The Game Theater XP

Hilbert Hagedoorn · 04-02-2001, 14:34 | posts: 16,925 | Location: Guru3D testlab

Please post your reactions to this article/product in this thread. <IMG SRC="smileys/cool.gif">

04-04-2001, 17:16 | posts: n/a

Would know two things: 
1) Positional sound (DS3D,EAX,etc) it's limited to 2-4 speakers right? 
2) There's any option similar to Bass cancellation of Live5.1 right? Must use only full-range speakers? 
 
Thanks 
ManniX

04-04-2001, 22:21 | posts: n/a

Hi I was wondering if I will be able to hook up an external Subwoofer with this external rack. I have the Klipsch Promedia 4.1s and I have a JBL 12' sub that I want to hook up with it. I am currently using the Cambridge Soundworks DTT2500's which have an extra subwoofer out on the Decoder but since I bought the Klipsch's I can't use my sub with them. Please help.

04-04-2001, 23:38 | posts: n/a

<IMG SRC="smileys/bounce.gif"> I am checking the credit card balance right now!! The price sounds good too>>>>>>>>>>

04-05-2001, 00:46 | posts: n/a

I purchased a GTXP a few weeks ago. I installed it on a Celeron 300a, 296m ram, running W2K sp1. The sound output is totally distorted. I noticed on the Hercules website, under the GTXP product support, an issue with distorted output under WinME. The resolution was to install the Hercules drivers. This post may not be totally appropriate, because I haven't had a chance to fully troubleshoot, only to know that reinstalling the drivers did not help. If anyone has had any experience with this I'd like to hear about it.

04-05-2001, 03:15 | posts: n/a

I just built a new power system (1.2G Athlon, 256MB PC150 Ram, 30GB, with ATI Rage Fury Maxx 64MB vidcard). My biggest concerns were: Best video and best audio for 1)DVDs and 2)Games. I already had the ATI Rage Fury Maxx, and bought the NewQ Platinum and the Creative Labs Desktop Theater 5.1, with the decoder. Now, the choice was: which soundcard? SB Live! Value, Hercules GTXP, or Philips Acoustic Edge. I didn't want the Live! Platinum because it's too much $, and I have no spare bay. Philips had very little information on its site, and so they dropped out (why would a company not post info about its best sound card?). The Live! - I read about people having issues with the KT133A chipsets, and about the volume issues (I like my sound clean). In the end, I chose the Hercules because of the breakout box, because of the lowest CPU utilization. because Hercules *seems* so dedicated to getting it out there, and to supporting it in the future. Also, the USB ports, and the serial port up front (for the joystick and my cell-phone cable) really sold me. Here's the greatest part: ATI has hardware DVD decoding built-in, but their DVD player doesn't support 5.1 Dolby. The GTXP has no 2-pin SPDIF jack (like my DVD drive). However, the GTXP comes with PowerDVD, which is a certified Dolby Digital software decoder, and passes the 5.1 sound to the breakout box! Not only that, the PowerDVD fully supports ATI's hardware motion compensation (the hardware decoding of DVDs)! So I have a software DVD player that does Dolby, a soundcard that does 5.1 now, and 7.1 in the future, and that supports the video cards hardware decoder. I'm very happy, and my system is complete (and rocks!). Now, if I can find it for cheaper than $149...

04-05-2001, 23:02 | posts: n/a

I just bought this thing at Best Buy and it's the greatest thing since individually wrapped cheese. Finally, a "card" with RCA's that I can hook to my receiver and not have to crank everything. <IMG SRC="smileys/tongue.gif">

04-05-2001, 23:06 | posts: n/a

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by biggles the Destroyer: 
I purchased a GTXP a few weeks ago. I installed it on a Celeron 300a, 296m ram, running W2K sp1. The sound output is totally distorted. I noticed on the Hercules website, under the GTXP product support, an issue with distorted output under WinME. The resolution was to install the Hercules drivers. This post may not be totally appropriate, because I haven't had a chance to fully troubleshoot, only to know that reinstalling the drivers did not help. If anyone has had any experience with this I'd like to hear about it.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> 
 
I had the same problem and almost the same config. w2k sp1 + celeron 500 and same ram. I had distortion, but I just turned the gain down on the mixer. It has a different output impedance than your average soundcard. The signal coming from the RCAs is much louder and doesn't need to be cranked to achieve the same volume. I hope this helps you somewhat

04-05-2001, 23:18 | posts: n/a

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by biggles the Destroyer: 
I purchased a GTXP a few weeks ago. I installed it on a Celeron 300a, 296m ram, running W2K sp1. The sound output is totally distorted.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> 
The distorted sound is caused by the default cirrus logic drivers coming with Win2k. It was not possible for me to install the drivers from cd via the setup-program. 
The following will work: 
- Open the device manager. 
- Select View->Devices by Connection 
- Find the soundcard (on PCI-Bus), right click it and select Properties 
- Select the driver tab and press "Update driver" 
- Specify a location: \win2k on the cd 
- The drivers from the cd are now installed 
HTH 
Markus

04-10-2001, 07:49 | posts: n/a

<IMG SRC="smileys/confused.gif"> 
 
The review mentions connecting the breakout box to an AC-3 decoder when playing DVDs. Is this necessary? Doesn't the card decode the signal without the av receiver? Is this redundant? Actually, I could see benefits from such redundancy: I, for one, would like to hear MP3's through my surround channels as well as my mains. Possibly, MP3s and such could be processed to a quasi-AC3 format. This would clear up the problem of always needing to switch the connections between "surround" and "speaker pair B." 
 
I hope I expressed that clearly enough. 
 
jianju@hotmail.com

04-17-2001, 23:09 | posts: n/a

GTXP is on clearance at Best Buy for $ <IMG SRC="smileys/cool.gif"> 129.50.

04-19-2001, 11:21 | posts: n/a

I recently purchased the Hercules Game Theater XP, but have yet to take advantage of it. I need ANY speaker recommendations. 
My budget is $150.00 and must have 4 Satellites and a Subwoofer. This system is for gaming and music, dvd is my last concern. 
 
 
Q:When playing games will all speakers have sound? 
Thank you for your time and support. 
dade305

Dave · 04-19-2001, 14:56 | posts: 8,447 | Location: Lost in boxes

Yes all speakers have sound. I have cambridge soundworks and love them. But most people agree that speakers are a more personal thing. Try them before you buy them.

04-26-2001, 05:35 | posts: n/a

How about this senerio... 
 
I want to be able to listen to DVDs in Dolby Digital 5.1 in Windows 2000 utilising AC-3 through-put. I currently have a Cambridge DTT2500 speaker/amp set, which has the capability of receiving and decoding Dolby Digital signal through coax input, and a Aureal SQ2500 which has pretty useless beta drivers for windows 2000. I want to get rid of the Aureal card and get a more supported sound card but have put off buying a Live! card or any other sort of sound card since their manufactures state AC-3 through-put is not or will not be supported in Windows 2000. 
 
So basically my question is this... Does the GTXP support AC-3 through-put in Windows 2000? 
 
I know you can use the software decoder in PowerDVD but will that require the speakers to be plugged directly into the GTXP box or can PowerDVD send the digital signal through the GTXP to my DTT2500 amp? 
 
Additionally if anyone suggests that I just install Win98 or ME I will shoot them dead. Cheers. 
 
<IMG SRC="smileys/biggrin.gif">

Dave · 04-26-2001, 12:11 | posts: 8,447 | Location: Lost in boxes

If you don't want win 98 or ME, why not try 95? <IMG SRC="smileys/biggrin.gif">

04-27-2001, 07:14 | posts: n/a

Ok... Everyone can relax... <IMG SRC="smileys/biggrin.gif"> 
 
The Firing Squad had a detailed review of the GTXP in Windows 2000 and they confirm that S/PDIF pass-through is supported in Windows 2000. Now all I have to do is track one of these puppies down here in Sydney.

04-28-2001, 01:41 | posts: n/a

I Sell a Hercules GameTh XP for 80 $ !!! 
 
 
 
Yes , I'm selling it for 80 $ !! Want someone ?? Contact me at: 
"biholarazvan@yahoo.com".First of all excuse my ENGLISH...and "thank you" if u read this. 
 
Why I'm selling it? Because it suckkkssss!!!!I have take one last week(for 140 $),and compared it with my SBlaster Live! Player Value Bulk( Which is 50 $). The GameTheatre XP does not deserve the difference of money! 
I have read some of the messages here and I saw that you all think that HGT XP has the converters in the blue box.(external DAC/ADC) 
BUT IT IS NOT TRUEEEEE...If you are not convinced see this (http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/gtxpreview/page4.asp.Well it's true , it has 20 bit DAC and 18 bit ADC but they are on board (on soundboard ) and the result is that it has the same S/N ration with SB Live!, maybe a little bit noisy than Live!(due to it's cable to blue box). 
I've tested BOTH SB Live! and HGT XP with my Technics A707 stereo amplifier and a pair of 80 W speakers (Technics)and the background noise is heard at high volumes. 
But not for this i'm selling it ... When you enable the 10 band hardware graphic equalizer of HGT XP it makes a really annoing noise (wich adds to original background noise and it's sensed at high volumes).This 10 band EQ does not compare with the SB Live's TONE and BASS control.The BASS control from my Live! really blow out the speakers when i'm using it .You fell the BASS, not like that mediocre EQ from XP who is something which sounds horrible. By the way... THE EQ works only on front speakers .On surround, even if u select 4 speakers and the EQ is enabled u can't hear the EQ.U hear the EQ only on front speakers, even if u have 4 connected. 
 
AND try to make this... to see a BUG on HercGT XP!!! 
After u have installed the card's drivers (on WIN 98)install WinAMP 2.72 or 2.73.Remember, make no changes at winamp (options/Prefferences/plugins/output/WaveOut plugin must be selected by default).Now start to play a song and move the volume of winamp to max , then to min (when u hear nothing).Now open the VOLUME CONTROL from Windows, and press the WAVE BALANCE slider (don't move it , just press it).If u just press it, the sound explode from speakers, even if u have the WinAMP volume to MIN ( when u must hear nothing). 
I dont know why it happens this???BUT if u go to WINAMP in options/Prefferences/plugins/output and select DirectSound plugin , instead of WaveOut plugin,you won't get the sound from speakers when u have the WinAMP volume to MIN and then press WaveBalance in Windows VolumeControl. 
This thing never happened to my SBlaster Live!.... 
So, the Hercules Game Theater XP is a soundcard only for GAMERS, (as it say it's name "Game Theater"and not for AUDIO LISTENERS.For an audiophile with medium budget I recommand the SoundBlaster Live! Value Bulk (50 $) or SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 Bulk (69 $). 
In conclusion the Herc "GAME" Theatre XP really sucks,don't deserve 140 $ and that's why i'm selling it for 80 $(Half Price). 
Thank you...and contact me at "biholarazvan@yahoo.com" or leave here a message. 
 
 
 
<IMG SRC="smileys/hot.gif">

04-28-2001, 01:47 | posts: n/a

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>: 
.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> 
 
I Sell a Hercules GameTh XP for 80 $ !!! 
 
 
 
Yes , I'm selling it for 80 $ !! Want someone ?? Contact me at: 
"biholarazvan@yahoo.com".First of all excuse my ENGLISH...and "thank you" if u read this. 
 
Why I'm selling it? Because it suckkkssss!!!!I have take one last week(for 140 $),and compared it with my SBlaster Live! Player Value Bulk( Which is 50 $). The GameTheatre XP does not deserve the difference of money! 
I have read some of the messages here and I saw that you all think that HGT XP has the converters in the blue box.(external DAC/ADC) 
BUT IT IS NOT TRUEEEEE...If you are not convinced see this (http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/gtxpreview/page4.asp.Well it's true , it has 20 bit DAC and 18 bit ADC but they are on board (on soundboard ) and the result is that it has the same S/N ration with SB Live!, maybe a little bit noisy than Live!(due to it's cable to blue box). 
I've tested BOTH SB Live! and HGT XP with my Technics A707 stereo amplifier and a pair of 80 W speakers (Technics)and the background noise is heard at high volumes. 
But not for this i'm selling it ... When you enable the 10 band hardware graphic equalizer of HGT XP it makes a really annoing noise (wich adds to original background noise and it's sensed at high volumes).This 10 band EQ does not compare with the SB Live's TONE and BASS control.The BASS control from my Live! really blow out the speakers when i'm using it .You fell the BASS, not like that mediocre EQ from XP who is something which sounds horrible. By the way... THE EQ works only on front speakers .On surround, even if u select 4 speakers and the EQ is enabled u can't hear the EQ.U hear the EQ only on front speakers, even if u have 4 connected. 
 
AND try to make this... to see a BUG on HercGT XP!!! 
After u have installed the card's drivers (on WIN 98)install WinAMP 2.72 or 2.73.Remember, make no changes at winamp (options/Prefferences/plugins/output/WaveOut plugin must be selected by default).Now start to play a song and move the volume of winamp to max , then to min (when u hear nothing).Now open the VOLUME CONTROL from Windows, and press the WAVE BALANCE slider (don't move it , just press it).If u just press it, the sound explode from speakers, even if u have the WinAMP volume to MIN ( when u must hear nothing). 
I dont know why it happens this???BUT if u go to WINAMP in options/Prefferences/plugins/output and select DirectSound plugin , instead of WaveOut plugin,you won't get the sound from speakers when u have the WinAMP volume to MIN and then press WaveBalance in Windows VolumeControl. 
This thing never happened to my SBlaster Live!.... 
So, the Hercules Game Theater XP is a soundcard only for GAMERS, (as it say it's name "Game Theater"and not for AUDIO LISTENERS.For an audiophile with medium budget I recommand the SoundBlaster Live! Value Bulk (50 $) or SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 Bulk (69 $). 
In conclusion the Herc "GAME" Theatre XP really sucks,don't deserve 140 $ and that's why i'm selling it for 80 $(Half Price). 
Thank you...and contact me at "biholarazvan@yahoo.com" 
.

04-28-2001, 01:48 | posts: n/a

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by PanCReaS: 
Ok... Everyone can relax... <IMG SRC="smileys/biggrin.gif"> 
The Firing Squad had a detailed review of the GTXP in Windows 2000 and they confirm that S/PDIF pass-through is supported in Windows 2000. Now all I have to do is track one of these puppies down here in Sydney.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> 
 
I Sell a Hercules GameTh XP for 80 $ !!! 
 
 
 
Yes , I'm selling it for 80 $ !! Want someone ?? Contact me at: 
"biholarazvan@yahoo.com".First of all excuse my ENGLISH...and "thank you" if u read this. 
 
Why I'm selling it? Because it suckkkssss!!!!I have take one last week(for 140 $),and compared it with my SBlaster Live! Player Value Bulk( Which is 50 $). The GameTheatre XP does not deserve the difference of money! 
I have read some of the messages here and I saw that you all think that HGT XP has the converters in the blue box.(external DAC/ADC) 
BUT IT IS NOT TRUEEEEE...If you are not convinced see this (http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/gtxpreview/page4.asp.Well it's true , it has 20 bit DAC and 18 bit ADC but they are on board (on soundboard ) and the result is that it has the same S/N ration with SB Live!, maybe a little bit noisy than Live!(due to it's cable to blue box). 
I've tested BOTH SB Live! and HGT XP with my Technics A707 stereo amplifier and a pair of 80 W speakers (Technics)and the background noise is heard at high volumes. 
But not for this i'm selling it ... When you enable the 10 band hardware graphic equalizer of HGT XP it makes a really annoing noise (wich adds to original background noise and it's sensed at high volumes).This 10 band EQ does not compare with the SB Live's TONE and BASS control.The BASS control from my Live! really blow out the speakers when i'm using it .You fell the BASS, not like that mediocre EQ from XP who is something which sounds horrible. By the way... THE EQ works only on front speakers .On surround, even if u select 4 speakers and the EQ is enabled u can't hear the EQ.U hear the EQ only on front speakers, even if u have 4 connected. 
 
AND try to make this... to see a BUG on HercGT XP!!! 
After u have installed the card's drivers (on WIN 98)install WinAMP 2.72 or 2.73.Remember, make no changes at winamp (options/Prefferences/plugins/output/WaveOut plugin must be selected by default).Now start to play a song and move the volume of winamp to max , then to min (when u hear nothing).Now open the VOLUME CONTROL from Windows, and press the WAVE BALANCE slider (don't move it , just press it).If u just press it, the sound explode from speakers, even if u have the WinAMP volume to MIN ( when u must hear nothing). 
I dont know why it happens this???BUT if u go to WINAMP in options/Prefferences/plugins/output and select DirectSound plugin , instead of WaveOut plugin,you won't get the sound from speakers when u have the WinAMP volume to MIN and then press WaveBalance in Windows VolumeControl. 
This thing never happened to my SBlaster Live!.... 
So, the Hercules Game Theater XP is a soundcard only for GAMERS, (as it say it's name "Game Theater"and not for AUDIO LISTENERS.For an audiophile with medium budget I recommand the SoundBlaster Live! Value Bulk (50 $) or SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 Bulk (69 $). 
In conclusion the Herc "GAME" Theatre XP really sucks,don't deserve 140 $ and that's why i'm selling it for 80 $(Half Price). 
.

05-06-2001, 22:16 | posts: n/a

DareDevil, 
 
You might want to try getting a drivers upgrade before totally jumping ship... I'm using the Game Theater XP and I love it. The drivers in the box were terrible though, and upgrading to 2.00 was a definite necessity. I have no idea where you're hearing the noise from - I hear no noise other than the when I drive my speakers to max (and that noise seems to be present with any soundcard, including my sblive value, or without any inputs at all, so it's from my speakers). As to the "winamp bug," it's the way the drivers handle the volume it seems. In Live!Ware, winamp has its own volume and turning it up/down adjusts its volume relative to other wave inputs, whereas in the game theater xp drivers, winamp controls the wave output volume directly (try turning down the volume in winamp and playing wavs using something else, such as AIM, and compare with the sblive, you'll see what I mean). Why it doesn't update the volume slider, I don't know. 
 
As for the sound sucking, I dunno, I like the 3D sound on the XP much more. I'll agree it sounded pretty poor in the old drivers (not to mention winamp could only do stereo, not 4 channel), but the new drivers fixed the 4 channel thing and made my music sound great. The bass can't be exaggerated as much from within the equalizer, but I don't like exaggerated bass anyway, and this sound card seems to actually have stronger, more even bass (maybe my imagination) when set properly. If you're having problems with distortion in the equalizer, try lowering the bars below 0db instead of raising them, so you don't push the internal amp too high, and then just raise the volume on your speakers. The SBLive suffers from the same problem, the internal amp is just too weak. 
 
So yep yep, the card has made me very satisfied. It's a good price for all the features, especially the breakout box. My SBLive! Value had no digital output at all, and frankly I was getting fed up with Creative's insane delays in driver updates, as well as their broken drivers. Live!Ware 4 should have come out last year, but it didn't. It's not particularly fair to compare this to an SBLive! Value, as it compares more readily to the SBLive! Platinum with Live!Drive. Hercules has cheaper soundcards based on the same chipset for people who don't want the breakout box, but that thing has a great deal of very handy connections. <IMG SRC="smileys/biggrin.gif"> I know I can't convince you to change your mind, but I figure I'd say all this anyway. I'm happy with my investment and would recommend this card.

06-03-2001, 03:15 | posts: n/a

The only thing keeping me from buying this is that it is nice to have some audio outputs on the back of the PCI card, or have at least and output daughter card. I will only use the rack for a few audio appliances. The speaker hookups I like having in the back of the case. <IMG SRC="smileys/frown.gif">

06-21-2001, 02:31 | posts: n/a

Hi Everyone, 
 
I purchased this card for a friends computer I built for him. We fly Fighter Ace on MS's Zone web site and extensively use Voice Communications software such as Roger Wilco, Battle Com, Game Voice and Team sound. 
 
Testing all these voice comm software with the Hercules card I found severe problems. None of the voice comms were able to utilize the microphone without severe distortion and a high pitched sound produced on the opposite end. To clarify, only the people I was intending to speak with could hear these sound problems. And no it wasn't their computers. If I swapped back to my computer things worked fine it only happened with the Hercules Card. I wasn't the only one to have similar problems. While viewing the support board at Hercules I saw the very same complaint made by many users so I am not alone. 
 
I purchased a SoundBlaster Live! Platinum for the very same computer and never had any further problems. I sincerely regret having to return the card as I saw great potential. But, I didn't have the time nor the patience to wait for updated drivers to rectify this problem. 
 
Wish I could have fixed whatever caused the problems. 
 
SourGrapz

06-21-2001, 23:39 | posts: n/a

Hi , 
For the past few days i have been looking at the Hercules Game Theater XP on many review sites. The mojority say its a cracking piece of hardware. I am on the vurge on getting one , but one thing is stopping me .. 
 
I have a set of creative speakers .. 4 sats and sub and a SONY Hi-Fi <IMG SRC="smileys/smile.gif"> 
Connecting the creative is fine , but could i also connect my hi-fi up to it? 
Using the RCA sockets? Or would i have to use the digital inputs/outputs. 
 
If i can connect my Hi-Fi up is it possible to use the hi-fi simoultiameualey with my creative ones? 
 
Or can u only have the creative speakers on or the hi-fi? 
 
plz help!!

06-22-2001, 00:32 | posts: n/a

sorry if that doesnt make sense. 
 
Basically all i wanna know is ... if i can connect my hi-fi up to the rack using either phono plugs or a digital input. 
And will it work simutaneously with my normal craetive pc speakers?

08-02-2001, 02:05 | posts: n/a

Hi, 
 
I want to get a break out box and am having real difficulty in deciding whether to go for the Hercules XP or Sounblaster 5.1 Platinum. 
 
Can anyone really sumarise what the differences are between these two sound cards. I seem to get conflicting arguments but generally the reviewers seem to like them both. The Remote on the SB 5.1 is a waste for me and I hate the fact that it has to go into a drive bay. But I am hearing a lot of bad things about the Herc. software. 
 
So what is the general opinon out there. Who has played with them both. <A HREF="http://www.guru3d.com/forum/register.php" TARGET=_blank>http://www.guru3d.com/forum/register.php</A>