Microsoft Announces Availability of First HD Audio Class Driver For Next-Generation Products
REDMOND, Wash. -- April 29, 2004-- Microsoft Corp. today announced broad support for the Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) initiative, which will help to ensure an improved audio experience and improved audio device driver support for users of Windows®. Microsoft also announced the availability of the first version of the Microsoft® High Definition Audio Class Driver, based on the High Definition (HD) Audio specification developed by Intel Corporation. Through the UAA initiative, Microsoft also is delivering a set of Windows audio class drivers based on other key audio technologies, including USB Audio and 1394 Audio. Universal Audio Architecture is a Microsoft-led initiative to provide a transparent "it just works" consumer experience and to improve the quality of audio on Windows-based PCs. Announced first at WinHEC 2002, the UAA initiative was established by Microsoft not only to enhance consumer audio experiences, but also to lower support costs, improve the functionality and quality of PC audio for current and future operating systems, and save time and resources for manufacturers. The Microsoft UAA HD Audio Class Driver 1.0 is available as an out-of-band release for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server (TM) 2003. For future operating system releases, Microsoft intends to ship the UAA class drivers as part of the operating system. The Microsoft UAA initiative proposes UAA class driver compliance from audio solutions on all PCs running Windows.
"As high-quality, reliable and feature-rich audio becomes increasingly important to PC owners and manufacturers, an audio specification is needed that will reduce the complications of compatibility, improve functionality and decrease high manufacturing costs," said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "Universal Audio Architecture and High Definition Audio solve these problems. Together with Intel and a growing list of industry partner companies, we're taking steps toward guaranteed device support, glitch-free audio and the best sound quality available."
Microsoft's collaboration around UAA with Intel and others will provide consumers with consistent audio functionality and enable a number of key benefits, including the following:
Higher performance: Minimum CPU time consumed when streaming, while taking advantage of increased bandwidth
Glitch-free audio
Ability to update the operating system while guaranteeing high-quality audio performance
More stable and secure audio for server applications
Fewer drivers and upgrades required, and less driver code to be developed, tested and supported
Reduction in support calls and returns
Read the full Press Release: Here
Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) High Definition Audio class driver available for Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Window 2000
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REDMOND, Wash. -- April 29, 2004-- Microsoft Corp. today announced broad support for the Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) initiative, which will help to ensure an improved audio experience and improved audio device driver support for users of Windows®. Microsoft also announced the availability of the first version of the Microsoft® High Definition Audio Class Driver, based on the High Definition (HD) Audio specification developed by Intel Corporation. Through the UAA initiative, Microsoft also is delivering a set of Windows audio class drivers based on other key audio technologies, including USB Audio and 1394 Audio. Universal Audio Architecture is a Microsoft-led initiative to provide a transparent "it just works" consumer experience and to improve the quality of audio on Windows-based PCs. Announced first at WinHEC 2002, the UAA initiative was established by Microsoft not only to enhance consumer audio experiences, but also to lower support costs, improve the functionality and quality of PC audio for current and future operating systems, and save time and resources for manufacturers. The Microsoft UAA HD Audio Class Driver 1.0 is available as an out-of-band release for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server (TM) 2003. For future operating system releases, Microsoft intends to ship the UAA class drivers as part of the operating system. The Microsoft UAA initiative proposes UAA class driver compliance from audio solutions on all PCs running Windows.
"As high-quality, reliable and feature-rich audio becomes increasingly important to PC owners and manufacturers, an audio specification is needed that will reduce the complications of compatibility, improve functionality and decrease high manufacturing costs," said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "Universal Audio Architecture and High Definition Audio solve these problems. Together with Intel and a growing list of industry partner companies, we're taking steps toward guaranteed device support, glitch-free audio and the best sound quality available."
Microsoft's collaboration around UAA with Intel and others will provide consumers with consistent audio functionality and enable a number of key benefits, including the following:
Higher performance: Minimum CPU time consumed when streaming, while taking advantage of increased bandwidth
Glitch-free audio
Ability to update the operating system while guaranteeing high-quality audio performance
More stable and secure audio for server applications
Fewer drivers and upgrades required, and less driver code to be developed, tested and supported
Reduction in support calls and returns
Read the full Press Release: Here
Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) High Definition Audio class driver available for Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Window 2000
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