M -Audio has introduced a new 5.1 surround card for PCI Macs. The new card is called Revolution 5.1, and is based on M-Audiois Revolution 7.1 technology. Revolution 5.1 offers Mac users 5.1 surround sound out from their Macs that have a PCI slot. M-Audio says the product supports games, DVD, and other products that offer 5.1 sound output. From M-Audio:
M-Audio designed the Revolution 5.1 with a keen eye toward gamers. Todayis hottest gaming technologies, such as EAX, OpenAL, A3D, DirectSound and Sensaura, are built right in allowing 3D audio positioning and realistic environmental simulation. Revolution 5.1 also features low CPU usage, an important factor for lightning-fast visual response in gaming. Gamers are now able to hear the enemy sneaking up behind them or experience an airplane flyby with stunning audio detail. The product ships with a fully functioning version of Activisionis Wakeboard Unleashed featuring Shaun Murray -- the first game optimized for surround sound on the Macintosh platform.
Revolution 5.1 also brings DVD movies and games to life with up to 5.1 surround sound. Three 1/8-inch stereo jacks provide six discrete outputs -- five for main speakers and one for a subwoofer -- for channel-accurate surround reproduction. All six of the Revolution 5.1is outputs simultaneously deliver high-definition audio up to 192kHz at 24-bit resolution for a true audiophile listening experience. WinDVD 5 OEM is included for software decoding of Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS. Revolution 5.1 also features a S/PDIF digital output providing Dolby Digital and DTS pass-through to home theater systems.
Like top-end home theater systems, Revolution 5.1is soundstage is fully configurable. The control panel allows adjustment for speaker size and distance, dialogue clarity and bass management. In addition, SRS TruSurround XT is included for recreating surround sound environments while only using two speakers or headphones. Revolution 5.1 also incorporates SRS Circle Surround II that dynamically separates instruments, vocals, and even crowd noise to deliver larger-than-life virtual surround sound from normal stereo CDs or MP3s.
Home musicians will also appreciate the 24-bit/96kHz 1/8-inch stereo line input for recording their own music, as well as an 1/8-inch direct microphone input. Impressive specs such as a high 109dB signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range, and exceptionally low distortion (THD) rating of 0.00185% (-95dB) ensure that sound is clear and clean throughout the card.
Revolution 5.1 runs on PCI Macs with a G4 or G5 processor, under both Classic Mac OS 9.22 and Mac OS X 10.2.6 or higher. The card is priced at US$99.95 and is available now. Revolution 5.1 also runs on a variety of Windows platforms.
You can find more information on the card at M-Audiois Web site.