*** Tired of all the X-FI/Vista Problems? ***

ScottiB

ScottiB

ScottiB

OcUK Systems
OcUK Staff
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Stoke-on-Trent


ASUS Xonar D2 -Solution to Windows Vista Gaming Audio Problems
With the introduction of Windows Vista, the whole audio architecture landscaped has been changed. This has resulted in teething problems for gamers - with the possibility of losing all surround sound or hardware accelerated Direct3D and EAX while gaming in the Windows Vista environment. To circumvent this problem, the ASUS Xonar family of audio cards utilizes an ASUS exclusive technology - the new DS3D GX extension in the Xonar D2X driver; to provide full support for surround sound and hardware accelerated features by translating DirectX to the DS3D GX. While other solutions like OpenAL requires special installation and game support, DS3D GX doesn't. Gamers can enjoy DirectX gaming with hardware enhanced surround sound and EAX effects automatically and immediately after installation.

Cleanest Voice in Online or LAN Game Chatting
The Xonar D2X also includes the innovative "Acoustics Echo Cancellation" (AEC) technology to facilitate the best online voice communication quality. AEC can eliminate up-to-40dB speaker echo return and suppress noises that would otherwise enter the users' microphone – making the Xonar D2X the best audio card choice for online chatting in VOIP applications (Skype, MSN, Google, QQ, etc.) or online gaming.

Unparalleled Sound Clarity
The ASUS Xonar D2X also features a signal- to-noise ratio (SNR) of 118 dB for both audio in and out - reaching the maximum limit 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 118 dB quality audio for all 7.1 channels.

Dolby and DTS for Complete Digital Home Experience
Besides delivering impressive audio quality, the Xonar D2X is also packed with multiple sound technologies from Dolby and DTS to deliver outstanding entertainment experiences. These include;

Dolby Digital Live: Converts PC or game audio content into Dolby Digital in real-time
Dolby Headphone: Creates a surround sound listening experience when using any set of headphones
Dolby Virtual Speaker: Delivers a vibrant surround sound listening experience from stereo speakers
Dolby Pro Logic® IIx: C reates up to 7.1-channel surround sounds from stereo or 5.1 sources
DTS Connect: Includes DTS Interactive and DTS NEO:PC
DTS Interactive for real time AC-3 encoding and
DTS NEO: PC stereo to multi-channel expander

PCI-E XONAR D2X : £99.99 +VAT!!

PCI XONAR D2 : £79.99 +VAT!!
 
LOL


http://www.auzentech.com/site/download/updates.php

File name: 20K1_Auz_RefCD1_RC5-1.zip
ㆍDriver version: X-Fi Prelude - 6.0.1.1281 (RC 5_1)
ㆍSize: 150 mb
ㆍRelease Date: 02/19/2008
ㆍ download

New Changes / Fixes in this driver:
ㆍApplications have been revised to improve on the intermittent
audio distortion issues when using DDL.


still no DTS features but seems to have fixed my problems in UT3
 
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Am I the onle one that thinks the prelude and xonar cards are overpriced ? and I dont mean from ocuk they seem to be the cheapest
what can they do that a £50 x-fi cannot do better ?
 
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Yip and as much as I know Creative have good hardware but bad software and support, there is no outstanding X-FI+Vista issues.

There has not been for months since last driver, anything left is your Mobo to blame and vendor need make a new bios same as Asus did for the Striker E with 1401 (I had no issues even before that build anyhow, 4GB of ram or not).

The lack of DD and DTS in Vista on X-FI's is not hardware, the cards do all that fully in XP, its a License issue and you can get around it using Dell's drivers.
 
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The Xonar were originally intended to be £25 more than they are now (as evident from the old D2 price), when the new D2X was announced I complained to Asus direct about the pricing, looks like they listened. Now at least they are comparable to a similar X-Fi...

I am definately picking up a D2X to replace my X-FI Fata1ity Pro
 
So which card (just the card) in the x-fi range are the xonar d2 and xonar d2x comparable to?

For example:
D2X = fatal1ty pro 64mb xram?
D2 = xtreme music?

Matthew
 
i spent 120 on my auzen xfi prelude and wow, the difference between an Audigy 2 via analogue and the prelude via optical.

like going from black and white to colour tv
 
They're supposed to be pretty sweet - it's a pity Asus haven't released a sort of front panel option - which is a must for me as I want to have speakers and headphones plugged in at the same time..
 
I read in a review that the difference in music listening isnt that different compared to the Xfi series....

And yeah great shame theres no decent Asus i/o box or front panel hopefully wont need it once running hdmi output via the ATI card :)
 
dont get one over an xfi if vista is your platform of choice, not for the supposed improvement in the drivers they apparently offer.

how about having to reboot because some games will exit and cause sound to endlessly reloop, over and over, even after the application has shut down. i cant play audiosurf because of this.

dont get me wrong, the d2 is a fantastic card but the vista drivers need a lot of work.

The lack of DD and DTS in Vista on X-FI's is not hardware, the cards do all that fully in XP, its a License issue and you can get around it using Dell's drivers.
Click to expand...

i dont buy it, would be licencing be different for the two platforms? the xonar does both on vista and xp.
 
What are the problems exactly?

I've got Vista x64 and an X-Fi Fatality and it works fine here. Maybe the users with the problems should start a thread and post their setups. Perhaps there is a common theme such as motherboard type or chipset.
 
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