View Full Version : recommend me a no frills soundcard
hello people,
i`m about to put my new pc together for hcpc, and will also be using it for games and recording audio.
i`m using a sb 5.1live for games (into 6 channel in on my amp) and am looking for a no frills soundcard with dig in/out and analogue in/out (stereo) to use for DD out and recording stuff.(including audio for virtual dub type stuff)
any ideas?
would an audigy do this on its own, without having to swap settings/leads going from dvd playback to gaming?
cheers for any info
rob
Garrett
02-08-2002, 9:51 AM
If you do decide on the Audigy card, Scan regularly have them on the Today Only page for about £50.
cheers, Garrett - i`ve just looked at the audigy specs and i`d have to go for the "spesh" ones to get digital in...(the ones with the breakout boxes)
i`m gonna keep looking
rob
Messiah
05-08-2002, 12:14 PM
What about the Hercules Fortissimo II? £50 from PC World or cheaper online (I guess).
Has the following connectors
External
Analog DIN with lead for : mic in, headphones, front spkrs, rear spkrs
Line In
MIDI/Game port (MPU401 compatible)
Digital S/PDIF in (optical) - 32, 44.1, 48 kHz
Digital S/PDIF out (optical) - set to 48 kHz
Internal
CD in and Aux in.
That sounds pretty bang on! - cheers messiah I`ll have a search around for that one....
rob
Garrett
05-08-2002, 8:09 PM
Rob try http://www.computerprices.co.uk/
you could also look at http://www.microdirect.co.uk and http://www.aria.co.uk but I do not think they do the above card.
Cheers Garrett - I had a look but they didn`t stock said card. I`ll keep on looking and find one (even if it means going to pc world:blush: )
Thanks for the input chaps!
Rob
Garrett
05-08-2002, 9:45 PM
Its funny I was looking at sound cards not long back, and they were on sale every where, but most of the same places I have been do not have them now.
Found one at http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/browseproducts.php?basket_session=3e26de13c88a92f6 d954f010e3419929&categoryid=22 if this of any help, they are running low on stock.
Messiah
05-08-2002, 9:59 PM
If you don't already have a full copy of PowerDVD then the PC World version is £15 more (£49.99) but includes a full version of PowerDVD XP (Pro 4). Not a bad deal actually.
i tried the oc store, garrett - looks like theyre out of stock now (wasn`t listed)
messiah - i`ve already got power dvd, so i dont really need it, but cheers for info all the same....:)
i`m gonna have a lookabout now.......
cheers
rob
Garrett
06-08-2002, 9:41 PM
As I said last night they where flaging Low Stock.
Something funny going on as I said above, there was loads of the Hercules Fortissimo II not so long since, and I have just been looking at a Hercules graphic card and all of them seem to nearly dried up.
Looks like PC World if they still have them in.
rob_w
06-08-2002, 10:16 PM
it seems funny, you know - in this day and age of digital everything hardly any soundcards have a digital in! (unless you want to buy the expensive add on front panel type stuff)!
ok - a bit of a spanner for you guys!
the m/board i`ve bought for me hcpc is the gigabyte ga-7dxr+
this has onboard sound, so i can use it for analogue in/out, while using sb live 5.1 for games.
how about this for dig in/out?
http://www.abit.com.tw/abitweb/webjsp/english/pt_main_back.jsp?pPRODUCT_TYPE=Audio+Device&pMODEL_NAME=UA-11
its 45 quid from dabs..... what do you reckon?
cheers
rob
Garrett
08-08-2002, 11:26 AM
robwells
There is a round up in Septembers ‘Personal Computer World’ over six pages on sound cards that may help you.
Garrett
10-08-2002, 1:30 PM
Rob, Scan have SoundBlaster Audigy Player (OEM) for £48 plus p&p this weekend. I do not if it meets your requirements, but I thought I would just let you know.
http://www.scan.co.uk/todayonly/
rob_w
11-08-2002, 12:07 AM
Thanx again for the info, Garrett
I've been waaaay too busy today to even think about my pc (serviced two cars, visiting family etc)
I'm pretty sure the audigy oem wont do all I want it to unless I get the "breakout box" to go with it.
What did you reckon of the abit dig in/out usb thingy?
If this works ok then I reckon I can get this thing rolling! - I've got a box under my pc table with hard drive/mb/processor/silent fans/silent power supply/radeon 7500 just waiting to be put together.
I'll have a look for reviews of the abit thing tomorrow if I get the chance.
Cheers
Rob