Dan F

quote: Originally posted by Prana-Bindu: FireWire is still faster than USB 2.0 will be. Why hasn't it made it into mainstream computing? The word on thre street is because Intel gives USB away, and firewire is expensive. Unless a device must have firewire for another reason (such as replacing SCSI in a high bandwidth application), it's incremental expense is prohibitive. It gets even worse for loudspeakers. There's no way to justify $100 in high bandwidth firewire silicon for audio frequency work, when S/PDIF or analog works as well as it does. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

quote: Originally posted by bugman: also, Dan. About how heavy will each of the satalite speaker will be? Maybe i can buy the mini speaker mounting kits I think the mini size will be fine for these. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

Some folks have drilled a hole in the stand, and anchored the sats directly to the ceiling. As long as the sats are securely reattached to the stand, this would work okay. I've not tried the Omni units in particular, but they would likely give you more adjustability for the angle, which is a definite plus. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

A number of players who have done this have had good results. There is no reason why it shouldn't work well for you. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

What kind of sound card? (Some sound cards and notebooks/laptops have weak bass). Are the woofers in the sub moving at all? Air coming from the port? Is the connector fully plugged in? ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

There is some improvement in frequency response and separation in the new CP-1, but perhaps not enough (IMO) to justify the upgrade by itself. The midrange difference you've heard about is brought about by the crossover networks that are internal to the speakers themselves. If that difference is important to you, then the best strategy would be to sell the v.2-400 and buy the 4.1 system. There is no upgrade available for the satellite speakers. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

Nothing in the forseeable future. Klipsch is looking at USB 2.0 to see if it presents an opportunity to solve some of the earlier problems that USB 1.0 and 1.1 had. Your feedback is very helpful in the meantime... ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

If you've got the v.2-400 and the X-gamer Live, your system is pretty good already. You could get a better system, but you'd have to go $500 to do it....you might be able to sell your old speaker and sound card as a package on e-bay, for example. Or it's possible to change out the sound card and the speakers one at a time for incremental improvement; but neither change by itself is going to make enough of a difference for someone on a tight budget, IMO. As for the woofer problem; do you have a microphone hooked up? It could be feedback causing the noise. Also, if you are using software bass boost, it could cause additional distortion in your speakers. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

It sounds like a great deal. I may jump on that myself... ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

IIRC, the one I have does not autodetect. Can't verify again because I don't have any DTS discs handy, but I believe it defaulted to stereo when the disc was put in. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

quote: Originally posted by Tabbycatt: What do ya think Dan, Should that do the trick? Heh. That sounds like a plan. Did the G-man say whether the upgrade was going to cost extra? It seems to me that the Dolby and DTS folks would want a bigger bag of money... It does sound like a very cool feature, and a good way to provide it. btw; I haven't fragged much of anything since the original Wolfenstein <g>. -djf ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

In my opinion, THX brings a lot to the game, such as creating minimum performance standards, ensuring compatibility with other gear, and making systems more user friendly, etc. In the case of Dell, I believe they sell a particular package including DVD player, video card, sound card, and loudspeakers as a THX certified system, which includes the THX speakers. As such, there is no known compatibility issue with the GeForce and "THX speakers"; but rather the uncertified status of the GeForce if used in that system. It probably means that it would work fine, but the combination hasn't been submitted for approval. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

LordHelmet; Look into the Panasonic SH-AC500D decoder. It has a 6 channel input as well as 3 digital inputs, and will do what I think you want it to. I paid about $250 for mine, about 1-1/2 yrs ago. -djf ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

As splinter notes, the drivers for W2K were way behind with respect to sound cards. I understand that a number of newer drivers are now available from MS. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

Thanks, that would certainly be a good thing. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

Windstorm; There is bass management in the 5.1, where bass program material from each input is mixed to the sub. Howevwer, for the LFE material to also be present in the sub, you will need to make the connection between the LFE out and the sub in. Yes, a stereo mini-plug to RCA plug adaptor will be needed to finish your job. enjoy! ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

You'll need two stereo A/B switches, one for the fronts and one for the rears. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a perfect one step solution out there. You can do it with A/V switches using just the audio portion; but you will need two of them, plus very likely need adaptors if the switches have RCA connectors. At some point, a second speaker set becomes a more attractive option. -djf ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

quote: Originally posted by chronoch: I'm looking to buy either a ProMedia 4.1 or 5.1 system and I'm wondering if I need to get a new soundcard. Right now, I have an SB Live! Value. Can I use the 4.1 system on this card or do I have to upgrade to a SB Live! 5.1 card to fully use the 4.1 system? Also, if I get a 5.1 system when it comes out, would I need a 5.1 card to fully utilize the system? I'm assuming that I could use the 5.1's on the Value card, but the sixth channel wouldn't be supported or something. Thanks a lot for any help. You can drive the 5.1 from your 4 channel card without a problem. Your center channel speaker, of course, would become a temporary paperweight until you upgrade the soundcard. Conversely, it's possible to use a 4.1 with either a 4.1 or a 5.1 sound card, by putting the center in phantom mode. So, you can decide based on cost and how many speakers you really want. -djf ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

quote: Originally posted by Tabbycatt: Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the Game Theater XP has no Dolby Digital or DTS decoder built in. The GTXP has a Dolby Digital decoder in the PowerDVD software that is included; so you will get DD with the GTXP and the PM5.1, and that would be a complete solution. A software decoder will work only for the DVD movies; and not for some future Dolby encoded five channel video games (these games, instead, will presumably be decoded to the older EAX four channel standard -though that's a guess). If bleeding edge game sound is not crucial in your decision, then the XP is a good choice. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

The ProMedia 5.1 is designed to match up with sound cards or other source devices that deliver a decoded output (e.g., all 5.1 cards now on the market, some DVD players, decoders, etc.). There is no internal decoder. If decoding is needed for another reason (such as to hook up an external Hi-Fi DVD player), you can add an external decoder (such as the Audio Tornado) for under $100. Not sure about availability down under, however. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

Only the 230 V. version has a master power switch. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

Thanks for the clarification, Tabby. The XP's decoder is built into the PowerDVD software, instead of on the hardware; which may make a difference for the gamer- user. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

ProMedia speakers are not a good match for receiver hookup for several reasons. Impedence is one. Bass overload is another. The exception would be if you have line or preamp outputs. These can be adapted to the mini-plug inputs of the powered speakers without a problem. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

Tabby; The GameTheater XP does have Dolby Digital. Either the XP or the SB 5.1 will work with the PM5.1 (and complete the Dolby Digital equation). ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665 This message has been edited by Dan F on 07-10-2001 at 07:37 AM

You'll have everything you need when you get your 5.1's. You won't need a tornado, unless you want it for the remote control. The Audio Tornado is similar to the MidiLand and VideoLogic, except some changes were made to improve the performance. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665