Cambridge Soundworks and Creative Introduce First
Complete Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound Solution for
the PC
DeskTop Theater 5.1 Speaker System and New Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold CMS2
Provides High Quality, Cost Effective, Fully Integrated Solution for PC Users
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambridge SoundWorks (Nasdaq: HIFI) and
Creative Technology Ltd. (Nasdaq: CREAF), today introduced the world's first
fully integrated Dolby(R) Digital 5.1 surround sound system for multimedia
computers. Cambridge SoundWorks' DeskTop Theater(TM) 5.1 amplified
six-channel speaker system, along with Creative's new Sound Blaster(R)
AWE64(TM) Gold CMS2(TM), for the first time provides full-fledged Dolby
Digital 5.1 surround sound for the personal computer.
Designed in the tradition of Cambridge SoundWorks' critically acclaimed
PCWorks(TM), SoundWorks(R) and MicroWorks(TM) systems, DeskTop Theater 5.1
offers the consumer an affordable, high-performance surround sound speaker
system for use with multimedia computers. It consists of an integrated multi-
channel amplifier; five compact, shielded satellite speakers (for left-front,
center, right-front, left-rear and right-rear channels); and a powered
subwoofer, which deliver extremely realistic, high-performance audio. When
used with Creative's new Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold CMS2 and Creative's second-
generation PC-DVD(TM) Encore(TM) Dxr2 solution, DeskTop Theater 5.1 can create
a totally immersive home theater system experience with unbelievably realistic
sound -- including thunderous bass -- at an unprecedented low price.
Cambridge SoundWorks today also introduced the DeskTop Theater 5.1
Upgrade, which is designed to let owners of stand-alone, three-piece
multimedia speakers add Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound to their existing
systems. It consists of two rear speaker satellites, a center speaker and a
dedicated amplifier module.
"DeskTop Theater 5.1 is a simple, elegant way to add theater-quality
surround sound to a desktop system," said Thomas J. DeVesto, president and
chief executive officer of Cambridge SoundWorks. "The small satellite
speakers can be adapted to the existing computer workspace with a minimum of
intrusion. Yet the sound quality is comparable to much more expensive home
entertainment systems."
Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold CMS2
Building upon the success of its popular Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold product,
Creative's Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold CMS2 has the same great features as the
AWE64 Gold plus new technology which provides for a truly integrated, high-
quality surround sound experience. This technology combines a true, built-in
Dolby Digital 5.1 (AC-3) decoder with WAV, MIDI and CD audio playback. This
not only allows consumers to enjoy a home theater surround audio experience,
it lets gamers enjoy the new generation of interactive DVD games as well as
existing PC games with an enveloping 5.1 speaker system. The Sound Blaster
AWE64 Gold CMS2 is the perfect companion to Creative's PC-DVD solutions.
"DeskTop Theater 5.1 when combined with the AWE64 Gold CMS2 represents
true convergence technology and delivers on the promise of providing an
awesome, realistic, surround sound experience for the customer," said Sim Wong
Hoo, chairman and chief executive officer of Creative Technology Ltd.
"Sound has never been better -- regardless from where it emanates --
whether it be from a PC for gameplay, from CD audio or a home theater system,
this combined technology truly makes sound come alive."
Creative's Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold CMS2 is a unique step forward in
solving a major industry and consumer audio issue: That of converging
multiple, separate sound systems with one simple solution. For instance,
today's home stereo systems are comprised of separate, discrete components
such as amplifiers, CD-players, processors and speakers that are used for a
single purpose.
With the AWE64 Gold CMS2 installed in a PC, these disparate systems can be
combined easily and inexpensively to be used for gaming, watching movies as
well as listening. This technology, which will be demonstrated along with
DeskTop Theater 5.1 at the Creative Technology booth at COMDEX Fall '97 (booth
#S2620), replaces the need for an expensive, external amplifier/receiver and
provides the flexibility, expandability and cost savings of a PC. The
technology has outputs for all six Dolby Digital 5.1 channels and can exploit
this capability in PC-DVD playback as well as standard games and multimedia
applications.
Thorough, Elegant Design
In overall sound quality and tonal balance, DeskTop Theater 5.1 is very
similar to Cambridge SoundWorks' critically acclaimed PCWorks speaker system.
The speakers are exceptionally compact in design and are engineered to provide
high-performance output even when put under a heavy workload such as that
delivered through Dolby encoded material. They also offer the flexibility to
be moved around for maximum effectiveness. For instance, the left and right
front speakers can be monitor-mounted or tucked away on either side of the
monitor on their supplied stands. The rear speakers can be mounted underneath
or on the outer edges of the desktop, creating a truly separate sound field
from the front three speakers. Additionally, compact floor stands are
included for the rear speakers. These stands are small enough to allow
"discretionary" placement, fitting to the side or underneath a desk if
necessary, but allowing easy repositioning when sound is of paramount concern.
The subwoofer is designed to be placed out of the way, under the work surface.
The system's amplifier has two sets of six inputs (one set of six RCA
jacks, and one mini-DIN 8-pin jack) for use in connecting to the Dolby Digital
5.1 output of the Sound Blaster AWE 64 Gold CMS2.
Unprecedented Low Price
The suggested retail target price of DeskTop Theater 5.1 is US$199.99.
The target retail price of the DeskTop Theater 5.1 Upgrade is US$99.99. Both
Cambridge SoundWorks speaker systems and the Sound Blaster AWE 64 Gold CMS2
are expected to ship in the first quarter of 1998.
Cambridge SoundWorks -- which is involved in a tender offer to be acquired
by Creative Technology Ltd., -- manufactures 35 different models of home
stereo, car stereo, home theater and computer speakers. It is the country's
first and largest factory-direct stereo company, selling its stereo speaker
products and sound systems in its 27 retail stores in Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut and California. Its speakers and sound systems
are also offered directly to the consumer through its national catalog.
Creative Technology Ltd., develops, manufactures and markets a wide array
of advanced multimedia solutions for the PC, entertainment, education, music
and productivity tools markets. The company's products are marketed though
both the original equipment manufactures and retail channels under a variety
of trademarks, including the "Blaster" family name. Sound Blaster has become
the multimedia industry's de facto audio standard. Sound Blaster is an audio
platform consisting of a sound card or chip set, software drivers and bundled
software applications that enable PCs to produce high quality audio.
Creative's corporate headquarters and primary manufacturing are based in
Singapore, with sales, distribution and research and development being carried
out though an extensive, global network of subsidiaries located in North
America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
This announcement relates to products whose launch are in the United
States of America. The product names, contents, prices and availability may
differ elsewhere in the world according to local factors and requirements.
Sound Blaster and Blaster are registered trademarks, PC-DVD, and Encore
are trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd., in the United States and/or other
countries. Cambridge SoundWorks and SoundWorks are registered trademarks, and
MicroWorks and PCWorks are trademarks of Cambridge SoundWorks, Inc. in the
United States and/or other countries. All other products mentioned herein are
trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby recognized as such.
SOURCE Creative Technology, Ltd.
/NOTE TO EDITORS: Please visit the Creative Booth (#S2620) in the Sands
Convention Center, at COMDEX Fall '97, November 17-21, for a full
demonstration of this and Creative's other industry-leading multimedia
solutions!/
/CONTACT: Tom DeVesto, President, CEO of Cambridge SoundWorks, 332-5936,
ext. 127, or tdevesto@hifi.com; or Rick Myllenbeck of Creative Labs,
408-434-5700, or rickm@soundblaster.com/
(CREAF HIFI) |
