Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Creative now recommends use of the open-source OpenAL 3D API for both 3D position-
ing and sound effects.
Legacy Audio Support Through Virtualization
What about legacy software users? If you still enjoy playing MS-DOS-based games, then
current audio adapters, chipsets, and integrated audio solutions still might present a com-
patibility challenge to you because of fundamental hardware differences between the In-
dustryStandardArchitecture(ISA)expansionslotsusedbyclassicCreativeLabsandoth-
er sound cards and and current audio hardware, which uses PCI or PCIe slots, chipsets,
and integrated audio.
At one time, the only way to achieve reliable audio compatibility with legacy games was
to use a legacy OS such as MS-DOS 6.x (with Windows 3.1 if needed) and a Sound
BlasterPro-compatibleISAaudiocard.SomeearlyPCIaudiosoundcardsprovidedfairly
good emulation of the Sound Blaster Pro but required additional audio drivers or propri-
etary patch cables to provide emulation. Modern audio hardware is geared toward sup-
porting Windows and often is not capable of providing legacy audio support if a legacy
application is run directly in Windows XP or later.
However,youcannowrunlegacyOSsandapplications withfullsupportforlegacyaudio
by creating a virtual PC environment using applications such as Microsoft Virtual PC
2007, Windows Virtual PC (included in Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate editions),
Parallels Desktop, VMware Workstation, DOSBox ( www.dosbox.com ) , and others.
In a virtual PC environment, you create a virtual machine on a host OS by installing a vir-
tualization application. Next, you install a guest OS into the virtual machine, configure it
to provide audio support, and install legacy games. The virtual machine translates audio
and other hardware requests made by the legacy game and OS to the host OS, which then
communicateswiththehardwareitsupports.Asaresult,alegacygamerunninginanMS-
 
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