Hercules Game Theater XP soundcard info

Volgens X-bit Labs (voorheen iXBT-Hardware) mogen we binnenkort de eerste geluidskaart van Hercules verwachten. In principe niet raar aangezien eigenaar Guillemot al langer in dat segment zit. Anyway, de Game Theater XP staat gepland voor december en zal geleverd worden met een handig extern kastje voorzien van o.a. 4 USB aansluitingen, een gamepoort en 6 Dolby Digital outputs:

[Update] Ik zie dat de press release van de Hercules Game Theater XP ook al online staat . Volgens onderstaande info beschikt-ie inderdaad over het handig externe rack, en zelfs hardwarematige MP3 decoding. Daarnaast krijg je er flink wat software bij zoals MusicMatch™ Jukebox, Siren™ Jukebox Xpress, Yamaha XGstudio en Sensaura Virtual Ear. De prijs is met 149 dollar ook vrij relaxed gebleven:

Composed of a sound card and an attractive, convenient external rack, Hercules Game Theater XP will allow hardcore gamers to discover new sound sensations and possibilities. It becomes a real "sound station" with a powerful DSP for an unparalleled 3D sound gaming experience that can be broadcast to headphones or to 2 speakers, to 4 speakers or even to 6 speakers - leaving the computer's CPU free for other tasks.

The rack includes numerous high-quality connectors which were previously unavailable on the mass market. The rack also features a high-speed 4 port USB hub. It offers an accessible game port on the front face, enabling players to plug in several game peripherals simultaneously, allowing for multi-player gaming. Gamers will be sure to get excited about the technological and audio possibilities that Game Theater XP will offer them, not to mention its user-friendly design!

Game Theater XP is bundled with an extensive suite of high-quality software, including Sensaura Virtual Ear which brings gaming reality one step closer. The GameLoft package is also featured which offers all of the utilities a gamer would want to play online in a single pack.

The perfect solution for DVD enthusiasts

DVD enthusiasts will find in Game Theater XP the ideal solution for PCs equipped with a DVD drive: Dolby Digital™ decoding on up to 6 independent gold-plated RCA outputs (5.1 channel AC3™ format) and S/PDIF pass through support for Dolby Digital™, DTS™ formats and Dolby™ Headphone Technology for superior quality surround sound. Game Theater XP is provided with Power DVD™, which enhances high performance video playback.

Music and MP3 fans will also be seduced

For music fans using the internet to satisfy their musical tastes, Game Theater XP is the obvious choice. It features DSP MP3 decoding accelerated in hardware, which leaves the computer’s CPU free to perform other tasks.

Music enthusiasts can also get excited about the Game Theater XP’s impressive connectors . The USB port allows for high-speed downloads to a USB MP3 player such as Hercules’ Cube™. The optical and co-axial digital In/Out enables users to load digital audio files onto DAT or MiniDisc™ formats. The 1/4” Mic pre-amplifier input jack can be used for the connection of a high-quality microphone and the MIDI interfaces with its MIDI-In / MIDI-Out DIN connectors.

On the software side, MusicMatch™ Jukebox downloads, records and plays digital MP3 music, Siren™ Jukebox Xpress is a digital music management system and is also a playback software tool for MP3, WMA and WAV files and finally, Yamaha XGstudioTM provides a digital interface to play MIDI files.

Game Theater XP™ will be retailing across the United States for $149.99 (US) at the end of November.