Asus HDAV 1.3 and Essence

Already as several published the article, presently, interview is done in the developer of the Taiwan net bookmaker. Of course, story was heard even in ASUSTeK which is the pioneer of this field, but is, because before that could hear story in the sound card development person in charge of the same company, we convey the pattern. The worldwide first HDMI input equipped sound card which standard of ●BD video 100% is supported. 　



The fact that the same company enters into the sound card market is 2007 June. After that, several new product was sold, the sound card “Xonar for PCI Express x1 HDAV 1.3” was announced in September 2008. As for price 200 dollars. Sale of the next few days is planned even in Japan. 　The point where largest feature of same product receives the image output from the video card with HDMI, can mix the audio signal there and HDMI can output. Excluding the Radeon HD series of AMD, because the audio controller is not built in, sound is output from HDMI, receiving the aural signal from S/PDIF of onboard audio and the sound card, mixing, it outputs GPU of built-in GPU of Intel and NVIDIA. 　



Regarding application such as OS and game, there is no what problem with this method, can output image and sound with HDMI cable 1. But, Blu- ray Disc (BD) it is adopted with video, with Dolby True HD/DTS-HD Master Audio, the bitstream copyright protective function is required the occasion where it outputs. Because of that, with S/PDIF which does not have copyright protective function these aural signals cannot be output. 　



With Xonar HDAV in contrast to this, receiving the image signal from the video card, placing sound there, it outputs by way of HDMI. As for the version of HDMI with 1.3a, the above-mentioned loss less audio can be output the bitstream (as for the software of present version in only decoding the loss less audio to correspond to strictness, bitstream output corresponds with future update).


In the image aspect (the necessity of course for the video card to correspond to that is but), corresponds to the color gamut of each color 16bit and the color space of x.v.Color. In addition, it loads the individual image high picture quality conversion circuit “Splendid HD”, color correction and edge enhancement and the rise scale etc of SD image it is possible without applying load on CPU. Furthermore, because the DVI→HDMI conversion cable is done bundled, if the HDCP corresponding video card it can utilize even with DVI. 　

The same company designed the audio controller individually “AV200”. We have considered even in the sound quality, controlling the noise the signal due to interference by the fact that the baseplate is designated as 4 layer. In order to avoid the electromagnetic wave from the other equipment, card also the whole sound has been overturned with the special cover. As for signal-noise ratio 120dB. It corresponds to 24bit /192kHz with analog output/input. As for input/output terminal, HDMI 1.3a input and HDMI 1.3a output, RCA analog output ×2, S/PDIF output (same axis and light), microphone input and S/PDIF (light) input. 　

6ch (side 2ch+ woofer + center + rear 2ch) the sub baseplate which has RCA output belongs to deluxe version. Loading three operational amplifiers every 2ch in this. Because the operational amplifier is socket system, also it is possible to exchange to those of the taste. 　

As for DVD/BD video playback software, “TotalMedia Theatre” of ArcSoft. As for correspondence OS, Windows XP/Vista (32/64bit).


As understood from this specification, this product it is not gaming, high-end HTPC (Home Theater PC) it designates as the target, as for the function, is a match to the high-end BD player. Of course, various noise sources exist in PC, persevere on however much sound card side, the efficiency (the sound quality/picture quality), whether it is something which is a match to the private BD player doubt remains. 　

But, role and predominance as the media player and the game platform PC which is you being taken completely in PLAYSTATION 3, could recover predominance even at one with Xonar HDAV 1.3, (as for PLAYSTATION 3 it does not correspond to loss less audio bitstream output) as for thing, it is worthy of to attention probably will be. Sean Lai 　

Well, ASUSTeK in the future how probably will keep developing the audio peripheral device. Concerning this point, it could hear interesting story from Sean Lai of the same company product charge senior product manager. 　

' From nineties latter halves, the motherboard will reach the point where the audio controller is loaded, now as for on-board ratio almost 100% probably will be possible to say. Because of that, the sound card manufacturer was expelled from the consumer market excluding the Sound Blaster series of Creative which receives support from [gema] of part as still. 　

In that situation, the same company to break away the fact that ASUSTeK enters into this market, from the mere motherboard manufacturer, that because to the consumer manufacturer which proposes comprehensive living style now when it grew, the audio equipment being personally owned, that having very it is important you thought you say. The audio equipment referred to here is not the PC peripheral device, it points to real ones such as AV amplifier. According to Lai, as for one primary factor which obtains the appraisal where the Japanese SONY and Panasonic etc are high in the consumer market, you say that there is a point which manages the audio equipment of high efficiency.

But, it enters into the real audio equipment market, brand image in the field is necessary. Then, the fact that the same company developed as a basis to this market, is the case, Xonar series of the sound card. 　

The aforementioned sort, the PC sound card market almost has not survived excluding Creative, but as for Lai, as for this that in the sense always there is no the demand, you say. Actually, since the same company announcing the Xonar series 2007 summer, the sale grows with the right shoulder rising. 　What release it does, leading other companies and, as one arrival point of the sound card, it corresponded to the loss less audio output of BD video completely, Xonar HDAV 1.3 is. Lai has absolute self-confidence not only the function, regarding the efficiency, signal-noise ratio 120dB. 　

By the way, HDMI 1.3a corresponds control of the other equipment with CEC. With ASUSTeK, with [onkiyo], with PC and the AV amplifier etc some cooperation possibility it tried searching concerning this, but because about only the power source ON/OFF of PC it is possible after all, you say that in the latest product it does not make to especially CEC CORRESPOND. Xonar Essence 　

Lai announced also “Xonar Essence” especially as a future product. As for this card with the product for real pure audio, as for the terminals stereo RCA and there is the head phone/the microphone only a mini- plug. The Japanese make part which is used with the AV amplifier of [denon] was adopted, signal-noise ratio actualized 124dB. In addition you call the impedance of the head phone that it corresponds to how 600Ω. The design which ancient Chinese of 3000 year ago is made percussion instrument motif is drawn in the cover of EMI measure, as in the product name the question which offers the essence of sound has become concept.



In addition, the same company already, has sold also the high-end head phone and the stereo speaker of USB and analog and S/PDIF connection, but you say that it plans also [saraundosupikashisutemu] on this end of year. 　

When the same company produces real audio equipment such as AV amplifier, that when you say, whether you can contend in the Japanese market where the audio principal occupation manufacturer which has the result/established reputation is a large number, so it probably will not go easily. But, when building brand value, in the aspect of the sound quality which becomes the foundation, ASUSTeK inferred that it has tackled rather seriously and could know. 　

In addition, there was no thing where Lai mentions that, but, the entry to large size TV and the BD player et. al seeing as the thing which has will, you probably will not be wrong on side of entry to real audio. Latest Xonar as in HDAV 1.3 and Eee PC etc seen, whether the Taiwan manufacturer whose up-to-date trend and adopting technology promptly are proud, in the future some kind of participation is shown it is the pleasure.