How to add audio Line In to notebook without it?

beherenow

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How do I add an audio Line In jack to my brand-new Compaq notebook which does *not* have one? This may be hard to believe but it only has a Mic In. I believe Mic In is mono and poor quality (is this correct?)

The Creative Labs Extigy ($150)will do what I need, but I hope to find something cheaper. I don't need all the various connections the Extigy has (MIDI, optical, etc.) -- just plain stereo audio.

Dazzle makes a connector with Audio L, Audio R and Video In, and USB Out ($70). It's for recording videotapes on your computer. Could I use the audio inputs on this, ignoring the video?

Thanks much.
 

beherenow

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I forgot to say: My laptop has a Firewire port. Is there any external device that would convert analog audio to a signal entering through that?

Also -- I just found out the Creative Labs Extigy does not work on AMD processors, which I have. I think that's the only external sound card made (?)
 

umheint0

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First, all sound cards work with all pc-based systems. It doesn't matter if it's an AMD or an Intel. Forget whatever you read to the contrary.

Now, for your problem. If you have a USB plug, you can buy a USB soundcard. Most likely you'll need something like an M-Audio Sonica Theatre --> <A HREF="http://www.m-audio.com/products/consumer/sonicaTheatre_page1.php" target="_new">http://www.m-audio.com/products/consumer/sonicaTheatre_page1.php</A> <-- It's a real good solution.

2500+ Barton 191x12@1.85v=2293mhz
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The extigy does work with AMD, just maybe not your Compaq, but considering the validity of your source, there's likely no problem at all.

<A HREF="http://www.audioamigo.com/u24.html" target="_new">AudioAmigo</A> and <A HREF="http://www.soundtech.co.uk/emagic/audio.htm" target="_new">Sound Technology</A> also make external audio solutions, but I'd go with the M-audio or Creative solutions, for these are more for semi-pro recording, and likely more than you wanted to pay.
There is no cheap solution, except maybe running it through videocapture, but I doubt that would be 'ideal'.

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=green>RED</font color=green> <font color=red>GREEN</font color=red> :tongue: GA to SK
 

beherenow

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Er, the Sonica has no audio Line In, which is what I am looking for. But their Audiophile, Duo and Quatro do.

For the benefit of whoever is interested, here are the lessons I've learned from 3 days of non-stop web reading on the subject of computer audio/recording for laptops. (Not game audio, and not desktop.)

Lesson #1: Creative Labs sound cards are generally ignored by serious amateurs and professionals, at least in the realm of external cards for laptops. For the same money you can get a modest semi-professional product ($70 to $300: the lower end of a serious professional line.)

#2: Some popular and respected brands are M-Audio, Edirol, RME, and Echo Audio.

#3: Adding an audio Line In to a laptop without one does indeed require an external sound card, aka 'audio interface'. USB is most common, PCMCIA is rare, FireWire is just starting to be used.

#4: Tom's Forums aren't as good for computer audio/recording as cakewalk.com, RME's newsgroup, Sonic State, Audioforums.com, etc. My fave retailer so far is sweetwater.com. If a moderator is reading this, I would like to recommend adding links such as these somewhere at Tom's (e.g. a sticky thread at the top of this forum.)

(Hate to say anything negative about Tom's, 'cause the site is terrific for everything else I've used it for!)

Richard