Buying a Computer
Sound cards
At its most basic level, a sound card (also referred to as an audio card) is an expansion card that the PC utilises to read and play sound files. A sound card has four main functions: as a synthesiser (generating sounds), as a Musical Instrument Digital Interface or MIDI interface (the standard that allows musicians to hook up instruments to sound cards), as an analog-to-digital converter (used, for example, in recording sounds from a turntable), and as a digital-to-analog converter (to reproduce sound for a speaker, for example).
Almost all PCs are configured with sound cards as standard issue, but in some cases these will be two-channel stereo cards that are good for playback of two-channel CD music, MP3s, low-level PC gaming and not much else. Lately, though, some motherboards have shipped with on-board eight-channel audio, providing digital 7.1 sound reproduction capability.
When buying a PC, the sound card you purchase will determine the quality of the sound you wish to output. If you are going to be producing music on your PC, then a serious sound card with plenty of connectivity (for the MIDI interface), low latency and ASIO 2.0 driver support is required, which could cost around £350 and above. Some high-end sound cards may even bundle an external breakout box which provide extra connectivity and easy access to audio jacks. If, however, you want something that can just produce decent music output and can be used for gaming, then a card with fewer features and priced between £45 and £130 will probably do the job.
Sound card interfaces
Sound cards connect to your computer through the PCI slot. A PCI slot is a type of interconnection system, which allows peripheral devices such as sound cards, modems or TV tuner cards to communicate with the computer's processor.
Dolby Digital
The latest sound cards include Dolby Digital 5.1 or 7.1 processing, which will give you true digital surround if you invest in a good PC surround speaker set or hook up your computer to your home theatre system. Be sure to get surround speakers that match your surround sound card in terms of channels (5.1, 6.1, etc.) and connections.
Speaker systems
A new sound card can be a waste unless you also upgrade your speakers. Most off-the-shelf PCs come with cheap-looking speakers that produce tinny, AM radio-like sound. you can spend £50 to £150 for a good-quality set of speakers; the higher-priced systems include rear speakers and even a front and rear centre channel speaker for true 3D sound (Take note: a subwoofer represents the '.1' in 5.1, 2.1 or 4.1 speaker systems).
Regardless of which sound card you choose, note that your card and speakers must have matching digital connections, and that sometimes the Dolby Digital encoding within both can be handled differently by various manufacturers. If you plan to buy a card from one vendor and speakers from another, check with the vendors to be sure that their products can make sweet music together.
Media centre PCs
Introduced in 2002, Microsoft unveiled a new operating system titled Windows XP Media Center Edition. MCE is basically a version of Windows XP Home but using an interface that allows PCs to become more effective home entertainment systems, complete with a TV/Radio tuner card and remote control. You can record and pause live TV (time shifting), watch DVDs or view video and photo files.
in the USA , the uptake of MCE has been quite positive but we're yet to see the same type of response here in Britian. One of the contributing factors for MCEs slow rise is the omission of Electronic Program Guide (EPG); a cool feature that enables digital television users to search, filter and customize program listings and even control access to content.
© LEV
