[saxphile]

HarmonyExpress

Looks like it's targeting at general consumers, so it might not stir too much interest here. Still, does anyone know what kind of technology is behind this "virtual 5.1"?

 

[mikechai]

Get a real 5.1 card.

 

[lini]

I'm a tad sceptic - if you thoroughly check their wording, they always talk about "support" for virtual 5.1 output. That might mean anything from (a) "yes, our card will output virtual 5.1 sound, if provided by additional software - like some software-dvd-players..." (but that goes for any other common stereo soundcard as well!) over (b) "yes, we include additional software that provides virtual 5.1 sound" and (c) "yes, we do virtual 5.1 sound on driver level" to (d) "yes, we do virtual 5.1 sound in hardware". If I should bet on chances, I'd say: 60 % for a, 35 % for b, 4,9 % for c and 0.1 % for c.

Grinnings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[saxphile]

Yeah I thought so too. I'm just wondering if anyone knows more about it.

On the other hand, they must have some tricks up their sleves, otherwise who'd buy a USB stick that does no more than the built-in sound card?

 

[lini]

saxphile: Concerning your other hand

: Well, if the integrated solution just sucks, people might still be inclined to buy a similarly featured external replacement, if it's not too expensive.

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[Edwood]

I've heard Sony's implementation before.

It just sounded like artificial sounding reverb.

-Ed