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Creative Technology today announced several key breakthroughs in PC audio with the introduction of the new Sound Blaster® Audigy™ 2 sound cards. Millions of PC users who have a DVD-ROM drive on their PC can use the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 to experience Advanced Resolution™ DVD-Audio with amazing 24-bit/192kHz sound quality. The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 delivers 106dB SNR and is the only stand-alone sound card with THX® certification, for cinematic 6.1 surround sound from Dolby Digital® EX movies and unparalleled realism from the hundreds of existing DirectSound® 3D game titles. The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 enables 24-bit/96kHz recording, and also provides digital music enthusiasts with the next generation Creative MediaSource™ player for a variety of digital music enhancements, including up-mix of stereo MP3 music into full 6.1 surround sound. The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 and Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum are both slated for worldwide shipment in October. The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 has an estimated street price of US$129.99; and the Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum 2 has an estimated street price of US$199.99. Both products are slated for worldwide shipment in October.
The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 is the only PC audio solution to enable Advanced Resolution DVD-Audio at 24-bit/192kHz in stereo and 24-bit/96kHz in 5.1. DVD-Audio is the highest resolution recorded music available for the PC. With up to five times the audio detail of CD-Audio, higher sampling frequencies and loss-less compression, DVD-Audio reveals amazingly precise musical elements that are not audible from media such as CD or tape.

Sound Blaster 24-bit ADVANCED HD audio performance at 106dB SNR in the Sound Blaster
Audigy 2 delivers up to eight times better clarity than host audio. The new Audigy 2 chip, premium quality 24-bit/192kHz Digital to Analog Converters (DACs), and a true 24-bit ADVANCED HD audio path ensure "hiss-free" audio fidelity and exceptional clarity of 106dB SNR. The power of Audigy 2 processing enables full 24-bit/96kHz audio resolution in discrete 5.1 surround sound with playback of Windows Media Audio (WMA) 9 Professional, the Web's first digital 5.1 surround sound audio codec from the new Windows Media 9 Series.

6.1 for DirectSound 3D Games, Dolby Digital EX Movies and Up-mix of Stereo Music
The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 adds support for a discrete rear-center speaker for stunning 6.1 surround sound from DirectSound 3D games, Dolby Digital EX movies, and MP3 and CD audio. For PC gamers who compete in any DirectSound 3D first-person shooter or racing title, the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 provides the competitive advantage of being able to hear an opponent approaching from directly behind. This feature works automatically on any current game that supports DirectSound 3D.