4-channel sound card with S/PDIF for $9.99 @ CompUSA.com or B&M

[rebuilder]

This week's ad.

I know nothing about the quality of this card but for $9.99 I bought a couple of them for some systems I'm building. Regular $39.99.
Here's a link to webpage to order online:
FMI (es1989 chip) sound card

Warning, it seems like most cheap cards come with a host of driver problems.

Does anyone know anything about this chipset (es1989 by ESS) as far as bugs, compatibility problems, etc ?

Thanks michael2 for the info. Your'e right about the lack of 4 channel support under Win2000. I read that on some other reviewers site just prior to your reply.

 

[michael2]

The I/O Magic MagicQuad V6 sound card uses the ESS Allegro-1 (ES1989) chip also.
I bought one of the I/O Magic MagicQuad V6 sound cards at CompUSA, but returned it for a refund when I found that the Windows 2000 drivers only support two channel playback.
The four channel playback only works under Windows 95/98.
The '3D Audio Immersion' Web site at http://www.3dai.net/ put a short blurb on their page when I sent them a message about the card.

 

[Atrac]

So is that Digital Output Optical or Coaxial????

 

[obeny81]

i thought all S/PDIF outputs were all digital outs DIN...

 

[Rhodent]

What do you guys think of this card? I do not have digital speaker outs on speakers or anything. I have a simple 20 dollar 16 bit sound card now that only have stereo sound. Was thinking that for 10 bucks this might be a nice upgrade for my DVD drive. It sounds good to me now. This will allow a more dolby digital effect right? Is this not a 16 bit card? since i read it being a wave table type deal? Any info or opinions?

 

[Aquarius]

Hey guys, I work at Comp....this card blows. FMI means that the card is made by us....need I say more?

 

[future]

gotcha

 

[rebuilder]

Aquarius,
Thanks for the first hand info.
Just curious as to why it blows? Are you saying its no good based on FMI/Compusa history or have you actually heard of others(or yourself) who have installed the card and noticed problems with quality or drivers.

Not trying to be argumentative. I just need to know what the actual cons of this card are. I would imagine that the I/O MagicQuad V6 is a very similar if not identical card based on the ESS es1989 chipset and that the problems would be similar.

I haven't found an official review of this card yet or the chipset itself.

Thanks for any additional info.

 

[Bilbo777]

I was at the B&M looking over all the sound cards. I myself just need one to replace an onboard Compaq Ess 1938. Just starting to looking.

Everyone of the other cards that CompUSA was selling said sound blaster compatible except the one on sale. Does this mean anything important? Other than of course reading from above.. I guess its a so so card for X reasons?

 

[nallur]

Bought this card yesterday. Will return it today. Couldn't get the damn thing to work with Win2000. The 2k drivers are not even on the CD. I did find some one on the net, but it only allows the rear speakers to work, not the fronts. It may work better with Win 9x, but I don't want to even find out.

 

[mccall]

Does this card have optical or coaxial digital out?

 

[dic101]

is this card usable in linux? im looking for a cheap pci sound card for playing mp3's n such... any suggestions if this doenst work out?

 

[TimeKeeper]

Okay...this is once for all info. (only $10, give it a try )

This card come w/

Outsite connection:
SPDIF-O (Coaxial)
F-OUT (front out)
R-OUT (Rear out)
Line In
Mic
GamePORT.

Inside connection:
CD-In w/ GLGR
CD-In w/ RGGL

Software:

95/98/NT driver
WinDVD 2000
Gamut 2000
Audio/Speaker TESTER

Key Feature:

S/PDIF out for DVD
EAX support
Fully compatible w/ SB pro, WSS, MPU-401, DOS
Full Duplex, internet Phone enabled.


p.s.
1. It sounds no different then AWE64. (well, I am only human, I can only differentiate 4 pitch and 4 voice at once MAX)

I don't think it support Linux, check ESS tech driver site.

 

[Pongpan]

Okay.... first.. as mentioned... no rear speakers under win2k. Second, the combination of this sound card and STB TV PCI lock up my Win98SE system.