USB External Sound Cards

Question

Seems like there have been a couple of threads about the minimal Sound capabilities of the Latitude series. I've learned a lot from each of you over the past few days, and I'm becoming convinced that an external sound card is the answer for full-featured sound capabilities.

I found a link to a review of several USB external sound cards below, and in addition to the ones in the article, the Sound Blaster Extigy looks promising.

What kind of experiences do the rest of you have with external sound cards? Quality? Installation issues? XP compatibility? Co-existence with the built-in Sigma-Tel audio chip?

Here's the link:

http://www6.tomshardware.com/video/20040223/

Thoughts? I look forward to your comments.

- Keith

isc · Answer

Hi,   I use a SoundBlaster Extigy (Ex) connected to a SoundBlaster P580 5.1 surround sound speaker set. The system seems flawless, and I am very pleased with it. So far as compatibility is concerned, I have had no problems on my D600 under XP Pro SP1 and SP2. I currently have it connected to my desktop PC, running XP Pro SP2. Everything is fine. Setup is really easy. Under XP SP2, I am fairly sure that you can just plug it in, and it will work. This may be true of XP SP1 too, but I can't remember. Installing the extra software from the CD is easy. This provides a decent mixer, recording facilities, software to run the infrared remote control, and a few other goodies.   One of the greatest benefits is that it can be used without being connected to a PC. In other words, you can use it as an amplifier for your existing kit. You could plug a DVD player into it (using the SPDIF socket) and get Dolby Digital 5.1 sound through your speaker set, from the player. It also has optical in/out sockets, MIDI in/out, and SPDIF in a phono socket and 3mm jack socket type.   The only drawback that I've found is the lack of a Phono analogue in/out socket. However, we had a cable made for us, at the electronics shop, which has a 3mm jack on one end and Phono on the other, and it works fine.   Take a look at www.soundblaster.com for more cards (theres a PCMCIA one too). I strongly recommend Creative Labs stuff - I've used it for a long time and never been let down. I advise you get Creative Labs speakers as well (unless you plan on plugging into your stereo, or something like that. I would steer you away from any other brand, as Creative Labs has the beenfit of long term exerience, and their products seem to be the benchmark setters that others try to reach.   I hope this helps. If you need to know anything else regarding this issue, please post back.

Keith222 · Answer

Hi - thanks for your post. I ended up buying a SoundBlaster MP3+ USB sound card. It works great, has the features I'm need, and I think the sound quality is better than my old laptop that had a sound card with line in/out capabilities built in.

Thanks again for your post-

- Keith

Locked Topics – Laptops General

USB External Sound Cards

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