The Week in Review: July 29-August 4, 2002

Last week's features at 3DsoundSurge

Last week's sound news

Drivers and bugs

New games, demos, patches and bugs

• The Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic Will Support 3D sound
  A preview of the upcoming Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic on ActionTrip reveals that the game will take advantage of 3D sound. It's a RPG developed by BioWare and will be available for both the Xbox and the PC. Here's the sound bit:The creative team at Bioware also assured that the game's going to have realistic 3D sound effects. Characters will move their lips when chatting, every weapon has a unique sound, and the soundtrack will undoubtedly create that epic Star Wars atmosphere we're all so crazy about (enter John Williams and his masterful themes).

• OpFlashpoint: Resistance Demo
  Codemasters has now released the playable demo of Operation Flashpoint: Resistance. You can grab it from FilePlanet or 3D Gamers. The demo contains two new single-player missions not included with the retail version.

• America's Army Marksmanship Pack
  The Marksmanship pack for America's Army: Operations has been released. You can grab it from 3D Gamers, FilePlanet or AAFiles

• Gore Bonus Pack and Patch
  DreamCatcher has released a new bonus pack and patch (v1.48) for Gore: Ultimate Soldier

Reviews of soundcards, speakers, headphones and MP3 players.

• Soundcard Roundup Part 2 @ RADIATIVEnz
  RADIATIVEnz has posted part 2 of its Soundcard Roundup. In the first part they compared XWave 6000 (YMF754 based), Hercules Muse XL and Hercules Fortissimo. This time they compared Leadtek Winfast 6x (CMI8738 based), Philips Rhythmic Edge & the Philips Acoustic Edge.

• Creative Audigy Player
  A very positive review of Audigy Player has been posted on Games-Fusion. It's identical to what's sold as Audigy Gamer/MP3 in US except for the software bundle.

• Hercules Gamesurround Muse 5.1 DVD and XPS 510 Speakers
  Bjorn3D has posted a review of Hercules CMedia CMI8738 based Muse 5.1 DVD and Hercules inexpensive (Sub $100) 5.1 system, the XPS 510. Bjorn3D thinks it's a great buy unless you are prepared to pay a lot more than the $120 this soundcard and speaker system (combined) retails for.

• Creative Labs Inspire 4.1
  Quadract has done a review of Creative Labs Inspire 4.1 Speakers. They found this system, formerly known as the Inspire 4.1 4400, to perform very well overall considering the price ($80) even though they think the subwoofer could have been more powerful. The review lacks comparisons to any other system.

• Creative Inspire 5300 5.1
  Game-Fusion has posted a review of Creative Labs inexpensive (sub $100) Inspire 5300 5.1 speaker system. They think it's the best system they've seen at this price but unfortunately no mention of what other systems they listened to.

• MPIO-DMK Mp3player
  Designtechnica has posted a short and very positive review of MPIO-DMK Mp3player. It's a very small portable MP3 player (3.2 inches long and weighs a mere 1.1 ounces ). DesignTechnica thinks it's the perfect player for those on the go.

Other sound news

• DTS Interactive SDK Now Available On Playstation®2 Developer Site
  DTS is now offering its interactive software developers kit (SDK) to game developers directly through Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s (SCEI) Web site for PlayStation 2 game developers. DTS launched the DTS Interactive SDK last year to allow developers to create games featuring real-time interactive surround sound during game-play.

  Simplifying integration for developers who use SCE's MultiStream, the DTS SDK is now also compatible with this free audio development tool for games. There are currently four DTS-encoded PlayStation 2 titles available: SSX Tricky, NHL 2002, Sled Storm and Pirates: Legend of Black Kat (all from Electronic Arts.) You can find more details in the press release.

• Boston Acoustics Announces First Quarter Results
  Boston Acoustics has announced its financial results for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2003 ended June 29, 2002.

  Net sales for the quarter decreased approximately 11%, to $18.3 million from $20.4 million for the same period a year ago. Net income increased to approximately $277,000 from approximately $171,000, and diluted earnings per share increased to $.06 per share compared to $.03 per share for the same period a year ago.

  The reduction in net sales is the result of the continued difficult economic environment and its significant impact on the Company's business segments, particularly computer multimedia speaker sales. While net sales of the Company's Core products decreased approximately 4% compared to a year ago, net sales of the OEM/ Multimedia segment were down 23%. You can find more details in the press release.

• SONICblue Reports Year Over Year Revenue Growth of More Than 80 Percent
  SONICblue reported second quarter results. Net revenue for the quarter was $61.7 million representing a year-over-year increase of more than 80 percent in like kind businesses. SONICblue reported a pro forma second quarter operating loss of $5.1 million. This compares with a pro forma first quarter operating loss of $7.0 million. The Company's actual net loss for the second quarter was $23.5 million. This compares with a net loss of $312.5 million. You can find more details in the press release.

• WinDVD 4 Plus Bundle With Remote Control Now Available
  InterVideo has announced the immediate retail and web availability of the WinDVD 4 Plus bundle with remote control. WinDVD 4 Plus with remote control ($99.90) is available immediately at Fry's and Microcenter stores and as well as directly online from InterVideo. You can find more details in the 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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