14 DAY TRIAL // Even though USB 3.0 has been getting most of the attention, the 2.0 interface is still going strong. VIA Technologies has just introduced the VIA Envy VT1730, an 8-channel, 24-bit/192kHz audio controller that leverages the USB 2.0 bandwidth (480Mb/s). This piece of hardware is aimed for use in USB sound cards, audio hubs, recording consoles, headphones and MIDI devices. What these devices have in common is their need for streaming audio data, which the universal serial bus can easily accomplish, even supporting multiple audio streams at the same time.
VIA Vinyl Audio solutions include the VIA Vinyl AC’97 and HD Audio codecs, as well as the VIA Vinyl Envy line of audio controllers. The codecs allow for theater-quality audio both in soundcards and audio-on-motherboard applications, while the controllers provide 24-bit, 96/192kHz sampling rates. The Envy VT1730 is the latest in this product family.
The VIA Envy VT1730 is built capable of doing more than just delivering true-to-life sound to multiple speakers in a home-theater setup. It can even simultaneously support audio streams from a keyboard and microphone, or even from a guitar or bass. The controller provides a smooth interface between the USB 2.0 one and analog and digital audio devices.
In addition, the VIA Envy VT1730 features support for the I2S standard, which enables protection in the case of Blu-ray disk audio content. Products without this feature can only play said content at a sampling rate of 16-bit/48kHz, which is a quality similar to that of regular CDs.
"Over 10 years of experience in the audio component industry and extensive knowledge of peripheral interfaces has enabled this technology breakthrough," Richard Brown, vice president of marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc., said. "Audio enrichment, through our successful VIA Vinyl Audio line of controllers and codecs, has long been a core element of VIA's multimedia product focus, and the VIA Envy VT1730 further extends our reach beyond the PC into high-end audio systems."
Information on the device may be found on VIA's website.
