New Auzen X-fi Forte' 7.1 soundcard

[ROBSCIX]

Auzen will be annoucing a new soundcard to be released called the X-fi Forte' Have a look: HERE (http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_forte.php)

Coming very soon...

Comments?

[Jor3lBR]

Seams like AuZen is reading these forums.
Has everything to be a winner.
The name reminds me a little of the old Hercules Fortissimo whata sweet sound card back in the day.

[Soulburner]

Nice, depending how small they can go I wonder if Auzen would ever pursue fitting something into a notebook. I think a larger 17" laptop would be able to fit something in there if the effort was made. Imagine the improvement over notebook audio!

[slim142]

I think thats because with Tri-SLI systems, is impossible to have a sound card unless is a X-Fi Titanium or SoundFX/Xonar from ASUS since this are the only PCI-Ex 1x cards.

It would be great if Auzentech could release an Updated & Improved X-Fi Prelude in PCI-Ex 1x with a Shield (Like Creatives Titanium). I know I would be buying that card first day.

[tiro_uspsss]

dang! there is such huge choice of sound cards! it never used to be like this iirc! :)

[ROBSCIX]

Nice little card...

[Source]

http://www.auzentech.com/site/images/xfiforte/analog_io_cable.gif

MIC input connector
Line input connector
Front Line output connector
Rear output connector
Center/Woofer output connector
Side output connector
Headphone Output (on card)

-------------------------------------

So if i'm right i can put my speakers and headphones on this one, without any 3.5mm split blocks?

My Speakers have:
Front (green), Rear (black), Center/Sub (orange)

My Headphone have:
Stereo (green), MIC (pink)

My TV screen has:
Stereo (green) <<---- ??

...

On my current soundcard i can use the Line in (blue) as an Stereo out, where my TV is currently on.
And have to plug-in my Headphone in the Input of my Center Speaker, to use it.


Does anyone know if i can use the LINE_IN on Auzentech cards, as a STEREO_OUT ?

[ROBSCIX]

No the Line_in is for connecting audio signals from other devices. You connect up the output of say, a CD player..etc to this input.

Now, you can connect the stereo OUT from your TV to the Line_in of the forte' just fine.

I am having difficulty trying to figure out exactly what your asking.

Pretty cool this card has a headphone output on the card also.

[ROBSCIX]

dang! there is such huge choice of sound cards! it never used to be like this iirc! :)

Your right about that. The PC soundcard market is growing everyday. Great time to jump in.:yepp:

[Source]

My current cheap-but-ass-kicking Sweex 5.1 Surround card, recognized in some way around that the Line_IN is used as Stero_OUT .. Atleast, there is coming sound OUT of my TV screen, and i have connected it to LINE_IN (the blue one).
I discovered this when i accidentally plugged the TV-jacket in the wrong one.

I'm not a audiophile or something so the Sweex served me fine, but sometimes and when my speakers are loud, it -duh- pops and cracks. Also i found the Microphone not very clear on moments.
But hé, i did expect much less for €10,- :)

Since i bought this Sweex just as an emergency/temporary solution, i'm looking for something with as much plugs as i need (stated post above).

...So in short, i was asking if this soundcard could also do that, if it is normal to start with :')
Since i guess, when i put the TV on Side-Speakers,, i get only 'secondary-sounds' and background sounds?

Thanks

[BenchZowner]

Low profile card. Checked! Good.
Dolby TrueHD Decoding capabilities ? Nope. Bad.
DTS HD Master Audio Decoding capabilities ? Nope. Bad.
HDMI In/Out ? Nope. Bad.

Going low profile is just like saying "HTPC Market".
This ain't the right card for a HTPC, why go with a low profile bracket ?

[JoeBar]

Low profile card. Checked! Good.
Dolby TrueHD Decoding capabilities ? Nope. Bad.
DTS HD Master Audio Decoding capabilities ? Nope. Bad.
HDMI In/Out ? Nope. Bad.

Going low profile is just like saying "HTPC Market".
This ain't the right card for a HTPC, why go with a low profile bracket ?
A spot on comment... :up:


Also me not likes the analog i/o cable...

[ToTTenTranz]

Low profile card. Checked! Good.
Dolby TrueHD Decoding capabilities ? Nope. Bad.
DTS HD Master Audio Decoding capabilities ? Nope. Bad.
HDMI In/Out ? Nope. Bad.

Going low profile is just like saying "HTPC Market".
This ain't the right card for a HTPC, why go with a low profile bracket ?

With a 120dB DAC you can go analog with no problems.

[BenchZowner]

With a 120dB DAC you can go analog with no problems.

Currently not a solution.
WinDVD is now under Corel's control, and the last version sucks, and doesn't support Dolby TrueHD & DTS HD MA if I recall correctly.
The latest PowerDVD is good as usual, but... they downsample the Dolby TrueHD & DTS HD MA to 24bit 96kHz or even lower ( gotta check my notes :p: ).

With the current situation in computer audio hardware and software we cannot listen to Dolby TrueHD & DTS HD Master Audio streams without any kind of downsampling.

[ROBSCIX]

Currently not a solution.
WinDVD is now under Corel's control, and the last version sucks, and doesn't support Dolby TrueHD & DTS HD MA if I recall correctly.
The latest PowerDVD is good as usual, but... they downsample the Dolby TrueHD & DTS HD MA to 24bit 96kHz or even lower ( gotta check my notes :p: ).

With the current situation in computer audio hardware and software we cannot listen to Dolby TrueHD & DTS HD Master Audio streams without any kind of downsampling.

I am pretty sure 24/96 is more then fine for HD blu-ray audio standards, I think your talking about 16/48. This is usually just for analog audio for the time being.

You are incorrect in that all solutions are downsampled at the current time,the latest card from ASUS offers full resolution TrueHD and DTS-HDMA in LPCM mode and on Bitstream mode for both very soon also. The new Auzen HTHD 7.1 will offer all BD audio formats without downsampling either.

I think they built the card small and with both SFF and normal brackets so it can fit in most systems. On newer system such as the X58 platforms people are going X3 SLI or Crossfire and there is little room left for a add-in card.

This card is aimed at gamers not so much for HTPC users. Small card with a PCI-E X1 slot...This is what many have been looking for.

[BenchZowner]

I am pretty sure 24/96 is more then fine for HD blu-ray audio standards, I think your talking about 16/48. This is usually just for analog audio for the time being.

I said I could be wrong about the absolute numbers ( I have a lot of things in my head already ).
Now that I checked it is... indeed downsampled to 48KHz / 16BIT.
And it does sound worse than the original 96KHz 24BIT Audio Stream if you have a better than the average ( stand-alone) audio setup.


If I recall correctly, the Asus card you're speaking about isn't released yet.
And I don't think I've seen that card in a low profile version with a half-height bracket.

As for the AuzenTech Auzen HTHD 7.1... I haven't heard of it, and didn't see any information about it on AuzenTech's website that I've cruised a bit yesterday.


I think they built the card small and with both SFF and normal brackets so it can fit in most systems. On newer system such as the X58 platforms people are going X3 SLI or Crossfire and there is little room left for a add-in card.

If we're talking about gamers then they already have more than 2 choices in such situations ( if I remember correctly both Creative & AuzenTech have a PCI-Express 1x gaming sound card on the market already ).

[Source]

Auzentech doesn't, if i'm right.

Those are .. Asus Xonar PCIe and Creative -thingy-

[Jamesrt2004]

My current cheap-but-ass-kicking Sweex 5.1 Surround card,

lol sweex are cool got some like £20 5.1 speakers from them,,,, when i actually sorted it out its ok to a good enough volume haha :) (waiting till after i get car etc.. to upgrade speakers)

[Source]

Yeah i also don't have much negative about my Sweex card.
It doesn't have all the EAX, DTS and whatever certificates but it also doesn't cost like €90,- but €9,-
Bought it as temporary solution but when i wanted to upgrade it .. it was or around €90,- in better Graphics card or in a soundcard.
Easy choice for me.

..But now the card is starting to get some problems i'm looking for replacement. :)

[ROBSCIX]

I said I could be wrong about the absolute numbers ( I have a lot of things in my head already ).
Now that I checked it is... indeed downsampled to 48KHz / 16BIT.
And it does sound worse than the original 96KHz 24BIT Audio Stream if you have a better than the average ( stand-alone) audio setup.


If I recall correctly, the Asus card you're speaking about isn't released yet.
And I don't think I've seen that card in a low profile version with a half-height bracket.

As for the AuzenTech Auzen HTHD 7.1... I haven't heard of it, and didn't see any information about it on AuzenTech's website that I've cruised a bit yesterday.



If we're talking about gamers then they already have more than 2 choices in such situations ( if I remember correctly both Creative & AuzenTech have a PCI-Express 1x gaming sound card on the market already ).

The HDAV 1.3 has been released in many places right now.
The Auzen card is the X-fi Home Theater HD 7.1 (X-fi HTHD) and is scheduled for release in the new year IIRC.
Look on the Auzen site: Here (http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_hometheater_hd.php)
Not sure how you missed it but anyway, there are pictures and specifictions there or
I released a sneak peak about that card back in October. Look:HERE (http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/11014-hwc-exclusive-auzentech-x-fi-home-theater-hd-7-1-specs-pics.html)

Auzentech hasn't released the Native PCI-E X1 card yet but it should be out very soon, that card is the Auzen X-fi Forte' 7.1 Look: Here (http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_forte.php)

Anyway long story short some are enjoying full resolution Blue Ray audio right now through the HDAV 1.3 in LPCM and bitstream modes through HDMI connection. Sounded very good to me when I heard it. As I may have said currently the analog will downsample to 16/48 for now for HDMI audio but should be unlocked through a driver update according to info on the net. The Auzen X-fi Home Theater HD will also offer full resolution HDMI based audio when it is released. Hope this helps.

[BenchZowner]

The HDAV 1.3 has been released in many places right now.

True, however most of the sites (shops) I found had it listed but it's not in stock and you have to pre-order it.
Plus, it's full height, doesn't fit in most HTPC cases.


The Auzen card is the X-fi Home Theater HD 7.1 (X-fi HTHD) and is scheduled for release in the new year IIRC.

Don't know how I missed that one.
On the other side, still not released, and once again, a full height card.

Someone has to come up with a half height card anytime soon :(
HTPC #2 is in a low profile case and is screaming for a decent sound card with Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio support! :mad:

[ROBSCIX]

The HDAV 1.3 has been out for a while in many places and many people have them. The may be a little scarce in North America as of yet but I think that could change very soon. The point was that not all people out there have downsampled Blue Ray audio some have full resolution High Definition sound for their Blue ray. As for the Half height cards they may be more practical for some but not all.

[STaRGaZeR]

HTPC #2 is in a low profile case and is screaming for a decent sound card with Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio support! :mad:

Can you please explain what do you mean with that? TrueHD and DTS:HD MA "support" in the soundcard? :)

[BenchZowner]

Can you please explain what do you mean with that? TrueHD and DTS:HD MA "support" in the soundcard? :)

There are two types of decoders, software and hardware.
A software decoder for example is included in FFDshow, Cyberlink PowerDVD, etc.

As you ( more than likely ) know Dolby Digital, and DTS,etc are codecs, practically encoding the audio data in their own way along with other data.
To listen to it, you need to decode the data, and that's where the software or hardware decoder acts.
The Audigy 2, 2 ZS, 4, X-Fi Series ( don't know about the bulky ones like the XtremeAudio ) have a integrated ( and licensed ) Dolby Digital & DTS decoder.
The original Dolby Digital ( AC-3 ) and DTS are lossy codecs, and the decoder quality can affect the audio quality.

In PowerDVD for example when you set the Speaker Configuration options to 5.1 channels for example you're telling PowerDVD to use its own software dolby digital & dts decoder ( software ).

If you set the option to "Use SP/DIF" it'll use the sound card's decoder.

With Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio and the various studios stupid requirements about stream encryption, etc we're limited, and actually stuck with software decoders ( in PowerDVD and Corel!(LOL) WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray ) that DOWNSAMPLE the audio to 48KHz/16BIT format.

Thankfully now we're starting to see some sound cards with/without on-board decoders, and HDMI 1.3 inputs/outputs, and non-downsampled stream support.

F***ed up situation.
This has been going on since Blu-ray's launch, but finally things are starting to look good for the PC "audience".

Sorry for the not so detailed post, gotta go now :(

[STaRGaZeR]

Ah, you meant hardware decoding. Sorry, I sounded too noob and I forced an unnecessary explanation :p:

To complete your post, if anyone is interested in how to use the X-Fi's built-in AC3/DTS decoder you have to select output to S/PDIF in your favourite player and in Creative's audio console select "Use built-in decoder", not "S/PDIF Passthrough":

http://nomoregoatsoup.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/decoder.jpg

Only in XP, this doesn't work on Vista with the official drivers. Only DanielK's hacked drivers can do it. So I highly doubt you'll ever see the card you want because Vista and the following OSes are the future, and as you know Microsoft does not allow the direct hardware access needed for it, "security reasons" they say :rolleyes:. We have this hack because the decoder was already there, but I'm afraid PC sound cards are not getting Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD or DTS:HD (MA) hardware decoding thanks to Microsoft. Basically you have only two options: stick with software decoding or passthrough the bitstream to your receiver and let it do the job. However only a few Blu-ray movies have 24/96 TrueHD or Master Audio tracks, most of them are 16/48. But even at 16/48 they're a pleasure to listen. Ahh, lossless goodness :)

[Donnie27]

Ah, you meant hardware decoding. Sorry, I sounded too noob and I forced an unnecessary explanation :p:

To complete your post, if anyone is interested in how to use the X-Fi's built-in AC3/DTS decoder you have to select output to S/PDIF in your favourite player and in Creative's audio console select "Use built-in decoder", not "S/PDIF Passthrough":

http://nomoregoatsoup.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/decoder.jpg

Only in XP, this doesn't work on Vista with the official drivers. Only DanielK's hacked drivers can do it. So I highly doubt you'll ever see the card you want because Vista and the following OSes are the future, and as you know Microsoft does not allow the direct hardware access needed for it, "security reasons" they say :rolleyes:. We have this hack because the decoder was already there, but I'm afraid PC sound cards are not getting Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD or DTS:HD (MA) hardware decoding thanks to Microsoft. Basically you have only two options: stick with software decoding or passthrough the bitstream to your receiver and let it do the job. However only a few Blu-ray movies have 24/96 TrueHD or Master Audio tracks, most of them are 16/48. But even at 16/48 they're a pleasure to listen. Ahh, lossless goodness :)

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multimedia/display/20081205152250_Blu_Ray_Movies_to_Maintain_Premium_ Pricing__Sony.html

IIRC, If the sound card is doing the processing, then the card is still doing it in hardware. MS BS and something Vista Fans don't get is the whole Protected Path crap. It not only blocks Card's processing that only Analog is truly worth a danged, it tries to block Pass-Through as well. That's why I'm still dual booted. Yes, without Hacks, it sucks!

I'm not getting into to Blue as much as I should because I have a hard time putting up with Sony's BS:rolleyes: That includes their UUber Lame Fans:p:

[STaRGaZeR]

IIRC, If the sound card is doing the processing, then the card is still doing it in hardware.

If the decoding of the stream to uncompressed audio is done in the card, then you can call it "hardware", otherwise not. Converting the uncompressed audio that Windows outputs to analog is not decoding :p:


I'm not getting into to Blue as much as I should because I have a hard time putting up with Sony's BS:rolleyes: That includes their UUber Lame Fans:p:

Being Sony or not the successor of DVD was planned with DRM in mind, so bashing Sony doesn't make much sense.

[Donnie27]

If the decoding of the stream to uncompressed audio is done in the card, then you can call it "hardware", otherwise not. Converting the uncompressed audio that Windows outputs to analog is not decoding :p:

Being Sony or not the successor of DVD was planned with DRM in mind, so bashing Sony doesn't make much sense.

Right on the first part.

I'm bashing Sony because they earned it! I don't mind or even care about DRM. It's their GREEDY nature that bugs me. Yes they should make money, it would be silly to think they shouldn't. They'd said prices would come down as the market settled on one format, seen any dropping or falling prices? Coming up on one year since BD died.

Power DVD 8 can do all of the True Audio-Formats in software BTW. I don't know if they're down-sampled or not.

[Source]

Does anybody has a release date for them?
I have read somewhere 'late december 08' .. but that is like, now.

[Donnie27]

"According to its maker, the Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 will be available by the end of the year at a recommended price of $149.99."

I think that means any day now.

[Source]

Guess that will be a release in 2009.
Or they are planning a release on a holiday, which i don't think.

[Source]

I had send a mail to them:

Hello Auzentech,

I like to know if there is any news on the release date for the
Auzentech Forte?

I read this on your site:
"The Auzen X-FiT Forte 7.1 is scheduled for release in December 2008"

Is it still gonna be released in these days or is there a new date
expected for releasing this card?

Thank you for your time,
Wouter

And this was their response:

Dear Wouter,

We have completed developing the Auzen X-FiT Foret 7.1 in hardware. However,
the release date has been delayed to get the best performance of the sound
card in both software and hardware, and it will come to finish soon.
We will ship as soon as it is available.

We apologize for this delay and appreciate your patience.

Sincerely,

Sales Team
AuzenTech, Inc. (www.auzentech.com)

:)

[chunkylover77]

So is this card the successor to the Prelude?

[ROBSCIX]

No, that is is not the successor to the Prelude. This is a PCI-E version and small form factor, meat for those looking for those features.
I think you could call the Auzen X-fi Home Theater 7.1 the next flagship for the Auzentech line.

[Source]

http://www.auzentech.com/site/images/xfiforte/rearbrackets_both.gif

It's not only Low-profile fyi.

[ROBSCIX]

http://www.auzentech.com/site/images/xfiforte/rearbrackets_both.gif

It's not only Low-profile fyi.


FYI, the card itself is low profile. Auzen includes both normal and SFF brackets so you can use it with most case types.:yepp:

[Source]

Bah, i want this card =<

[slim142]

Is this card going to be better than Prelude?

[Source]

Good news :D


Dear Wouter,

Thanks for your e-mail. We should be receiving the X-Fi Forte in the US next
week, and should start shipping on the week of Jan. 19th.

Thanks & B.Rgds,

Support Team
Auzentech, Inc. www.auzentech.com
--------

@ Slim
I don't think so :confused:
It's aimed at another usergroup, but i don't think it's better than the Prelude.