Onkyo Launches its New Multimedia Division...Says Sound Cards Should be Kept Outside the Box

Onkyo Introduces Two USB Digital Audio Processors For PCs And Macs, Plus A DolbyÆ Digital/DTSÆ Processor/Amp/Speaker Package For PCs, Games, And Home Theatre

4-Jun-01

Onkyo, a brand best known for producing quality hi-fi components, has launched its new Multimedia Division by introducing better-sounding and more versatile alternatives to PC and Macintosh sound cards. By moving the sound card digital audio functions outside the computer chassis, Onkyo's two new USB Digital Audio Processors offer superior sound quality and improved connectivity with a wide range of audio components.""The interior of a personal computer, with all its high-speed digital ICs, switch-mode power supplies, cooling fan motors, and other sources of electromagnetic radiation, is a bad environment for the sensitive analog audio circuits needed to achieve audiophile quality sound,"" says Paul Tamberelli, Onkyo's Director of Multimedia. ""We have learned that these sound card functions are best performed outside the computer chassis.""The Onkyo SE-U55 for Windows and Macintosh and the Onkyo MSE-U33HB for Macintosh connect to a computer via a USB cable. These processors provide digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital processing that allows users to record onto computers and then play music from their computers using standard CD audio WAV files, MP3s, RealAudio, Shockwave, or other computer audio format. Both models include software for processing these signals. The Onkyo SE-U55 can connect up to three separate audio components to a personal computer. It has a microphone input, a stereo RCA analog input, and one digital audio input with fiber-optic and coaxial connectors. There are matching digital and analog outputs, and a headphone output. The Onkyo MSE-U33HB is a digital audio processor and USB Hub for Macintosh computers. It has a microphone input for those USB Macs that lack audio input jacks, stereo analog inputs and outputs, and three additional USB ports. Onkyo has also introduced a complete multi-purpose surround sound system called the GXW-5.1 Digital Theater Station. With built-in processing for DolbyÆ Digital, DTSÆ, and Dolby Pro Logic II, it can be used to create dramatic surround effects with video game consoles, personal computers, DVD players, cable and satellite receivers, VCRs, LPs, or any other digital audio or analog stereo source. Used with the family TV, it becomes an affordable home theatre system with great sound. When mated with a personal computer or game system, it adds a whole new surround sound dimension to gaming and PC music. The Onkyo Multimedia GXW-5.1 consists of five satellite speakers, a remote control, and a subwoofer, which contains the processor circuits and power amplifiers. For more information on this and other Onkyo products, visit www.onkyomm.com.

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