If you’re using an older machine, you might have come across the label AC ’97 while going through the Sound and Audio Device Properties or the items listed in Device Manager. In case you’re wondering what it means, the term AC ’97 stands for Audio Codec ’97, a codec standard made by Intel Architecture Labs back in 1997.

In terms of software, audio codecs are programs that compress and decompress digital information found on audio files, e.g. turn data on an MP3 file into music. The term codec actually stands for Compress/Decompress. However, Intel uses the term audio codec somewhat differently for AC ‘97: instead of handling purely digital information, the term refers to a device that encodes analog audio into digital audio, and vice versa. In other words, an AD/DA converter.

Capabilities

AC ’97 is a specification for high-quality, 16- or 20- bit audio architecture for many desktop personal computers. It’s used mainly for motherboards, modems, sound cards, and chassis front panel audio solutions. It’s capable of supporting surround sound for PCs, with 96 kHz in 20-bit stereo resolution and 48 kHz in 20-bit stereo for multi-channel recording and playback.

You can get integrated audio on your PC by having the AC’97 Codec on the motherboard, or having either a Communications and Networking Riser (CNR) card or an audio/modem riser (AMR) card installed.

The latest version, AC 2.3, enables Plug and Play for its users and allows audio codecs to provide information about its analog interface, similar to Intel High Definition Audio.

Specifications

The kinds of AC ’97 devices include:

• Audio Codec – referred to as AC ’97 or just AC; forms the analog component of the AC architecture.
• Modem Codec – referred to as MC; also part of the analog component.
• Combined Audio/Modem Codec – referred to as AMC ’97 or just AMC.
• Digital controller – referred to as DC ’97; built into the I/O Controller Hub (ICH) of the chipset.

AC ’97 codec chips have an AC97 interface on one side and analog audio interface on the other. They are small square chips with 48 pins, and can be Digital/Analog and Analog/Digital or only Digital/Analog.

To see the full specifications of AC ’97, you can download the manual from Intel’s webpage.

Note that in 2004, AC’97 was replaced by Intel High Definition Audio (HD Audio) as the standard for next generation integrated audio. HD Audio can support 192-kHz 32-bit quality for two channels and 96-kHz 32-bit for up to eight channels

Upgrading AC ’97 drivers

If you have an AC ’97 chipset in your computer, you can choose to upgrade its driver to the latest version by downloading the updates from the manufacturer’s website. For example, if you have Realtek AC ’97, go to the Realtek webpage download section. Run the installer and it will detect the AC ’97 devices for you. Simply follow the instructions, then restart your computer to complete the installation.

Xerox Corporation (NYSE:XRX) is the world’s leading document management technology and services enterprise. A $17.6 billion company, Xerox provides the document industry’s broadest portfolio of offerings. Digital systems include color and black-and-white printing and publishing systems, digital presses and “book factories,” multifunction devices, laser and solid ink network printers, copiers and fax machines. Xerox’s services expertise is unmatched and includes helping businesses develop online document archives, analyzing how employees can most efficiently share documents and knowledge in the office, operating in-house print shops or mailrooms, and building Web-based processes for personalizing direct mail, invoices, brochures and more. Xerox also offers associated software, support and supplies such as toner, paper and ink.

The company’s operations are guided by customer-focused and employee-centered core values — such as environmental sustainability, citizenship, diversity and quality — augmented by a passion for innovation, speed and adaptability.

Xerox Current Products

Xerox today manufactures and sells a wide variety of office and production equipment including LCD Monitors, photo copiers, Xerox Phaser printers, multifunction printers, large-volume digital printers as well as workflow software under the brand strategy of FreeFlow. The impact of Xerox FreeFlow products on the graphic arts market and the print industry in general has grown exponentially since May 2006, largely as a result of the Xerox presence at IPEX 2006. Xerox also sells scanners and digital presses. On 29 May 2008, Xerox launched the Xerox iGen4 Press.

Xerox sells both color and black and white printers under the Xerox Phaser brand, with the color consumer model starting at US$299; the most expensive color model costs US$6,799.

Xerox also produces fax machines, professional printers, black and white copiers, and several other products.

In addition, Xerox produces many printing and office supplies such as paper, in many forms; and markets software such as Xerox DocuShare, Xerox MarketPort and FlowPort, offers consulting services, ECM Digital Repository Services and printing outsourcing.

LED technology

OKI Electric developed its LED printhead technology for electro-photographic printing for reliable printing in various applications.

Laser systems rely on elaborate combinations of rotating mirrors and lenses that must remain in alignment through use. The laser scans from one end of a line to another, then zig-zags down to the next line.

LED technology uses a Light Emitting Diode printhead as a light source within the imaging device. Unlike laser systems, the LED printhead is solid-state and has no moving parts. The LED bar pulse-flashes across the entire page width and creates the image on the print drum as it moves down.

OKI also has a straight-line paper path that’s less susceptible to jams when feeding heavy stock, envelopes or labels.

LED technology is the future. We’re so sure of this that we guarantee the printhead of every OKI page printer for five full years  by far the longest warranty in the industry!

Laser technology

Founded in August 1986, MSI has continued to uphold a business philosophy that stresses “Award-winning product quality and outstanding customer service.” MSI specializes in the design and manufacture of motherboards, graphics card, add-on cards, servers/workstations, iPC, barebones, communication devices, CE products, Notebooks, car infotainment products, and All-in-One PC.

“Quality Products Create Faithful Customers” is a motto that guides all that we do at MSI. For this reason, MSI goes all out to be the best of the best in research and development. Currently, 2,500 experienced engineers staff our research and development department. This talented team carries out its work with the latest research equipment, continuing to raise the bar on product quality and innovative product features.

At MSI, we put our motto — “Quality Products Create Faithful Customers”–into living practice. In 1995 and 1996, we received ISO-9002 and ISO-9001 product quality certification, respectively. In 1999, MSI received ISO-14001 environmental certification, affirming our commitment to the environment. Furthermore, MSI products undergo rigorous quality control testing, attaining a 99.6% quality rate, a level far higher than the industry standard. MSI’s superior product quality has garnered exceedingly favorable coverage from the global media, countless awards, and a very enthusiastic customer response.

In recent years, MSI has aggressively expanded into mainland China to meet the needs of our global customers. In 2000, the Baoan Plant in Shenzhen started production, vastly increasing MSI’s production output as well as revenue. Aside from the Baoan Plant in Shenzhen, MSI has also established production facilities and a research and development center in Kunshan, China in 2001. The motherboard annual production is expected to reach 20.8 million units and the annual graphics card production is expected to reach 11.8 million units. Combined with the production from Taiwan, MSI is now becoming one of the biggest motherboard and graphics card manufacturers in the world

To keep abreast of the global market and offer our customers the best service, speediest product delivery, as well as sales and technical support, MSI has established subsidiaries in mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, India, Taiwan, U.S.A., Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, the Netherlands, Turkey, U.K., Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Serbia, and Saudi Arabic.

To broaden our global market and to build a good image, we keep striving on marketing promotions, for example, posting advertisement on some reputed media, releasing news information, improving product box design, holding many promotion activities and attending all important PC exhibitions in the world. Apart from developing the motherboard, graphics card, server/workstation, and system, MSI has also introduced Notebook, industrial computing, car infotainment, and All-in-One PC products to bridge the transition to the post-PC world. MSI adopts a diversified business model, and breaks into the 3C market.

Together, we are entering a greatly-accelerated world. Let MSI be the first to welcome you into this exciting new Digital Universe!

Asus ready for launching N-Series that will be available for doing your daily multimedia tasks, Asus N61 and N71. Both of notebook comes with ASUS SonicMaster amplification system that will bring new experience in audio reproduction. For listening every sound quality detail(rhytm and beat), this new laptop also completed with utilizing a paper-foam cone design. This new laptop also equipped with Altec Lansing Speakers and SRS Premium Sound that will offer high definition audio when you’re travelling.

ASUS N61 Specification:
- Intel Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad Processor
- 1GB 0f DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M or GT 220M
- upto 4GB of DDR3 RAM memory
- 500Gb of hard drive
- 16-inch HD LED Panel that support for 1366 by 768 pixel resolution
- Blu-ray DVD Combo
- Microsoft Windows 7

ASUS N71 Specification:
- Intel Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad processor
- 1GB of DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M or GT 220M
- up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM memory
- up to 500GB hard drive
- Blu-ray DVD Combo
- Microsoft Windows 7

We have known about the Acer 1810T and 1810TZ models for sometime now, but Acer have now officially announced both netbooks, along with the specifications and Windows 7 operating systems.

The Acer Aspire 1810T wasn’t released in the U.S, and the Acer 1810TZ was a rumored dual core model. Now both models have been officially announced and will be available soon.

It’s not just the TZ model which has a dual core CPU, both do. Both models have an 11.6-inch LED back lit LCD with a 1366 x 768 resolution, Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 1.3GHz dual core CULV CPU, upto 4GB of DDR2 RAM, Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, 3x USB, HDMI output, card reader, and a multi-touch pad.

Both models are more powerful than most netbooks, and the “lower end” Acer 1810T has a 320GB 5400rpm HDD and Dolby Sound Room technology. The higher end Acer 1810T features an “HD” webcam, larger 500GB hard drive, and 2nd generation Dolby Sound Room.

The Acer 1810T will start at $550, and the 1810TZ at $649. Both will be available October 22nd!