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To: Synapsid who wrote (2362)	2/10/1999 11:31:00 AM
From: Steve Reinhardt	Respond to of 3493

Typically Compaq put ESS's audio chip directly on their PCB, not an add-on card. Creative did a good job to get Compaq to consider one of its add-on card. We would have to wait for ESS to see what their response is. Steve

To: Synapsid who wrote (2362)	2/10/1999 11:41:00 AM
From: Steve Reinhardt	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3493

Anyone has any idea what's the percentage of these Compaq Prosignia and Deskpro PC lines in overall Compaq PC shipment? I seem to remember several major Compaq PC models are loyal ESS audio users (for both ISA and PCI) and that has not changed yet. The key question to ask is why Prosignia and DeskPro made the decision to try Creative's OEM AUdioPCI64V ? ESS definitely has the Maestro II family of PCI 64 voice audio ICs that matches whatever Creative can supply. My guesses are: (1) These lines of computer may want an add-on card, rather on the PCB; (2) ESS does not supply SBS50 speaker systems, while Creative is considered a system supplier. And 4 speaker audio system is getting popular; (3) Other reasons. Richard or anyone care to comment? Steve

To: Synapsid who wrote (2362)	2/15/1999 12:12:00 PM
From: Synapsid	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3493

Revisiting the Compaq matter, on the Compaq website the entire Prosignia series comes with "Compaq PremierSound" standard, while the Creative board is only an option. So there is no evidence that ESS would be losing some of its Compaq business. ESS's Solo-1 PCI audio chip seems to have gained broad acceptance as a cost-effective PCI audio solution for motherboards and low-end add-in cards from Taiwan. I wonder what the profit margin is on this chip, considering that it has been around for a while.