Sound card

On Sun, 17 Jun 2007 22:47:29 -0800, Steve <hde@wbn.inv> wrote:

>Looking at E520 options for sound -
>
>Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
>
>or
>
>Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
>
>Is there a significant difference for the additional $25?

I think so. I like the utilities that come with the Sound Blaster
Audigy edition.

Among them are a good media player in which you can play more easily
by file structure rather than ID3 tags, an equalizer, sound effects,
and a few other fun and useful things. At times I like to use iTunes
and ID3-organized music. At other times I like to play from the file
structure.

What is confusing to me is how to hook Integrated 7.1 audio (my XPS
410 has that) up to 2.1 or 5.1. Right now I have my XPS 410's 7.1
hooked up to 2.1 (really good Logitech THX certified speakers) through
the black output on the back of the computer.

A few things people may not be aware of unrelated to your post but
related to sound:

- Creative offers an external USB "sound card" which I have found to
be pretty good. I occasionally use it with my laptop.

- There is a cheap adapter available on Amazon that channels a line
out into 5.1 speakers (it goes from the one output connector to the 3
outputs that go to a 5.1 speaker system).

- Logitech has a good wireless streaming device from USB out to a
remote output to speakers. Very handy and not that expensive.

Looking at E520 options for sound -

Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

or

Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition

Is there a significant difference for the additional $25?


--

Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it.

....Doug Larson

"Steve" <hde@wbn.inv> wrote in message
newsgac731k1vku79kfh50eko0d4at1giu26r@4ax.com...
> Looking at E520 options for sound -
>
> Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
>
> or
>
> Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
>
> Is there a significant difference for the additional $25?

depends what you want
if you don't know, you prob don't need the extra sound card (you get the
onboard and the sound blaster)

I have a soundcard question somewhat related. I have a Dell 8400 with
an Audigy2 sound card. If I get an E520 system with integrated audio
can I switch the Audigy2 to the E520 and then the 8400 to integrated
audio?

"Tracy" <muppettracy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1182178371.170750.120930@n2g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
>I have a soundcard question somewhat related. I have a Dell 8400 with
> an Audigy2 sound card. If I get an E520 system with integrated audio
> can I switch the Audigy2 to the E520 and then the 8400 to integrated
> audio?
>

you should be able to use both
(you just select which sound card you want to use in control panel)

but don't take my word for it, i don't know the particuler system

On Jun 18, 10:13 am, "Geoff" <foooooo...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "Tracy" <muppettr...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1182178371.170750.120930@n2g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
>
> >I have a soundcard question somewhat related. I have a Dell 8400 with
> > an Audigy2 sound card. If I get an E520 system with integrated audio
> > can I switch the Audigy2 to the E520 and then the 8400 to integrated
> > audio?
>
> you should be able to use both
> (you just select which sound card you want to use in control panel)
>
> but don't take my word for it, i don't know the particuler system

Thanks Geoff. Hopefully someone else can confirm if this is doable.
I'm fairly certain the Audigy2 could be moved from the 8400 to the
E520. I just don't know how to get the integrated audio working on the
8400 once the Audigy2 is removed from the machine.

On Mon, 18 Jun 2007 10:56:21 -0700, Tracy <muppettracy@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>On Jun 18, 10:13 am, "Geoff" <foooooo...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> "Tracy" <muppettr...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1182178371.170750.120930@n2g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
>>
>> >I have a soundcard question somewhat related. I have a Dell 8400 with
>> > an Audigy2 sound card. If I get an E520 system with integrated audio
>> > can I switch the Audigy2 to the E520 and then the 8400 to integrated
>> > audio?
>>
>> you should be able to use both
>> (you just select which sound card you want to use in control panel)
>>
>> but don't take my word for it, i don't know the particuler system
>
>Thanks Geoff. Hopefully someone else can confirm if this is doable.
>I'm fairly certain the Audigy2 could be moved from the 8400 to the
>E520. I just don't know how to get the integrated audio working on the
>8400 once the Audigy2 is removed from the machine.


I agree with Geoff. Inotherwords, it has to do with removing the
sound card and going into the control panel and checking the sound
icon to see what the pc is going to use for its sound hardware. I'm
not sure if your OS (in your new pc) will have the drivers or not for
your sound card so you might have to install the drivers if not.

Last, don't worry. We can basically talk you thru this one because
I'm confident what you want to do is not a problem as long as you know
a) where your sound card drivers are (just in case your OS doesn't
have them)
b) which card is your sound card
c) know how to remove and install the sound card correctly

Last excuse me, I'm not trying to insult you; just not sure how
comfortable you are doing this stuff in your pc.

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll let you know how it goes.

I am basing this switchover on the fact that I'm assuming the Audigy2
card in my 8400 is better than the sound quality I'd get from the
integrated audio on my new E520. Would this assumption be correct?

"Tracy" <muppettracy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1182263266.766626.315530@o61g2000hsh.googlegr oups.com...
> Thanks for the help everyone. I'll let you know how it goes.
>
> I am basing this switchover on the fact that I'm assuming the Audigy2
> card in my 8400 is better than the sound quality I'd get from the
> integrated audio on my new E520. Would this assumption be correct?
>

imo
not really
creative sell enthusiast sound cards
last creative i bought was sound blaster live years ago, i'v used onboard
sound since then

> > I am basing this switchover on the fact that I'm assuming the Audigy2
> > card in my 8400 is better than the sound quality I'd get from the
> > integrated audio on my new E520. Would this assumption be correct?
>
> imo
> not really
> creative sell enthusiast sound cards
> last creative i bought was sound blaster live years ago, i'v used onboard
> sound since then

Interesting, I just figured the Audigy2 would be better than the
integrated audio on my new E520. I do a lot of recording via the line-
in jack and need high-quality stereo playback. I've read that
sometimes integrated audio can pick up additional noise via the
motherboard when recording. I found the specs on the integrated video
on Dell's site (it uses an Nvidia chip), but what exactly is used for
the integrated audio?

I'd be interested in hearing others opinions on these issues
concerning which is the best way to go in my situation. If I move the
Audigy2 I'd still want to use integrated sound on the 8400 so I don't
know if I'll need to move the "intergrated" hardware over from the
E520 to the 8400 or what I would need to do. My 8400 came with the
Audigy2 preinstalled and I don't see any additional audio jacks on the
back of the machine.