Hercules Game Theater XP

[Wallysaurus]

I was just wondering if anyone has a Hercules Game Theater XP . Just wondering how it performs. At first glance, it looks like a better solution than the SB Live.

 

[Remedy]

I wanted one but i can only find it at Hercs site.

 

[Noriaki]

I think it uses the same chip as the TB Santa Cruz and lots of people love that card...

I have a gripe or two about the GT-XP but all in all it looks quite good (the gripes are just becuase they have that breakout box and don't use it too it's full potential)

 

[yo2tup]

XP means experience

 

[Remedy]

Wait, Maybe Hercules Might Sue Microsoft for Using the Initials XP after Hercules already made claims on it. HAHAH Silly Gates has done it again!

 

[tboo]

best Buy has them

 

[Wallysaurus]

TC Computers has them, too. Is there anyone out there running one of these.

 

[Wallydraigle]

I almost bought one of these today so I am very interested to hear from someone who has one of these too, so bump!

 

[Wallydraigle]

No one has one of these? It looks like a badass sound card. It lacks the remote control that the SBLive! Platinum has but when are you going to need a remote when you're sitting at your computer? The external rack is very cool.

 

[mikef208]

I just read quite a few reviews of this product, and have been looking at it for a while. Although I can not seem to find a straight answer. The USB ports are not powered, correct or not? Some reviews sya they are, some say they aren't. I am thinking of picking this up at best buy tomorrw.

 

[Noriaki]

Many USB devices draw power through the USB plug (ie do not have a wall outlet plug of their own).

The term "powered" as refers to USB hubs mean the hub has a wall outlet, so that all the devices plugged into the hub draw any needed elctrical power from that wall plug, therefore not putting a huge current draw on the motherboards USB port.

Does the game theater XP have a plugin wall outlet to supply power to the USB? No it does not. Hence the USB hub is "unpowered". It of course will still provide power to USB devices that need it, but that power draw will go onto the motherboard.

 

[mikef208]

Thanks Noriaki, All I really have right now that uses USB is a camera, keyboard, and mouse, and I doubt I will plug any of those into this. If it draws the power from the motherboard, does that mean that if I have say a 400 watt PS I would be okay.

 

[andylawcc]

here's a review from Firingsquad

 

[randomlinh]

this looks sweet.. no one has tried this out yet? not many places seem to carry it (in otherwords, staples doesn't have it so i can use a coupon )

 

[mikef208]

Well Staples is listed on the hercules site, as a reseller of the XP, but I just searched thier site and found nothing.

 

[mikef208]

I just picked it up today and will let you know what I think when I get it hooked up.

 

[Noriaki]

<< If it draws the power from the motherboard, does that mean that if I have say a 400 watt PS I would be okay. >>

Not sure, it would also depend on how much current the USB port can supply...

So you go one eh? Nice What's it like?

 

[randomlinh]

TELL US

 

[mikef208]

Well I wish I could tell you guys, but I just hooked up my newlt purchased altecs and they sound like crap, but I think they got damaged during shipping. I will say it looks cool.

 

[Wallydraigle]

Any updates?

 

[Conroy9]

i saw it at compusa over the weekend and i was tempted to buy it because i'm very annoyed with my acoustic edge...

 

[mikef208]

Update, first off, can I ask what was wrong with the accoustic edge, cause I am thinking of getting it for another system?

Secondly, the Game Theater XP freakin rocks. Since my altec were screwed I hooked it up on my stero(which is a pretty decent system), it sound sweet. This thing also supports 7.1 sound. You can hook up a 5.1 surround sound system and use your headphones at the same time. I would reccomend this for whoever is looking at it, it is worth the price especially considering the price of the SB Live Platinum 5.1(which blows compared to this). Plus this has a lot more connections on it. The only SB Live card I have ever used was the MP3+, but it is my understanding all the SB cards are the same, this hercules card might not have quite the sound capablities, but it comes very close, is cheaper, and has better connections.

 

[Wallydraigle]

I got one today and you're right, this thing does Freeekin' rock! The external rack owns all, bow to the external rack! Seriously it's a steal at $150.

 

[mikef208]

So you think it rocks too?

 

[Soccerman]

firingsquad seems to think so..

it appears Hercules wrote their own drivers (and did a good job according to firingsquad).. They didn't seem to find any bad quirks.