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Things have been changed rapidly in many a living room. People have shifted their PC into the lounge and are playing multimedia files like DVDs and music through their stereo. Lounge TVs have been upgraded to home cinemas. This meant a rethink on how to get the sound from PC into the stereo amplifier or home theater system.

One of the reasons for these changes has been the introduction of high definition (high quality) video and audio. To get the optimum quality and performance when feeding high-def, content from their compute into lounge system, people had to upgrade their lounge computers or home theaters PCs (HTPC).

This sound card is special in the fact that it is Dolby Digital Live Certification, and 7.1 channel surround sound. This gives home theater and gamer users an easy way to send their digital media, and that simplifies the connection between their computer’s sound card and their speaker/audio system. Having both digital output (co-axial and toslink S/PDIF - Sony/Phillips digital interface) significantly increases the quality of output and makes setup much easier, due to its compatibility with both old and new digital amplifiers.

Having both digital outs is rare and a major bonus, but where this card shines is its expansion bracket, which has two digital inputs into the sound card. It is powered by C-Media CMI8768+ audio processor chip.

Pros: Easy to install, excellent value for money and makes a startling difference to the digital audio - especially with gaming or playing DVDs.

Cons: Nothing specific

Verdict: Not many people have 64-bit PCI-Express TV boxes, and if you are like me, with a vanilla nForce2 PCI system powering your HTPC, or an intense gamer fed up with the EAX updates and high prices, then this card is for you.

Have you got this card, what do you think of it?