Future Format Frenzy: Digital Audio and You

Azalia, Intel’s 8-channel digital audio codec, raises the bar significantly over the aging AC’97 codec. Although Azalia (and other derivative codecs) apply more channels and higher stereo frequency, the most conspicuous feature is a data rate four times that of AC’97. Similar 8-channel audio solutions from VIA will also utilize similar bandwidth and bitrate specifications.

With the newer 8-channel audio codecs, we will be able to listen to multiple DVDs with 5.1 channel audio while operating VOIP/telephony/modem devices on the same digital signal processor (DSP), completely unhindered. Using AC’97 based solutions (including the nForce2 Soundstorm MCP), playing two DVD’s with stereo audio is not possible.

Although the newest Intel Alderwood and Grantsdale chipsets have multiple downfalls, audio processing is not one of them. On paper, Azalia audio puts AC’97 to shame and gives VIA’s Envy processor a good run for the money. Although many of us will defend our M-Audio cards to the death, perhaps new, integrated hi-fi codecs will raise the bar of the enthusiast market even closer to professional grade audio.

Future Format Frenzy: Digital Audio and You @ Anandtech