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The SoundBlaster
Extigy is a brand new type of sound card. Not only is this a digital 5.1
surround sound card but its portable yes that's right portable. You can
plug this into your DVD Player games console or your laptop and
instantly get great sound capabilities. Easy connection via the USB port
gives you quick and easy functionality.
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Designed with the portable user in mind, the Creative Labs
SoundBlaster Extigy sets out to offer high-quality, crystal-clear
sound to those who can't or don't want to open their computers and
fit an internal sound card.
With its slick black
finish and silver dials, the Extigy tries very hard to fit in with
your laptop, games console or DVD player and the fact that it
doesn't even need a PC to work shows this. The device is littered
with audio sockets for every occasion including: Optical in and out,
Line in, Mic in, Headphones in, Midi in and out, and SPDIF in, as
well as connections for rear and front speakers and a subwoofer and
USB for easy connectivity to a PC or laptop.
Producing excellent sound
via its 24 bit/96 MHz/100 db SNR processor, the Extigy does what it
sets out to perform. Everything can be controlled via the
comprehensive remote control included and the unit has an onboard
Dolby Digital decoder for those wanting to benefit from the home
entertainment features by plugging it directly into a DVD player.
The Extigy also offers CMSS, Creative's Multi-Speaker Surround
system that enables users to up-mix stereo sound for a 5.1 sound
experience--ideal for enhancing the audio output from a games
console.
Creative have developed
something that might struggle to solely benefit laptop users,
because once you start introducing a system that can provide decent
quality sound you'll need the speakers as well. The best use of this
device would be to treat it like a docking station, turning your
boring PC into an entertainment system at the flick of a switch or
by using it with a DVD player or games console.
Manufacturer's
Description
The simple, plug-in audio enhancement for desktop and notebook PCs.
Sound Blaster Extigy is
the revolutionary external audio solution from Creative. Designed
for notebook or desktop users who cannot open their PCs or would
prefer not to, it installs quickly and easily by USB. A remote
control is standard. With 24-bit DACs and a 100dB signal-to-noise
ratio, hardware Dolby Digital decoding, multi-channel output and
24-bit/96kHz compatible connectivity, the Sound Blaster Extigy gives
a powerful high-end audio and home theatre experience. It also
offers EAX ADVANCED HD music features such as Audio Clean-Up, Time
Scaling and DREAM and can operate as a stand-alone Dolby Digital
decoder for use with DVD players or entertainment consoles. |
Specifications (from Creative)
High
Definition Audio Quality
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High
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) exceeding 100dB using high linearity, low
distortion 24-bit converters with resolutions of up to 96kHz
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24-bit / 96kHz
Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for various analog inputs
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24-bit / 96kHz
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) for 6-channel analog speaker and
headphone output
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Independent
24-bit Analog-to-Digital Converters for Line and Microphone input
controls to provide recording and mixing flexibility
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Supports
Sony/Philips Digital Interface (SPDIF) format input signal of up to
24-bit / 96kHz quality
Professional
Quality DSP Engine
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Creative's
high performance hardware Digital Signal Processor for precise
sampling rate conversion, CMSS®, 3D audio algorithm processing,
digital mixing or bass management; as well as accurate Dolby Digital
processing
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Host based
32-bit floating point effects engine for professional quality
real-time effects, processing, mixing and positioning of audio streams
EAX® ADVANCED
HD™ Advanced Audio and 3D Audio Music Technologies
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Optimized
user-selectable settings for headphones, two, four or six speakers and
external A/V amplifiers
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Improved
Creative Multi-Speaker Surround™ (CMSS) technology accurately places
any mono or stereo source in a 360o audio space
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Realistic EAX
technology reverb, panning and elevation effects bring life to your
music and games
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Advanced Time
Scaling feature allows variable playback duration without altering
pitch of original content
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Powerful Audio
Clean-Up feature removes noise and 'clicks' from playback of vinyl
disks or cassette tape recordings
Dynamic Dolby
Digital® Playback
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Dolby
Laboratory approved hardware. Dolby Digital decoding that does not
rely on the host processor power for decoding, resulting in a
consistent Dolby Digital playback that does not depend on the software
or hardware DVD player
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Dedicated
Dolby Digital (AC-3) hardware DSP decoder with support of up to 24-bit
I/O data format. Ability to decode Dolby Digital streams from optical,
coaxial SPDIF input or host PC via USB connection
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Built-in
24-bit DACs provide optimum audio resolution for Dolby Digital
playback, making it the perfect partner for DVD applications
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Optimum bass
management feature allows speakers of different sizes to be
accommodated - be it Creative Inspire™ range of 5.1 channel speakers
or '6-channel ready' home A/V amplifiers
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Provides
mixing of Dolby Digital audio with the real-time gameplay audio
effects - a feature that a normal consumer Dolby Digital A/V receiver
is not capable of supporting Advanced USB Features
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Optimized
dynamic bandwidth allocation architecture for audio data transfer via
USB bus. This architecture provides support of simultaneous playback
of 5.1 multi-channel audio together with a compressed Dolby Digital
(AC-3) stream. This is ideal for playing 3D games with Dolby Digital
tracks
Works with
the Following Standards
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Windows 98SE,
2000, Me and XP
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Sound Blaster
MIDI and General MIDI
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Plug and Play™
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EAX ADVANCED
HD for music
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EAX
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Microsoft
DirectSound®, DirectSound®3D & derivatives
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Dolby Digital
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USB 1.1
Sound Blaster
Extigy Audio Performance
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Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted) >= 100dB
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Crosstalk
(Left/Right and vice versa) = -97dB
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Total Harmonic
Distortion + Noise at 1kHz (A-Weighted) = 0.006 %
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Frequency
Response at -3dBr = < 10Hz to 23kHz Specifications are based on
digital-to-analog audio playback (e.g. CDDA, WAV, MP3, Dolby
Digital)
This card is great value for the home user. It can be coupled with a
4.1 surround sound speaker system to give great results. The price
really doesn't reflect exactly how good this card can be. I'd say this
is one of the perfect cards for entry level PC's or the home user who
wants choice in DVD's games and music without splashing out the cash.
With Creative's EAX technology as well, you can't go wrong.
Personally I have an SB Audigy in my machine for the very highest
quality and features. I like to get the most of the sound from my
machine, but at a quarter of the price I think most people will be
opting for this card.
Useful Links
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Drivers for the SoundBlaster Extigy
Here |
Got a problem or need more info maybe the
PantherProducts forum can help you.
Ask
your question here |
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