Monday November 17, 7:01 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Creative Technology, Ltd.
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 - news) and Creative Technology Ltd. (Nasdaq: CREAF - news), 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.
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