Warm??? Hercules Muse XL 4- channel sound card with Full ver of PowerDVD 3.0 and stereo headphone & boom mic for 19.99

[esquared]

I realize this might not be a hot deal but I thought I would pass it on since the ad at CompUSA doesn't tell all. I went to CompUsa and the Hercules Muse XL sound card was said to sell for 29.99 with 10 rebate. I have the Maxi Muse from last year, and it is based on the CMI 8738 sound chip. It's 4- channel surround with 2 speaker outputs and line in, and it's a great, inexpensive card. This XL version states it's the new generation CMI 8738 processor. As I couldn't find the rebate I finally found out that it's an instant rebate of 10.00 for a total of 19.99. What made this deal enticing was that it stated that a FULL version of ver 3.0 PowerDVD was included, even though the back of the box said a 30 day demo. Several boxes had written on front, full version and several did not refer to Power DVD at all, only on the back as a demo. I bought it to have another good sound card, plus the possibility of getting Power DVD ver 3.0 for free. I installed the ver 3.0 and the installation didn't mention a 30 day trial so it appears to be full version, and it has Dolby support. It usually sells for 4-5 bucks plus 5 shipping on Pricewatch so the sound card ends up costing around 10. Also they include a stereo headphone (with input and output plugs)with a boom mic included in these boxes, it's got to be worth a few bucks. Sorry for the long explanation, but I thought it would be worth the detail if anyone was interested.

 

[manly]

Sounds good, I wonder if you can also get a cheap/free upgrade to the just released PowerDVD 4.0 by buying this?

 

[esquared]

Upgrades range from 19.95 to 39.95. It looks like the multichannel 3.0 would qualify for the 19.95 upgrade. Wow, the list on 4.0 is 69.95 to 74.95.
upgrades
full versions

 

[manly]

Is the bundled OEM PowerDVD 3.0 you got the 2-channel or multi-channel version?

As you noted, that would affect the upgrade price you can get.

 

[esquared]

As far as I can tell, it's the multichannel version. I can post the exact version when I get home.

 

[SDOG34]

Will this card put my old turtle beach montego to shame? I just got a DVDrom from newegg for $29 and am looking for a better souncard.

 

[pukemon]

The Montego's Vortex1 chip is actually pretty good, but you know you're not going to be getting any new driver support out of it, but if you're still on Win98SE and you're not going to upgrade, no use in buying a new one, its actually quite good.

The cmedia 8738's are actually pretty good. They get chucked onto many motherboards as the hardware 4.1 sound. My Iwill KK266 has it and it is good as well. However its a pretty no nonsense, no frills chipset, good for MP3s and light gaming but anything else would require a better card. I bought an SB Live! and the sound seems "better" in some ways, probably because of all the preprocessing and effects that go into it though...

 

[pukemon]

grrrr double post of the previous msg

 

[esquared]

Manly:
Here's a portion of what's on my read-me file on Power DVD 3.0. There's more, but it's too long to post all. Definitely appears to be multi-channel. Hope it helps.


This README file contains the latest information about PowerDVD. For complete
PowerDVD instructions and usage, please refer to the online help or user's guide.

- What's New in PowerDVD 3.0
- Additional Features of PowerDVD 3.0
- Hardware Compatibility
- General Playback Performance and Quality Issues
- Microsoft(tm) DirectShow Support
- Limitations under Windows NT 4.0


==========================
WHAT'S NEW IN PowerDVD 3.0
==========================

For more details and further explanations of each function, refer to the online
help or user's guide.

* New Dolby Digital decoder with enhanced quality and improved decoding precision.
Certified by Dolby Laboratory for 2/4/6 channel decoding (*)

* Added Dolby Pro-Logic decoder for 4/6 channel sound card users (*)

* Dolby Headphone support (*)

* Enhanced MPEG video decoder for better clarity and exceptional viewing
quality for VCD and DVD

* Proprietary "Dual Subtitles" technology

* New i-Power Pages for the latest DVD news and resources

 

[manly]

Thanks esquared,

Cyberlink's PowerDVD 4.0 upgrade pages reference how to check which version you have. The short instructions are:

1. Go to "About PowerDVD" dialog
2. Double-click on the PowerDVD banner image

Let us know what you find.

 

[esquared]

Manly:
Thanks for the info. I couldn't copy and paste the info but here are the relevant parts. Seems the audio capability as 4 means 4-channel. What do you think?


dvd ver 3.00.0115
audio capability 4
version type OEM/retail


Just checked the Cyberlink website and read the following two pages (linked below). My Power DVD does have the 4/6 channel support and the Dolby headphone "grayed off", so I think it is an OEM without multichannel. Oh well. Thanks again for the info. Very useful.

FAQ
More FAQ's

Manly:
Just for curiousity sake, where did you find the info on how to determine the exact version info. I couldn't see it.

 

[esquared]

Manly:
Just found the answer to my last question to you. From the info I put up on the last post, I do have multi-channel according to their tip on how to find my exact version and support. It's just that Dolby pro-logic and Dolby headphone aren't "turned on" I suppose. It does appear that the 19.95 upgrade to Standard Power DVD 4.0 would apply here. I think I will send them an e-mail and see if the cheaper upgrade would apply to my setup. I'll let you know if you're interested.

 

[bockchow]

ok i tried to get this online but it's showing up as a mail-in there. i put it in my card and went to check out and confirmed the order and it's still 29.99 plus $5 shipping. is the instant rebate a B&M deal only or was it just a local thing. none near by so i can't confrm. anybody else seen this. granted either way it's a good deal, but instant is so much easier. still waiting on over 300 in MIR from black friday so i'm not in the market for any more until after christmas.

 

[esquared]

Mine was instant rebate. It rang up on the register for 19.99. Don't know about the online purchases.
The CSR that helped me looked for a 10.00 rebate and couldn't find it until she realized it was instant 10 off.

 

[bockchow]

ok just got back from best buy they had this for 19.99 as the reguler price. no sale or rebate instate or otherwise. there online site doesn't reflect this yet but there site is higher anyway. still a good deal for a good card but this looks like the new standerd price. now if they would drop the price of the fotissimo or the gtxp i'd consider upgradeing but for a new lower end system this is the card to get. thanks for the info.

now if the compusa rebate was a mail in to hercules and you could price match to get this for $10 after MIR then that would be a hot deal.

 

[TampaFlash]

Well, I got in on this one too! Not a great card, but better than what I had. And the price is right! Should go great with the Altec Lansing ADA880 Speakers that I ordered from Dell yesterday for $22 delivered! Price was $20 no MIR, checked the MWS, nothing. Anyway GREAT deal! Thanks again guys!

I'm saving my way into the Poor House...