Any users of Hercules Game Theater XP?

[Akaz1976]

What would yur comment on its performance compared to Live be?

Akaz

 

[wesman6]

I just bought it last week from CompUSA and I absolutely love it. It's a 4 port USB hub, and a sound card in one. I went from a SB Live! Gamer to a Philips Acoustic Edge to finally the Hercules. I really loved the Philips also, but the Hercules offered more. I haven't used all the functions of the card yet, but I have watched several DVDs and the Sensaura 3D positioning is great! Also the headphone output is pretty good too. The card comes with PowerDVD w/ 6.1 speaker output support. My Klipsch v.2-400 speakers sound great with this setup. I don't think that you'll be disappointed with the Hercules offering.

 

[nortexoid]

the santa cruz seems to be the same card minus the useless break-out box...

if u're only using the breakout box for the usb hub, u could've saved money and bought a usb hub, particularly one that fits in a 3.5" bay, isntead of being this giant/ugly breakoutbox that doesn't sit vertically, but occupies precious desktop space most users can't afford on a useless breakout box.

 

[wesman6]

Nortexoid,
My so called "useless breakout box" sits underneath my monitor. The monitor sits on a platform above the desktop. You must have a very small desk to have to worry about such desktop space. As for the breakout box, have you even seen one in person? Doubtful. It's a very nice aluminum piece that is very sturdy and well made. Not to mention all the connection options that are available. More so than the beloved SB Live! Platinum with it's LiveDrive. SO seeing as how the box also contains a 4 port USB as a plus, it's cost is still less than the Platinum by at least $30.00. Kind of a "no-brainer" unless, of course, we're talking about you.

 

[SiliconVandal]

That useless breakout box is pretty cool. I plan on getting one of those guillemot's when i get the money, they look great.

 

[billyjak]

Isin't their an adapter to put the break out box in a bay, I thought I read that somewhere.

 

[wesman6]

Not that I know of. The break-out box is about 8" wide and about 6" deep. You would have to open up the box and gut it to get it to install into the 5 1/2" bay. If there is, let me know.

 

[nortexoid]

1) wesman, i've seen numerous pictures of the box (w/ the belkin hub), which i would consider suficient for justifying my claim that it lacks aesthetic appeal...

2) I don't have room at the front of my desk (where is where it should be placed...the back would be pointless for a breakout box)...i'm sure many others don't either...

3) I wasn't promoting the live drive or platinum card over the XP...so don't get all defensive and frolicking from the mouth, etc...calm down chap...i would choose the XP over the platinum, but i still wouldn't consider either of them in the first place...

funny...look who wants to put their beautiful breakout box in their 5 1/4" bay...

 

[wesman6]

Darn double post.

 

[wesman6]

nortexoid,

Funny, I wasn't saying that I would want a 5 1/2" convertor. I just asked to let me know. I'd be curious how they would go about doing it.

Next, I believe that the topic for the discussion in the first place was the performance compared to the Live! card.

And lastly, you answered the question of whether or not you had seen it in person, by stating that you have seen pictures of it. I understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In your case, you may find it unpleasant, but I would think that Akaz1976 had already seen some pictures or had seen it in person and had decided that it would interest him enough to possibly buy it. I was merely telling him my experience with the Hercules card which is what I believe he was looking for in the first place. Not an opinion on it's looks.

I am curious about what sound card you would recommend. Enlighten me if you would be so kind.

 

[mikef208]

I would like to add my OPINION, I have used the SB Live Platinum 5.1, MP3+(not 5.1), philips accoustic edge and this hercules game theater XP's. I have settled on the HGTXP, it has better sound quality in DVD's games and about the same in most music to the SB Live cards. Plus the breakout box is awesome. I don't see how it can be considered useless, with all the connections it has plus the USB hub, it is awesome. As for it taking up too much deskspace, I have more then enough room on my desk, but my desk is bigger then some. Although if your desk is that cramped then just turnthe box sideways and stuff it tightly between whatever else is cluttering your desk.

All I can say is I would recommend this card over any other I have used or heard, it is the coolest.

 

[Akaz1976]

Thank you all, this card seems to get big thumbs up from all its users

Akaz

 

[Wingznut]

Fwiw, I have the Santa Cruz card which uses the same chipset. It's a very, very nice soundcard.

If the breakout box is not important to you, get this card. If the breakout box is something you'd like, get the HGTXP.

Btw, the Santa Cruz has a "VersaJack" on it. I can plug my headphones into it, and then switch between my speakers and headphones in software, via the SC control panel. How do you switch between headphones and speakers on the HGTXP?

 

[nortexoid]

like i suggested...i'd recommend the santa cruz, and seeing how the only prized ports on the breakout box of the XP are the USB ones, i'd further recommend a 3.5" 4 port internal USB hub.

This would be a lot cheaper, offer exact same quality, etc....if u actually use ports other than USB, then i'd recommend getting a FrontX 5.25" internal multimedia drive...u can port the sound card, serial, printer, etc. ports to the front.

 

[Wingznut]

Yeah, but have you used the HGTXP?

 

[nortexoid]

why would i need to when i've used a santa cruz?

 

[Wingznut]

I'm just curious as to why you are so down on it, if you've never used it?

I mean, the breakout box is a matter of personal preference. I'm sure there are plenty of people who'd like to have one. Just because you don't care for it, doesn't mean others would feel the same way.

 

[dcdomain]

How's the optical output on the breakout box (there is one right?). The optical output on my Platinum 5.1 isn't working, although I don't have the software installed, so that could be a problem. Anyone think it's worth it to drop my Platinum for this card?

 

[wesman6]

Wingznut PEZ, As for the headphone jack, there is one right in front of the breakout box. Just plug it in, adjust the volume control for the headphone (volume dial right above the jack), and you're off and running. There is a microphone plug in the front of the box as well as Line inputs for left and right, two USB plugs, and the joystick port. On the back are Midi in and out, Digital outputs (both coaxial and optical), 2 more USB plugs, subwoofer out, center channel out, front and rear outs (both RCA and mini plug). I would say that's alot of options.

 

[Wingznut]

So... You'd turn up the headphone volume, and turn down the speaker volume?

 

[wesman6]

Yeah, that's how I do it. It doesn't switch automatically. It's actually not that bad for me. The Klipsch satellite sits on top of my desk about 2 feet from the breakout box.

 

[Wingznut]

No, that's not bad at all. Beats the hell out of getting behind your PC, unplugging the speakers, and plugging in the headphones.

 

[mikef208]

Yeah nortexoid, stop knocking the breakout box if you haven't used it, the USB is cool, the game port is sweet, the headphone and microphone jacks are okay, the optical and coaxial digital inputs are cool, and the RCA jack inputs are awesome. The other stuff i don't use as of now, but it can be put to good use.

 

[wesman6]

I wholeheartedly agree!

 

[Pariah]

Are the USB ports powered?