any recommendations for sound cards?

[LrngToFly]

There is a new "Live! MP3" card that Creative boasts has onboard 384kb/s MP3 encoding. Don't remember seeing anything about decoding.

[fds]

As far as I know, all Lives are basically equal in hardware.
So there isn't really a hw difference between lets say the MP3 or the Gamer, the only change is the software bundle.

I'm using a Platinum (replaced an original full sblive with it) and also a Value, never ever had any bad problems with either of them.
(Win98SE, Win2000, Linux, BeOS)

What I miss the most is support for AC3 SPDIF output in software DVD players under Win2000.

[Beezer]

I'm using a SB Live Value with Cambridge FPS2000 speakers. The speakers have digital capability, but my Value doesn't have the digital connector, so I'm using them as analog. They still sound great, but I feel like I'm wasting their capability.

I heard there may be an add on for my Value card that will give me the digital connector, but I can't find it anywhere. Does anyone know if this exists??

[paulcs]

I've heard there are differences between the standard OEM Live Values and the more expensive Live 1024's that have been trickling into the OEM channels during the last few months. I know next to nothing about this stuff. Maybe someone who does can explain it. I know of dealers who sell both, and the 1024 is more expensive.

Paul
paulcs@flashcom.net

[Wombat]

I have the Live! MP3+. It's pretty cool. I just looked, and winamp only takes 2% of the CPU, which I can attribute to the graphical updates.
And yes, it does have MP3 encoding/decoding built into its DSP. If I use the Creative software, I can encode as fast as I can rip (I've timed it, and I get 160bps 44kHz stereo of an entire 62 minute CD in under 7 minutes).
Also, the X-gamer, and the MP3+ (and some Values, it's a luck of the draw) have the digital out connector. The extra connector is real, and I bet you could find out about it if you were to search the forums.
Also, I have the Cambridge FPS2500's, and a digital connection to them. It is quite nice. One of the best things is that you can crank the volume, and there's no hiss.

[LrngToFly]

I just received my "Value" from techsumer.com- it does indeed have the "digital out"!

Cool- although it will probably be a while before I use it...

Thanks again everyone's help.

ps- yeah, according to this:
http://www.anandtech.com/shownews.html?i=8613&t=w

(as someone above stated), Liveware 3 for Win2K should arrive soon.

I have noticed that Creative is never on time with these things though...

[This message has been edited by LrngToFly (edited 26 June 2000).]

[xortam]

BTW, I still haven't been able to connect the Aureal web site this last week. Has anyone heard any news? Things must be getting pretty sparse if they can't even keep their web site up.

Also, I've got the MX25 digital connector for my MX300, though I still haven't gotten around to buying a DD decoder (still have Prologic). Too bad Aureal has had such a tough time of it.

[LrngToFly]

Wow, I'm really impressed with the difference in the quality of sound from the PCI64 to the SBLive! I had EAX enabled in both- but there's still quite a bit of difference. (been playing lots-o Half Life/Counterstrike...)

Now I can't wait to get out of my apartment in a few weeks so I can turn my subwolfer back on- first time in 3 years!

[SteveC]

Digital addons to turn a Live! Value! into a full Live! ?

try www.hoontech.com

This:
http://www.hoontech.com/english/prod...uct8-list.html

has the Value stuff

------------------
Cheers,
Steve

"Life is what we make of it, yet most of us just fake"

[This message has been edited by SteveC (edited 27 June 2000).]

[OzAndrew]

Anyone heard much about the MX400 daughterboard? I hear it's a hw MP3 encoder decoder.

[fds]

Note that LW3 for Win2k is already finished, it's not Creative we are waiting for but Microsoft to sign the drivers.


Can't see why it would be so hard for Creative to just tell people to click Yes on the warning message which appears when you attempt to install an unsigned wdm driver.

[dZeus]

well... yesterday they stated that they received the driver certification from Microsoft, but know they need to 'pack' the drivers....

as if they couldn't do that while waiting for the certification. Creative is one lousy company regarding driver support. They need to take an example of Matrox.

Creative only released one driver version for Win2k until now, and it is very buggy too

[LrngToFly]

Where do you get this information on Win2K Liveware 3 drivers?

Thanks...

[Wombat]

dZeus,
They couldn't pre-pack because the files themselves have to be digitally signed.

[dZeus]

Lrngtofly:
check the sblive! newsgroup from creative

wombat:
at least they could prepare a installer and stuff, so they would only need to replace the drivers with the signed ones... don't think that would take much time, do you?