Wednesday, September 17th 2008
Creative Announces X-Fi Notebook ExpressCard
Creative today announced the Sound Blaster X-Fi Notebook ExpressCard. As the name suggests, device is a sound card for notebooks with ExpressCard slots. The X-Fi Notebook comes in two modules, the card itself and the portion that protrudes outside the notebook. It provides wired as well as wired interfaces. The card can transmit audio to wireless speakers. Features that are usual to the X-Fi series, such as CMSS-3D and 24-bit Crystalizer aling with EAX Advanced HD positional audio. The package includes a pair of earphones with microphone attached.
Additionally, the card provides theater DSPs such as Dolby Digital and DTS Surround through PowerDVD. Would you want to use this on a gaming notebook as an audio enhancement? While the card does provide features such as CMSS-3D and EAX Advanced HD, the audio processing itself isn't native. The card doesn't feature the CA-20K series audio processor, so there isn't a performance enhancement on offer. The card is priced at US $90. More details are provided on the product page.
Additionally, the card provides theater DSPs such as Dolby Digital and DTS Surround through PowerDVD. Would you want to use this on a gaming notebook as an audio enhancement? While the card does provide features such as CMSS-3D and EAX Advanced HD, the audio processing itself isn't native. The card doesn't feature the CA-20K series audio processor, so there isn't a performance enhancement on offer. The card is priced at US $90. More details are provided on the product page.
17 Comments on Creative Announces X-Fi Notebook ExpressCard
us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=16642 << That is what I was referring too.
us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=16741&campid=20445&WT.cg_n=Campaigns&WT.mc_id=3863
And both cards do not have the x-fi chip, but a chip from the audigy 4 series (EAX4.0). Thank god it does not have the audigy SE chip.
old
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new
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EDIT: ahh, the new one supports wireless streaming. But the XFI audio receiver is $100 bucks. us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=668&product=16538
So i guess it depends on what feature is perfered, (a) you want surround sound, or (b) wireless 2ch audio...
It's got some kind of wireless streaming tech in it that's good for up to 30m but you need a special receiver for it which costs as much as the soundcard itself. Oh, the new card does work in 34mm express card slots which might be useful for some people that can't use the bigger 54mm cards. Overall, it doesn't look like a worth while product.
uk.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=16642
Looks good. Finally, a sound card where a sound card is needed. I applaud Creative on this one.
If this card is indeed based on Audigy 4 chip with X-Fi software then it would have rather capable hardware - comparethe spec sheet for Audigy 4 - on par with Audigy 2ZS Notebook (PCMCIA)
And this card is seriously gimped compared to its predecessor, which is nothing new for Creative.:laugh:
It is $40 cheaper.