Creative ha ufficialmente annunciato la disponibilità della versione PCI Express 1x della propria serie di schede audio Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio, della quale erano emerse varie informazioni negli scorsi mesi. Attualmente questa scheda è stata presentata solo nel mercato asiatico, come chiaramente deducibile osservando il comunicato stampa ufficiale rilasciato a questo indirizzo. Il prezzo indicativo al quale viene proposta la scheda è pari a 69,99 dollari USA; non è al momento chiaro se questa soluzione verrà commercializzata anche nei territori europei, ma se così dovesse essere ci attendiamo un livello di prezzo attorno ai 70,00€ IVA compresa, se non inferiore.

Dal punto di vista delle caratteristiche tecniche non dovrebbero esserci differenze rispetto alle schede PCI oggi disponibili sul mercato, fatta ovviamente eccezione per il tipo di connessione con la scheda madre. Negli scorsi mesi notizie di una prossima disponibilità di una versione PCI Express 1x delle schede Creative X-Fi erano emerse dal CES di Las Vegas, una delle principali fiere internazionali sull'elettronica di consumo, ma non si erano concretizzate in prodotti commercializzati sul mercato nonostante fossero stati mostrati sample pressoché finali del prodotto.

Di seguito un estratto dal comunicato stampa:

SINGAPORE - 5 November, 2007 - Creative Technology Ltd., a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announced the PCI Express (PCIe) Sound Blaster X-Fi® Xtreme Audio card that is designed to make music and movies sound way better. It features the award-winning X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity™ audio technologies which enhance audio playback and deliver virtual surround sound effects. The Creative PCIe Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio will be available in end November at The CREATIVE Stores at Marina Square, Plaza Singapura and International Business Park, the online store at sg.store.creative.com, as well as major retail outlets in Singapore, at a suggested retail price of S$119.00 (US$69.99).

“We are excited to introduce the first PCI Express Sound Blaster for the desktop PC, continuing our legacy as the de facto audio standard for PC digital entertainment,” said Steve Erickson, Vice President of Audio for Creative.

The Creative PCIe Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio features two fundamental audio technologies to help improve the overall audio experience for users. The X-Fi Crystalizer revitalizes downloaded music and movies, restoring the details and vibrance lost during compression. This X-Fi technology intelligently enhances musical dynamics by emphasising sharp percussive sounds and transients, creating a “punchier” and livelier listening experience.

The X-Fi CMSS-3D function allows users to expand their stereo music and movies into surround sound. To the listener, voices would appear to originate from the centre and ambient sound appears all around, similar to the listening experience in a live performance.

The headphone surround effects will sound like multi-channel speakers positioned all around the listener. Listeners will feel as though they are surrounded by multiple virtual speakers, sitting with their favourite band or as if they have the best seats in the movie theatre.

Gamers enjoy full realistic sound effects with the Creative PCIe Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio. Games sound superb with positional audio that is so accurate gamers can locate their enemies by sound. EAX® ADVANCED HD™ 4.0 sound effects allow gamers to elevate their gaming experience to the next level. It also comes with Creative ALchemy software that allows Windows Vista™ users to enjoy legacy DirectSound 3D games. This software will detect the presence of a number of top PC games, converting the games' DS3D and EAX calls into OpenAL calls, allowing gamers to enjoy these titles in full, multi-channel sound with hardware effects.

Pricing and Availability
The Creative PCIe Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio will be available in end November at The CREATIVE Stores at Marina Square, Plaza Singapura and International Business Park, the online store at sg.store.creative.com, as well as major retail outlets in Singapore, at a suggested retail price of S$119.00 (US$69.99). For more information about the Creative PCIe Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio and X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity, please visit www.asia.creative.com.

About Creative
Creative is a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products. Famous for its Sound Blaster sound cards and for launching the multimedia revolution, Creative is now driving digital entertainment on the PC platform with products like its highly acclaimed ZEN™ portable audio and media players. Creative's innovative hardware, proprietary technology, applications and services leverage the Internet, enabling consumers to experience high-quality digital entertainment -- anytime, anywhere.