Auzentech Reveals HDMI 1.3-native PCI Express Audio Combo Card

Richdog

Richdog

Richdog

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Saw this today while browsing for info and thought it interesing:

Auzentech Reveals HDMI 1.3-native PCI Express Audio Combo Card
Incorporates technology by Auzentech, Creative, NVIDIA Corporation, CyberLink and Silicon Image.
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Santa Clara, CA – June 16, 2008: Auzentech, Inc. (www.auzentech.com) reveals today its non-downsampling, HDMI 1.3-native, PCI express audio combo card: Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1. The Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 accepts video from either an internal or external connection, mixes it with digital audio, and outputs the combined video and lossless multichannel audio via a single HDMI™ 1.3 port. Moreover, the internal connection will exclusively support upcoming NVIDIA products, to create the ultimate in audio and visual entertainment.

The latest in a long line of breakthrough soundcards from Auzentech, the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 outputs a bitstream of high-definition, multichannel audio from Blu-ray or HD movies with no downsampling, to take full advantage of lossless digital audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

The Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 has been designed around the latest Creative PCI Express X-Fi audio processor. For home theater enthusiasts, the processor includes HDMI 1.3 support and will feature Dolby Digital and DTS encoding for a single-cable connection to home theater systems. For gamers, the card leverages the power of the PCI Express-optimized X-Fi processor to deliver accelerated audio for improved game performance, with ultra-realistic EAX 5.0 effects and 3D positional audio.

“Creative is excited to work with Auzentech to deliver a true high-definition HDMI solution based on our latest PCI Express-based processor,” said Steve Erickson, VP and GM of audio for Creative. “We have completely re-architected our X-Fi audio processor, optimizing it for the PCI Express bus. We’ve also made a significant achievement in customizing our audio technology to enable the highest quality lossless digital audio for HDMI, for a stunning HD digital entertainment experience.”
“CyberLink provides the best in audio and video playback quality to deliver the ultimate movie experience on the PC," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. "Featuring HDMI version 1.3-enabed capabilities, PowerDVD will enable users to enjoy high definition cinema on their PCs. We are excited to partner with Auzentech to offer a true, uncompressed HD audio experience by employing our breakthrough technologies.”

“At Auzentech we focus on bringing innovative products to market by listening to our end-users requests,” said Stephane Bae, President of Auzentech, Inc. “By teaming up with Industry leaders Creative, NVIDIA, CyberLink and Silicon Image, end users and home theater enthusiasts will now be able to enjoy Blu-Ray or HD movies in their full glory.”
The Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 is made possible through cooperation between Auzentech, NVIDIA, CyberLink PowerDVD software, Silicon Image, and the Creative X-Fi chip development team.

Release of the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 is planned for Sept. of 2008.
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I was checking out which to buy to pair with my new audio kit... the Sonar DX2 or the Prelude... but if a HDMI version is being released then I think i'll hold off and wait for that so it can go direct to my amp for full HDMI goodness. :)
 
The release of HDMI 1.3 enabled sound cards, indeed any sound card with HDMI connectivity, is something to shout about (I think) for the PC crowd. I must confess however that I am more than a little confused with the whole subject of HD audio and how to get at it.

Before (potentially) derailing this post from the aforementioned Auzentech card, on the subject of HDMI 1.3, after digesting the following info http://www.hometheatermag.com/advicefromtheexperts/508audio/

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/s...igh-Def_FAQ:_Is_HDMI_1.3_Really_Necessary/853

I conclude the following;

1. The only interconnect that will support the transmission of the raw/native HD audio bitstream is HDMI 1.3.
2. Number (1) applies only to the movie soundtrack itself. From the second link I get the impression this is for HD discs only authored in “Basic mode”?
3. Because most HD discs are not authored in “Basic mode” but rather in “Advanced mode” then (1) will rarely be achieved since the sound card or disc player will decode the HD audio to multi-channel PCM and do whatever mixing is required before outputting the audio (over HDMI).
4. This does not really matter since if (1) were to occur then all we gain is that the AV receiver would decode the bitstream as opposed to the player or sound card. It does not matter because we make the assumption that all decoding is created equal and the AV receiver will not do a superior job?
5. Anyone with a player or soundcard (pre-HDMI 1.3) that will decode the latest HD audio and with an AV receiver (pre-HDMI 1.3) will be able to enjoy full-fat HD audio using method (3). Of course I don’t believe that any pre 1.3 HDMI sound cards exist.

I have probably misinterpreted some of this stuff so apologies in advance.

Now for slightly derailing this post from the Auzentech card (if I may). I keep reading that the latest HD audio can be decoded and converted to analogue and sent over normal 6 or 8 channel analogue connectors. My question is can this be done if one has a sound card that will do the decoding, or must we all have HDMI equipped AV receivers?
 
This card should be out in a couple of weeks or so. I hope it's better than the Asus HDAV which is getting a slating at the moment. Seems a better package than the Asus and I'm guessing will be cheaper too.

This part looks particularly interesting 'the internal connection will exclusively support upcoming NVIDIA products'. I wonder if that will work with my GTS (with a driver update or something' or whether it will only work with a range of GPU's not released yet? If it does work with mine I'll definitely be getting one of these.

Anyone from OcUK know if they'll be stocking this?
 
I really wish I could justify getting this card, but I cant afford the required HDMI enabled amp and speaker system. Optical will have to do for a few years yet...

If anyone gets this, please can I come around so I know what Im missing? Ill bring a bottle...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
ps3ud0 said:
I cant afford the required HDMI enabled amp and speaker system.
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Me neither but I might get one for the HD audio decoding to analogue outputs...........that's if it works in Vista.

I'll send you the invite when it's installed! ;)
 
I wouldn't bother TBH, from what I read on AVS forum The Xonar isn't much Cop & this card will be expensive. I'll be happy going the LPCM route through the HD4670 when I get it soon.
 
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Wow companies are making it absurdly hard for PC people interested in HQ AV moving over to HDMI enabled products. I know its not for HDMI but obviously the benefits HD AV brings...

Idiots :mad: (just annoyed as I cant justify moving from my Prelude :p)

Cheers wolvers69 ;)

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
I was interested in these HDMI Sound Cards as well but I take it the Speakers OcUK sells like the Creative GigaWorks 7.1 S750 won`t be compatible with these Sound Cards? and i`ll need a HDMI enabled amp and speakers? witch OcUK currently don`t have.
 
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Sylver123 said:
I was interested in these HDMI Sound Cards as well but I take it the Speakers OcUK sells like the Creative GigaWorks 7.1 S750 won`t be compatible with these Sound Cards? and i`ll need a HDMI enabled amp and speakers? witch OcUK currently don`t have.
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Correct

Well, you'll be able to get DTS/DD via analogue etc, but due to the lack of HDMI, you won't be able to get TrueHD/DTS-HD etc
 
Grimley said:
LPCM route through the HD4670 when I get it soon.
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The only thing that is useful for is if you have a 7.1 system so you can have 8 dedicated channels.

If, like me, you're only running 5 or 6 channels then you might as well stick with DD/DTS over spdif as the HD codecs are downsampled through LPCM on anything other than the HDAV and the x-fi home theater.
 
OCdude said:
Correct

Well, you'll be able to get DTS/DD via analogue etc, but due to the lack of HDMI, you won't be able to get TrueHD/DTS-HD etc
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You can still have TrueHD/DTS-HD over analogue it just means that the card is doing the decoding and not an amp.
 
OCdude said:
I was under the impression you can't, due to bandwidth limitations?

Surely PAP wouldn't be do-able over analogue
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SPDIF is definitely a no go because of the bandwidth limitations but I don't think that applies to analogue outs.

Well the peeps on AVF that have been using the HDAV are saying that it's the only way it works at the mo in vista as the bitstreaming doesn't work. If you know otherwise I'd be interested to hear as that's how I was planning to use it.
 
OCdude said:
I was under the impression you can't, due to bandwidth limitations?

Surely PAP wouldn't be do-able over analogue
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you can send it either via analogue or through HDMI (Linear PCM), from all reports there's not a great deal of difference between this and the pure bitstream quality wise.
 
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