ASUS Unveils HDMI-equipped Xonar HDAV1.3 PCI-E Sound Cards

[malware]

ASUS, a leading name in high quality computer components and solutions, announces the world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio/video enhancement combo card – the Xonar HDAV1.3. Capable of outputting uncompressed multichannel high definition audio from Blu-ray movies, the Xonar HDAV 1.3 also enhances video with an onboard Splendid HD processor – providing ultimate multimedia enjoyment.




Uncompromised HD Digital Audio & Video with Support for Blu-ray and HDMI 1.3
The Xonar HDAV 1.3 features Protected Audio Playback Systems (PAPS) and full Advanced Access Content System (AACS) certification. Without both of these certifications, typical PCs will need to downsample Blu-ray audio to DVD quality (48K/16bit). By closely working with ArcSoft's Total Media Theater, ASUS' Xonar HDAV1.3 is capable of decoding Blu-ray movies and takes full advantage of lossless digital audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio for professional, high-fidelity sounds at 24bit, 96-192Khz. The PCI Express based Xonar HDAV1.3 is designed from the ground up for next generation home theater PCs (HTPC); and is equipped with the proprietary AV200 audio processor and HDMI1.3a certified Splendid HD video processor – making it capable of delivering the highest quality 7.1 channel 192K linear pulse code modulation (LPCM) audio and high definition video through the HDMI port.

State-of-the-art Analog Audio with 120dB Signal-to Noise Ratio
The ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 also reigns in analog audio quality thanks to a HyperGrounding circuit design. With HyperGrounding, Xonar sound cards further reduce EMI noise inside modern PCs, providing clean 120 dB SNR and peerless 0.0004% low distortion – reaching the pinnacle of audio quality on most PC platforms. Unlike generic audio cards in the market that provide the highest SNR to only the front stereo outputs, the Xonar D2X is able to deliver 120 dB quality audio for all 7.1 channels.

Splendid HD Video Processor Presents True HD video for HTPCs
The Splendid HD Video Processor increases color performance and enhances edges for a more brilliant, crisper high definition image – without impacting the CPU load. Splendid HD not only recovers clarity when viewing lower-resolution content, but also reduces flicker for a more natural, brilliant viewing experience.

High Performance Components & Swappable Operational Amplifiers
At the heart of the Xonar is an ASUS AV200 codec chip, which routes and interprets high quality signals to premium audio components. These high quality materials include oversampling digital to analog converters (Burr-Frown PCM1796, 123 dB SNR), National Semiconductor LM4562 operational amplifiers (opamp), and analog-to-digital (Cirrus Logic CS5381, 120 dB SNR) converter. The Xonar HDAV1.3 is the first in the Xonar family to utilize opamp sockets to allow simple, solder-less modifications for user-customized sound.

DS3D GX2.0 for Rich Gaming Audio
The Xonar HDAV1.3 also comes with the well renowned DS3D GX 2.0, which revives EAX 5.0 and 3D gaming audio in Vista. DS3D GX 2.0 automatically enables the latest EAX and DirectSound HW after installation, with no additional driver patches, game modifications, or OpenAL required. DS3D GX2.0 also extends MMOG EAX to online chat, allowing you to place your voice into the game's environment.

HDAV 1.3 Deluxe - Premium Multi-channel Analog
In addition to the Xonar HDAV 1.3's features, the Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe packs the HDAV H6 surround channel expansion card. The HDAV H6 offers 120dB SNR*, ultra-low 0.0004% distortion, and swappable opamps on each channel.
*Tested with Audio Precision

Specifications:



Source: ASUS

[twicksisted]

well i have the Xonar D2X pci express soundcard card and it rocks
So i reckon this will be a fantastic choice for anyone

[HTC]

Originally Posted by calvary1980

Dark go to Asus Tent I want to see the new Xonar Card and Rampage board!

- Christine

Christine will be pleased ... @ least half-pleased ...

[calvary1980]

yes I am

- Christine

[will]

This looks really good! Im not seeing optical inputs/ouputs even though it says it has spdif i/o in the specs.... anyone know about this?

[suraswami]

finally what I was looking for over 6 months arrived. If only the damn PowerDVD ULTRA plays all my Blu-ray movies my wife will allow me to buy this.

[FreedomEclipse]

possibly a worthwhile upgrade from an XFi??

[OnBoard]

Funny how that doughter I/O-board has a blank PCIe 1X connection. Means you have to have 2 of those free (no GPU blocking it) and the cable still has to reach them. Xonar on bottom and dougter I/O card on top won't work. But looks nice and propably sounds great, not for me though

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by will

This looks really good! Im not seeing optical inputs/ouputs even though it says it has spdif i/o in the specs.... anyone know about this?

it might use an adaptor

[jbunch07]

wow that looks pretty good.
i think this is going to be my next sound card.

[imperialreign]

damn! That's a mighty fine card just by the specs - HDMI seems a little . . . odd, though; but otherwise, I'm looking forward to seeing reviews of this bad-ass!


@btarunr - you might want to wait on that Xonar you were planning on buying until this one hits the shelves

[WarEagleAU]

I have to admit, I really like this card. I wonder if it can create anything above EAX 3.0 though.

[jbunch07]

Originally Posted by imperialreign

damn! That's a mighty fine card just by the specs - HDMI seems a little . . . odd, though; but otherwise, I'm looking forward to seeing reviews of this bad-ass!


@btarunr - you might want to wait on that Xonar you were planning on buying until this one hits the shelves

i was actually wondering why it has HDMI?
could someone please tell me what that is for?

[imperialreign]

Originally Posted by jbunch07

i was actually wondering why it has HDMI?
could someone please tell me what that is for?

High Definition Multimedia Interface - it's an audio + video interface

Funny thing, though, for the card to support HDMI, there has to be some kind of video processor on it - which, according to spec, this card does have

Don't expect video rendering to be anywhere near on par with our graphics cards, this puppy is only meant for HD video (notice how in specs for HD video, for gaming mode it requires an "ASUS" video card?).

Similar to ATI introducing an HD audio controller on the HD3000 (and some HD2000 ??) cards that had HDMI interfaces, but the audio controllers on these video cards can't really replace the powers of dedicated sound cards


it' really an odd, "damned if you do - damned if you don't" combination

[jbunch07]

Originally Posted by imperialreign

High Definition Multimedia Interface - it's an audio + video interface

Funny thing, though, for the card to support HDMI, there has to be some kind of video processor on it - which, according to spec, this card does have

Don't expect video rendering to be anywhere near on par with our graphics cards, this puppy is only meant for HD video (notice how in specs for HD video, for gaming mode it requires an "ASUS" video card?).

Similar to ATI introducing an HD audio controller on the HD3000 (and some HD2000 ??) cards that had HDMI interfaces, but the audio controllers on these video cards can't really replace the powers of dedicated sound cards


it' really an odd, "damned if you do - damned if you don't" combination

haha i know what hdmi is i was just trying to figure out why they put it on this card.
but i guess if you have an asus video card you can use it in conjunction with this sound card but you would think you would need a special bridge or something? but maybe future asus boards will have on board hdmi that you can use with this card. or maybe its just some kinda of marketing thing. but i guess only time will tell.
still doesn't change the fact that this is a very nice card with allot of nice features.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by jbunch07

haha i know what hdmi is i was just trying to figure out why they put it on this card.
but i guess if you have an asus video card you can use it in conjunction with this sound card but you would think you would need a special bridge or something? but maybe future asus boards will have on board hdmi that you can use with this card. or maybe its just some kinda of marketing thing. but i guess only time will tell.
still doesn't change the fact that this is a very nice card with allot of nice features.

audio. link the video card to the soundcard (DVI to HDMI adaptor included for that) and then this, so your receiver/HDTV - video AND sound over the one cable.

[tkpenalty]

Wow... is all I can say. That card is BEEFY.

[DrPepper]

Man I love the looks on it Can I have a blank card with that cool design heatsink like thing on it.

[twicksisted]

Originally Posted by DrPepper

Man I love the looks on it Can I have a blank card with that cool design heatsink like thing on it.

I got one... well not that one but it looks the same (xonar D2X)... as with graphics cards, the heatsink faces down so you dont get to see it... though it does have a cool amber light that shines out the bottom of the heatsink and coloured led lights in the ports on the back that make a nice effect on the wall.

[DrPepper]

I'l get a lian li case where the mobo is upside down

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by twicksisted

I got one... well not that one but it looks the same (xonar D2X)... as with graphics cards, the heatsink faces down so you dont get to see it... though it does have a cool amber light that shines out the bottom of the heatsink and coloured led lights in the ports on the back that make a nice effect on the wall.

i'm sure some blu-tack and some duct tape will fix those lights :P

[twicksisted]

Originally Posted by Mussels

i'm sure some blu-tack and some duct tape will fix those lights :P

hahaha... yeah right...
to be honest guys... the D2X that i have is perfect... the only difference this gives you is the "opamps" which in my opinion are useless and the HDMI which i cant even use anyways on my pc...

I think they revamped (pimped ) the range to gain interest becuase not so many people jumped on these...

to be honest the "old" range is f*cking fantastic (couple of months old)... so go for it.... but what i have is perfect and i wont be changing for a long time