Entry-level Multi-channel Sound Card: Hercules Gamesurround Muse 5.1 DVD — THG.RU

Introduction

The Gamesurround Muse 5.1 DVD is built upon the same chip as the Muse XL, which is used to process the six-channel LX. This means that its gaming and music capabilities are the same as for the previous versions of Muse. The CMI8738-6ch component incorporates 5.1 sound for decoding output from DVD videos. Sound decompression is not handled by the card itself, however, but rather, by the central processor. On the other hand, the card contains all the components and outputs needed to distribute sound correctly over the six channels. We discovered that the Muse 5.1 DVD only decodes Dolby Digital tracks, but not DTS. It is interesting to note that the CMI8738-6Ch chip is used as the only sound chipset in this motherboard and many others, for instance, in the Asus A7V333.

Introduction, Continued

As for connections, the Muse 5.1 DVD is simplicity itself. The three stereo analog outputs in mini-jack format for 5.1 sound are attached to the back of the card. The third output is dedicated to the central channel and LFE (Low Frequency Effects), i.e. the bass. The inputs are those typically found on this type of card with a «line-in» and a micro mini-jack input. There are two «CD-in» internal inputs on the card itself, one with an MPC3 format, and the other an auxiliary input. Since the CMI8738 chip is also capable of managing S/PDIF output, it is labeled as such on the board, but there is no connector for it. The reason is simple, namely, the location in question is occupied by the third output.

As far as the player is concerned, the Muse 5.1 DVD is relatively well-supplied with features, although much less so than the «Rolls Royces» of the range, Creative Labs’ Audigy Sound Blaster and the Hercules Fortissimo II Digital Edition. It manages the features that have now become pretty much standard, such as DirectSound, DirectSound 3D, A3D 1.x, EAX 1.0, and 2.0. But its capabilities are limited to 16 DirectSound hard-wired voices, as in DirectSound 3D. This isn’t particularly serious in and of itself, because the card can rely on the central processor for adding additional voices. But it means that the central processor will have a much heavier load, especially because recent games that take full advantage of sound, such as Soldier Of Fortune II or GTA 3, often use as many as 16 channels simultaneously. Performance would thus be adversely affected in this type of game, in comparison to a card such as the Fortissimo II DE.

In any case, music is not the strong point of the Muse 5.1 DVD. Yet quite honestly, at that price, you can’t expect much more. The card supports the General Midi and restricts itself to FM synthesis with a maximum of 64 voices handled through the software. Therefore, the features of the Muse 5.1 DVD don’t seem wildly attractive at first glance. But, at the risk of repeating myself, don’t forget the price, which is one of the lowest on the market, when taking its numerous features into account.

The Drivers

The Muse 5.1 DVD software interface is spartan to say the least. Why didn’t Hercules copy the interface on the Fortissimo II, a classic of its type? As you can see, it consists of a small gray strip containing the mixers for the outputs and inputs. It is very functional, but lacks the extra refinement to make it comfortable and easy to use, especially as the icons are not always self-explanatory. There is also a button for accessing more advanced choices. Click on it, and four tabs appear, marked Loudspeakers, Volume, Sound Effects, and Options.

Bundled Software

The software for the Muse 5.1 DVD may not look glitzy, but it includes everything a user would need for this type of card, starting with the indispensable DVD driver, Power DVD 4.0, in its multi-channel version that is compatible with the Muse 5.1 DVD. This is one of the most complete DVD drivers, as well as one of the easiest to use. It is used by the Hercules and is also integrated into MediaStation II. It is a multimedia driver capable of reading audio files, such as MP3, WMA, etc., as well as BMP, JPEG and video images of the MPEG 1, ASF and even AVI types (depending on the internal codec used). MediaStation II uses a fairly pleasant and ergonomic «Winamp-style» interface. The software bundle also includes Acid Xpress, beginners’ software for composing music.

Test Setup and Methodology

The Muse 5.1 DVD was tested in a single environment using subjective and objective methods. The speakers used for the tests were Cambridge SoundWorks’ MegaWorks 510D. The software used for these tests was as follows: Audio Winbench; Penguin Audio Meter; Right Mark Audio Analyzer 3.4; Spectra Labs SAS; American MCGee’s Alice; Soldier of Fortune: Double Helix; and Quake III Arena.

Sound Quality in 5.1 and Game Modes

The most interesting part, and the main contribution, of Muse 5.1 DVD is the management of 5.1 Dolby Digital sound thanks to the CMI8738-6ch-LX chip. For this to work, all you need to do is install the Power DVD 4.0 software that comes with the card and connect up the three analog outputs to speakers such as MegaWorks 510D or the Hercules XPS 510. The result is more than acceptable, even if it cannot match the quality of an external, dedicated decoder. The sound is distributed correctly over the six elements and the additional load on the processor used for the purpose is only about 5%. The sound is generally acceptable, though not as good as on an Audigy or a DMX 6Fire 24/96.

The Hercules Muse 5.1 DVD supports DirectSound, DirectSound 3D, A3D 1.x, EAX 1.0 and EAX 2.0 standards, thanks to the Sensaura engine. We tested the card on games using standards such as Grand Theft Auto 3, Soldier of Fortune II, Double Helix, and American MCGee’s Alice. No problems here either, the sound performance is acceptable. The sounds are correctly positioned in 4.1 mode and the reverberation effects are rendered properly. They do not have the same environmental quality of the effects of the Audigy Sound Blaster, but they make a pretty good go at it, nonetheless.

Coverter Quality: Benchmarks

We tested the Muse 5.1 DVD’s converters using Right Mark Audio Analyzer 3.4 exclusively (you can buy this software from here). The following results represent the card’s performance on the following chain: 44.1 KHz — 16 bits — Muse 5.1 DVD Rear In — DMX 6Fire 24/96 Front Out.

Bandwidth Test

The bandwidth curve indicates whether the card balances the frequencies evenly over the entire sound spectrum. This test is measured from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, within the limits normally audible by humans. The result can be considered to be very good, because no substantial deviation was noted.

Signal/ Noise Ratio

The second test concerns the noise and interference level. This measures the location of the background noise produced by the card and indicates the card’s sensitivity to various types of interference in the computing environment, such as power supplies, step-down motors, or computer monitors. The result was -67 dB, which is more or less average, and well below that produced by such cards as DMX 6Fire 24/96 or Audigy.

Total Harmonic Distortion

The following test measured the total harmonic distortion, or THD. It is a study of the audio fidelity of the card — the harmonics that appear on the card when one sends a single but strong sinusoidal sound wave (-3 dB) to the card. The result is more or less average, but acceptable, at about 0.07% on both channels.

Game Performance: Benchmarks

DirectSound 3D Static and Steaming results

Using the theoretical benchmark Audio Winbench 99, the Muse 5.1 DVD can be seen to far outstrip the Audigy Sound Blaster with respect to the load on the processor when the card is in operation. This can be explained by the fact that very few voices are hard-wired, and even those voices require the PC to perform only a minimum amount of work. That is certainly not the case for the Audigy. Theoretically, this ought to translate itself by a reduction in games performance, which the following graphics demonstrate to a certain extent. This reduction is not totally damaging — far from it — but anyone who wants maximum performance is advised to look for a card that is better adapted for the purpose.

Conclusion

In tests, the Muse 5.1 DVD did not prove to be an outstanding performer for either music or games. However, considering its extremely low price ($29.99) and its many functionalities such as decoding 5.1 sound, it performs a great feat. In fact, with the exception of integrated chipsets, it is the lowest priced sound card in its category. For anyone who wants to play DVDs and benefit from Dolby Digital at the lowest cost, we don’t hesitate to recommend the Muse 5.1 DVD. Even gamers who are not the slightest bit interested in 5.1 sound should also give it a go, although they will probably prefer the Fortissimo II Digital Edition, which is a much better performer in this field.