Tabbycatt

Yes, there are little bursh type things when you slide the cd in. Just like a car CD player. There should be no problem with any dust. "cd36" - this is true, OEM cpu's don't come with a heatsink, which for most people is a real plus. Not too many people that would build their own pc's would want to use a stock Heatsink and fan. Personally I use the Swiftech MC462 Heatsink with a Delta Black label fan and I find it keeps my CPU just a "wee" bit cooler. Anyone looking to upgrade should look here http://www.swiftnets.com/ theirs not another heatsink and fan that even comes close.

Nope, It won't cost any extra. It simply upgrades the Power DVD software to a DTS-ES and DD EX version. and when a DTS-ES source is input such as Gladiator on DVD it takes the headphone and microphone channels and converts them into the rear centers. Neat huh.

Paul could not be more right. THX is simply a "standard" that Lucasfilms incorperated to say that if you use this specific epuipment you will be getting the sound that the producer originally intended. Simply put, it doesn't count for SH**!! My home speakers that I spent 5,000 a pair for at cost aren't THX certified but I guarantee they sound a whole hell of a lot better than any Klipsch THX certified home speaker out there. (Sorry guys, still love the Promedias) So saying that THX speakers will have conflicts with a Ge-force 3 is like saying that your stove won't work if you own a white fridge. This message has been edited by Tabbycatt on 07-14-2001 at 07:34 AM

I honestly don't have a clue. I haven't had that setup myself now for over a year so I can't even test it out anymore. I'm running a Hercules GameTheater XP and absolutely love it. Best of luck.

I build systems for a living and I mostly use Samsung and Pioneer. I personally use a Pioneer "Slot loading" 16x simply because I really like the slot loading drives. if this doesn't matter to you either way, I would recomend that you save your money and get a 12x simply because 12x and 16x are all rated at around 40x for cd and the DVD speed is somewhat erelavent at this point as most people only use the dvd function for movies. and really, how fast are you going to watch a movie. If your answer is faster than 1x then you need a vacation. Stay away from larger stores as they will only have retail boxes and thus you will be paying an extra $20 for a box that will probably end up in the trash. Go to a local computer store and ask for an OEM drive. Same thing, no box. As far as price, my wholesale cost on a good 12x is $60 and $80 for the 16x slot loading Pioneer. This is in Canadian dollars so the US equivalent would be something like $40 for the 12x and around $55 for the 16x slot loading. So add no more than 10% to that and that would be about what you should be paying. Good Luck

Hi Paul. The only card on the market that has support for Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES is the Game Theater XP. With Software upgrades to the Power DVD Software that comes with the unit, it takes the headphone and microphone channels and converts them into the rear centers thus giving you a 7.1 channel decoder. also Eagle, it was the SB live Platinum that I was using, not the 5.1. The onboard decoder of the 5.1 would just be redundant. The SPDIF "in" connection on the Live Platinums for some reason automatically mutes itself and you have to enable it in advanced audio settings. It took me quite a while and a phone call to figure that one out.

No KIDDING!!!! My daily search of the review sites for Klipsch 5.1 reviews is starting to become very teedious. And whats with the comment from the gamers depot on the main page for teh 5.1's. Where is this review that they are supposedly quoteing from?

you are in luck my friend. You are free to get the Klipsch 5.1's and still get your DTS. The Sigma Designs Hollywood plus card that you have fully supports DTS. you may need a software upgrade through there site however. www.sigmadesigns.com I've sold hundreds of these things and use one myself. Nice card, but starting to get a little out dated. to get the DTS signal, connect the Digital out on your Holywood magic to the digital in on the SB Live Drive and hook up the Soon to be released Promedia 5.1's to the analog connectors on the back of teh SB Live. Voalla You are now enjoying Gladiator in full DTS Surround Sound. Enjoy

If your not comfortable building a system yourself, look for a local computer shop that does custom builds. I own a custom built computer business here in Calagary and I can tell you that my prices are FAR better than either Dell or Gateway. Not to mention, the extra time effort most smaller businesses will take in makeing sure your system is running just right. Good luck

I just got off the phone with my GUILLEMOT rep. in regards to the lack of a Dolby Digital Decoder on the Game Theater XP and he informs me that you will get full DD through the Power DVD software. not to mention that it will soon be supporting 7.1 channel inputs such as DTS-ES, and Dolby Digital EX. So if your main purpose for wanting the 5.1's is movies, I will retract my previous statement and recommend the XP. If you want the 5.1 for supported games however, stick with the SB. _______________________________________________________ It must be December 18 1976, cause I haven't been this impatient since I was 6 years old waiting for Christmas day.

Well now I'm really going to screw things up and say that I am going to order a Game Theater XP Today and return my SB Live 5.1. I just got off the phone with my GUILLEMOT rep. and he informs me that the XP will soon be supporting DTS-ES, Dolby Digital-EX, and Prologic 2 by utilizing the headphone output as a dual rear center. As I own a small fortune in DVD's and can't remember how long its been since my last frag, I think I'd rather give up the 5 channel gaming and get the extra 2 discrete channels for DVD. Guess I'm going to have to get a set of 2.1's now too. What do ya think Dan, Should that do the trick? _____________________________________________________ It must be December 18 1976, cause I haven't been this impatient since I was 6 years old waiting for Christmas day.

Gee Dan, I certainly hate to disagree with you here, seeing as you seem to know more than most when it comes to this kinna stuff. But, I just spoke with the fine people at Hercules the other day and they assured me that the Game Theater XP did NOT have a Dolby Digital Decoder built it. 6 channel audio is avialable through the Power DVD software that comes with it however (if that is what you are refering to) but the card itself has no DD Decoder, thus limiting your 5.1 channel playback to movies only.

If your getting the ProMedia5.1's stick with the SB Live 5.1. Its not nearly as flashy and no it doesn't have hardware mp3 encoding BUT, and this is a big but, it does have a Dolby Digital 5.1 decoder on the card where as the Game Theater XP does not. and I'm assuming that if your holding out for the 5.1's, you will acually want a 5.1 discrete output. Bope That helps a bit. P.S.- There is a SB Live 5.1 OEM out there now if ya don't need all the extra software and its very cheap. I got mine for $80 Canadian, so that would be around $50 US.

yeah...the game theater xp is perfect for the pros5.1... Mike Ok Mike, Please explain this one to me. The Game Theater XP has no AC3 or DTS decoder onboard. The PM5.1's have no AC3 or DTS decoder onboard. How is the XP even a usable solution considering most people buying a 5.1 speaker system will actually want 5.1 discrete sound? Please tell me if I am missing something here. I was very much looking forward to picking up an XP myself and it now seems that I will be stuck with another SB card if I want DD. Please tell me I am mistaken, I still have a few days to return my SB5.1.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the Game Theater XP has no Dolby Digital or DTS decoder built in. Neither do the PM5.1's so how is the Game Theater even a useable solution let alone the best one? I ask only because I very much wanted to get the Game Theater XP and am now left with the only choice of getting another SB Live card if I want AC3 playback.