2000-2001 Milestones

2001

"Sound Blaster Audigy®" launches and Creative Labs opens a new era in PC Audio! For the first time PC Audio actually takes the lead on consumer hi-fi audio in terms of quality. By implementing 24bit/96KHz DACs on board creative makes it possible for PC based audio to achieve 100dB SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio), delivering super quiet, hiss free sound to audio enthusiasts. In addition Creative raises the bar yet again by updating its ground-breaking EAX® technology set to an even more innovative level. EAX ADVANCED HD™ delivers more realistic audio manipulation algorithms for gaming, but at the same time allowed non-gamers to benefit for the first time from the power of "Sound Blaster" by allowing such features as "Time Scaling™", "CMSS® (Creative Multi Speaker Surround) 3D" and "Audio Clean-Up™". Sound Blaster Audigy also brought connectivity right up to date by providing the very latest technology for the connection of Music, Digital Video and high-bandwidth devices. With the introduction of FireWire connectivity as standard (based on IEEE1394) on every card in the range Creative opened a whole new world of possibilities to its user base.

In December 2001,the first EAX 3.0 enabled titles are launched, including Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, and Neverwinter Nights.

2000

In 2000 Creative delivers the final iterations in the "Live!" family, the "Sound Blaster Live! Player 5.1" and the "Sound Blaster Live! Platinum 5.1" - they are the only cards fully certified by Dolby Laboratories. Also, for the first time, you are able to remotely control multimedia applications, like music or movie playback from the comfort of your sofa.

Creative premiers EAGLE (Environmental Audio Graphical Librarian Editor) at GDC 2000, San Jose. A dedicated audio design tool that allows sound designers to create EAX environments matched to the geometry of the game. "EAGLE" gives developers a simple graphical based interface to enable EAX?effects in games without writing code! EAGLE receives accolades for its innovative design.

By September 2000, 3D audio becomes a truly cinematic experience over 5.1 speakers. EAX 2.0 support drives the total number of games supporting real-time effects rendering to over 100.