Creative Platinum eX User Manual

User’s Guide

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative Technology Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd. The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the license agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any other medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement. The licensee may make one copy of the software for backup purposes only.

The Software License Agreement is found in a separate folder on this installation CD. The copyright and disclaimer, including trademark issues are also found in the same folder.

March 2003

Sound Blaster and Blaster are registered trademarks, and the Sound Blaster Audigy logo, the Sound Blaster PCI logo, EAX ADVANCED HD, Multi-Environment, Environment Panning, Environment Reflections, Environment Filtering, Environment Morphing, Creative Multi Speaker Surround, Inspire, and Oozic are trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. E-Mu and SoundFont are registered trademarks of E-mu Systems, Inc.. Cambridge SoundWorks, MicroWorks and PC Works are registered trademarks, and PC Works FourPointSurround is a trademark of Cambridge SoundWorks, Inc.. Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby", "Pro Logic", "MLP Lossless", and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Confidential unpublished works. Copyright 1992-1998 Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved. The FireWire logo is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.. THX is a registered trademark of THX Ltd.. All other products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

This product is covered by one or more of the following U.S. patents: 4,506,579; 4,699,038; 4,987,600; 5,013,105; 5,072,645; 5,111,727; 5,144,676; 5,170,369; 5,248,845; 5,298,671; 5,303,309; 5,317,104; 5,342,990; 5,430,244; 5,524,074; 5,698,803; 5,698,807; 5,748,747; 5,763,800; 5,790,837.

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Contents

Introduction

High-definition digital audio entertainment ................................................................................... i

What is EAX ADVANCED HD? .............................................................................................................. ii

Package Contents........................................................................................................................... iii

System Requirements .................................................................................................................... iii

Getting More Information ............................................................................................................. iv

Visit the Soundblaster website ...................................................................................................... iv

Technical Support ........................................................................................................................... v

Document Conventions .................................................................................................................. v

1 About your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware

What You Need ........................................................................................................................................ 1-1

Your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX card....................................................................................1-2

Your Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O Module................................................................................. 1-3

Adjusting the volume-level of Headphones and Microphone................................................... 1-7

Using the Remote Control ....................................................................................................................... 1-8

Remote Control Functions....................................................................................................................... 1-9

2 Installing Hardware

Installation Steps ...................................................................................................................................... 2-1

Step 1: Prepare the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware........................................ 2-1

Step 2: Prepare your computer.................................................................................................... 2-2

Step 3: Install the audio card ....................................................................................................... 2-3

Step 4: Install the joystick............................................................................................................ 2-3

Step 5: Install the cables .............................................................................................................. 2-4

Step 6: Connect to AC power socket.......................................................................................... 2-6

Connecting Related Peripherals .............................................................................................................. 2-7

Connecting Related Peripherals (cont’d)................................................................................................ 2-8

Connecting Speakers Systems............................................................................................................... 2-11

Positioning Your Speakers..................................................................................................................... 2-12

3 Installing Software

Installing Drivers and Applications......................................................................................................... 3-1

Using Creative Software AutoUpdate..................................................................................................... 3-2

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Feature Showcase Demo................................................................................. 3-2

Uninstalling and Reinstalling the Applications and Device Drivers..................................................... 3-3

Reinstalling all Audio Drivers and Applications...................................................................... 3-3

Uninstalling all Audio Drivers and Applications ................................................................................... 3-3

Installing/Uninstalling selected Audio Drivers and Applications.......................................................... 3-4

Updating Windows 2000 (Service Pack 3)............................................................................................. 3-5

Updating Windows with Digital Video Update......................................................................................3-5

4 Using Audigy 2 Software

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Applications...................................................................................... 4-1

Demos....................................................................................................................................................... 4-2

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Getting Started Demo ......................................................................... 4-2

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Feature Showcase Demo .................................................................... 4-2

Introduction to the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 software suite ................................................................... 4-3

Creative MediaSource Go!.......................................................................................................... 4-3

Creative MediaSource Go! Launcher ......................................................................................... 4-3

Creative MediaSource Player...................................................................................................... 4-4

“What-U-Hear” multichannel recording .................................................................................... 4-4

Creative MediaSource Organizer................................................................................................ 4-4

Creative MediaSource DVD-Audio Player................................................................................ 4-6

Creative EAX Console ................................................................................................................ 4-6

Creative Surround Mixer............................................................................................................. 4-8

Creative Speaker Settings............................................................................................................ 4-8

Creative Speaker Calibrator......................................................................................................... 4-8

Creative MiniDisc Center............................................................................................................ 4-9

Creative SoundFont Bank Manager............................................................................................ 4-9

Creative Audio Stream Recorder 2............................................................................................. 4-9

Creative Wave Studio................................................................................................................. 4-10

Diagnostic and troubleshooting utilities................................................................................................ 4-10

Creative Diagnostics.................................................................................................................. 4-10

Creative Speaker Settings.......................................................................................................... 4-10

A General Specifications

Features.................................................................................................................................................... A-1

Connectivity............................................................................................................................................. A-3

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX Card............................................................................... A-3

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O Module .................................................... A-4

B Troubleshooting and FAQs

Problems Installing Software.................................................................................................................. B-1

Problems with Sound .............................................................................................................................. B-1

Problems with File Transfers on Some VIA Chipset Motherboards.................................................... B-5

Insufficient SoundFont Cache ................................................................................................................ B-6

Problems with the Joystick ..................................................................................................................... B-7

Problems with Multiple Audio Devices................................................................................................. B-8

Problems with Sound Blaster Live! Series or Sound Blaster PCI512 card.......................................... B-9

Resolving I/O Conflicts ........................................................................................................................ B-10

Problems with Encore DVD Player ..................................................................................................... B-11

Problems with Software DVD Player .................................................................................................. B-11

Problems with DV driver for Windows 98 SE/2000/Me/XP.............................................................. B-12

Problems in XP...................................................................................................................................... B-13

Problems with Digital Audio Devices.................................................................................................. B-14

Introduction

High-definition digital audio entertainment

MLP (Meridian Lossless Packing), the method of audio data compression used in DVD-Audio, reduces file size without removing any of the information contained in the original recording. The listening audience will hear the audio as it was intended in the original recording. Other packing methodologies that remove data as part of the compression are referred to as 'Lossy Compression'.

Thank you for purchasing Sound Blaster® Audigy™ 2 Platinum eX, consisting of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX card, the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O Module and an IR remote control. It is the most complete affordable high-definition digital audio entertainment solution you can find on the market today.

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 has received the prestigious THX Multimedia Certification award, making it the perfect choice for PC audiophiles seeking the very best music and movie experiences.

Featuring 24-bit/192 kHz audio playback feature, Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX delivers highdefinition sound of astounding quality with 24-bit/96 kHz audio recording capability from all Line Ins and SPDIF In. Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX supports 6.1 channel Dolby surround sound audio on your computer and 5.1 output from the 96 kHz sampling rates of DVD-Audio discs using MLP lossless compression.

The External I/O Module provides front panel access to microphone, headphone, input/output, and MIDI connections — all located away from your computer and closer to your work area. The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX is the only Audigy 2 product with ASIO driver support for 24-bit/96 kHz recording

- allowing musicians to produce high quality works. Additionally, an IEEE 1394-compliant SB1394™/ FireWire external CD-RW drives and other IEEE 1394 compatible devices like DV Camcorders, printers, scanners, and digital still cameras.

The infrared remote control offers convenient control of your computer for tasks like playing audio or video CDs, at distances up to four meters (13 feet).

connection is provided for high-speed connectivity to NOMAD® portable digital audio players,

Digital Surround EX

Introduction i

What is EAX ADVANCED HD?

EAX® ADVANCED HD™ brings a new level of performance, power, and flexibility to PC audio. Taking advantage of the increased processing capabilities of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 processor, EAX ADVANCED HD delivers a host of new features to achieve high definition audio for gaming and music enhancement.

The EAX ADVANCED HD Game Audio Library takes in-game audio and acoustic simulation to a whole new level. These innovative technologies bring tremendous realism and total audio immersion to PC gamers:

❑ New Multi-Environment

technology renders multiple environment audio environments in real

time.

❑ Environment Panning

makes it easy for gamers to track with three-dimensional precision, the

location and movement of sounds that usually represent enemies or team mates. This gives Sound Blaster Audigy 2 gamers a better advantage as they are more aware of the game environment.

❑ Environment Reflections

offers localization of early reflections and echoes such as reflections

created by canyon walls or cliffs.

❑ Environment Filtering ❑ Environment Morphing

simulates the propagation of sound in both indoor and outdoor game arenas.

allows for seamless transitions from one environment to the next.

EAX ADVANCED HD Music Technologies also ensures sonic superiority:

❑ Audio Clean-Up removes unwanted noise in a digital audio file. ❑ Time Scaling speeds up and slows down music without distortion. ❑ EAX ADVANCED HD music effects, developed especially for music listening, further enhance

playback of songs.

EAX ADVANCED HD offers dramatically increased 3D audio performance and functionality. Delivering superior audio fidelity and sophisticated reverb effects, this unsurpassed digital entertainment experience is available only from the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 family of products.

Introduction ii

Package Contents The following items are included in your package:

❑ Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX card ❑ Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O Module and IR remote control ❑ AD_LINK cable

The items listed here may vary from country to country.

❑ Power converter Cable ❑ Joystick/MIDI bracket ❑ 3.5 mm minijack to ¼” plug adapter ❑ Two AAA batteries for the IR remote control ❑ Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Installation and Applications CD ❑ Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Feature Showcase Demo CD ❑ Creative DVD-Audio Sampler Disc ❑ Quick Start leaflet ❑ User’s Guide (on CD) ❑ Warranty (printed or on CD) ❑ Technical Support (printed or on CD)

System Requirements

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware

❑ Genuine Intel® Pentium® II 350 MHz, AMD® K6 450 MHz or faster processor

for SB1394/FireWire applications or games

❑ Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard chipset ❑ Windows

2 (SP2) or Windows XP

❑ 64 MB RAM for Windows 98 SE and Windows Me

128 MB RAM for Windows 2000 (SP2) and Windows XP

❑ 600 MB of free hard disk space ❑ Available PCI 2.1 compliant slot for the audio card ❑ Available space for the included joystick/MIDI bracket (optional)

98 Second Edition (SE), Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows 2000 Service Pack

Introduction iii

❑ Headphones or amplified speakers (available separately) ❑ At least one CD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD-ROM drive installed

SB1394/FireWire applications, games, DVD audio and video

Minimum 256 MB RAM recommended for Windows 2000 SP3 and Windows XP users for games and DV capture and editing.

Internet multimedia and entertainment

Getting More Information

Visit the Soundblaster website

❑ Genuine Intel Pentium III 500 MHz, or AMD 700 MHz processor for SB1394/FireWire applications

or games

❑ SB1394/FireWire: minimum 128 MB RAM and 1 GB workspace for digital video (DV) capture and

editing. For DV applications, recommended minimum is an Ultra DMA hard disk with 6 GB workspace (ATA-100, 7,200 rpm type).

❑ Games: At least 128 MB RAM, 3D graphics accelerator with at least 8 MB of texture RAM, available

300–500 MB of free hard disk space

❑ DVD: At least second generation DVD-ROM drive with these recommended soft-DVD players:

InterVideo’s WinDVD 2000 or CyberLink’s PowerDVD 3.0 or later

❑ DVD-Audio: Pentium III or AMD Athlon 1 GHz or faster processor recommended. Requires 256 MB

RAM for Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000 SP3 or Windows XP SP1, Also requires a second-generation 6X or faster DCD-ROM drive. Visit www.soundblaster. com for updates on OS-specific support issues.

Internet Radio: requires at least a 56 kbps modem and an active Internet connection to run the application

Other Internet applications may have higher system requirements or may require a microphone. Refer to the application’s online Help documentation for details.

Refer to the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Getting Started demo and the various online Help files for detailed information on Creative applications. The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Feature Showcase demo gives you an interactive introduction to Sound Blaster Audigy 2 and demonstrates the card’s capabilities.

View the contents of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Installation and Applications CD for additional libraries and other software. Visit the www.soundblaster.com site for the latest Sound Blaster news and products. The site also includes information on making purchases, technical help, and http://www.soundblaster.com/ support for the automated driver download and installation.

Introduction iv

Technical Support Visit http://www.soundblaster.com/support/faq/ for general help.

Document Conventions

The following typographical conventions are used throughout this manual:

The notepad icon indicates information that is of particular importance and should be considered before continuing.

The alarm clock designates a caution or warning that can help you avoid situations involving risk.

The warning sign indicates that failure to adhere to directions may result in bodily harm or life-threatening situations.

Introduction v

About your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware

What You Need

In addition, you will also need an available PCI slot and another adjacent available slot on your computer.

Before you begin installation, be sure that you have these:

Sound Blaster

Audigy 2 Platinum eX card

Joystick/MIDI bracket

Figure 1-1: What you need.

AD_LINK cable

Power Converter Cable

Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O

Module

Phillips-head

screwdriver (not

included)

About your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware 1-1

Your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX card

Click any circled number in the diagram to see a description of the item.

The Audigy 2 Platinum eX card works as a stand-alone audio card. However to enjoy all the features available, you need to connect it to the External I/O Module.

Your audio card has these jacks and connectors to enable the attachment of a wide variety of devices:

Figure 1-2: Jacks, connectors and ports

About your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware 1-2

Your Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O Module

Click any circled number in the diagram to see a description of the item.

Your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O Module has these jacks, connectors and controls:

1 2 3 4

7 8 9

• To connect your existing computer headphones and microphone to the External I/ O Module, use a 3.5 mm (1/ 8”) minijack to 1/4” plug adapter.

• Set the gain level of the Mic In 2 jack to the minimum before connecting or turning on a microphone, especially if you are using headphones.

Figure 1-3: Jacks, connectors and controls.

About your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware 1-3

Click here or on any description to return to the diagram of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX card.

Table 1: The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX card

Number Description

1 Joystick/MIDI connector

Connects to the Joystick/MIDI bracket for gamepads, other input and MIDI devices.

2AD_LINK 2 port

Connects to the External I/O Module’s AD_LINK2 port to supply power.

3 AD_LINK 1 connector

Connects to the External I/O Module for transferring data.

4 Line Out 3 jack

Connects to Front Center, subwoofer and Rear Center inputs of powered analog speakers or an external amplifier.

5 Line Out 2 jack

Connects to Rear Left/Right analog inputs of powered analog speakers or an external amplifier.

6 Line Out 1 jack

Connects to Front Left/Right analog input of an external amplifier or to powered analog speakers, or headphones.

7 Power Connector

Connects to the supplied power converter cable.

8 Aux_In connector

Connects to an analog output of a CD or DVD-ROM drive.

9 CD_SPDIF connector

Connects to the digital output of a CD or DVD-ROM drive.

About your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware 1-4

Click here or on any description to return to the diagram of the External I/O Module.

Table 2: Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O Module

Number Description

1 SB1394/FireWire port

Connects to an IEEE 1394 compatible external device (such as a digital video camcorder, digital still camera, printer or scanner).

2 Optical SPDIF Out/In

For recording/playback devices with optical connectors.

3Line In 2 jack

For analog devices like music synthesizers and other line-level sources.

4 Line In 1/Mic In jack

For line sources (for example, electric guitars) or dynamic microphones.

5 ¼-inch Headphone jack

For connecting to headphones. (Speaker output will be muted).

6 Microphone Input Sensitivity control knob

Controls the input level of a microphone signal.

7 Master Volume control knob

Controls the overall output volume.

8CMSS Switch

Turns the Creative MediaSource MultiSpeaker Surround

9 Infrared Receiver

Lets you control your computer via the IR remote control.

feature on or off.

About your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware 1-5

Table 2: Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O Module

Number Description

Click here or on any description to return to the diagram of the External I/O Module.

10 Line In 3 (Aux In) jacks

Connects to analog devices like VCRs, TVs and CD players.

11 Standard MIDI In/Out connectors

Connects to MIDI devices via standard DIN cables.

12 SPDIF In/Out Coaxial jacks

For digital audio recording/playback devices such as DAT and MiniDisc recorders.

13 SPDIF Digital Out Mini DIN jack

Outputs digital audio via mini DIN cable.

14 AD_LINK 1 Connector

Connects to the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX card's AD_LINK 1 cable's connector.

15 AD_LINK 2 Connector (SB1394/FireWire port)

Connects to the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX card's AD_Link 2 connector via the supplied 1.8 meter (5-feet) AD_LINK cable. It provides power to the External I/O Module. Next to AD_LINK 2 is another SB1394/ FireWire port, for connection to IEEE1394-compatible devices.

About your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware 1-6

Adjusting the

You can adjust the headphones volume and microphone gain in two ways.

volume-level of Headphones and Microphone

Using the control knobs On the front panel of the External I/O Module, turn the respective control knob:

❑ Counterclockwise to decrease the headphone volume or microphone gain. ❑ Clockwise to increase the headphone volume or microphone gain.

About your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware 1-7

Using Creative Surround Mixer

To install Creative Surround Mixer and other applications, see “Installing Drivers and Applications” on page 3-1.

• For best effects, set the headphones volume and microphone gain levels to 75% in Surround Mixer, and then use the Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O Module’s control knobs to make further adjustments.

• If you set the headphones volume or microphone gain levels to 0%, or mute them in Creative Surround Mixer, you hear no sound even if the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O Module’s control knobs are set to the maximum.

To adjust headphones volume:

1. Click Start -> Programs -> Creative -> Sound Blaster Audigy 2 -> Surround Mixer.

2. On the Master Control panel of Creative Surround Mixer, make sure that there is no red “X” on the Speaker button under the Vol um e slider. Otherwise, click the Speaker button. This will unmute the headphones output.

3. Drag the Vo l um e slider up or down to adjust the headphones volume.

To adjust microphone gain:

1. Click Start -> Programs -> Creative -> Sound Blaster Audigy 2 -> Surround Mixer.

2. On the Source panel of Creative Surround Mixer, click an audio input source button with a down arrow, and then select Line-In 1/Mic.

3. Make sure the Speaker button below the Line-In 1/Mic slider has no red “X” on it. Otherwise, click the Speaker button. This will unmute the audio input.

4. Drag the slider to adjust the microphone gain.

Using the Remote Control

The external External I/O Module has an infrared receiver for the remote control. This remote control lets you operate your computer from the comfort of your sofa or bed up to a distance of 4 meters (13 feet).

About your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware 1-8

Remote Control

Refer to Figure 1-4 and Figure 1-5 below for a description of your remote control’s functions.

Functions

• *OSD - On Screen Display.

• The model of your remote control may be different from the unit displayed here.

Number pad

Used for the selection of tracks and menu items. To access a two-digit number

track such as track 10,

press the "1" button

followed by the "0" button in

quick succession. During playback of a media format, press the "0" button to display the track list on the

Up/Down buttons

Used for navigating up/

Rewind/Left

rewinding a track,

decreasing a

navigating left.

down.

button

Used for

value or

OSD* for selection.

Select/OK button

Executes a selected task or command. During playback

of a media format, press this button to display the

content menu on the OSD*

for selection.

Fast Forward/

Right button

Use this to

cue forward

through a track,

or increase a

value or

navigate right.

Stop/Eject button

Stops the current

playback. Pressing the

button subsequently will

eject the disc.

Play/Pause button

Starts, pauses or resumes the current

Record

button

Starts audio

recording.

Next button

Goes to the next

track or menu

Previous button

Goes to the

previous track or

menu page.

page.

playback.

CDs and MIDI files).

Press the Play/Pause

Press once to pause

the button each time

the next video frame.

Slow Motion

Forward button

Reduces the

playback speed

(except for audio

Press repeatedly to

select the speed.

button to resume normal playback.

Step Forward

button

(For video only)

playback. Pressing

will advance you to

To resume normal

playback, press the

Play/Pause button.

Figure 1-4: Navigation Buttons on the Remote Control.

About your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX hardware 1-9

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