Conference napalm::commusic_v1

2597.0. "Soundbyte " by DCSVAX::COTE (cat < man | du) Tue Mar 19 1991 11:15

From:	PENUTS::HNELSON      19-MAR-1991 08:47:09.07
To:	ONRWAY::COTE
CC:	
Subj:	Article for COMMUSIC only WHERE?

Hi, Edd,

I typed in this article, but couldn't locate the direct-to-disk note(s). Rather 
than put it in the wrong place, I'm sending it to you, mr. moderator/keyword
mogul. Please feel free to send it back, or send me the note number or keyword 
to look for, or (if you've got the time and energy) please put it in the 
appropriate place in COMMUSIC.

Thanks, Hoyt

================================================================================


Inforworld 3/18/91 page 21 (freely edited without permission)

                SOUNDBYTE ADDS SOUND WITHOUT ADD-IN CARD

Meridean Data Inc. will introduce this week an inexpensive Walkman-size machine
enabling users to add sound capabilities to their PCs without having to install
an add-in card. 

The product, called SoundByte, plugs into the parallel port of a PC and can 
take audio input from a microphone or standard hi-fi equipment. A single chip 
in the unit digitizes and compresses sound files, storing them on a computer's 
hard disk drive.

SoundByte runs under DOS and Windows, and it is one of the few sound devices 
that currently supports Microsoft's multimedia extensions to Windows, due out 
in June. SoundByte costs $249.95, and it doesn't require a CD ROM drive. 

SoundByte users 16-bit adaptive differential pulse code modulation (ADPCM) 
compression. Most PC-based audio devices use standard linear pulse code 
modulation (PCM) in 8 or 16 bits. The less expensive 8-bit PCM delivers lower 
quality sound than 16-bit PCM, but sound files recorded with it take up less 
hard disk space than those recorded with a 16-bit chip.

The 16-bit ADPCM compression used in SoundByte yields high-quality audio 
recordings, and files are compressed so that they take up about one quarter of 
the space normally needed for 16-bit PCM files.

    Meridian Data Inc.
    5615 Scotts Valley Drive
    Scotts Valley, CA 95066
    (408) 438-3100

- Hoyt

InfoWorld 7/8/91 p.28 - quoted without permission

ATI Technologies Inc. is going after the sound/graphics market with two new
additions to its FX line. The stereo sound boards, the VGAudio FX and the Audio
FX, are designed to provide stereo sound for PCs, alond with compatibility for
Microsoft Corp.'s Multimedia Windows. 

The Audio FX board suports a dynamic range of up to 100 decibels, a selectable
sampling rate of 44 kHz, and comes with 8-bit stereo DACs. An optional MIDI
connector supports simultaneous MIDI In and Out for multitrack recording. The
sound board includes a microphone jack, amplifier, and software. 

In addition to the sound capabilities of the Audio FX, the VGAudio FX board
merges audio capabilities and VGA graphics on a single board. The board
supports 15-bit color and comes with Color Depth Enhancement technology,
increasing the apparent color display from 32,768 colors to more than 262,000
colors. 

The boards will ship in the third quarter. Their list prices will range from
$300 to $500. 

    Should that 8 bits have been 18 bits?  100 db dynamic range and 8 bit
    conversion resolution (=> 48 db signal to noise ratio) seem inconsistent.
    
    If the sampling rate is selectable, what other options are available
    besides 44 (44.1?) KHz?
    
    len.
    

     For the price quoted I think 8 bits must be it. Can't comment
     on the rest.
     Dave