X-Fi vs Hardware audio mode

[Minmaster]

I have X-Fi xtreme gamer edition, and i really can't tell the difference in audio between X-Fi and Hardware mode, using high audio quality and EAX enabled. what are supposed to be the differences and are they detectable by non-audiophile ears? i ask because i recently tried using hardware over X-Fi mode, because i have a hunch that it actually improves game performance and stability over X-Fi mode on my setup. upon trying to figure out the advantages of X-Fi mode, i have come to realize that there is nothing. i am using a 5.1 speaker setup.

does anyone feel the same way or can someone make a case for using X-Fi mode? perhaps it's really noticeable over headphones than speakers?

[=98=]

I think it lets you hear 128 sounds as opposed to 64 of hardware mode. It's a gimmick to increase Creative's sales.

[Minmaster]

hmm independent of the audio mode, it's the audio quality that controls the # of voices, not the mode. hence, X-Fi w/ high will yield same # of voices as hardware w/ high, no?

[nimski]

It's hard to tell if you're not tuned into that sort of thing. I've found that things like accurate positioning of grenade hiss and someone walking up behind me are more apparent with 128 voices and a quality set of headphones. For me the slight performance hit is worth getting a few more audio cues, it really makes a difference in close quarters fighting I think.

[TrooperJac]

I used to set mine to hardware as I was often forgetting to switch modes when starting the game. If you set it to hardware it will still work if the XFi is running in game or entertainment mode.

However I got sound distortion and stuttering under hardware that I don't get with the games XFi mode. As for the actual sound produced - I couldn't tell the difference.

[Jaswahhihi]

Lol, i have an X-fi extreme gamer and 2142 doesnt let me use the X-fi mode!
(latest drivers etc)

[=98=]

Lol, i have an X-fi extreme gamer and 2142 doesnt let me use the X-fi mode!
(latest drivers etc)





if you have installed and uninstalled a previous sound blaster card such as sound blaster audigy 2, audigy or sound blaster live! And have since installed a sound blaster x-fi card, you may encounter an error when applying sound blaster x-fi settings in the game's audio settings section. (more details... How to uninstall sound blaster drivers and applications? )

if you encounter this problem, we recommend that you reinstall your sound blaster x-fi drivers as follows:

1. Download the updated f-xi series driver from the creative website
2. Browse to *:\audio\drivers on the x-fi installation cd (where * is your cd/dvd rom drive letter).
3. Double-click setup.exe to run the creative driver update utility.
4. Under update option check the driver uninstallation box.
5. Check the delete all shared creative audio driver files box.
6. Click ok.
7. Click yes to the warning that follows.
8. Click ok to proceed with the uninstallation.
9. When prompted, click ok to reboot your system.
10. When your system has rebooted, click cancel when windows detects new hardware.
11. Run the downloaded file sbxf_pcdrv_lb_2_07_0004.exe and install the drivers. The other applications that are shipped with the x-fi may need to be installed from the cd.
12. Reboot pc when prompted.
13. Relaunch battlefield2.
14. You can now apply sound blaster x-fi settings in the game's audio settings and proceed.

Note: You can also run setup.exe from the following location on the hard drive c:\programs\creative\sound blaster x-fi\program.

Should the problem persist, you can manually search and rename the following three files in your computer, and then install the sound blaster x-fi again.

Ct_oal.dll
openal32.dll
wrap_oal.dll



zing!!!!

[Jaswahhihi]

Cheers lol :)

[nimski]

Yeah, as you've seen. Here are some important links that should help you get going.

http://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=10607 => info on clean uninstall of X-fi drivers.

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/gaming/article.asp?articleID=68148&categoryID=13 => suggestion on how to set up the X-fi control panel for BF2142

Use this with Creative Console Launcher 2.60.27 (July-31-08) and Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi series Driver 2.18.0004 (July-30-08).

[xslaneyx]

i noticed a difference. you can hear more things and a lot clearer from longer distances too with x-fi

just use decent headphones and not cheap n tacky ones and your onto a winner

[linyanti]

I think that the hardware EAX only goes to EAX version 3 and the X-Fi through the Creative card can go to EAX version 5 if the game supports it.

It is weird how the brain can be tricked by the pitch changes to think something is behind, ahead, above or below you even though it is just two speakers.

The loud bass can be annoying and I had to turn on the feature that "levels" the sound.

The best would be a game with true 5.1 sound out and true 5.1 headphones. But for BF2142 it is still synthetic 3D.

[UniSoL]

i noticed a difference. you can hear more things and a lot clearer from longer distances too with x-fi

just use decent headphones and not cheap n tacky ones and your onto a winner

Yep, exactly. It's almost an unfair advantage, especially in hectic close combat settings.

On Windows XP, the X-Fi definitely not a gimmick, contrary to what Alex98uk stated. I didn't have much luck on Vista with the X-Fi though.

[=98=]

Yep, exactly. It's almost an unfair advantage, especially in hectic close combat settings.

On Windows XP, the X-Fi definitely not a gimmick, contrary to what Alex98uk stated. I didn't have much luck on Vista with the X-Fi though.

The difference between ultra high and high mode is very small. The whole reason why the included these special are because Creative paid them to. It's a means of in-game advertising.

[UniSoL]

I disagree with you. The difference is larger then you play it off to be. Paid for by Creative or not, the X-Fi in BF2 or BF2142 is well worth the $100.

And besides, if Creative actually did pay for it, thank you Creative.

Do you have a link to support your "Creative paid for it" claim?

[imported_Field]

i personally get off on good sound quality i run at high settings for that

you may be able to hear enemies coming a little easier but i just like how it makes the assault rifles sound

[=98=]

I disagree with you. The difference is larger then you play it off to be. Paid for by Creative or not, the X-Fi in BF2 or BF2142 is well worth the $100.

And besides, if Creative actually did pay for it, thank you Creative.

Do you have a link to support your "Creative paid for it" claim?

No, but that is how marketing and business works. EA wants to add a unique selling point to their software, Creative wants to shift their cards.

The obvious thing to do is for EA to endorse Creative's products by providing an X-Fi only mode. Thus, Creative increase sales and EA/DICE are given a small margin of that revenue.

I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it's how it works.

[ZinZ]

Yep, exactly. It's almost an unfair advantage, especially in hectic close combat settings.

On Windows XP, the X-Fi definitely not a gimmick, contrary to what Alex98uk stated. I didn't have much luck on Vista with the X-Fi though.

The more you spend the better advantage you have. Not your fault the other guys sound/pc isn't good or something.

[TrooperJac]

When I first got the XFi - I was playing local games of BF2 with headphones and on XP. The new XFi sound card made a lot of difference. I could actually locate sounds around me despite using a standard set of stereo headphones.

When I moved to the Vista beta that advantage was seemingly lost. I never got the same sense of 3D with headphones on Vista. I put that down to crappy drivers. Doesn't matter to me now because I use proper 5.1 speakers FTW.

[nimski]

When I first got the XFi - I was playing local games of BF2 with headphones and on XP. The new XFi sound card made a lot of difference. I could actually locate sounds around me despite using a standard set of stereo headphones.

When I moved to the Vista beta that advantage was seemingly lost. I never got the same sense of 3D with headphones on Vista. I put that down to crappy drivers. Doesn't matter to me now because I use proper 5.1 speakers FTW.

You should look at your settings. I have X-fi and Vista setup now and it's identical to my old XP settings. Be sure to completely wipe your old drivers with the Installer on the original Creative disk (in the Drivers folder), this actually includes a special 'remove' routine that is missed with a standard uninstall.