Surround Sound IC Fits Consumer PCs

The company's SoundMAX 2.1 integrated digital audio IC now supports multi-channel configurations, making it suitable for use on consumer PC motherboards. Based on Intel's Communications Network Riser specifications, the device supports up to six channels of playback for 5.1 Dolby Digital, EAX and A3D. Features include a 1,024-voice wavetable, environmental reverb, and 3-D positioning. The device is compatible with all AC'97, v.2.1 compliant riser cards and is claimed to retain complete hardware independence and vendor flexibility for companion modem or LAN interface devices on the same card.