DVD player and audio/video receiver. The Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai DVD-Audio and SACD player
provides consumers the ability to pass high-quality digitally-recorded audio information
via the 1394 interface, enabling one simple connection to other audio/video products.
Likewise, the Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi flagship audio/video receiver offers a 1394
interface. For details on the players you can check out the full press release.
- Peter Gabriel's 'Up' Uses Windows Media 9 Series
to 5.1 Sound
Microsoft Corp. has announced that Peter Gabriel has make his new album, "Up,"
available to consumers for digital download beginning yesterday at windowsmedia.com/petergabriel/. Before
fans purchase the album, they have the opportunity to preview it in its entirety by
downloading via the link above, now through Oct. 1. What's
special about this release is "Up" is the first digital album made available
over the Internet using Microsoft Windows Media Audio 9 Professional (WMA 9 Pro), the
Web's first digital 5.1-channel surround sound audio codec, and can be experienced only
with the Windows Media Player 9 Series, available now for download from Microsoft. Some
additional details can be found in the full press release.
- MySoundStudio Review
WinHQ.net has posted an overall very positive review of My Sound Studio from
Stomp. It's a reasonably priced 6 channel sound editing software package.
For more news from last week check out our news archive.
Upcoming features at 3DsoundSurgeReviews 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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