Dictation and voice control
Some audio adapters are equipped with software able to recognize the voice, which can be used to control some computer operations. Voice recognition occurs when the computer was “taught” to recognize forms of spoken words and react to them.
Sampling
Using an audio adapter, a PC which can record audio. Sound waves (known as digitized sound and sample) using the computer as a recording device. Adapter built into small chips, called digital-analogue converters (ADCs) convert analogue sound waves a bit on the computer can understand them. Similarly, digital-analogue converters (DAC) transform the recorded sounds audible in an analogue format.
Sampling is the process by which the original analogue sound waves are converted into digital signals (binary) on the computer and then save them play. Sampled sound system with the assumption of instantaneous frequency and amplitude at regular intervals. As the sampling rate is higher with both digital sound produces real and true to its source the greater the disk space needed to store.
3D sound and 3D adapters
One of the biggest problems practitioners series of games, audio adaptors referring to is how well they performed tasks of 3D audio. The problem has become complicated due to several factors including:
• differing standards for positional audio
• Processing hardware from 3D audio signal processing software.
• DirectX support issues
Positional audio
Fundamental problem common to all 3D sound cards is the positional audio signal, which refers to the adjustment of some characteristics like reverbaration, balance and “place” that apparently sound to produce the illusion of sound coming from the front, sides or rear of the user.
Almost all new sound cards support 3D sound market while Audigy series to leap to the next level, that supports up to four audio streams to get accelerated 3D effects amazing atmosphere.
3D audio processing
Some sound cards made partially or fully 3D processing required for 3D using computer host processor, while others use a powerful digital signal processor, which makes processing even audio adapter. Plates using the host processing for 3D can cause significant downtime frequency frameworks (frames per second animation shown on the screen of a 3D game) when 3D sound is ACTV, if host processor uses less than 1 GHz, while cards with their own processors 3D audio board staff have small changes in frequency or as 3D sound is enabled or is not. Many of the latest chips from leading provider of audio and chip sets adaptors support 3D acceleration, but the number of audio streams supported by the chip varies significantly and can sometimes be limited by problems with software drivers.
Installing sound card
Connecting the adapter to the motherboard
Before you can install a sound card, need it to be positioned in one of the available PCI slots on the motherboard. Figure 8 shows how the user can connect the sound card to the motherboard via the PCI port.
If your computer has more free PCI indicated that the audio adapter to be inserted into a port near one of the processor cooler or of the source.
Install adapter
After correct positioning in the PCI slot, the user must install specific drivers for your sound card to be recognized by the operating system. These drivers generally come in the package directly from sound card adapter manufacturer. Operating systems like Windows 2000/XP drivers have their own house but they are only famous companies. For the sound card to work better as the user is forced to look for new drivers compatible sound card and may be found on the company’s manufacturing site. After the sound card driver was installed, the Windows System Tray icon will appear in a loudspeaker. If the icon is not visible, then it can be installed through the icon Add / Remove Programs in Control Panel. Under Windows XP, open Sounds and Audio Devices icon, click run a volume label, then the box Place Volume Icon in the Taskbar.
Connect PC speakers and complete installation
After the adapter card was installed, the jack for external speakers you can connect speakers. Typically, to control speakers, sound card delivers the power of four watts per channel. If you want to use a 5.1 speaker system is required to read carefully how to connect it. To use the rear speakers for 3D audio adjustment is necessary properties using software mixer control, supplied with your sound card.
As a PC speakers and sound cards can connect a stereo amplifier station.
Troubleshooting problems soundcard
To function, an audio adapter needs hardware to the IRQ, port address I / O base and DMA channels, which does not conflict with other devices. Most adapters are preconfigured to use the standard Sound Blaster adapter resources, which began to be associated with the audio adapter. However, occasional problems arise, even if Plug and Play adapters. Troubleshooting can mean altering the parameters used by the system BIOS for PnP devices, moving sound card in another slot or other reconfiguration of computer devices.
Hardware Conflicts
The most common problem with audio adapters is that they enter conflict with other devices installed on your computer. It is possible that the audio adapter, although it installed correctly, simply not work, repeat endlessly the same sound or make the PC crash. This situation is due to a hardware conflict. Why fight it? Basically, the same bus signal lines or channels that one used to chat with your PC.
The following table shows the allocation of resources typical sound cards using a PCI slot.
Interruption Device I / O Ports DMA channel
16-bit DMA channel
8 bits
Audio 220h-233h IRQ 5 DMA 1 DMA 5
MIDI port – 330h-331h – -
FM synthesizer – 388h-38Bh – -
Game port – 200h-207h – -
If the user uses the MS-DOS programs or games that need to verify that software that uses the sound card is configured correctly (Figure 8).
Conflict resolution resources
Resource conflicts are rare on the current PCI audio adapters, thanks to support Plug and Play technology and sharing/forwarding features PCI / IRQ allowed by Windows, and recent chip sets.
If the user uses, yet, Windows ’95 or ISA audio adapter, it can face serious problems because of IRQ and DMA conflicts.
