Creative Launches Sound Blaster ExtigyThe first external Sound Blaster utilizes USB  January 11, 2002
Creative Technology Ltd. unveiled the Sound
Blaster Extigy, the first external Sound Blaster in Creative's history. The Sound Blaster Extigy delivers
stunning 24-bit 96kHz multi-channel audio playback and 100dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). It enhances audio
for digital music, DVD movies and games from an easy-to-use, compact external device that connects to the
notebook or desktop via the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. The Sound Blaster Extigy is slated to ship this
month at an estimated street price of US$149.99.
"The Sound Blaster Extigy ushers in an entirely new era in PC audio,"
said Sim Wong Hoo, founder and CEO of Creative. "We have shipped
more than 150 million Sound Blaster audio cards to date; and the Sound
Blaster Extigy extends our leadership in PC audio by delivering the
stunning digital audio clarity of the Sound Blaster Audigy for the first
time in an external audio solution. We are excited to meet the demands
of PC users who have been clamoring for a convenient, easy-to-use
external Sound Blaster solution with the digital audio fidelity of the
Sound Blaster Audigy. Notebook users can also enjoy great
multi-channel MP3 and digital music, DVD movies and games on their
notebooks."
The Sound Blaster Extigy features
EAX ADVANCED HD technologies for music, including audio enhancement technologies
such as Audio Clean-Up, Time Scaling, DREAM and EAX ADVANCED HD audio effects.
Audio Clean-Up removes scratches, pops and hisses when playing back recordings of old
tapes and LP records. Time Scaling allows the user to speed up or slow down audio or spoken
word content while maintaining accurate pitch - ideal for musicians, students and executives.
DREAM technology (Dynamic Repositioning of Enhanced Audio and Music) allows the interactive repositioning of stereo content
in a surround 5.1 environment by redirecting the path of a specific frequency range. EAX ADVANCED HD Audio Effects enable
the user to customize the listening environment to replicate specific acoustic venues.
For anyone listening to music, Sound Blaster Extigy ships with Creative PlayCenter 3, a
personal digital music center that enables creation, organization and playback of digital quality
music enhanced with EAX ADVANCED HD effects, along with Dolby Digital file playback and
integrated CD burning capabilities. When used with a NOMAD digital audio player, PlayCenter
3 allows fast and easy transfer of playlists and digital music.
The Sound Blaster Extigy incorporates CMSS (Creative Multi-Speaker Surround) so users
can up-mix stereo content for a 5.1 surround sound experience. For stereo headphones or
two-speaker systems, CMSS also provides virtual headphone and stereo spatialization.
Desktop or notebook owners can use the Sound Blaster Extigy to enhance their gaming experience with 5.1 multi-channel
positional audio and EAX 1.0 and 2.0 technology with hundreds of games out in the market. This application provides surround
sound to PC notebook users who would not have previously been able to enjoy positional audio.
In addition to enhancing the audio experience on the desktop and notebook PC, the Sound Blaster Extigy
functions completely independent of the PC. It can be used without the PC as a Dolby Digital decoder for a
set-top DVD and is an ideal device for providing 5.1 surround sound from a video gaming console such as the
X-BOX or PlayStation 2. It also functions without the PC to enhance audio quality and provides CMSS functionality for a
number of additional devices such as a digital audio player, compact or mini-disc player or cassette player. All of these devices
can easily connect to the Sound Blaster Extigy's front panel, which also has connections for a microphone or headphones.
The rear panel of the Sound Blaster Extigy provides analog connectors for an amplifier or a speaker system such as the Creative
Inspire 5.1 5300 and digital connectors for a speaker system such as the Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 510D.
When combining the Sound Blaster Extigy with these speaker systems, the user experiences true Dolby Digital 5.1 audio in
movies, music and games. DAT players and a MIDI keyboard can also be connected to the rear panel of the Sound Blaster
Extigy.
For more information, visit their web site at www.creative.com. | 
