ESI Prodigy 7.1 HiFi User Manual

192 kHz 7.1 HiFi Surround Audio Interface

User’s Guide

ESI - Copyright © 2006 - 2009

Revision 3, November 2009

www.esi-audio.com

ESI Prodigy 7.1 HiFi

INDEX

1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................4

2. What’s in the box.........................................................................................................................4

3. Key Features.................................................................................................................................4

4. System Requirements .................................................................................................................. 5

5. Connectors....................................................................................................................................5

6. Hardware Installation .................................................................................................................6

7. Software Installation.................................................................................................................... 8

7.1 Windows 2000 and Windows XP........................................................................................................................ 8

7.2 Windows Vista and Windows 7.........................................................................................................................10

8. Prodigy 7.1 HiFi Control Panel ................................................................................................ 12

9. DirectWIRE 3.0..........................................................................................................................17

10. Application Setup.....................................................................................................................20

11. General Information................................................................................................................ 20

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ESI Prodigy 7.1 HiFi

1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing the ESI Prodigy 7.1 HiFi.

Prodigy 7.1 HiFi is an extremely powerful PCI multimedia digital audio interface ideal for Home
Theater PCs, designed to satisfy both beginners and professionals looking for high quality digital
audio solutions. Its unique design makes Prodigy 7.1 HiFi different from many other consumer
sound cards, providing excellent audio quality, perfect for music and multimedia enthusiasts, game
players and even for hobby musicians for home recording on a (semi-)professional level.

2. What’s in the box

Your Prodigy 7.1 HiFi package contains the following:

- Prodigy 7.1 HiFi PCI card

- 15pin D-SUB breakout cable with 1/8" connectors

- this manual

- Windows driver software CD

3. Key Features

Prodigy 7.1 HiFi is based on the powerful VIA Envy24HT (ICE1724) audio controller and the
Wolfson WM8776 / 8766 audio codecs, providing 2, 4, 6 (5.1) and 8 (7.1) channel support as well
as optical digital I/O with 24bit/196kHz support.

To provide stable high level output signals, Prodigy 7.1 HiFi uses a fine selection of high quality
capacitors from Sanyo (SP series) and from Nichicon (up to 2200uF RU series / Nichicon ES series)
to optimize the power supply of the analog and digital components on the card and to optimize the
audio output quality. The special design of Prodigy 7.1 HiFi with its 4 layer PCB cuts off
electromagnetic waves from the internals of the PC – there won’t be problems with an unstable
power supply caused by the systems CPU or the HDD.

A separation between the analog and the digital part using an aluminium cover that shields the
sound against electromagnetic waves is a major part of the Prodigy 7.1 HiFi design. Even better, the
OpAmps on the card are installed on sockets, providing the possibility to change them to the users
preference.

The Prodigy 7.1 HiFi driver software is based on the EWDM standard from pro audio manufacturer
ESI providing perfect compatibility with Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista / 7, offering high
performance and low latency operation with all important famous audio applications. The
DirectWIRE 3.0 support in the driver allows you to virtually patch all your digital audio sources
internally between various different software applications running at the same time and use effect
plugins simultaneously. Audio streams can be transferred between different audio applications,
which is especially great when using software effects, synthesizers or virtual instruments. Under
Windows XP, the driver also includes support for the 3D technologies from QSound Labs in
Canada: Q3D/QEM, QMSS, QRumble, QSizzle, QExpaner, QEQ and QNormalize.

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ESI Prodigy 7.1 HiFi

4. System Requirements

Prodigy 7.1 HiFi is a high end multimedia digital audio interface with many different functions and
not just a simple sound card. Even though Prodigy 7.1 HiFi does not depend very much on the
available CPU in your system, it is important that the computer meets the minimum system
requirements. A faster CPU, faster HDD and more memory is generally recommended.

Minimum System Requirements

- at least Intel Pentium III or equivalent AMD CPU

- motherboard with Intel or VIA chipset, or 100% compatible

- at least 256MB of RAM

- one available PCI slot

- Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista oder Windows 7

- Ultra DMA66/100 and 5400rpm hard disk drive

- active speakers or speakers with powered amplifier

5. Connectors

1) Stereo Line Output (left / right), provides the main output signal via RCA connectors

2) Microphone Input (mono 1/8", pink), for dynamic and electret microphones

3) Analog Output 7/8 (stereo 1/8", yellow), provides typically the Backgr. Surround signal

4) Analog Output 5/6 (stereo 1/8", black), provides typically the Center/Woofer signal

5) Analog Output 3/4 (stereo 1/8", orange), provides typically the Rear left/right signal

6) Analog Output 1/2 (stereo 1/8", green), provides the main Front left/right signal

7) Line In, analog input connector (stereo 1/8", blue), the main input

8) S/PDIF Digital In and Output, via Toslink connectors

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ESI Prodigy 7.1 HiFi

6. Hardware Installation

Prodigy 7.1 HiFi and other components in the computer could easily be damaged by electrical
shocks. You should use an anti-static device that can discharge the static electricity of your body to
avoid potential static damage to the cards.

The Prodigy 7.1 HiFi card is shipped in an anti-static plastic pouch to protect it from static
electricity - do not open the pouch before you install the card.

1. Turn off the computer power and remove the power cable from your computer power supply.

Figure 1. Disconnecting the Power Cord

2. Refer to your computer user’s manual and remove the computer cover. Make sure that you have
an available PCI slot on your motherboard to install the Prodigy 7.1 HiFi.

Figure 2. Removing the computer cover

To avoid possible static shock damage to the computer parts, discharge it by touching the computer
case or something grounded. We recommend you use an anti-static device such as an anti-static
wristband.

When holding the Prodigy 7.1 HiFi card, touch only the guide or the edge of card. Do not grab the
card by the board or connector.

3. Find an empty PCI slot on the motherboard

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ESI Prodigy 7.1 HiFi

Figure 3. Typical PC Motherboard Slot Configuration

Figure 4. Removing the PCI Slot faceplate

If the PCI slot is covered by a faceplate, you can remove it by removing the screw holding it in
place or by prying it off with a screwdriver.

Insert the Prodigy 7.1 HiFi card into the PCI slot, firmly pushing the card into the slot until it is
seated securely. Replace the screw, and tighten it.

Figure 5. Prodigy 7.1 HiFi installed in a PCI slot

4. Close the computer case.

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