Integrated SB audigy HD software edition?

I got an inspiron 1520 with the integrated SB audigy but I can't seem to enable EAX2 on warcraft 3. Also I couldn't find any updates for it online... can anyone help me?

 

I suspect the drivers are hard to find since they would work on any of the laptops. The driver is just a DSP software layer that (should) enable things like EAX.

 

Yep it is just a software addon for the soundcard to improve the quality..... I doubt it will be available in the game settings....

 

So, do you guys think the Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition worth the extra $25?

 

It actually depends on how good the effect is due to the addition of this software.... But if you ask me $25 aint worth it.... You can better get an express card sound card instead (but I do not know how much it costs though )

 

Well part of the reason people spend the $25 is to get the EAX support, so it should be availible in the game settings

 

does anyone have a alternative recommendation as far as notebook sound cards go? i opted for the software as well but i'm thinking i might just getting something from creative.

 

guys, i advise u to check this out

http://support.us.dell.com/support/...eid=R116061&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=153776

http://support.us.dell.com/support/...eid=R154230&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=206071

 

I love how Dell lists the file format for those updates as "Hard Drive"

Great! "Hard Drive" file format. Thats helpful! I was going to install it on my screen.

 

thanks, you just saved me $25!! REP++

 

well, i advise you to download and check out the software before making any decisions

 

rofl its that simple to get it from dell and yet they charge you 25 dollars for it?

 

Well, what you dont know wont hurt you... Ofcourse, now you know and it might hurt Dell. (Hope, it actually doesnt )

 

Until a few people try it and confirms it works, probably a good idea to spend that $25 if it is important to you...

I will take one for the team and try this when I get home tonight

 

Wait, wait.. So the "Software Edition" is basically the same sound card, but with the software at the link? For $25 extra?

 

YES! THATS RIGHT

 

Dell is charing $25 for some control panels and some extra (software) DSPs that enable EAX.

 

LOL. I almost bought this "upgrade" when I ordered my 1520 a couple of days ago. Thank god for intuition

+rep

 

I know it says Windows XP driver and it's made for USA Laptops but does it work for Vista 32bit and Canadian Laptops?

 

one is for windows xp , the other is the upgrade for vista

 

well you can't really test it to see if it works..i mean how? i installed in on my 2 year old dell desktop and I don't notice anything different... LOL

 

Is it just the driver or driver and software? Driver is useless without the software.

 

you won't, isntalling that driver does nothing

actual installer is much bigger file "MBsetup.exe", and it has to be activated.

 

the setup requires a license key to install. i tried the vista file on a vostro 1400.

 

Does it stop the noise when using headphone?

 

No, the noise would be a hardware problem

 

Hmm, how it comes RMclock can fix it then?

 

The noise is the result of interference/electrical noise coming through the jack from (apparently) the CPU. RMclock is a CPU clock and bus speed and state modification app, so its altering the behavior of the CPU. 0% chance Dell releases a generic Creative Labs DSP audio driver that takes over and modifies low level control of the CPU.

 

I see, thank you.

 

Actually among those two drivers one seems to be a XP driver which means it wont (or cant) work with Vista.... And the second driver is for those who have upgraded from Xp to Vista right ?

 

The question now is.. "is it even worth installing it"?

 

Anyone try it out yet?

 

It does not work without a license key to unlock it. I noted this earlier in the thread.

 

I have this software - bought it with my 1400 - and before any of you call me a sucka, I knew what I was getting and what I was getting into. It was only $23. Honestly, some of the effects make a world of difference when listening to MP3s, DVDs, CDs, etc. There are 3-D effects and spatializers (sp?), equalizers, etc. I have yet to try it on any games, though. It does not interfere with any other programs or settings; it simply enhances your current audio capabilities.

Of the two headphone jacks in my Vostro, the one on the left gets more interference than the one on the right (middle). The Audigy software does not remove the interference (or the hiss, pop and cracks if you have that problem as well). Still, I'm glad I bought the software. It will hold me over until Creative comes out with an X-Fi USB card.

 

like ocellaris you need a license key to activate it online first during the installtion, Dell decided to ship me a copy for no reason, worth a try.

 

I bought it from Creative, and here's what I think.

I had a desktop with an Audigy 2 ZS before this notebook, and of course the sound that comes out of this in my sennheisers was nearly perfect. This program gives you a 10-band equalizer and the Speaker Settings program, which includes bass boost (which works extremely well). With two equalizers enabled, (Creative's 10-band and Winamp's, or ffdshow for examples), the sound will be much better. One thing I noticed though is that the trebble and bass controllers, which were there on the Audigy 2 ZS's program, are greyed out on this program, so it's still a little flat. You literally need to set the high frequencies all the way up on the equalizer for them to be clear and crip. Also, the mid-range are a little muddier than a real Creative card, but you can get used to it real quick (or tweak with the equalizers)

Overall though, if you have quality headphones, like when your music sounds crisper than integrated audio and can't find a X-Fi Notebook edition (darn thing is discontinued it seems, can't find it anywhere in Canada), you should probably get it. The integrated sound without Creative's software doesn't have any controls, no equalizer, bass boost or tone control.

 

Joklem, you just made my day. I figured that it was some kind of software enhancement for the sound, but that's exactly what I'm looking for. I didn't want to spend the extra money (+$75) for the X-Fi since it's only going to be a laptop, but I wanted my sound to be better than the basic integrated. But your description pretty much told me everything I wanted to hear.

Hey, $25 is a little pricey, but at least it makes things easier considering I'd spend that money on a headphone upgrade easily.

 

If I had the opportunity to get an expresscard X-fi, I would. Those thing just sound so amazing, anyone I've recommended that bought a Audigy 2/4/X-Fi told me I was right. But it's a thing you need to hear to believe.

You don't need $100 headphones either. Sennheiser make quality headphones in the 30-50 range that when equalized, sound better than any Sony or Panasonic crap in the $100 price range.

Edit: If you do go for the software version, make sure you disable cpu dynamic switching while listening to music, because it'll make the sound pop.

 

Damnit.. Is there any way I can buy this software later on? Because I didn't order it and I'm scared to change my order at this point.

 

Yeah, but I'll still have my desktop which will probably be my main source for music... and personally I'm probably going for a set of Denon AH-D1000 later on when I get more money. But with headphones I can change between stations, while an express card only really works with my laptop.

EDIT: you can order the expresscard x-fi on dell's website... for $65. That's $10 than getting it through the laptop!