Microsoft's First HD Audio Driver Released
Posted by: Newsfactory on: 05/01/2004 09:23 PM [ Print | 4 comment(s) ] · 7204 views
Microsoft Announces Availability of First HD Audio Class Driver For Next-Generation Products
REDMOND, Wash. -- April 29, 2004-- Microsoft Corp. today announced broad support for the Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) initiative, which will help to ensure an improved audio experience and improved audio device driver support for users of Windows®. Microsoft also announced the availability of the first version of the Microsoft® High Definition Audio Class Driver, based on the High Definition (HD) Audio specification developed by Intel Corporation. Through the UAA initiative, Microsoft also is delivering a set of Windows audio class drivers based on other key audio technologies, including USB Audio and 1394 Audio.
Universal Audio Architecture is a Microsoft-led initiative to provide a transparent "it just works" consumer experience and to improve the quality of audio on Windows-based PCs. Announced first at WinHEC 2002, the UAA initiative was established by Microsoft not only to enhance consumer audio experiences, but also to lower support costs, improve the functionality and quality of PC audio for current and future operating systems, and save time and resources for manufacturers. The Microsoft UAA HD Audio Class Driver 1.0 is available as an out-of-band release for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server (TM) 2003. For future operating system releases, Microsoft intends to ship the UAA class drivers as part of the operating system. The Microsoft UAA initiative proposes UAA class driver compliance from audio solutions on all PCs running Windows.
"As high-quality, reliable and feature-rich audio becomes increasingly important to PC owners and manufacturers, an audio specification is needed that will reduce the complications of compatibility, improve functionality and decrease high manufacturing costs," said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "Universal Audio Architecture and High Definition Audio solve these problems. Together with Intel and a growing list of industry partner companies, we're taking steps toward guaranteed device support, glitch-free audio and the best sound quality available."
Microsoft's collaboration around UAA with Intel and others will provide consumers with consistent audio functionality and enable a number of key benefits, including the following:
Higher performance: Minimum CPU time consumed when streaming, while taking advantage of increased bandwidth
Glitch-free audio
Ability to update the operating system while guaranteeing high-quality audio performance
More stable and secure audio for server applications
Fewer drivers and upgrades required, and less driver code to be developed, tested and supported
Reduction in support calls and returns
Read the full Press Release: Here
Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) High Definition Audio class driver available for Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Window 2000
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REDMOND, Wash. -- April 29, 2004-- Microsoft Corp. today announced broad support for the Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) initiative, which will help to ensure an improved audio experience and improved audio device driver support for users of Windows®. Microsoft also announced the availability of the first version of the Microsoft® High Definition Audio Class Driver, based on the High Definition (HD) Audio specification developed by Intel Corporation. Through the UAA initiative, Microsoft also is delivering a set of Windows audio class drivers based on other key audio technologies, including USB Audio and 1394 Audio.
Universal Audio Architecture is a Microsoft-led initiative to provide a transparent "it just works" consumer experience and to improve the quality of audio on Windows-based PCs. Announced first at WinHEC 2002, the UAA initiative was established by Microsoft not only to enhance consumer audio experiences, but also to lower support costs, improve the functionality and quality of PC audio for current and future operating systems, and save time and resources for manufacturers. The Microsoft UAA HD Audio Class Driver 1.0 is available as an out-of-band release for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server (TM) 2003. For future operating system releases, Microsoft intends to ship the UAA class drivers as part of the operating system. The Microsoft UAA initiative proposes UAA class driver compliance from audio solutions on all PCs running Windows.
"As high-quality, reliable and feature-rich audio becomes increasingly important to PC owners and manufacturers, an audio specification is needed that will reduce the complications of compatibility, improve functionality and decrease high manufacturing costs," said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "Universal Audio Architecture and High Definition Audio solve these problems. Together with Intel and a growing list of industry partner companies, we're taking steps toward guaranteed device support, glitch-free audio and the best sound quality available."
Microsoft's collaboration around UAA with Intel and others will provide consumers with consistent audio functionality and enable a number of key benefits, including the following:
Higher performance: Minimum CPU time consumed when streaming, while taking advantage of increased bandwidth
Glitch-free audio
Ability to update the operating system while guaranteeing high-quality audio performance
More stable and secure audio for server applications
Fewer drivers and upgrades required, and less driver code to be developed, tested and supported
Reduction in support calls and returns
Read the full Press Release: Here
Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) High Definition Audio class driver available for Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Window 2000
__________________
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plexdude Unregistered |
#53323 Posted on: 05/01/2004 11:23 PM
Okay... so what does this mean for us SB Live/Audigy Series users? Does this driver support these Creative cards too? Microsoft's article on this driver is rather vague in describing what the heck this driver supports. |
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Chernobyl Unregistered Posts: 57 Joined: 2003-05-03 |
#53326 Posted on: 05/02/2004 01:07 AM
You're right, its not that clear. From what I can make out, this new driver is designed to allow HD Audio Equipment makers to produce drivers easier with known good quality. It provides a HD Audio Driver without the manufacturers having to write their own. They say using these drivers, your sound will be glitch free. I imagine then that New Drivers from the manufacturers will need to be written for current HD Audio equipment to use these new MS drivers. If you have an Audigy 1, it remains to be seen if its possible to use these drivers on it, should Creative release a set for the Audigy 2. Creative might(!?) be able to provide a proper driver for the Audigy 1. But then again, there may be no support for current hardware. I'm watching this space. I havent been able to find if this will make any difference to other Audio cards not classed as HD. You can be sure there will be more information soon. above = best guesses having read 2 MS articles  |
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incoherent Unregistered |
#53329 Posted on: 05/02/2004 07:36 AM
Uh ok is there a direct link for this? Is it something i download or install or is it for 3rd party manufactuers? |
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Chernobyl Unregistered Posts: 57 Joined: 2003-05-03 |
#53344 Posted on: 05/03/2004 01:27 AM
Quoted from the article: "An audio device that is UAA compliant can rely completely on the operating system for driver support. Therefore, the hardware vendor does not have to supply a custom driver for the device." From what they've said, if you need it now, contact MS. Then they talk about the next OS (Longhorn) having it. I suppose you only need it if you have HD equipment and either quality or stability issues. |
