Creative ships Xmod Wireless streaming tech
updated 02:00 pm EDT, Wed May 23, 2007
Creative Xmod Wireless
Creative has joined the ranks of electronics makers with wireless streaming technology. The company's Xmod Wireless uses Wi-Fi to send audio to a matching receiver, connected to speakers or an amplifier up to 100 feet away; the difference with the Xmod is that it uses the 24-bit X-Fi "Crystalizer," which uncompresses music files to restore fidelity. Tracks can likewise have simulated surround-sound through Creative's CMSS-3D.
Critical for some users may be the ability to stream music hampered by DRM. Since the Xmod actually replaces a sound card instead of attaching to one, it is treated as legitimate output, and hence should work with music bought from sources such as iTunes. A remote allows users to control track selection without a direct line of sight. A kit with one Xmod and one receiver costs $200, but customers will soon be able to buy extra receivers separately.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
"uncompresses" tracks?
Um... somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that when a track is compressed, the data that is discarded is not exactly available for replacing later on. So, it seems pretty unlikely that cheesily-named "Crystalizer" is uncompressing data in the sense of restoring previously removed audio information. Perhaps the data is enhanced in some way, but it seems like "uncompress" is rather misleading.