Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Motherboard Chipsets with Integrated Audio
The Intel 810 chipset (introduced in April 1999) was the first mainstream motherboard
chipsettointegrateaudio.Integratedaudiocanbefoundinvirtuallyallmotherboardchip-
sets (and therefore motherboards) since then. Even though modern boards include integ-
rated audio, you can still add your own audio solution via an expansion card or USB
device if desired.
Although some of the earliest integrated audio implementations left a lot to be desired,
thanks to improvements in chipset design and faster CPU performance, today's best in-
tegrated chipsets provide solid mid-range performance. Virtually all current chipsets have
integratedaudio.(See Chapter4 ,“ MotherboardsandBuses , ”fordetails.)Modernsystems
with integrated audio support at least one of the following audio standards:
AC'97
Intel High Definition Audio (Azalia)
In most recent systems, Intel HDA is the preferred integrated audio standard, especially
for DVD, BD, and HDTV playback. However, many systems still include support for
AC'97.
AC'97 Integrated Audio
TolearnmoreaboutAC'97integratedaudio,seethesection“AC'97IntegratedAudio,”in
Chapter 13 , “ Audio Hardware , ” in Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 19 th edition , included
in its entirety on the disc packaged with this topic.
Intel “Azalia” HD Audio
Intel released Intel High Definition (HD) Audio in 2004 to deliver high-definition audio
capable of playing back more channels at higher quality than the previous
AC'97-integrated audio standard. Specifically, AC'97 supports up to six channels (5.1
surround audio) at 48KHz/20-bit, whereas HD Audio supports up to eight channels (7.1
surround audio) at 192KHz/32-bit. Note that not all HD Audio implementations support
these maximums.
During its development, HD Audio was known by the code-name “Azalia,” and some
vendors still refer to it by this name. HD Audio not only can detect when devices are
plugged in to an audio jack but can also change the default assignment of the audio jack
to match the device being inserted. This helps to reduce audio failures caused by mis-
matched devices andjacks. Although HDAudiowasdeveloped byIntel, itisalso suppor-
tedbymostthird-partyaudiocodecvendors,includingRealtek(ALC861family,ALC880
 
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search