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Audigy2 ZS PCMCIA Soundcard

corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
PCMCIA

This PCMCIA Audigy 2 ZS has some interesting specs, but the ones I am most interested in are not to be found so far. That is, what are the ports? I can see from the illustration that there are apparently 3 ports on the end - but they are not specified. If this has a LINE IN port, than I will get one. Otherwise - thanks anyway. Anyone have one?
 
Thanks - I sent an email to Hikari asking about the specific ports on the card. It has an "Optical Out" but I'm not really sure what that is.
 
Great card as an upgrade to my i9200.

http://us.creative.com/products/product...duct=10769&nav=technicalSpecifications

"Connectors
A combined Line-In / Microphone-In and Optical-In jack provides the flexibility to record from virtually anything!
The convenient headphone-out doubles as an optical-out so you can listen over headphones or record to your digital music player.
The multichannel speaker jack lets you connect and disconnect your speakers with one simple cable! "


Note that there are two versions.
The retail boxed version, and the retail blister pack version.
Boxed version is old model. Some laptops have problems fitting it into PCMCIA slot.
Blister packed version is longer, so fits all laptops. Other fixes may also be present?
Boxed version I bought was what was sold at Newegg.
Blister pack version I bought was from Best Buys.
No Coax digital out, only Optical digital out.
 
Had one, got rid of it. Was getting numerous loud popping sounds from it. Several people over on Notebookforums have the same problem.
 
Well, I am about to get one. I appreciate all the comments, and have noted them. Reason - I do a lot of multimedia work, and that includes converting stereo tapes (cassette and reel-to-reel) to WAV then MP3 format. That requires a LINE IN function.

My new so-called multimedia lapto (HP dv1000 with many upgrades) has only a monaural mic por and two headphone ports. (Who the hell needs two headphones - I can only wear one at a time!) For a decade or more, there has been a standard of Mic, Line In, Line Out on most all laptops. I wonder who the genius was that changed it. The optical combos are a plus.

Sounds like the card is worth a try.
 
Originally posted by: Flashram
Had one, got rid of it. Was getting numerous loud popping sounds from it. Several people over on Notebookforums have the same problem.
Click to expand...

Most report all problems solved with new drivers released in March.
New version (blister packed) fixed problems for most others.
Some systems with flacky cardbus controllers still have issues.

With newer drivers, card can now be removed by simply ejecting. No need to "safely remove hardware". This only works though if you do NOT have "use internal laptop speakers" checked. If you do, simply uncheck, then remove card.

This card is really made for gamers first. Surround sound and performance increases. Games will have added performance by not needing the CPU assisting the onboard audio to do the work. CPU is freed up to run the game. Not a huge increase, but considering it also adds hardware surround sound, with a slight performance gain instead of a hit, it will make you smile.

If you only want 2 channel for music, then there are better more acurate choices.

Anyone stuck with crap Sigma-tel or C-Media needs to upgrade to this or something similar.
 
Originally posted by: RobsTV
Originally posted by: Flashram
Had one, got rid of it. Was getting numerous loud popping sounds from it. Several people over on Notebookforums have the same problem.
Click to expand...

Most report all problems solved with new drivers released in March.
New version (blister packed) fixed problems for most others.
Some systems with flacky cardbus controllers still have issues.

Also, with newer drivers, card can now be removed by simply ejecting. No need to "safely remove hardware". This only works though if you do NOT have "use internal laptop speakers" checked. If you do, simply uncheck, then remove card.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. Might give it another try. The other thing I did not care for is that the notebook (700m) got noticeably warmer with the zs installed.

 
Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
(Who the hell needs two headphones - I can only wear one at a time!)
Click to expand...
Those are there for two people in the back of a car or on an airplane to listen at the same time 😉
Click to expand...

That is why I always carry a "Y" connector. I would rather have the LINE IN port than a second headset port. It is much for useful in multimedia work. 🙂

 
I just bought one from the egg..
It's OEM.. It does sound excellent mated with my 9200.
I tried an experiment, I unplugged the card and all sound hell broke loose😱
I had to restart the laptop in order for it to give me some love.
Must be the old version:brokenheart:
 
Have had one for quite a while now. The pops and clicks were annoying, but the latest drivers have pretty much fixed the problems. No way in heck am I going back to the SBLive! or the laptop's built-in audio! 😛
 
Hey! All I want is a LINE IN port! Will the Audigy2 etc. provide that? 🙂
 
Yes, it has a line in. The same port also has optical (mini toslink/spdif) in, too (autosenses).

But, phisrow is right, it is overkill if that is all you want. 🙂 I love it though, I've never had any problems with it.
 
Originally posted by: phisrow
If you just need a line in, something a little more specialized may be in order. Give http://www.xitel.com/product_inport.htm a look.
Click to expand...

That looks interesting - but it says nothing about how it connects to the laptop. Again, I need a LINE IN on my laptop - logically that would have to be PCMCIA, USB 2, or Firewire.
 
Picked up my 2nd Audigy Notebook this afternoon. Happy to say that this one does not have the popping noises. Got the blister pack version.
 
Originally posted by: Krypto
Would the Audigy run ok on a 933mhz laptop with 256mb or ram? Or Does it actually need minimum requirements on creative's site?
Click to expand...

When my Dell i9200 is on max battery savings mode, it speedsteps down from 1.8GHz to 600MHz, and the SB ZSN still works fine. But, that is a P-M at 600MHz, which may still be much faster than your 933MHz CPU?.?.

 
Originally posted by: Krypto
Would the Audigy run ok on a 933mhz laptop with 256mb or ram? Or Does it actually need minimum requirements on creative's site?
Click to expand...
I do know that there is a "Low Performance" mode or something like that in the software. I don't remember exactly what it changes, but it does allow for use on older computers. 933MHz should be okay, but I would make sure you can return it just in case 😉
 
Post op - I decided to get the externalk, USB-powered Audigy 2NX instead. It is perfect - does everything I want. It is very small and easy to use, and can be easily used by any and all computers - even desktops.

2NX
 
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