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http://connect.creativelabs.com/openal/default.aspx ?

I'm a huge fan of Carmac and ID software.

I'm also a registered Creative developer.

Both are big FOSS supporters
http://connect.creativelabs.com/openal/default.aspx

and EAX is damn good.

In short, I'm conflicted.

If you want "close to the metal" POSIX API compatibility then there's Cygwin which is easier to use IMO and more actively developed but doesn't support the *full* POSIX spec or there is UWIN which supports most of the POSIX spec.

Combine this with OpenGL, OpenAL, the SDL and Cygwin/X, QT, a Java layer using the SWT from Eclipse, *shudder* GLUT *shudder* ;) or IMNSHO preferably wxWindows/wxWidgets and you've got yourself a full cross-platform programming toolkit that can do just about anything.

jdb2

How the hell did this get modded insightful?

It is by far the most advanced personal computer audio system available on any platform

I'd say that's ASIO. And define advanced, please? You mean extracting multichannel information from a two-channel source, like Dolby ProLogic has been doing for over ten years? Or adding reverb and other effects to a sound source, like Creative cards have been doing since the SB32? The only thing that comes even remotely close to "advanced" is that there is no limit to the number of simultaneous audio sources due to software mixing. But then again, because Vista is unable to use a hardware mixer even when it is available, every sound source corresponds to an increase in CPU usage.

Which is the reason that it needs a more consistent stream of data

So it is advanced, but not robust? And what, exactly, is a "consistent stream of data"? Is a 440Hz sine wave consistent? Is white noise consistent?

Because adjusting the timing to the computer's various speakers so that the audio arrives at your head at the same time rather than leaves the speakers at the same time isn't free.

Oh, please. That is a invariant time-shift operation, which might take ten CPU cycles per channel. A Pentium 100 can output several hundreds of time-shifted channels and still have time to do your laundry for you. And FAFAIK, Vista does no such thing. I have not found a dialog where you can tell Vista the distance between your head and your speakers. Even Vista MCE does not have that option.

I'm not saying the audio system in Vista is bad, after all, it still works. But the only positive thing about it in my view, is that it has renewed interest in OpenAL.

Looking at there website:

Creeative Labs

I see no place to download the source.

I've got no funds, and I'm targetting Mac OS X and Windows initially, and maybe XBLA/WiiWare later. The first step is choosing a multiplatform framework (I'm using Playfirst's Playground SDK) or even a cross-platform library to develop your own framework (like SDL, OpenGL and OpenAL as appropriate).

Limiting yourself to one platform limits your potential customers. If you start with multiplatform at the beginning of development, it doesn't take much more time/effort (look how Blizzard works, they ship Mac and Windows binaries on the same disc).

There are other advantages to working multiplatform, too. Different compilers flag different errors and warnings, reducing your post-release support costs (for code bugs, at least). Different platform behaviours and expectations will point out UI and game play issues earlier. You've always got at least one current-ish backup of your code/assets on your "other" platform. ;-)

But, for the love of gaming, if you're not going to work multiplatform, don't make it impossible for third-party porting houses to do the work for you. And I'm not talking about your code here, I'm talking about wanting piles of cash up-front to "let" the third parties do the porting for you, or simply ignoring them.

For those unaware, that 'card manufacturer' is Creative Labs.

http://preview.creativelabs.com/alchemy/default.as px

The audio rewrite allows for example per application sound level control so it's not "just because", although I guess the removal of HAL isn't such a good idea. Anyway, Creative has the ALchemy project which translates the old DirectSound instructions into OpenAL, and thus allows some old games to use EAX. IMO, EAX in old games isn't such a huge deal, and all the new ones will work fine.

The main problem with Vista and gaming are the horrible video drivers, or at least NVIDIA drivers. Not only they are slow, but they also don't allow overclocking (very useful for a 6600 which can run above 6600GT speeds), but even some basic settings seem to make no difference.

For companies to produce portable Vorbis players, they need to be made aware that there is a market for them. Every day, I hear the same thing from Vorbis listeners; 'I'm not buying a hardware portable music player unless it supports Ogg Vorbis.' It's nice to hear, but we can't do anything about it (we're not a hardware company). So, this page is here to let you send that message to people who can. Remember, be polite!

The Companies:

Frontier Labs - URL - has told a lot of people that they're considering implementing Vorbis support for the NEX II machine. Here's their information:

Frontier Labs
Unit 2206 - 8, Cyberincubator, Kodak House II
No. 321 Java Road
North Point, Hong Kong
Telephone: 852.2527.3322
Fax: 852.2528.5277
E-mail: techsupport@frontierlabs.com

iRiver - URL - has said they are planning to support Ogg Vorbis in the future via firmware upgrade, but the schedule is not yet finalized. Here's their information:

iRiver America
1716 Ringwood Avenue
San Jose, CA 95131
Telephone: 1-408-452-7940
Fax: 1-408-452-9944
E-mail: contact@iriveramerica.com

UPDATE: Forwarded E-mail from iRiver America

The engineers have Ogg Vorbis under consideration to support. However, at this time, there is no decision whether it will be supported in the future or not.

Regards,

Erica L. Briggs
Customer Service Representative
iRiver America, Inc.
Direct: 408.452.7940

Wouldn't you like to see Vorbis on the super-sexy iPod? We would, too. Here's some contact information for Apple Computer (URL):

Apple
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
Telephone: 408-996-1010

UPDATE: Don't forget to drop a note to Apple about the iPod at http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipod.html!

Other companies producing audio hardware:

Archos Technology Inc. - URL
3-A Goodyear
Irvine, CA 92618
Telephone: (949) 609-1400
Fax: (949) 609-1414

ReQuest Multimedia - URL
435 2nd Ave.
Troy, NY 12182
E-mail: bizdev@request.com

Evolution Technologies - URL
118 Kitty Hawk Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
Telephone: 919-544-3777 / toll-free: 866-848-8070
E-mail: info@nowevolution.com

UPDATE: Note from Evolution Technologies

Evolution Technologies, Inc. is committed to support our consumers music appetite. We will support the formats that are consistent with both their desires and good business practices. While we have not ruled out supporting "open source" formats, we must first evaluate the acceptance levels with the buying public so that our organization can justify the expense of developing a new compatible CODEC. When the demand is sufficient, we will support the technology.

Sonic Blue - URL
2841 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054-1838
Telephone: (408) 588-8000

I-Jam Multimedia LLC - URL
1092 National Parkway
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Telephone: 847-839-1233
Fax: 847-839-1277
E-mail: ehamnett@geltzerpr.com

Alaris, Inc. - URL
44061 Nobel Drive
Fremont, CA 94538

Creative Labs, Inc. - URL
Developer Relations
1901 McCarthy Blvd.
Milpitas, California 95035
Telephone: 408-546-6425
Fax: 408-432-6717
E-mail: devmusic@creativelabs.com

Daisy Technology, LLC - URL
111 N. Market Street, Suite 624
San Jose, CA 95113
Telephone: 408-286-7697
Fax: 408-351-3330
E-mail: info@daisytech-usa.com

Procell Media - URL
69 Wrexham Road
Whitchurch, Shropshire
SY13 1HT
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +44 (0)1948 665048
Fax: +44 (0)1948 667099

G-NET Canada Headquarters - URL
11 Sinclair Court
Cambridge, Ontario
N1T 1K2 CANADA
Telephone: 519-623-4901
Fax: 519-623-3229

Or there's FrontX for more generic ports.

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If you haven't already, to to Creative's web site and give them some positive feedback on this. If you have the time (and stamps) send mail. Letters to management receive a lot more attention than online forms.

Oldthink thinkcrime doubleplus ungood

>Trusted systems are built according to a formal >specification and are tested and confirmed >against a formal testing and standards process. Most hacks are out exploited by two ways. 1) Poorly implemented standards, 2) creative uses of resources. When the standards are not open and completely available hackers will reverse engineer. The linux Creative Labs DXR-2 driver. Other Hack would involve creative, non-standard, or even informal uses of resources. Using programs or item for things they were not intended to do.

It's here, it's great, and it's hosted on Creative Labs's own servers. And you can learn how to set it up HERE, since I've written up a (relatively) idiotproof tutorial. The catch-- you need a DxR2 decoder board. (Get one cheap on eBay.

Yeah, it's possible to legally play DVDs under GNU/Linux, and using only GPLd software too. I've written a no-BS, step-by-step, easy-to-follow (well, I hope) guide telling you exactly how to get it going, from start to finish. TWO CATCHES: (A) You must have a Creative Labs DxR2 decoder board (NOT a DxR3 board or any other board) and (B) you must have a TV-- the overlay part of the driver isn't done yet. Here's the goods: http://caspian.twu.net/tutorials/dvd linux.html

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