X-bit labs

Creative’s Audio Chips Gain Popularity Among Mainboard Makers.

Category: Multimedia

by Anton Shilov

[ 07/24/2005 | 11:06 AM ]

Creative Labs, who catalyzed multimedia revolution a decade ago, said that it would sell its famous Live! audio chip to mainboard makers for integration. The firm believes that the processor first unveiled seven years ago still provides higher quality audio than integrated audio solutions these days.

“The PC industry recognizes the fact that Sound Blaster audio technology is far superior to any of the host HD Audio solutions or integrated chipsets currently on the market,” said Steve Erickson, vice president of audio for Creative.

Creative Technology, the company which invented the first consumer-oriented audio processor for personal computers, announced that its Live! 24-bit audio chip would be used by several mainboard makers as on-board audio solution. During the recent years the market of standalone sound cards have been shrinking due to the fact that integrated sound solutions proved to be quality enough for majority of end-users, which was negative for Creative, however, it now seems that the company has found a new market for its chips.

Gigabyte will be incorporating the Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit processor in its GA-G1915P mainboard that will ship worldwide in August. MSI is currently using the technology in its K8N Diamond and P4N Diamond models. Shuttle Computer has incorporated the processor into its currently available SD31P mainboard, and will be doing so on its upcoming SD11G5, SD35P, and M1000 models that will be shipping worldwide this Fall. In all of these cases, the Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit chip is the only integrated audio solution available on these mainboards, Creative indicated.

“More and more, we’re seeing mainboard manufacturers choosing Sound Blaster technology for their on-board audio solutions, because of its exceptional high-definition audio quality and clarity, and we’re pleased to welcome Gigabyte, MSI and Shuttle Computer to the Sound Blaster family,” Mr. Erickson added.

The Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit chip supports 24-bit/96kHz audio as well as 7.1 surround sound with EAX technology. Creative supplies its Live! 24-bit chip with special software set that enhances multimedia experience with features like Bass Boost, Multi-Band Graphic Equalizer, Audio Clean-Up and others.