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Thread ID: 21440	2002-06-26 04:50:00	Sound Cards	Craig Bellhouse (493)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
57404	2002-06-26 04:50:00	I am looking to purchase a new PCI sound card. I need at least 4 channel analog outputs, but preferably 5.1 for future upgrades, and decent sound quality. I saw a deal for a creative live! 5.1 card for a reasonable price, but I am wanting to know if there are any other decent brands out there, as I do not want the software that comes with a creative card. I have a friend who has a creative audigy card and box, and had endless problems with the creative player package and some other software that was critical to her business. After a format I tried to install only the hardware using the device manager and the .inf files off the cd, but now she only has access to the basic sound functions, and none of the add-on hardware is available. The only way to get the full functionality is to install the creative package again, which will again lead to conflicts. Th lack of functionality is not an issue with her fo now, but I do not want to purchase a sound card that comes with bloatware that I cannot use the hardware without. Is there an option available?? PS. Also, if someone has a solution for my friends problem, that too would be useful... Cheers, Craig.	Craig Bellhouse (493)
57405	2002-06-26 05:39:00	Hi Craig........ I use a SB 5.1 and have only the basic driver and audio HQ control panel installed............I cant speak for the Audigy as I don't have one neither does anyone I know (maybe that sais it all). I have read that they can be problematic............ The only problems I have encountered with my 5.1 is in Ghost Recon.........where you have to adjust the settings to kill feedback when inside a room................... The spare computer here uses a Hercules Fortissimo II, which has never had any problems........prior to that it was running a Hercules Muse XL Game Surround whch never had any problems.............only problem is the Hercules cards can be hard to find................ Granted most of the software that comes with both brands is added weight..................... I always install just the basic driver packages and control centers............	TazzieNZ (463)
57406	2002-06-26 06:19:00	I have an Audigy Platinum (with the breakout box) and I've never had a problem with it. I dual boot Win 98 SE and XP Pro - both are fine. The creative mixer and the driver are all you need....I wouldn't bother with any of the other sh** that creative try to install by default...thats where any problems may start. Creative Playcentre is fairly good but I already have other programs that do the job faster and better. HTH :)	Jar Jar Binks (633)
57407	2002-06-26 09:47:00	How much are you willing to spend. THe Philips Aucustic Edge and the Hercules Game Theatre XP are good.	-=JM=- (16)
57408	2002-06-26 09:54:00	Cheers for you replys everyone. JM, where can I find these cards, as I have not seen either of them, and how much are they?? I have not yet worked out how much I want to spend, but hopefully less that $200, as I think my speakers will be more of a bottleneck on the sound quality... I am after something better than my AC'97 card tho!!! :D	Craig Bellhouse (493)
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