Entry-level Multi-channel Sound Card: Hercules Gamesurround Muse 5.1 DVD

Introduction

The Gamesurround Muse 5.1 DVD is built upon the same chip as the Muse XL, which is used to process the six-channel LX. This means that its gaming and music capabilities are the same as for the previous versions of Muse. The CMI8738-6ch component incorporates 5.1 sound for decoding output from DVD videos. Sound decompression is not handled by the card itself, however, but rather, by the central processor. On the other hand, the card contains all the components and outputs needed to distribute sound correctly over the six channels. We discovered that the Muse 5.1 DVD only decodes Dolby Digital tracks, but not DTS. It is interesting to note that the CMI8738-6Ch chip is used as the only sound chipset in this motherboard and many others, for instance, in the Asus A7V333.