Review: Sound Blaster Live! Platinum 5.1

From...

by Danny Lam

(IDG) -- We're sure a lot of PC gamers out there have 5.1 surround sound speakers hooked up to their sound cards so they can thrill to the sounds of airplanes and bullets whizzing by from front to back. Well here's Creative's latest creation to match those speakers, the Sound Blaster Live! Platinum 5.1 has true Dolby Digital 5.1 support and features extra goodies you'd never expect to find in a sound card package, and then some. Pick up this one and you won't have to shop for a new sound card anytime soon - guaranteed.

The Platinum is Creative's top-of-the-line sound card, featuring a 5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1 Live! card and a separate infrared drive (remote included) that fits into a 5.25" bay on your PC for connecting accessories like MIDI instruments, MiniDiscs, and more. Creative has traditionally included everything you need to install their products, and this package is no exception. If you know how to install a CD-ROM drive and a sound card you're good to go.

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The performance we got out of the Platinum was excellent, whether it's pulling duties in Unreal Tournament or watching a DVD movie. Bullets zig-zagged past our heads and coupled with Creative's own EAX extensions, some effects in Unreal were truly stellar. Of course you'll want to mate it to an excellent speaker system to get the whole enchilada but once you do you'll never want to part with this card. Plus, compatibility is not an issue with this card from the folks that set the Sound Blaster standard. Meanwhile, the drive has enough handy receptors for everything from a MIDI keyboard to an optical input device in the front loading bay for easy access. The only drawback is the price tag - a hefty $199.00. Gamers may want to opt for the lower-priced version of the 5.1 series, the Live! X-Gamer 5.1 or the Live! MP3+ 5.1, both a mere $99.00 each.

Is it worth it? If it's time for you to buy a new sound card you can't go wrong with a Live! card, regardless of the variety you choose. The Platinum may be overkill for the average gamer, but a definite blessing for those wanting to dabble with tweaking audio files and mixing music and such.

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Sound Blaster Live! Platinum 5.1

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