<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>IT Resource &#187; Sound Cards</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.itresource.com.au/category/hardware/sound-cards/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.itresource.com.au</link>
	<description>Your one stop Information Technology Resource</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sun, 23 May 2010 03:53:38 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>ASUS Unveils HDMI-equipped Xonar HDAV1.3 PCI-E Sound Cards</title>
		<link>http://www.itresource.com.au/2008/06/07/asus-unveils-hdmi-equipped-xonar-hdav13-pci-e-sound-cards/</link>
		<comments>http://www.itresource.com.au/2008/06/07/asus-unveils-hdmi-equipped-xonar-hdav13-pci-e-sound-cards/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:01:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dave W</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hardware]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sound Cards]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.itresource.com.au/?p=436</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ASUS, a leading name in high quality computer components and solutions, announces the world&#8217;s first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio/video enhancement combo card &#8211; the Xonar HDAV1.3. Capable of outputting uncompressed multichannel high definition audio from Blu-ray movies, the Xonar HDAV 1.3 also enhances video with an onboard Splendid HD processor &#8211; providing ultimate multimedia enjoyment. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/asus.gif" alt="" class="alignleft" style="float:left;" />ASUS, a leading name in high quality computer components and solutions, announces the world&#8217;s first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio/video enhancement combo card &#8211; the Xonar HDAV1.3. Capable of outputting uncompressed multichannel high definition audio from Blu-ray movies, the Xonar HDAV 1.3 also enhances video with an onboard Splendid HD processor &#8211; providing ultimate multimedia enjoyment.</p>
<p><a href='http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/asus1.jpg'><img src="http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/asus1-120x78.jpg" alt="" title="asus1" width="120" height="78" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-432" /></a>&nbsp;<a href='http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/asus2.jpg'><img src="http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/asus2-120x89.jpg" alt="" title="asus2" width="120" height="89" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-433" /></a>&nbsp;<a href='http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/asus3.jpg'><img src="http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/asus3-120x73.jpg" alt="" title="asus3" width="120" height="73" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-434" /></a><br />
<span id="more-436"></span><br />
<strong>Uncompromised HD Digital Audio &#038; Video with Support for Blu-ray and HDMI 1.3</strong><br />
The Xonar HDAV 1.3 features Protected Audio Playback Systems (PAPS) and full Advanced Access Content System (AACS) certification. Without both of these certifications, typical PCs will need to downsample Blu-ray audio to DVD quality (48K/16bit). By closely working with ArcSoft&#8217;s Total Media Theater, ASUS&#8217; Xonar HDAV1.3 is capable of decoding Blu-ray movies and takes full advantage of lossless digital audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio for professional, high-fidelity sounds at 24bit, 96-192Khz. The PCI Express based Xonar HDAV1.3 is designed from the ground up for next generation home theater PCs (HTPC); and is equipped with the proprietary AV200 audio processor and HDMI1.3a certified Splendid HD video processor &#8211; making it capable of delivering the highest quality 7.1 channel 192K linear pulse code modulation (LPCM) audio and high definition video through the HDMI port.</p>
<p><strong>State-of-the-art Analog Audio with 120dB Signal-to Noise Ratio</strong><br />
The ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 also reigns in analog audio quality thanks to a HyperGrounding circuit design. With HyperGrounding, Xonar sound cards further reduce EMI noise inside modern PCs, providing clean 120 dB SNR and peerless 0.0004% low distortion &#8211; reaching the pinnacle of audio quality on most PC platforms. Unlike generic audio cards in the market that provide the highest SNR to only the front stereo outputs, the Xonar D2X is able to deliver 120 dB quality audio for all 7.1 channels.</p>
<p><strong>Splendid HD Video Processor Presents True HD video for HTPCs</strong><br />
The Splendid HD Video Processor increases color performance and enhances edges for a more brilliant, crisper high definition image &#8211; without impacting the CPU load. Splendid HD not only recovers clarity when viewing lower-resolution content, but also reduces flicker for a more natural, brilliant viewing experience.</p>
<p><strong>High Performance Components &#038; Swappable Operational Amplifiers</strong><br />
At the heart of the Xonar is an ASUS AV200 codec chip, which routes and interprets high quality signals to premium audio components. These high quality materials include oversampling digital to analog converters (Burr-Frown PCM1796, 123 dB SNR), National Semiconductor LM4562 operational amplifiers (opamp), and analog-to-digital (Cirrus Logic CS5381, 120 dB SNR) converter. The Xonar HDAV1.3 is the first in the Xonar family to utilize opamp sockets to allow simple, solder-less modifications for user-customized sound.</p>
<p><strong>DS3D GX2.0 for Rich Gaming Audio</strong><br />
The Xonar HDAV1.3 also comes with the well renowned DS3D GX 2.0, which revives EAX 5.0 and 3D gaming audio in Vista. DS3D GX 2.0 automatically enables the latest EAX and DirectSound HW after installation, with no additional driver patches, game modifications, or OpenAL required. DS3D GX2.0 also extends MMOG EAX to online chat, allowing you to place your voice into the game&#8217;s environment.</p>
<p><strong>HDAV 1.3 Deluxe &#8211; Premium Multi-channel Analog</strong><br />
In addition to the Xonar HDAV 1.3&#8242;s features, the Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe packs the HDAV H6 surround channel expansion card. The HDAV H6 offers 120dB SNR*, ultra-low 0.0004% distortion, and swappable opamps on each channel.<br />
*Tested with Audio Precision</p>
<p><strong>Specifications:</strong><br />
<img src="http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/asus_xonar_specs.gif" alt="" /></p>
<p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=11638">Asus</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.itresource.com.au/2008/06/07/asus-unveils-hdmi-equipped-xonar-hdav13-pci-e-sound-cards/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Creative Unveils X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Series PCI-E Sound Cards</title>
		<link>http://www.itresource.com.au/2008/05/17/creative-unveils-x-fi-titanium-fatal1ty-series-pci-e-sound-cards/</link>
		<comments>http://www.itresource.com.au/2008/05/17/creative-unveils-x-fi-titanium-fatal1ty-series-pci-e-sound-cards/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 17 May 2008 06:45:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dave W</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Creative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hardware]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sound Cards]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.itresource.com.au/?p=349</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Creative, a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announces the PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series and PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series sound cards, unleashing the full power of Creative X-Fi hardware audio processing for PCI Express-based PCs. The new PCI Express Creative sound cards each feature [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/creative.gif" alt="Creative" class="alignleft" style="float: left;" />Creative, a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announces the PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series and PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series sound cards, unleashing the full power of Creative X-Fi hardware audio processing for PCI Express-based PCs.</p>
<p>The new PCI Express Creative sound cards each feature a striking design that screams &#8220;high performance.&#8221; Creative will equip the world&#8217;s best professional PC gamers, who are now competing in the Championship Gaming Series (CGS), with the new PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series, the official sound card of the CGS, the only worldwide professional video gaming league.</p>
<p><a href='http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/creative_sb_xfi_titanium.jpg'><img src="http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/creative_sb_xfi_titanium-180x135.jpg" alt="" title="creative_sb_xfi_titanium" width="180" height="135" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-348" /></a> <a href='http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/creative_fitfc.jpg'><img src="http://www.itresource.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/creative_fitfc-180x135.jpg" alt="" title="creative_fitfc" width="180" height="135" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-347" /></a></p>
<p>&#8220;Audio plays a huge factor in professional gaming, where every competitive advantage can make the difference between winning and losing. The Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty edition sound cards significantly enhance any professional gaming rig, enabling us to hear what we can&#8217;t see and perform at our highest level,&#8221; said Johnathan &#8220;Fatal1ty&#8221; Wendel, world champion gaming legend and exclusive on-air analyst for the CGS.<br />
<span id="more-349"></span><br />
&#8220;I demand extreme performance from my PC, and I won&#8217;t settle for less than Sound Blaster X-Fi. It gives me the huge advantage of hearing my opponent before they can see me, and finishing them off before they can do anything about it,&#8221; said Yazan &#8220;Clown&#8221; Ammari, Counter-Strike Source member of the San Francisco Optx CGS team.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve developed the PCI Express models of our Sound Blaster X-Fi gaming sound cards to meet the specific requests that we&#8217;ve received from end users,&#8221; said Steve Erickson, VP and GM of audio and VLSI for Creative. &#8220;We have re-architected our X-Fi processor so we can deliver even more performance and provide the best audio available on the PC today. You&#8217;ll know why it&#8217;s worth the upgrade to PCI Express the second you hear it. We&#8217;ve also added Dolby Digital encoding, for connection to a home theater system for an awesome gaming experience. We created an entirely</p>
<p>new I/O drive with an innovative design that can fit either a 3 Â½&#8221; or 5 Â¼&#8221; drive bay. Plus, the Sound Blaster Titanium series cards are optimized for Windows Vista with UAA-compliant hardware.&#8221;</p>
<p>The PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series features Dolby Digital encoding, for single-cable connection to home theater systems. The card leverages the power of the X-Fi processor optimized for PCI Express to deliver accelerated audio for improved game performance, with ultra-realistic EAX 5.0 effects and 3D positional audio. Hardware-powered 3D positional audio and EAX 5.0 effects provide stunning positional audio realism over headphones and speakers, for a much more immersive gaming experience than any motherboard audio solution can offer. The Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series also vastly improves voice chat clarity in online games where collaboration is vital.</p>
<p>&#8220;With its superb audio fidelity, EAX 5.0 support, and 128 hardware-accelerated voices, the Sound Blaster X-Fi is simply the best way to experience the rich soundscape of Guild Wars. Gamers who really care about how their PCs sound should give it a serious listen,&#8221; said James Boer, ArenaNet audio programmer and Game Audio Programming author.</p>
<p>The new PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series sound card includes all of the features of the PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series, plus an internal I/O drive for quick front panel connection to headphones and headsets. This versatile internal I/O drive design offers the choice of placement in either a 3 Â½&#8221; or 5 Â¼&#8221; drive bay. The 3 Â½&#8221; drive features mic-in and headphone-out connections. This drive slides inside the 5 Â¼&#8221; drive, which adds RCA line-in connections.</p>
<p>The world&#8217;s first native PCI Express hardware accelerated sound cards, the PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series and PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Championship Series sound cards also feature:</p>
<p>    * Creative X-Fi processor specifically designed for high-speed PCI Express slots in modern PCs<br />
    * X-Fi Crystalizer technology, which leverages audio algorithms to intelligently and selectively determine how to restore the highs and lows from sound effects, instruments and vocals and voices that were damaged or diminished during the MP3, AAC, game audio or other compression processes<br />
    * X-Fi CMSS-3D technology, to create virtual surround sound through speakers or headphones in games or music. In games, you hear your opponents in their exact location. With music, the sound expands so it completely surrounds you<br />
    * Dolby Digital support for compelling 5.1 surround sound through a home theater system<br />
    * Creative ALchemy to restore EAX and surround sound in DirectSound game titles running under Vista<br />
    * Certified UAA compliance for maximum Windows Vista compatibility<br />
    * X-RAM dedicated audio memory to boost performance in select games<br />
    * THX Certified surround sound for cinematic movie audio playback<br />
    * PowerDVD software with DTS-ES and Dolby Digital-EX decoding<br />
    * 24-bit audio quality and 109db SNR audio clarity<br />
    * ASIO recording support with latency as low as one millisecond with minimal CPU load</p>
<p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://bg.europe.creative.com/corporate/pressroom/releases/detail.asp?rtype=3&#038;ref=12936" target="_blank">Creative</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.itresource.com.au/2008/05/17/creative-unveils-x-fi-titanium-fatal1ty-series-pci-e-sound-cards/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

