Hi
I was wondering if XNA / XACT can support the advanced features of Creative's X-Fi range of soundcards. I mean things like preloading sounds using X-Ram which is supposed to help increase frame rates.
Thanks for relocating my post Michael - I should have realised.
Just to add to my initial question, I understand developers use a version of the OpenAL SDK (cross platform, incl. the 360) to develop audio solutions that leverages the advantages of the X-Fi s/c. So does XACT also use openAL so that developers using XNA can take advantage of the X-Fi capabilities such as X-RAM? Or Does XACT provide its own solution to use the advanced features of this audio card?
XACT uses its own software mixer; it doesn't use OpenAL. One of the goals was to provide a consistent experience across all systems. Therefore, it will not take advantage of hardware accelerated cards such as the X-Fi. However, XACT does fully support surround sound, so if an end user has a multi-channel sound card or a PC with built-in multi channel outputs, you can still do 3d positioning and the user will hear it in proper surround sound.
-Brian
you estan saying that XACT does not support to multichanel sound and single mixture surround .. but I cannot understand it ......the sound surround is good but it has many limitations... XACT must be able to reproduce tracks in multichannel ...?why not?
THK :)
XACT can support multichannel files. So if you author a 5.1 PCM file, XACT can play it back and a user will hear surround sound, as long as their sound card and driver support multichannel out. Or you can use XACT's 3D API's to play back individual sound effects, specifying x,y,z positions and they will also play back on surround sound.
However, your questions mentions using XACT for FMV-- XACT would generally not be used to play back audio for an FMV file. I suggest you look at the documentation for your FMV package to see how it deals with surround sound. What FMV technology are you using?
_brian
