SB Live & SB Live Value! Difference?

[Bullman]

What is the difference between the Soundblaster Live and the Soundblaster Live Value? My Dell Dimension 4500 came with the SB Live!Value installed. I cannot get my Logitech Z-640 5.1 Surround to work on all speakers. The rear speakers do not produce any sounds from the media that is played. I can hear the slight sound from them as they have power, but no music is heard. I have looked around and my card has the same 5 colors of input/output plugs that the SB live 5.1 has. Does anyone know if the Value card can support 5.1, either with an update, or if it was never designed to support it. I have seen the updates on the Creative Website, one is 23 MB for the value, and I dont want to take the time to download it (56k) if it will not help. I am willing to pay the $33 dollars at NewEgg if need be. Any info would be very appreciated. Thanks.

Dell Dimension 4500
P4 2.26 768DDR ram
Windows XP Home
Nvidia GF4 4800 Ti 128DDR
SoundBlaster Live! Value

[Whyzman]

I don't know about the differences, if any, between the two cards...However, this gentleman seems to:

http://www.voicerecognition.net/archive/html/voice-users/2000-10/msg00058.html

Have you tried going into the Creative>Diagnostics???

[Jason1971]

I think that the difference between the two cards is the software that is bundled with the hardware.

As far as the 23MB download just wait before you go to bed and start the downloading...

Jason

[mjc]

I, too, think it is just the software bundle.

Live! Value = just drivers, no extras.

[Bullman]

Thanks guys for your help. From what I have found, it seems that my card is a basic card that was not designed to support 5.1 surround. I have just ordered the Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! Dolby Digital 5.1 from NewEgg for $33. Its specs say that it will work with my Logitech surround system. Again, thx for the help.

It looks like I might try to install my existing card into my kid's computer when I get the new one. Their computer has onboard sound, so will this be an upgrade to the onboard sound? It is a HP Pavilion xt928. I am willing to do it just as a learning experience (I know its just a pci card, but I enjoy getting any kind of hands on experience). If it is not going to make a difference, then I will just keep it till it may be needed. Thx for any input you may have.

[pentachris]

Yes, it will be a moderate upgrade. Soundblaster drivers can be tricky, though, so you may be getting more experience than you think. Go for it!

[Whyzman]

You're right there pent, Soundblaster can be a challenge...

I think it was Saphaline in another thread who pointed out that many of the new MBs with onboard sound are really decent...

[steveo]

I really enjoyed my SB Live! card and it's internal soundFx engine was top notch, a really good sound for the cost. I've since upgraded to a Audigy2 platinum for recording purposes as the Live! card had minor latency issues which Audigy2 has overcome. Still, the Live! card more than held its own in most cases.

[Bullman]

Well I recieved my new Soundblaster Live! 5.1 Digital card. I replaced the Value card that was in my system. After several hours of problems installing, and downloading driver updates, my 5.1 surround system is working GREAT!

I had a bit of a hard time because the card from Newegg is a Bulk sale card and did not have any specific support on the Creative Soundblaster site (it also has a different Model # than the rest). I looked around and noticed that all the Soundblaster Live! series of cards had the same update for Windows XP. After installing that update, the card worked flawlessly. It also happened to fix another problem (another post in Core hardware forum) that had been happening to my PC since accessing my original Value card programs about a week ago for the first time.

I haven't tried installing the other card in my kids' computer yet, but hopefully it will go alot smoother. If not I know where I can have the problem solved.

I appreciate the time and knowledge from all of you.

Thanks!