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.

Discrete sound cards aren't the essential PC component they used to be about a decade ago. Several forces such as Microsoft, Intel and upcoming semiconductor companies in Taiwan such as Realtek had then envisioned a day when the required processing power for audio would be completely at the disposal of the CPU, and that audio processing would have a very insignificant impact on CPU performance. Intel made the standards (such as AC'97, Azalia HD), Microsoft made the common software driver model, while semiconductor companies sold CODEC chips to motherboard manufacturers like pieces of toffee.

Today's discrete audio finds its way to an audiophiles, HTPC users willing to splurge, and enthusiasts. So features are all that matter. Creative recently released the X-Fi Titanium series of sound cards that offer native PCI-Express support while running a tweaked CA-20K series audio processor. They've done quite a bit, in propagating the "Xtreme Fidelity" technology beyond their own sound cards. Currently Auzentech, MSI and ASUS hold agreements with Creative to launch PC audio products, while Creative itself makes headphones with the X-Fi DSP, iPod docks and external sound cards. They could well be heading towards another sound card release, and as early as this Wednesday. Indications are, that this could well be an external sound device. Creative has already released two external cards based on the X-Fi technology, though not much is known about this device.

Creative, a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, announces the Creative GigaWorks T3 speaker system. Designed to deliver the ultimate music listening experience, the Creative GigaWorks T3 combines innovative design, the best audio components and state-of-the-art technologies to elevate users' audio listening experience to an entirely new level of excellence.

Creative on Friday announced the introduction of Sound Blaster X-Fi Go!, a USB 2.0 flash device with 1GB of built-in memory that also serves the role of a fully functional sound blaster. Sporting a sleek and distinctive black finish, the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Go! is incredibly lightweight (less than 20g) and compact. It is compatible with USB 2.0 computer devices and features many of the sound enhancements found in other X-Fi sound cards, like X-Fi Crystalizer that restores details lost during compression of MP3 music or movie files and X-Fi CMSS-3D that expands the stereo signal into virtual surround over 5.1 speakers or headphones. The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Go! also supports Creative EAX Advanced HD 4.0 which provides a better and more realistic gaming experience for users. The 1GB onboard memory is there to store the essential software for instant simple installation on any notebook or desktop PC without the need of a CD, you just plug in the X-Fi Go! and enjoy it. The included software has drivers for both Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista as well as some bonus software that includes Creative Karaoke Player, Creative Mediasource 5/Organizer and Creative WaveStudio. The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Go! will be available in Singapore at the end of August 2008 at a suggested retail price of $79.00.

A long time has passed since Creative last released any new Vista drivers for its X-Fi audio cards. Usually new drivers are being published every single day, and they don't concern us much, but in Creative's case a new driver release can be considered a break-through. It goes even worse, because when we talk about new Creative drivers for Windows Vista we expect something new to be added, but in reward we receive only features that are supposed to work by default with this concrete product. A perfect example for my words is the brand new Windows Vista 2.18.0004 driver for Creative X-Fi cards released today. It is now here to re-establish the hardware Dolby Digital, DTS decode and DVD-Audio playback functions, that were available in Windows XP for more than two years. If you own a Creative X-Fi card just like me and you use it under Windows Vista 32/64-bit, please follow this link to download Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi series Driver 2.18.0004.

Driver modder Daniel Kawakami or better known as Creative's Daniel_K is backing off his deal with providing modded software for all Creative sound cards for free. After receiving second warning mail from Creative threatening him with legal actions, he is finally "gone for good". He has posted a message over at the Creative forums informing everyone for his decission. Leave your thoughts here, and tell us what do you think.

Daniel KawakamiI've received another cease and desist e-mail.

I'm done with Creative, enough is enough.

Don't even bother asking me for the files.

Creative, a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announces the PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series and PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series sound cards, unleashing the full power of Creative X-Fi hardware audio processing for PCI Express-based PCs.

Creative has received much criticism for charging owners of Audigy sound cards for its ALchemy software, which offers improved audio support for certain games under Windows Vista. However, a modder by the name of Daniel Kawakami has managed to build hybrid drivers using a combination of XP and Vista files as well bypassing certain driver checks to enable several features including:

• Dolby/DTS decoding
• CMSS, CMSS2 and Stereo Surround (originally only CMSS was available, but this setting also affects ALchemy/OpenAL and Kawakami notes that it's thus particularly useful)
• Advanced EQ and Special FX presets
• DVD Audio
• Hardware MIDI synthesizer (Kawakami says he wrote a small utility that automatically detects and changes the default Vista MIDI Synth during driver install or can change it later using its GUI. Some media players let you choose the MIDI synthesizer)
• Equalizer
• WaveRT

You can read some more complete details of his work at Custom PC and download the files from here. The modded driver was originally uploaded to Creative's forums, although the company responded in a somewhat heavy handed manner, as you can see in this thread.

PC sound card maker Creative Labs said in a e-mail message today that rival hardware manufacturer ASUS is misleading its customers by claiming that new drivers for ASUS sound cards support EAX 3,4 and 5, a set of environmental enhancements for sound in games. Responding to an announcement by ASUS that newly released drivers for its Xonar line of sound cards support EAX, Creative communications VP Phil O'Shaughnessy said that the drivers effectively trick games into outputting EAX-capable sound, but they don't actually fully support it. "There are a small number of PC game titles that specifically query the audio device on the system to see if EAX 5 is available before they will attempt to render more than 64 3D simultaneous audio voices," O'Shaughnessy said. "The new ASUS drivers are falsely reporting EAX 5 capabilities in order to get these games to output 3D audio on ASUS sound cards. ASUS customers are not getting a genuine EAX Advanced HD experience with this driver update. Furthermore, the several hundred games that support EAX 3 or EAX 4 for delivering in-game effects will not provide those effects from ASUS sound cards." he added. ASUS representatives are still awaited to comment on the story.

Recommended for all Creative X-Fi owners who use Windows Vista OS, a new ALchemy driver has been released on Christmas Eve. This download is an application for Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi series of audio devices that restores 3D audio and EAX effects for certain DirectSound3D games in Windows Vista. Without this, most DirectSound3D games will be reduced to stereo output without any EAX effects.

DOWNLOAD

Creative has released some new X-Fi drivers for Windows Vista 32/64-bit. This download supports the following audio devices only: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic, X-Fi XtremeGamer, X-Fi Platinum, X-Fi Fatal1ty, X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro, X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion Series and X-Fi Elite Pro. Do not install this driver for Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio. The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi series Vista Driver 2.15.0004 fixes:

• Resolves an issue for Windows Vista 64-bit systems with 4GB RAM
• Resolves loud speaker noise when restarting your computer
• Resolves an issue that causes OpenAL games not to respond

DOWNLOAD

Creative has introduced three new 2.0 systems to its line-up. The leader of the pack is the GigaWorks HD50 which, besides featuring BasXPort technology, boasts titanium super tweeters for smooth playback. Standing at only 14.1cm, Creative GigaWorks HD50 claims to offer both power and incredible sound like no other 2.0 system. Next in the line is the already known GigaWorks T40, which features glass fibre cone drivers and a cloth design that provides better resistance to humidity and temperature changes. Last but not least, is the Inspire T10 for perfectly balanced audio performance. All three systems are set to be soon available in Singapore and on Creative's online store. The GigaWorks HD50 and GigaWorks T40 systems are priced at $149.99 while the Inspire T10 will cost $49.99.

Creative Technology today announced the PCI Express (PCIe) Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio card that is designed to make music and movies sound way better. It features the award-winning X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio technologies which enhance audio playback and deliver virtual surround sound effects. The Creative PCIe Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio will be available in late November at a suggested retail price of US$69.99.

Creative unveiled today details for its latest player, the Creative ZEN. Here are some of the main ZEN features:

• Capacity: 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB
• 2.5" display with 16.7 million colors (320 x 240)
• SD Expansion Slot (possible support for SDHC)
• Audio: MP3, WMA (and WMA-DRM), AAC (supports iTunes Plus tracks) and Audible
• Video: WMV, Divx, Xvid, MJPEG, and TIVO to Go
• FM tuner and Voice Recorder
• Battery Life: 25 hours of Audio, 5 hours for Video
• Dimensions: 55 x 83 x 11.3mm (65g)
• Pricing: $149, $199, $299 respectively

The ZEN will officially debut at IFA starting August 31st, and should be released sometime in September. You can pre-order them right now from Amazon.com. Special thanks to our reader DanielF50 for this news story.

Creative released a new Beta Driver for all SoundBlaster Audigy and X-Fi series cards addressing an OpenAL problem which occurs in various systems. This beta is only recommended for those who are experiencing problems with their current audio drivers. Creative doesn't specify for what OS this driver is and so it may be a universal one.

Beta Driver

It seems that Creative Labs is now selling ALchemy Audigy Edition for $9.99 (USD). As you may know the ALchemy project enables DirectSound3D audio to be processed by your Sound Blaster Audigy and deliver EAX effects in Microsoft Windows Vista. Without Creative ALchemy, most DirectSound games running in Vista will be reduced to stereo output without any EAX effects. This project is available freely for Creative X-Fi owners. For unknown reasons Creative Labs has decided to sell this wrapper to Audigy owners. Here's the link where you have to buy the software in order to use EAX effects in Vista with your "old" Creative Audigy Series/Audigy 2/Audigy 2 ZS/Audigy 2 ZS notebook or Audigy 4 sound blaster.

Creative has finally released full Vista-compatible drivers for some of its low-end sound cards. The new 1.04.0076 drivers are available for both 32-bit (63.39 MB) and 64-bit (63.39 MB) versions of Windows Vista, with support for Audigy Value, Audigy SE, Audigy LS, and Live! 24-bit sound cards. The new 1.04.0076 driver pack includes Creative's audio console, device control, EAX console and speaker settings control panels. Users can also adjust speaker configurations, audio output quality, S/PDIF sampling rate, sound effects, and Creative multi-speaker surround settings.

The new Creative ZEN Stone Plus is a featherweight 2GB MP3 player with a rich selection of features, including FM radio, a clock and stopwatch, voice recording. Like the Creative ZEN Stone, the Creative ZEN Stone Plus comes in six high-gloss colours: black, white, red, blue, pink and green, and features a smooth contoured design. The player comes with a built-in battery which provides power for up to 9.5 hours of music playback from a single charge. You can also use the Creative TravelSound ZEN Stone portable speaker system with your new ZEN Stone Plus if you are on the go. The Creative ZEN Stone Plus MP3 player is available in Singapore at a suggested retail price of USD $99.00. The black, white and pink players will be available from 22 June 2007 onwards. The red, blue and green players will be made available soon.

Creative has released new drivers that provide Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit and Windows Vista 32-bit support for Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic/XtremeGamer, X-Fi Platinum, X-Fi Fatal1ty and X-Fi Elite Pro series of audio devices. Click here for the full list of fixed issues.

Download: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi series Vista Driver 2.15.0002 (51.09 MB)

SINGAPORE - May 3, 2007 - Creative (NASDAQ: CREAF), a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today introduced the Creative ZEN Stone, the tiny, featherweight 1GB MP3 player priced at only S$69.00, available by May 4.The Creative ZEN Stone features a smooth contoured design, so it feels naturally comfortable in your hand. It is so light that at first, you might not believe it is an MP3 player. The Creative ZEN Stone allows you to rock in color; pick your favorites from black, white, red, blue, pink and green, to fit any mood or fashion.

Creative Technology Ltd., today introduced the Creative Live! Cam Optia AF webcam, the world's first webcam to offer auto focus technology and a true 2.0 megapixel CMOS sensor. Finished in glossy black, with a new multi-element Precision Lens, Creative Live! Cam Optia AF raises the bar and sets a new industry benchmark for webcam video quality.

Auzentech Inc., developer of the world's first Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect PCI sound card, announced two days ago a new sound card series based on the Creative X-FI chipset. The Auzen X-FI Prelude 7.1 is scheduled for release near the end of May 2007. It will fully support EAX 5.0 and have the same expandability as the Auzen X-Meridian 7.1. Support for Dolby Digital Live real time encoding for Vista is scheduled for Q4 of this year. The Auzen X-Fi Prelude marks the first time Creative has permitted a third-party soundcard vendor to use the Creative X-FI chipset in its own soundcard design. "We're excited to provide Auzentech with our award-winning X-Fi audio chipset and technology to provide an outstanding audio experience for Auzentech's customers," said Steve Erickson, VP of audio for Creative. I'd like to thank our forum members for this story.

SINGAPORE - April 11, 2007 - Creative (NASDAQ: CREAF), a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announced a new lineup of state-of-the-art docking speakers for iPod players with the Creative X-Fi Sound System i600, Creative PlayDock i500 and Creative TravelSound i docking speakers. Combining elegant designs with exhilarating acoustic performance, these audio solutions allow users to get seriously creative about entertainment and unleash the fullest potential of their iPod players.

Incorporating the critically-acclaimed X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity technology that restores all the vitality, definition and bass of MP3 music to the X-Fi standard, the Creative X-Fi Sound System i600 features a powerful 2.1 docking speaker system and uncompromising X-Fi audio quality that is sure to impress any music enthusiasts. The multi-purpose Creative PlayDock i500 and Creative TravelSound i docking speakers will instantly transform iPod players into vibrant entertainment hubs in homes or outdoor environments.

Stylish and Versatile Home Studio Monitoring Headphones For Pure Music Enjoyment

SINGAPORE - 4 April, 2007 -- Creative Technology Ltd. (NASDAQ: CREAF), a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announced the Creative Aurvana DJ Headphones. Sophistically designed with brushed metal and diamond-cut finishing, these powerful headphones offer precise audio reproduction for discerning music listeners, DJ mixes and home studio monitoring use. Built for ultra-comfort using high-grade acoustic components, the Creative Aurvana DJ Headphones are ideal companion products for any MP3 or portable media players with a regular headphone jack. It also perfectly complements Creative's latest range of X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio systems, offering a truly remarkable listening experience.

Creative Technology, presented today the latest addition to its Fatal1ty gaming series - the Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Headset. This gaming headset has two large 40mm Neodymium drivers (frequency response: 20Hz~20kHz - 110dB/mW) with plush velvet padding, a flexible and detachable noise-cancelling microphone and in-line volume control, to control the sound level or mute the microphone. The Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Headset uses high-purity Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) wires and gold-plated plugs for maximum conductivity. Creative recommends using the Fatal1ty headset with the X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series sound card which allows users to enjoy superior audio performance and the most realistic, intense sound effects in all their games. The Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Headset is now available in retail stores in Singapore at a suggested retail price of $79.00. For more information, please visit www.creative.com.