Creative Announces Sound Blaster Audigy Sound CardsCompletely Redesigned Audio Architecture Delivers 24-bit/96kHz/100dB SNR
Audio and EAX ADVANCED HD August 22, 2001
Creative Technology Ltd. announced the Sound Blaster Audigy
line of PC audio cards, slated for immediate shipping to global retail and
online outlets.
The Sound Blaster Audigy cards set a new benchmark for PC audio with its
completely redesigned Audigy ADVANCED HD audio architecture. Powered by
the Audigy processor, Sound Blaster Audigy delivers audio clarity
comparable to professional audio systems and surpasses many high-end home
stereo solutions with exceptional realism in audio playback. Sound Blaster
Audigy is the only audio processor capable of delivering EAX( ADVANCED HD,
which enables high definition Multi-Environments and powers advanced 3D
audio imaging for unsurpassed digital entertainment experiences. The Sound
Blaster Audigy features four times the processing power of the previous
Creative audio processor EMU10K1 used in the Sound Blaster Live!, which,
together with its EAX technology, has already been firmly established as
the new de facto standard for PC audio.
"Creative is setting the standard for PC audio once again by pushing mass
market PC audio into the realm of professional audio quality with the Sound
Blaster Audigy," said Sim Wong Hoo, founder and CEO of Creative. "It
represents the best audio you can achieve on a PC, way surpassing any other
audio solution. The huge installed based of PC users can now upgrade to
Sound Blaster Audigy to empower the PC as the top-of-the-line digital
entertainment platform," he added.
High Definition Audio Clarity: Sound Blaster Audigy delivers stunning audio
clarity in multi-channel through 24-bit/96kHz digital-to-analog converters
(DACs), producing an outstanding 100dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This
dramatic increase in audio quality is attributed to the Audigy's
proprietary high definition components and circuit design wizardry.
The Sound Blaster Audigy also includes support for true discrete
multi-channel playback, which allows users to maximize their listening
experience with Dolby( Digital 5.1 music.
High Definition Audio Realism: EAX ADVANCED HD delivers unprecedented
realism in PC gaming through Multi-Environment, Environment
Morphing, Environment Panning, Environment Reflections and
Environment Filtering technologies.
Digital music enthusiasts can also utilize EAX ADVANCED HD for Time
Scaling, to slow down or speed up a track while retaining accurate pitch;
and Audio Clean-Up to remove hiss and scratches from LP and MP3 music.
Users can now sample the exciting new DREAM technology (Dynamic
Repositioning of Enhanced Audio and Music) which allows them to
interactively reposition different bands of music in a surround 5.1
environment, currently only available on the Audigy platform.
In the new Sound Blaster line, users can also expect the continuation of
the Dolby Digital decoding, DirectSound, DirectSound3D and Open
AL acceleration features that have been included in previous Sound
Blaster products.
SB1394
The Sound Blaster Audigy solutions include fully integrated SB1394, fully
embracing the IEEE 1394 standard for connection to popular devices such
as DV camcorders and external devices and for superior low-latency
peer-to-peer PC networking with as many as 63 different PCs. With its
transfer rate of up to 400Mbps, SB1394 functions as much as 30 times faster
than USB 1.1, making it an ideal solution for easy transfer of large files
to and from external devices.
Pro Studio Applications
The Sound Blaster Audigy supports 24-bit/96kHz format over the digital I/O
for compatibility with professional audio gear such as AES-EBU equipment.
Users interested in music creation can utilize the EAX ADVANCED HD
optimized driver designed for low-latency ASIO support, providing
low-latency multi-track recording.
Creative PlayCenter 3
The Sound Blaster Audigy includes the new Creative PlayCenter 3, a personal
digital music center for creation, organization and enjoyment of digital
quality music enhanced with EAX ADVANCED HD effects, along with Dolby
Digital AC-3 file playback and integrated CD burning capabilities. When
connected to a digital music player, Creative PlayCenter 3 makes it fast
and easy to transfer playlists and digital music content.
The Creative Sound Blaster Audigy family currently includes the Sound
Blaster Audigy Platinum eX, Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum, Sound Blaster
Audigy MP3+ and Sound Blaster Audigy X-Gamer.
Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum eX and Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum
The Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum eX signals a radical departure for the
Sound Blaster line of products. The front-facing drive in the external
Audigy Drive connects to a custom cable that allows users to position the
drive on the desktop, for convenient control in music creation and other
applications. This solution is also ideal for users who do not have enough
drive bay space to add new products or who would rather conceal their PC
beneath the desktop yet still have convenient control of their sound card
from a desktop level.
The Audigy Drive in the Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum is installed in the
drive bay of the PC. Both products allow simultaneous digital and analog
connectivity to devices such as MIDI instruments, MiniDisc players,
external digital audio devices and headphones.
Users can enjoy the versatility of two SB1394 connectors - one on the drive
and one on the card - for both the Platinum and Platinum eX models. Both
products also come with a wireless remote control for simple navigation.
The Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum eX and Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum
include 16 and 15 software titles respectively:
* Steinberg's Audio Suite;
* Ulead VideoStudio(tm) 4.0 SE Basic;
* MixMeister Technologies' MixMeister(tm);
* Beatnik's Mixman Studio Remixer;
* Unibrain S.A.'s FireNet;
* Vienna SoundFont(r) Studio 2.3, and;
* iM Networks Inc.'s iM Tuner Software(tm).
In addition, the Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum eX includes Sonic Foundry
ACID DJ 2.0 and Image Line Bvba FruityLoops, while the Sound Blaster Audigy
Platinum includes Deus Ex Game of the Year. A host of Creative software is
also included with both products, including Creative PlayCenter 3 and the
Oozic(tm) Player, which adds visual enhancement to music.
Sound Blaster Audigy X-Gamer
For the core gamer who demands an immersive, multi-dimensional gaming
experience, the Sound Blaster Audigy X-Gamer delivers true surround sound
for compelling gameplay. The SB1394 connector allows easy PC-to-PC
connectivity and low latency gameplay performance beyond LAN gaming. This
card comes with full versions of Interplay's Giants: Citizen Kabuto(tm) and
Deus Ex Game of the Year, as well as Unibrain S.A.'s FireNet; the Goldmine
application to illustrate EAX ADVANCED HD's audio realism; Creative
PlayCenter 3 and six other Creative software titles.
Sound Blaster Audigy MP3+
For the Internet and digital music enthusiast, the Sound Blaster Audigy
MP3+ makes it simple to create, customize and listen to audio files with
multi-channel high-definition quality. The Sound Blaster Audigy MP3+ comes
with the following software to enhance the digital music lover's
experience: MixMeister Technologies' MixMeister; Beatnik's Mixman Studio
Remixer; Unibrain S.A.'s FireNet; iM Networks Inc.'s iM Tuner, Creative
PlayCenter 3, Oozic Player and five additional Creative software
titles.
Pricing and Availability
The Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum eX holds an estimated street price of
US$249.99; the Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum's estimated street price is
$199.99; and the Sound Blaster Audigy X-Gamer and Sound Blaster Audigy MP3+
hold an estimated street price of US$99.99. The entire line is slated for
immediate shipment to global retail and online outlets.
For more information, visit their web site at www.creative.com. | 
