Microsoft DOS
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
- Microsoft Windows 95/98 or Windows NT 4.0
- Pentium PC 100 MHz or Higher
- 8MB of System RAM (16MB Recommended)
- 15MB of Hard Disk Space for Installation
- CD-ROM Drive for Installation
- 1 Available PCI Bus Slot
- Headphones or Powered Speakers
Installation
Back in the day, when the slightest error could keep your computer from running
properly, installing a sound card was not something many people looked forward
to. Sometimes, everything would seem perfectly fine, but the damn thing still
wouldn’t work. However, that was then, and this is now. The boys at Microsoft
have since made a little addition to their operating systems (starting with
Windows ’95) called Plug ‘n Play. With this handy piece of technology,
installing even the most stubborn hardware was simplified ten fold.
Xitel’s StormVX Platinum is, of course, no exception. The card slid into the PCI
slot without a hitch. After the test rig had booted, Windows prompted for the
drivers, which were also installed without any problems. Next, the PC started up
for the final time, and all was go for takeoff.
Sound Quality
As we all know, if a sound card doesn’t sound good, it’s not going to sell. And
on the same note, even a card with mediocre sound quality may have a hard
time selling. That’s why companies all strive to be on the cutting edge of
technology with every new product. When the Sound Blaster Live! was released
, it impressed everyone with some outstanding sound quality, quelling the
skeptics and putting to bed the naysayers. However, the StormVX Platinum,
armed with Aureal’s Vortex 2 chipset, has entered the fray, and expects to give
the current champ a run for its money.
Let’s get straight to the point. This sound card was designed for one main
purpose: 3D games. These cutting edge programs can either make or break a
product. It’s almost a routine event to see hyped up hardware get put back in
its place by poor performance. However, Xitel is not new to this arena. And the
Storm Platinum is certainly up to task of proving that it’s more than just hype.
3D Sound
Some of the most impressive 3D sound I’ve heard has came from the
technology demo’s bundled with the card. You’ll hear helicopters flying in the
sky, racecars darting around a track, and bees flying around your head in full 3D
sound. The experience is truly visceral. Mere technology demos, however, are
not what most people are interested in. There are several games that take
advantage of the capabilities the StormVX Platinum has to offer, as well. And all
of them sound phenomenal. Be it one of the newest additions, such as Star
Wars Episode 1: Racer, or something older, the 3D sound quality, especially
under A3D 2.0, is impressive. It’s not at all uncommon to hear near precise
sound reproduction. If a something is behind you and a little to the left,
pinpointing the location, especially with a four-speakers, is not in the least bit
problematic. As a matter of fact, it adds another level of depth to nearly any
game with support for 3D sound.
MIDI
The MIDI playback on the Storm Platinum shows the cards versatility. Not only
can it do superb 3D sound, but it can generate some nice sounding MIDI, too.
Classical music was lifelike, and Rock ‘n Roll pieces let loose with gritty guitar
and thumping drumbeats. In-game MIDI playback was also rich. Duke Nukem
3D and Doom both sounded excellent, which means that those of you who still
like to play the older games won’t have any problems with the way they sound.
Sound Blaster Pro Emulation
While most people question the thought of owning an old game that plays on a
386, much less playing one, there are some of us who enjoy taking a trip back
through memory lane and indulging ourselves in a game of Monkey Island or
Leisure Suit Larry. Those graphically deficient games are a part of gaming
history, so it’s a pretty safe bet that they will be played on a shiny new Pentium
III that in all likelihood has PCI sound. However, when the first PCI sound cards
came out, you would be hard pressed to find anything that would run a game in
DOS mode; that meant people wanting to play the classics had to stick with a
weaker, less capable ISA sound card. Luckily, most companies by now,
including Xitel, have discovered that not being able to play older games on a
PCI-based sound card cut out a sizeable chunk of potential buyers. Thus,
emulation is born. And Xitel has made sure to include it on the Storm Platinum.
Since Creative Labs was the driving force in the days of DOS and Windows 3.1,
Sound Blaster support is in nearly every pre-Windows game that has sound.
Anyone nostalgic for the oldies shouldn’t have any problems getting your
favorite games to run because of the Storm Platinum’s full Sound Blaster Pro
compatibility.
TOSLINK
The TOSLINK on the Storm Platinum is something that probably won’t be used
much by gamers, but for professional audiophiles, it’s a gift from the gods.
With the capability to connect your computer to an external amplifier, speaker,
stereo system, etc., it’s hard not to see how endless the uses of a TOSLINK
are. Imagine playing a game on a full 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound setup, or
recording a phone conversation you’ve had on the computer. The only problem
is that finding TOSLINK compatible devices can be difficult. Don’t expect to be
able to go to your local mom and pop electronics store and pick one up; usually
you’ll leave empty handed. Once you manage to scrounge up the goods,
however, you’ll be in for a treat, because the TOSLINK allows for a massive 48
kHz sampling frequency and super low static. If you’ve got a TOSLINK device,
the bar on sound quality is definitely raised a few notches.
Bundle
It’s so routine for a company to skimp on a gaming bundle these days, it’s
expected. I personally don’t mind having a game bundle, but there are several
people out there who don’t have a lot of cash to spend on games. Some of
them I’m sure have bought the StormVX Platinum only to be shocked to find no
games whatsoever. Considering that there is a StormVX “Gamers Pack,” you
would think that there would actually be some games inside. Not suprisingly,
there aren’t any. However, the bundle does have one (very) redeeming feature:
a set of vibrating headphones.
Vibrating Headphones?
That’s right, vibrating headphones. They sound like something that might be
used for a couple of minutes, then trashed. At least, my first opinions were like
that. I was wrong. No matter what type of game we play, be it first a person
shooter, strategy, or simulation, we want to be completely engulfed, to become
so immersed that we’re actually a part of the gaming environment. These
headphones do that. Simply writing about how they work can’t even come
close to how they feel on your head. The first time I put them on, which was when
I loaded up a game of Aliens vs. Predator, I was amazed at the level of depth the
headphones added. Shoot a grenade, and the ear-pieces shake violently; get
beside of a reactor, and they shake even more. The experience cannot be
described; they must be worn in order to fully appreciate what they can do. If you
find yourself annoyed with the vibration, you can simply flip a switch and turn it
off, or turn it down a notch, depending on your mood. Also keep in mind that a
AAA battery is required to get the headphones to vibrate.
Manual
The manual for the Platinum isn’t exactly filled to the brim with information, but it
provides an ample amount of installation instructions. It also explains how to
correctly use the driver software in order to getting the sound card running
optimally. The only thing missing is a technical support section. It would have
been nice to see an area where common problems and their fixes are
explained.
Two Speakers or Four?
First generation 3D sound cards were mostly reliant on the positioning of a
sound by tricking the brain into thinking an object was in a certain location.
Since two speakers were the norm for most computers at the time, this method
was acceptable. The overall experience wasn’t as gratifying as many had
hoped for, however. Mainly because sound reproduction wasn’t always
accurate, and it was difficult to find games that supported 3D sound.
Since then, many companies have answered back by including an extra speaker
output on their sound cards. And when coupled with a 3D sound API, such as
A3D 2.0 or DirectSound 3D, the effect is amazing. Now, instead of having to
emulate a location in space, programmers have the ability to specify a more
precise area for a sound. The end result is a gaming environment that is much
more immersive, literally thrusting you into a new world. Four-speaker output is
the wave of the future. You can either grab a surfboard and jump on, or be left
standing on the beach.
Headphones: Do I need ‘em?
Headphones are probably one of the most underrated pieces of hardware you
can find when it comes to computers. Most people don’t realize the potential of
these small, head-mounted speakers – especially when dealing with 3D. As a
matter of fact, it’s recommended that you use a set of headphones when
playing games that utilize 3D sound. Because you can’t physically move
speakers around when playing a game, attaining equilibrium (where your head
is at an equal distance from one speaker to the other) can be difficult, especially
with four speaker setups. Often the result is the misinterpretation of a sound,
and if you’re well into a game of Half-Life, this can be disconcerting, and may
potentially give you an unexpected dose of reality. Since headphones move as
your head moves, they can be much more accurate than speakers. And while
they aren’t necessarily needed, headphones should be a part of every gamers
entourage.
Conclusion
The StormVX Platinum definitely lives up to the hype. Everything about this card
screams “buy me!” From the beautifully done 3D sound, to the superb MIDI
reproduction, nothing is taken for granted. Throw force-feedback headphones
into the mix, slap on a $99.00 price tag, and you’ve got one of the best sound
cards money can buy.
Pros: Great sound; force feedback headphones; low price; TOSLINK;
four-speaker output
Cons: No games are bundled
Final Thought: Sound cards come in many shapes, sizes, and price ranges,
but it's doubtful that you'll find anything that sounds as good, and is as cheap as
the StormVX Platinum.
3D Sound |
97 |
MIDI Playback |
93 |
Bundle |
95 |
Manual |
90 |
Value |
98 |
Overall:
95%
