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The Week in
Review: March 25-31, 2002
Last week's features at
3DsoundSurge
Last week's sound news
Drivers and bugs
New games, demos, patches and bugs
- Warrior Kings Gold
Blue's News reports that Microïds has announced that the US version of the 3D sound
supporting RTS Warrior Kings has now gone gold and the game is expected in stores
throughout North America by April 15. The European version went gold earlier this year.
For details on the game check out
the official site.
- Enable 3Dsound and EAX in Star Wars Jedi Knight II:
Jedi Outcast
According to a post on Creative Labs Audigy newsgroup the recently gone
gold Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast feature 3D sound and EAX using OpenAL.
Unfortunately it's not enabled by default nor any of the menu option. Here's what you need
to do enable it:
open up the the config files (for SP or MP mode) in notepad
(located C:\Program Files\LucasArts\Star Wars JK II Jedi Outcast\GameData)
adjust the following setting so that it is enabled
seta s_UseOpenAL "0"
to
seta s_UseOpenAL "1"
Not sure if the game feature EAX Advanced HD as Raven's upcoming
Soldier of Fortune 2 or if it's only EAX 2.0. Worth noting that enable 3D sound will cause
a fairly significant speed hit according to the poster ZenmasteR, at least when using the
Audigy. May explain why Raven/Lucas Arts decided to not include it as a menu option.
However some other Audigy user reports that they have not experienced any
noticeable slowdowns after enabling 3D sound in the game. All agree that the usage of 3D
sound in this game to be very impressive.
As mentioned the Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast feature 3D
sound and EAX using OpenAL. OpenAL games will automatically take advantage of any card
supporting DS3D just like any DS3D supporting game would. The major difference compared to
a normal DS3D game is that the soundcard can also directly support OpenAL. The advantage
of directly supporting OpenAL is improved performance. According to a source at Creative
in developer relations the improved performance is basically VXD performance on a WDM
driver. That is when the Audigy support OpenAL directly it will have the same performance
for those games in WindowsXP as it currently have for DS3D games in Win9x. As you may know
the Audigy has no CPU usage for 3d sounds in Win9x.
According to the same source the Audigy driver that offer this
direct OpenAL support is expected to be available in about 2 months or so. There is other
OpenAL games in development but nothing official yet. I would guess Soldier of Fortune 2
is one considering it's Raven who is developing that title as well. For the same reason I
expect the EAX support in Jedi Knight II to be EAX Advanced HD just like it will be in
Soldier of Fortune 2.
- Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Desert Siege Music
Bill Brown's Music Samples Page now offers samples from Tom Clancy's
Ghost Recon: Desert Siege
Reviews of soundcards, speakers, headphones and MP3
players.
- Speaker Round-up @ Tom's Hardware
Tom's Hardware have posted a massive 4.1 and 5.1
multimedia speaker round-up featuring Creative Labs Inspire 5700, Creative Labs FPS
1600, Creative Labs Inspire 5300, Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 510D, Altec Lansing 641,
Altec Lansing 4100, Logitech Z-560, Logitech Z-540 Abit SP-60, Hercules XPS 510, Labtec
Arena 530, Philips A3600 and Videologic ZXR-500. This covers most of the interesting 4 and
5.1 systems in the market with the notable exception of Klipsch ProMedia line,
VideoLogic's Sirocco Crossfire, Monsoon's and MidiLand's speaker line-up. Definitely a
good read for anyone in the market for a 4.1 or 5.1 multimedia system. Tom's Hardware found the Logitech Z-540 to be the clear winner among the less
expensive system in this group. For those with a bit more cash it comes down to the Z-560,
Altec Lansing 641 or the MegaWorks 510D, with the latter being the overall best choice if
money is not a concern. For all the reasons why check out the reviews. Thanks to Patric
Jonsson for the pointer.
- Samsung DVD N2000
I am Not a Geek has done a review of Samsung
DVD N2000. It's a standalone DVD player which feature support for NUON games. The
review is overall positive with one of few complaints being the lack of MP3 support.
- InterVideo WinDVD 3.1
TechTV has posted a review of
InterVideo WinDVD 3.1. A bit mixed review where complaints include Inconsistent
parental control results, scattered audio settings, occasional crashes.
- NoiseControl Silverado with Fan Speed Controller
BlargOC has posted a review
of NoiseControl's Fan Speed Controller. As other products from NoiseControl it's
aiming to keep the noise down while at the same time keeping the computer cool. BlargOC
wasn't very impressed with the results this time.
Other sound news
- Onida Home Theater System Features SRS Labs'
Circle Surround
SRS Labs and Onida, a leading Indian manufacturer of consumer electronics, have jointly
announced the launch of the new 29KY Theater System, featuring SRS Labs' 5.1 Circle
Surround® technology. The Onida 29KY Theater System features a 29`` high-end television,
built-in audio amplifier, speakers with stands, DVD player and cordless headphones. SRS
Labs customized its Circle Surround technology to specifically meet Onida's commitment to
provide a 5.1 home theater experience from the prevalent mono television programming in
India. You can find more
details in the press release
- Benwin Launches New SmartSeries Multimedia
Speaker Systems
Benwin has announced a comprehensive line refresh surrounding its core assortment of
popular-priced multimedia speaker systems. Dubbed the SmartSeries(TM), the refreshed line
delivers enhanced design. Just like Benwin's other speakers it's another inexpensive
series of speakers with prices ranging from $50 down to only $6. You can find some details in the press
release
- RCA Releases Super Slim DVD Home Theatre Audio
System
The RCA RTDVD1 eliminates the clutter of multiple audio and video components, offering
them all in one sleek, compact package. It includes a DVD and CD player with multiple
bit-rate mp3 playback, Dolby Digital decoder, Pro Logic II support, digital AM/FM stereo
tuner with 30 station presets, and a five-speaker package with 40 watt subwoofer and 32
watt satellite speakers for center channel and rear and front stereo signals. The RCA
RTDVD1 is now available across the US for a suggested retail price of $399. There is no
indication if the unit has 6 channel analog inputs. For additional information you can check out the full
press release.
- Dolby Laboratories Announces MPEG-4 AAC Licensing
Program
Dolby Laboratories has announced the launch of a newly expanded MPEG-4 AAC licensing
program. The latest licensing program from Dolby Laboratories is specifically geared
toward MPEG-4 applications, which include Internet streaming, electronic media
distribution (EMD), multimedia playback, and wireless applications. For lots more detail
you can check out
the full press release as well as a seperate press release from the
Internet Streaming Media Alliance expressing their support for the MPEG-4 AAC
licensing terms. MPEG-4 AAC provides up to 48 channels of audio, sample rates of up to 96
kHz, and can achieve ITU-R broadcast quality at 320 kbps for a 5.1-channel audio program.
Developed and standardized within ISO/IEC, MPEG-4 AAC is supported by a growing number of
hardware and software manufacturers.
- Philips and Nike Join Forces
Royal Philips Electronics has announced an alliance to merge their athletic and digital
technology expertise to develop innovative technology product solutions which create a
richer, more motivating environment for physical activity. The co-branded product offering
will initially take the form of portable audio products specifically designed for sport,
but will progress, over time, to include apparel and equipment that combine
communications, connectivity and information to motivate athletic activity. The premier offerings from the Nike and Philips alliance will include a new
line of portable MP3 and MP3-CD players that have been designed for sport through the
integration of ergonomics, usability, portability and solid state technology. The range of
portable audio players and accessories are comfortable to wear during sport and fitness
activities, can be operated intuitively by feel, rather than sight, and deliver a high
quality audio experience. The products will be available from September 2002 onwards at
select consumer electronics retailers and at Niketown Stores worldwide.
For some additional information and several quotes you can check out the full
press release.
- Music Industry Applauds Auto Makers' Enthusiasm
for DVD-Audio
At the recently concluded SAE-CEA Digital Car Conference in Detroit, representatives of
the recording industry joined Panasonic in hailing DVD-Audio as the in-car music delivery
system of the future. Panasonic Automotive Electronics Company used the conference and
exhibition to introduce and demonstrate its first mobile DVD-Audio systems for OEM
distribution. The company hosted seminars exploring how DVD-Audio will specifically apply
to and benefit the automobile industry. For lots more detail and several quotes you can check out the full
press release.
- Pioneer Slashes Price of DVD-R and DVD-RW Media
Pioneer Electronics has announced price reductions for its recordable and re-recordable
DVD media. The company will offer its write-once General DVD-R media at the manufacturer's
suggested retail price (MSRP) of $5.99, and its re-recordable DVD-RW media with an MSRP of
$9.99. Both media offer a storage capacity of 4.7 GB. For some additional detail you can check out the full
press release.
- SONICblue Introduces New Dual-Deck DVD/VCRs
SONICblue has unveiled two new Go-Video® Dual-Deck DVD/VCR players: the DVR4200 and the
DVR4250. These two new players add advanced features and functionality at a significantly
lower suggested retail price -- enabling SONICblue to expand its distribution channel for
these products. The Go-Video DVR4200 and DVR4250 are perfect convenience products for
consumers who want to upgrade their home theater with the unsurpassed audio and video
excitement of DVD without losing the compelling features and versatility of a VCR -- all
in one space saving device. The DVR4200 has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP)
of $199 and the DVR4250 is $229 MSRP. Both products are expected to be available in April
at retail stores across the US. For a list of key features of each unit you can check out the full
press release.
- Fujitsu's All-In-One Multimedia LifeBook to
Feature Dolby Headphone Software
Fujitsu PC Corporation has announced the availability of its first Mobile Intel®
Pentium® 4 Processor-M mobile computing solution with the LifeBook® C Series that will
bundle Dolby Headphone software for virtual surround sound using stereo headphones or
speakers. For lots more details on the system you can check out the full press release.
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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