Summary of Contents for Monster MX400
- Page 1 MX400 ONSTER OUND ’ UIDE S3/Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. Corporate Headquarters: 2801 Mission College Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95052-8058 USA...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
SoftDVD Features ..........................18 Q & A .............. 21 ROUBLESHOOTING AND ENERAL .................... 22 PDATING RIVERS Update Wizard...........................22 S3/D ..................23 ONTACTING IAMOND ......................24 PECIFICATIONS ..................... 26 LOSSARY OF ERMS Monster Sound MX400 Glossary ....................26 ......29 RADEMARK ARRANTY AND ERTIFICATION NFORMATION... -
Page 3: Introduction
Dolby Digital surround sound for PC home theater. The Monster Sound MX400 series is designed to fit the needs of both the hardcore PC gamer and digital audio enthusiasts who want nothing less than the ultimate in PC gaming and entertainment experience. - Page 4 Features S/PDIF Out for playing back high quality DVD movies on your PC. Combined with an external Dolby Digital decoder and surround sound speaker system, the MX400 delivers full six-speaker (5.1 channel) audio support. Also includes software SoftDVD that delivers the Dolby Digital home theater...
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Page 5: About Ess Canyon3D
ESS C BOUT ANYON The Canyon3D technology, which supports the Microsoft DirectSound3D (DS3D) API, uses HRTF algorithms from Sensaura Technology for each of the four individual speakers to provide the vertical sound cues needed for total PC game immersion. Canyon3D's vertical sound positioning for each speaker outperforms other four speaker processors that only use simple 2D panning techniques to attempt to simulate a true 3D environment. -
Page 6: Monster Sound Mx400
NSTALLING THE MX400 ONSTER OUND This chapter provides an overview of the MX400 hardware and instructions on the MX400 hardware and software installation. ENERAL YSTEM EQUIREMENTS ARDWARE NSTALLATION OFTWARE NSTALLATION NSTALLING OFTWARE XTRAS A – Installation CD C – MX400 PCI card B –... -
Page 7: Hardware Installation
Powered speakers or headphones Contents Your Monster Sound MX400 kit includes the MX400 card, installation CD, CD audio cable, and additional software applications. To make the MX400 installation proceed smoothly, install the Monster Sound MX400 hardware, install the software drivers from the installation CD disk, and then install the optional software. - Page 8 To install your peripheral card: 1. With the power off, remove your computer cover and locate an available PCI slot (light color slot). 2. Remove the screw attached to the bracket cover and remove the bracket plate. 3. Position the card directly above the PCI slot. Note—Cards are designed to fit one way only.
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Page 9: Software Installation
2. 6. If your computer has a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, connect the CD-ROM audio cable to the internal connector labeled CD In on your Monster Sound MX400 card. 7. Reattach any previously removed cables. Next, attach any external speaker(s), joystick, and microphone connections to the Monster Sound MX400 card. - Page 10 Continue with the section Installing Software Extras. Manual Installation of Diamond Drivers To install the drivers for your Monster Sound MX400 manually, follow the procedures below for your operating system. If you need to update your drivers, please see the chapter on Updating Your Drivers later in this user's guide.
- Page 11 CD-ROM drive). You can also click Browse and navigate to your CD-ROM drive. 5. Windows confirms that it has located the drivers for the MX400 Series Device Manager. Click Next. Note—If the drivers could not be located, click Back and verify that the correct path to the Monster Sound MX400 installation CD has been entered.
- Page 12 D with the letter that corresponds to your CD-ROM drive). You can also click Browse and navigate to your CD-ROM. 3. Windows 95 now copies the Monster Sound MX400 driver files to your hard drive. Click OK. 4. You may be requested to reboot your computer. If so, please restart your computer now—leaving the installation CD in the CD-ROM drive.
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Page 13: Installing Software Extras
CD-ROM drive). Click OK. The Add Unlisted or Updated Driver dialog box appears. 5. Select the Diamond Monster Sound MX400 Series driver from the list and click 6. The MX400 drivers are now loaded into your system. -
Page 14: Sensaura Technology
Sensaura's 3D audio technology allows for highly realistic simulations of spatial acoustics and real-time audio environments. With Sensaura's support of the DS3D API, the Monster Sound MX400 allows for an amazingly realistic and immersive 3D audio experience for PC gamers. - Page 15 Reflection Sound source Once captured, the audio cues are synthesized in a computer simulation for verification.
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Page 16: Configuring Your
MX400 ONSTER OUND The Monster Sound MX400 hardware and software can be configured in a variety of ways. This chapter outlines the connections and some basic setups you can use to get the most from your Monster Sound MX400 card. - Page 17 DVD support, an external Dolby Digital decoder, and digital speakers, it gives full six-speaker (5.1 channel) Dolby Digital audio support. Connect the S/PDIF connector on the Monster Sound MX400 to the RCA (Coaxial) IN on your external decoder. With this configuration, the Monster Sound MX400 can provide true digital signal to your home theater system.
- Page 18 MIDI Output The MX400 card can output and accept General MIDI data from your PC to external MIDI-compatible devices. Use your favorite music software to control MIDI devices through the MX400 card. You can also use the powerful, built-in MX400 wavetable to produce concert quality instrumental music directly from music software.
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Page 19: Software
From the Start menu, go to Programs > Diamond > Audio InControl Tools > Audio InControl Tools. The Monster Sound control panel is displayed. Set your MX400 configurations using the control panel. You can also test your speaker selections before exiting the program. -
Page 20: Soft Dvd
In addition, the SoftDVD software was written with the Monster Sound in mind, because it can direct the DVD-V's audio out to the Monster Sound MX400's S/PDIF output. When the S/PDIF is connected to a Dolby Digital decoder, you can experience true 5.1 channel audio as it was meant to be. - Page 21 Monster Sound MX400 Installation CD disk. For more information while using SoftDVD, online Help is available. Audio Capabilities of SoftDVD MX400 can output multi-channel audio that is standard with most DVD movies and titles. There are three modes of audio operation with SoftDVD: 1. Stereo 2.
- Page 22 IN on your external decoder. With this configuration, the Monster Sound MX400 can provide true digital signal to your home theater system. Surround mode uses Sensaura surround technology to position the 5.1 Dolby Digital audio streams in 3D space through your stereo speakers. This provides a more realistic surround sound experience.
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Page 23: Troubleshooting And Generalq & A
6. The Monster Sound MX400 setup program should start automatically. Follow the on- screen instructions to complete the software installation. Will the Monster Sound MX400 work with my existing ISA sound card (i.e. Sound Blaster compatible)? Yes, Monster Sound MX400 will work with your existing sound card. However, the Monster Sound MX400 is a comprehensive audio solution. -
Page 24: Drivers
PDATING RIVERS Diamond publishes periodic updates to the drivers for Diamond hardware installed on your system. These updates address various issues from overall product performance enhancements, to software upgrades and other improvements. PDATE IZARD Diamond makes it easy for you to update your Diamond hardware drivers with its Update Wizard. -
Page 25: S3/Diamond
S3/D ONTACTING IAMOND Worldwide Support and Information Services Service Country Phone / Internet Address Technical Support (541) 967-2450 S3/Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. 7101 Supra Drive SW Albany, OR. 97321 +44-1189-4444-44 Germany +49-8151-266-330 France +33-1-55 38 16 16 Japan +81-(0)3-5695-8405 Email Support customersupport@diamondmm.com... -
Page 26: C Specifications
PECIFICATIONS Operating System Support Windows 98/95, NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 (when available) Real-mode MS-DOS API Compatibility DirectSound, DirectSound3D, and DirectInput DirectMusic A3D version 1.0 MacroFX and EnvironmentFX EAX 1.0 I3DL2 (reverb API) Minimum System Requirements Pentium 90MHz 16MB memory 50MB free hard disk space One available PCI 2.1 compliant slot Powered speakers or headphones... -
Page 27: Hardware Specifications
Hardware Specifications Audio Processing Chipset: PCI Controller: Canyon3D Audio Codec: Quad AC’97 2.1 Codec Wavetable: 320-voice DLS wavetable engine Bus Type: PCI 2.1 Signal-to-Noise-Ratio: ~96dB Sample Rates: Up to 48kHz External Audio Output: 2 - Buffered Stereo Line Level Outputs for Quad support S/PDIF Out for Dolby Digital 5.1 External Audio Input:... -
Page 28: Lossary Of
LOSSARY OF ERMS MX400 G ONSTER OUND LOSSARY 3D Algorithm An algorithm that takes as input a monophonic audio stream and outputs the sound in the listener's sound field. This algorithm simulates the auditory physiology that exists in humans. The quality of the algorithm allows the listener to localize (where the listener is with relation to the sound source) the sound in three dimensions even though there may be only two speakers. - Page 29 Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) Algorithms that produce head related transfer functions that provide audio through a filter that incorporates the effects of sounds reflecting off a listener's head, shoulders and outer ears. Input for HRTF-based 3D audio include the monaural sound source signal, the listener's position and orientation, and the position of the sound source, while the output is projected in a multi-speaker environment.
- Page 30 S/PDIF The S/PDIF (Sony/Phillips Digital Interface) format provides output for the ultimate home theater experience. Combined with software DVD support, an external Dolby Digital decoder, and digital speakers, it gives full six-speaker (5.1 channel) Dolby Digital audio support.
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Page 31: Arranty And Certification Information
Your Monster Sound MX400 kit comes with a three-year hardware warranty. S3/Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc., (S3/Diamond) warrants Monster Sound MX400 against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase from S3/Diamond or an authorized S3/Diamond agent. This warranty applies only to the original purchaser of the Monster Sound MX400 kit and is not transferable. - Page 32 Caution: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. Contact S3/Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc., 7101 Supra Drive SW, Albany OR 97321. Technical Support tel: 541-967-2450. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.