Creative Technology Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum
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- Output Mode: 7.1 Channel Surround
- Card Interface: PCI
- Bit Depth: 24-bit
- Compatible Audio Standards: DTS DTS-ES Dolby Digital EX DirectSound ASIO 2 EAX
- Form Factor: External Device and Plug-In Card
- Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR): 108 dB
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User ReviewRead All Reviews »
CONFLICTS/CRASHES A REAL POSSIBILITY
Pros
Exceptional Sound. Supports 7 speakers. Remote. Front Inputs (Including Optical).
Cons
Conflicts and installation problems for many. Lacks Customer Support.
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
Buy if prepared to spend extra for fix, or you are capable of doing it yourself. If not, look to other manufacturers for similar card. Wait for Rebate offer.
I don't think I could possibly expand more on Gr8ful's description or review, except to point out some serious conflict flaws with this card.
The card is a gem when it works properly, which is seldom for most on the first attempt. I had only one problem and that was during gaming on-line. I would get the blue screen of death. Other buyers report hissing and popping on recordings, among other set-backs. For more information and problems that are abundant, the following link will take you to the Creative Forums in which many owners are seeking remedies:
http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs/board?board.id=soundblaster
Though the card is as described by Gr8ful, having all the bells and whistles, Creative has some serious issues that it has yet to resolve with a simple solution for customers. Anger is evident in many reviews. I was personally disgusted that a simple application of it, while gaming on-line, was causing my computer to crash.
It appears each user, with his own system and programs installed, comes upon different problems. There seems to be too many conflicts to isolate only one correction for every user. My own attempts to resolve my problem was met by Creatives' Customer Support with an attitude of "That's all we can do for you. Sorry." I am not the only one who has received little help from Creative Customer Support.
My only option was to take the computer to my Service Technician who reportedly had to change some BIOS settings (things we average Joes should never mess with!) and remove additional conflicts he found which, after paying him, obliterated the $100 rebate I received from Creative when I purchased the card.
Also, be aware that in order to use the remote, that comes with the Platinum, you must install the "full" media version on the provided disc. This means having AOL, Demos, and other proprietary items placed on your computer. These, if not wanted, must be removed individually from your system after installing. Also, be aware that updated drivers must be installed from the Creative website for the card to even begin to work correctly.
One other note. The flat ribbon cable running from the card to the front panel is not an IDE cable, nor is it a floppy cable. It cannot be replaced with any rounded cable found on the market. It is a ribbon cable specifically designed for this sound system. Should you have a case with a window, or are concerned about airflow within your case, be prepared to try and find a way to make this ribbon cable less obtrusive.
So, what is the bottom line of my review? This card with the front panel inputs, remote, and ability to do just about anything when it comes to recording is likely the best thing since sliced bread. The ability to have 7.1 Surround sound is fantastic. When you've got it working properly, you'll wonder how you ever listened to sound from your computer without it. When it doesn't work, you want to put it in the street and watch trucks run over it.
I would have liked nothing more to have given this 5 stars BUT, because of the problems that are known and cannot be corrected by the average user - and the failure of Creative to provide a solution, I have given it the mid-range approval rating. A toss-up. If you're lucky, you'll think I wasn't generous enough. If you're not, you'll think I'm a fool for giving it any stars.
Not all owners have problems, but too many seem to. Be aware of these potential problems before purchasing and the possible need of having someone knowledgeable correct them, if you are not extremely computer literate. Due Diligence and other review research should be done before purchasing this hardware.
You will see that my final recommendation is a "No." That is because the question asked was, "Would I recommend this to a friend?" Not without him understanding exactly what the results and additional costs might be of installing this hardware.
The card is a gem when it works properly, which is seldom for most on the first attempt. I had only one problem and that was during gaming on-line. I would get the blue screen of death. Other buyers report hissing and popping on recordings, among other set-backs. For more information and problems that are abundant, the following link will take you to the Creative Forums in which many owners are seeking remedies:
http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs/board?board.id=soundblaster
Though the card is as described by Gr8ful, having all the bells and whistles, Creative has some serious issues that it has yet to resolve with a simple solution for customers. Anger is evident in many reviews. I was personally disgusted that a simple application of it, while gaming on-line, was causing my computer to crash.
It appears each user, with his own system and programs installed, comes upon different problems. There seems to be too many conflicts to isolate only one correction for every user. My own attempts to resolve my problem was met by Creatives' Customer Support with an attitude of "That's all we can do for you. Sorry." I am not the only one who has received little help from Creative Customer Support.
My only option was to take the computer to my Service Technician who reportedly had to change some BIOS settings (things we average Joes should never mess with!) and remove additional conflicts he found which, after paying him, obliterated the $100 rebate I received from Creative when I purchased the card.
Also, be aware that in order to use the remote, that comes with the Platinum, you must install the "full" media version on the provided disc. This means having AOL, Demos, and other proprietary items placed on your computer. These, if not wanted, must be removed individually from your system after installing. Also, be aware that updated drivers must be installed from the Creative website for the card to even begin to work correctly.
One other note. The flat ribbon cable running from the card to the front panel is not an IDE cable, nor is it a floppy cable. It cannot be replaced with any rounded cable found on the market. It is a ribbon cable specifically designed for this sound system. Should you have a case with a window, or are concerned about airflow within your case, be prepared to try and find a way to make this ribbon cable less obtrusive.
So, what is the bottom line of my review? This card with the front panel inputs, remote, and ability to do just about anything when it comes to recording is likely the best thing since sliced bread. The ability to have 7.1 Surround sound is fantastic. When you've got it working properly, you'll wonder how you ever listened to sound from your computer without it. When it doesn't work, you want to put it in the street and watch trucks run over it.
I would have liked nothing more to have given this 5 stars BUT, because of the problems that are known and cannot be corrected by the average user - and the failure of Creative to provide a solution, I have given it the mid-range approval rating. A toss-up. If you're lucky, you'll think I wasn't generous enough. If you're not, you'll think I'm a fool for giving it any stars.
Not all owners have problems, but too many seem to. Be aware of these potential problems before purchasing and the possible need of having someone knowledgeable correct them, if you are not extremely computer literate. Due Diligence and other review research should be done before purchasing this hardware.
You will see that my final recommendation is a "No." That is because the question asked was, "Would I recommend this to a friend?" Not without him understanding exactly what the results and additional costs might be of installing this hardware.
