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Creative Labs releases special edition Sound Blaster Z PCIe
Creative is re-rereleasing its Sound Blaster Z. This special edition (SE) sound card has a few extra features, new gaming profiles, extra microphone presets and equalizer presets.
The Sound Blaster Z SE has the same audio specs as the regular edition, such as up to 116 dB SnR and 24-bit/192 kHz sound. However, now there is virtual 7.1 support for headphones and 5.1 discrete audio on speakers. The gaming profiles have been optimized for games like PUBG and Fortnite, but the users can also customize the EQ settings as needed. When talking to others online, no matter if there are games or more serious tasks involved, there are a bunch of pre-tuned Microphone EQs.
The new Sound Blaster Z SE supports 7.1 virtual sound in headphones and 5.1 discrete sound for audio systems. The press release says that users of the regular version of Sound Blaster Z can install a new application from Creative to get the updated functionality described above. The PCIe sound card is already available at 99 USD/EUR.
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At CES 2020, Creative Technology will be providing a sneak preview of its upcoming USB gaming headset, SXFI GAMER, which features a specially-designed sound profile which optimizes the Super X-Fi audi...
OnnA
Senior Member
Posts: 16020
Joined: 2014-10-25
Senior Member
Posts: 16020
Joined: 2014-10-25
#5878603 Posted on: 01/18/2021 11:04 AM
Sound Blaster Command ver. 3.4.94.3 is with SB-Z support.
Sound Blaster Command ver. 3.4.94.3 is with SB-Z support.
TheDeeGee
Senior Member
Posts: 8647
Joined: 2010-08-28
Senior Member
Posts: 8647
Joined: 2010-08-28
#5878608 Posted on: 01/18/2021 11:37 AM
Yeah, i installed Sound Blaster Command for my ZxR a couple of days ago.
Same sound, modern look, can't complain.
Yeah, i installed Sound Blaster Command for my ZxR a couple of days ago.
Same sound, modern look, can't complain.
insp1re2600
Senior Member
Posts: 2214
Joined: 2018-01-03
Senior Member
Posts: 2214
Joined: 2018-01-03
#5878631 Posted on: 01/18/2021 01:21 PM
Shame it didn't go as far as recon3d, fiancee still has one of those in her rig.
Shame it didn't go as far as recon3d, fiancee still has one of those in her rig.
RavenMaster
Senior Member
Posts: 1343
Joined: 2009-08-19
Senior Member
Posts: 1343
Joined: 2009-08-19
#5878665 Posted on: 01/18/2021 03:26 PM
I wish Creative would bring out a dedicated sound card with a HDMI 2.1 eARC Output. Optical only supports a maximum of 5.1 surround. HDMI 2.1 eARC can do 7.1 or 5.1.2, 7.1.4 and has support for Dolby Atmos and DTS TrueHD. Perfect for a Home Theatre PC.
Pretty much all the PC monitors out there on the market don't have eARC either. So you can't go from GPU ----> Monitor ----> AV Receiver.
You'd have to go GPU ----> AV Receiver ----> Monitor. This is a problem because you don't get to use the Monitor's technological benefits such as VRR/G-sync/Freesync etc. You have to rely on the AV Receiver's display technology instead, which is usually a bit laggier and not as precise when it comes to clarity.
Or you could go GPU ----> Monitor. Then put in a 2nd HDMI cable from the GPU to the AV Receiver directly. But this creates a 2nd 'Phantom monitor' and Windows thinks you are using a dual monitor setup when in actual fact only sound is being sent to this 'Phantom monitor.' This causes flickering when you alt tab out of a game and takes about 10 seconds to re-adjust itself to give you an image from your actual monitor.
I wish Creative would bring out a dedicated sound card with a HDMI 2.1 eARC Output. Optical only supports a maximum of 5.1 surround. HDMI 2.1 eARC can do 7.1 or 5.1.2, 7.1.4 and has support for Dolby Atmos and DTS TrueHD. Perfect for a Home Theatre PC.
Pretty much all the PC monitors out there on the market don't have eARC either. So you can't go from GPU ----> Monitor ----> AV Receiver.
You'd have to go GPU ----> AV Receiver ----> Monitor. This is a problem because you don't get to use the Monitor's technological benefits such as VRR/G-sync/Freesync etc. You have to rely on the AV Receiver's display technology instead, which is usually a bit laggier and not as precise when it comes to clarity.
Or you could go GPU ----> Monitor. Then put in a 2nd HDMI cable from the GPU to the AV Receiver directly. But this creates a 2nd 'Phantom monitor' and Windows thinks you are using a dual monitor setup when in actual fact only sound is being sent to this 'Phantom monitor.' This causes flickering when you alt tab out of a game and takes about 10 seconds to re-adjust itself to give you an image from your actual monitor.
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Junior Member
Posts: 6
Joined: 2018-11-13
That's a nice little software love for Sound Blaster Z series owners. They updated the control panel to Sound Blaster Command.