TestOut Chapter 3.13.3 - 3.13.6

HDMI

A sound card with this type of port is capable of sending HD audio to an HDMI device. Some sound cards are able to output video or combine a video signal from a video card and output the combined audio/video signal through the HDMI port.

Audio codec

A specific method of formatting sound files. Common codecs include WAV, WMV, AIFF, and MP3. To play sounds saved using these formats, your computer must have the corresponding codec installed. • You can see the list of installed codecs in System Information • By default, Windows comes with common codecs installed. Other codecs might be installed as you add other software.

Mini TRS

Accepts 3.5 mm plugs for analog audio I/O. The number of ports on the sound card depends on the type of I/O support (e.g. the number of speaker channels, microphone, or line-in support).

Feature Support

Additional features on sound cards provide higher quality sound or additional functionality. • DirectSound 3D allows a computer to play audio in surround sound. • EAX is a high-definition sound technology originally developed for video games. This technology provides such realistic nuances that audio can actually cue gamers. • THX is a sound quality standard, originally created for film, now available on sound cards. This is a sound card feature that allows computers to present theater quality sound output. • Dolby Digital is a technology that broadcasts sound at a frequency the human ear can hear and diminishes collateral sound. This is a sound card feature that allows computers to present higher quality sound output. • DTS (Digital Theater Systems) Digital requires an optical reader to decode physical data and send it to a computer for processing. This is a sound card feature that allows computers to present theater quality sound output. • SDDS (Sony Dynamic Digital Sound) was originally developed for theater sound. SDDS decoders provide error correction. • MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol for recording and playing audio created on digital synthesizers. This feature allows the computer to become an integrated component to a musical instrument.

Analog Input Jacks

Allow you to record audio through the sound card. • The line-level (line-in) connector receives signals from CD players and musical instruments coming from the line out port of the other device. • The mic-level (mic in) connector receives signals from a microphone.

Analog Output Jacks

Allows you to play sound on your computer through external devices: • The speaker out connector sends signal to external speakers. This signal is amplified and the computer controls the sound level that is sent. • The line out connectors send audio to other sound devices. This signal is unamplified.

TOSLINK

Also called an optical audio cable, this is a connector that is used with digital optical I/O for S/PDIF audio.

Channels

Audio can be split into multiple channels, which increases the sound quality and makes it more realistic. Some standard channel configurations are as follows: • 2 channel audio is stereo. Ex: standard TV and radio. • 4 channel audio is quadraphonic audio and was an early attempt at surround sound. • 5.1 channel audio, a.k.a surround sound, has 6 audio channels: five speakers and one low-frequency effects subwoofer (LFE) channel. • 7.1 channel has 8 audio channels: 7 speakers and one LFE subwoofer channel. This is the first technology providing error correction.

RCA

Connector on a sound card that is used for coaxial digital I/O for S/PDIF audio.

Additional Ports

In addition to audio input and output ports, some sound cards also include the following ports: • MIDI port to interface with MIDI sound devices. • FireWire • Some high-end audio cards include HDMI video processors and video output, combining the features of an audio card with a video card. The sound card might have 1 or 2 HDMI ports (for input and/or output).

Sound Card

Is an expansion card (or an integrated component on the motherboard) that manages sound input and output. Because computers use digital data, sound cards must convert analog sound into digital data, and digital data into analog sound. The following components are used to do this: • Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) converts analog sound into digital data. • Digital Signal Processor (DSP) is an onboard processor that handles analog and digital conversion. • Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) converts digital data into analog sound (in preparation to be played on speakers).

What is the DB-15 connector on a sound card typically used for? (List Two)

Joystick and MIDI port

Mini TRS Ports: Light blue

Line in (line-level). receives signals from the Line Out port of other audio devices.

Mini TRS Ports: Orange

Line out (center and subwoofer). Sends unamplified audio signals to other sound devices.

Mini TRS Ports: Lime green

Line out (front speakers or headphones). Sends unamplified audio signals to other sound devices.

Mini TRS Ports: Black

Line out (rear speakers). Sends unamplified audio signals to other sound devices.

Mini TRS Ports: Pink

Mic in (mic-level). Connect a non-amplified microphone.

Sounds cards are typically added to a computer using ______ or ________ slots. Some sound cards also connect through USB. External sound cards for laptops can use an ExpressCard slot.

PCI and PCIe

What type of ports would you MOST likely find on the motherboard faceplate that indicates digital audio support?

S/PDIF

IEEE 1394

Some sound cards include one or more IEEE 1394 (FireWire) ports. These ports function as normal IEEE 1394 ports.

Bus Support

Sound cards can be installed via an expansion slot (e.g. PCI or PCIe x1) on the motherboard. Make sure the bus type of your sound card is compatible with your motherboard. *Most new motherboards have an onboard sound card.

Sample Rate

The number of analog signal samples taken in over a period of time. Expressed in cycles per second, called hertz (1,000 hertz (Hz) = 1 kilohertz (kHz)). A high sampling rate gives a more accurate representation of the sound. Examples of different sampling rates include: • 8 kHz (telephone). This is adequate for conversation because the human voice's full range is about 4 kHz. • 22 kHz (radio quality) • 44 kHz (CD quality) This sample rate can accurately reproduce the audio frequencies up to 20,500 hertz, covering the full range of human hearing. • 48 kHz (Digital TV, DVD movies). • 96 kHz (DVD audio). • 192 kHz, used by: ◦ LPCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulation), a DVD-music production format. ◦ BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disc-ROM). •Higher sample rates require more bits of data per sample.

Digital Audio

Used by newer devices such as some CD players, DVD players, and HDTVs. • Allows you to play digital audio directly from an internal CD player. • Allows for compression of audio data to support Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound. Sound cards support digital audio in the following ways: • An internal connector on the sound card connects to a digital audio output connector on a CD/DVD drive. Through this connection, you can play CDs directly through the sound card. • An internal connector on the sound card sends HD audio, such as from a DVD or Blu-ray disc, to an audio pass-through on a video card. This allows the HD audio signal to be combined with the video signal through an HDMI connector. • Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF) is a consumer standard for digital audio. These are either optical or coaxial external connectors and allow input and output between other digital audio-capable devices.

When installing a sound card using an expansion slot, what should you disable?

You should disable the onboard sound card int he CMOS configuration.