Integrated Audigy option

I just received a Dell Inspiron E1505 as a replacement to the Inspiron 6000 that was destroyed. Long story, thank you CompleteCare Warranty.

All that said, I'm happy w/ the E1505 except for one thing. The laptop has the Sigmatel 9200 sound card. I cannot use this laptop for any audio recording. Can I use a different driver to fix this problem?

 

rezonat0r, I didn't see anything in that link to suggest that the ASIO drivers were (or could be) hardware-accelerated - the Audigy's built-in reverb, however, was hardware-accelerated.

theonlyone23, what do you mean you can't use it for any audio recording? Is it just really bad quality, or are you not getting any signal from the Microphone input? Your best bet for high(er) quality audio recording (or output for that matter) would be to get a USB audio interface (they can be pretty inexpensive - $30.00 I guess?) - or you could wait til an Expresscard audio interface comes out!

 

For me, the bottom line is no native ASIO drivers = NOT AN AUDIGY. IOW, Dell is lying. ASIO is hardware accelerated just as much as DirectX is. The difference is in how applications interface with the driver, not how the driver interfaces with the hardware.

 

w/ my inspiron 6000, i could record from a signal w/out a mic...what kind of usb interface are you refering to ?

 

So anyone learn more about all of this? Also what EAX setting do you use that sounds best? Or do you just leave it disabled? Anyone use the bass boost and is it worth it?

 

I just want to be able to switch all sound schemes off, along with the beeps that then play after the sound schemes are switched off.

 

Bump, anyone using the EAX features to set a sound profile mode? If so which did you notice to be best?

 

I have an important question. I am moving from a desktop to a laptop. I just purchased the Dell XPS M1710. I did NOT get the sound upgrade because it seemed to be a softwares solution but mainly because it seemed to have no audio outs which would allow me to use my Klipsh speakers (the 5.1 version).

I figured that I could only squeeze a limited amount of sound quality from the on-board laptop speakers and thus upgrading to the EAX software wouldn't make much of a difference on crapy laptop speakers.

Was my assumption wrong? Can I use my Klipsh 5.1 THX speakers with the laptop. I figured I couldn't because the laptop, even with the sound upgrade, wouldn't have the required sound jacks.

Also, is there an option that would allow me to use nice 5.1 or 7.1 speakers with my laptop. I know there is a pcmcia slot sound card but the new XPS laptops do NOT support this.

Thanks...

 

No the option wont work.

Buy the PCMCIA Audigy 2 laptop card and that should give you the 5.1 you desire.

 

He already stated he can't use PCMCIA so why recommend it? Your best choice is to go with an USB sound card.

 

While I can't comment on it's preformance compared to the normal speakers, I can tell you that you install quite a bit of Creative audio related software, including a media player and a "wave studio". I would also like to have dome concrete answers wrt this "upgrade".

Is there any way to return the software CD since it is turning out to be a rip off on Dell's part. I'm thinking no since the laptop is already here.

 

Prime - Call up Dell Customer Care or your sales rep and complain. Not sure if this will help though.

Today, I spoke with 4 different XPS reps (trying to get the best possible price for my M1710 - another post soon on this). I asked each rep to explain the Audigy upgrade for the M1710. Each one initially stated that it is an Audigy Chip.

After relaying the info reported by owners of this 'upgrade', I asked them to confirm with technical staff. Each one placed me on hold for several minutes. They each stated again that the technical staff assured them it was in fact an Audigy chipset.

I then asked each of them if it turned out to be a software overlay for the Sigmatel chip what my recourse would be.

One rep laughed and really wouldnt say anything - she tried to move on to another aspect of my configuration. The other reps all stated that if it turned out to be a driver upgrade that Customer Support would resolve the situation to my satisfaction.

Well, I guess the bottom line here is - the XPS 'trained' sales staff arent well versed in the XPS lappies. LOL

 

I installed the Audigy Advanced MB software on my M1710 (purchased without it originally). My M1710 also has the Sigmatel chipset, and the Audigy software installed fine.

The only disappointing thing is that the subwoofer in the M1710 is not independently configurable in the Audigy software. There are settings for subwoofer control, but they are greyed out. Bummer.

 

THAT is BS.. I made a post on dell forums about that... how they mislead us.. but when a SALES REP over the phone swears your getting a REAL Audigy chip.. then something is wrong. Could really get after dell for false advertising.. call the BBB. =p Dell would be sure to call you back. Just be sure you get names who swore up and down what your getting.

As for subwoofer.. yea, whats the deal with that being greyed out??

Also anyone use the bass boost? Does it work for us?

 

where did you find the software?

 

Just got done with a chat w/dell about this $25 'upgrade.' Here's what this dude had to say about it:

I also shot them an email asking for a $25 refund. We'll see how that goes...

 

Just got a response saying how sorry they are and a refund is on the way!

 

Ohh... what did you write to get the 25$ refund, share share share. ^^

 

Here's the whole email I sent:



I paid $25 extra for a sound blaster audigy sound upgrade. As it turns
out, this is just a software package. If this was listed as such during
the order process I would not have picked it. Please refund my $25
since the audio processor is in fact NOT upgraded.

 

Who do you email that to?

 

Got me. I went through the 'contact us' link on Dell's site.

 

OK, so we are talking about $25 to make one's computer sound like it's in a bathroom...nice.

 

To get it afterwards from Creatvie is only $19, and yea the EAX wont give u major performance upgrade, its still a fun novelty item and lets you brag that ur laptop has the integrated audigy sound lol

 

Well.. its more like this.

The software gives you better control over your speakers, sound output or input, better tools to use etc, Plus it can use the advanced features of the sigmatel chip.

So basically its better for managing sound which people dont do on a normal setup. Its not that bad..

 

I installed and then uninstalled this piece of junk software. I can imagine (but not prove) that it is slowing my fps in games like Oblivion.

 

Possible, but not probably. Software emulated EAX requires some CPU power, but with a Core Duo/Core 2 Duo, in most games the 2nd core idles around. Also, most games are GPU limited and not CPU limited.

Connect your notebook to a 5.1/7.1 system and you'll love EAX. It's not all about performance...

But it's not in doubt, that an external (e.g. Audigy 2 NX/Audigy 2 ZS) is better that the software audigy stuff.