01/09/2007, 9:35am, EST
Tuesday, January 9th
Creative launches Xdock Wireless for iPod
Creative has introduced the Xdock Wireless, a device that docks an iPod and plays music at beyond CD quality via X-Fi Wireless Receivers. The Xdock Wireless connects directly to a powered speaker system or home theater to display photos and play video or music in DTS surround-sound. The device is designed to work seamlessly with the iPod, and is certified by Apple under the 'Made for iPod' program. Creative's X-Fi 'Xtreme Fidelity' technology is produced with X-Fi Crystalizer and X-Fi CMSS-3D technology to play audio at better than CD quality. The X-Fi Crystalizer makes MP3s sound better than CDs by analyzing and identifying which parts of the audio stream have been truncated or damaged during compression, according to Creative. The Xdock Wireless offers a line-out port for connecting to powered speakers, as well as S-video and composite video-out connections. Creative's Xdock -- which works with Apple's video iPod, iPod photo, iPod mini, and iPod nano -- is slated for shipment in the spring for $200. The X-Fi Wireless Receiver will ship for $100, and an Xdock Wireless with an Xi-Fi Wireless REceiver is due to ship for less than $300.
A wireless remote enables users to navigate the iPod menu, adjust volume levls, and activate X-Fi Crystalizer and X-Fi CMSS-3D functionality. The dock charges the iPod while in use and includes a line-in connection for alternative audio devices. The Xdock Wireless plays music up to 100 feet away without requiring a wireless network, according to Creative. Two modes -- broadcast and zone -- allow users complete control over whether music is played through every X-Fi Wireless Receiver or specific X-Fi Wireless Receivers. Broadcast mode ensures multiple X-Fi Wireless Receivers can receive music simultaneously, while zone mode enables users to turn up to four different X-Fi Wireless Receivers on or off independently.
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The system you're running it through would need to be able to play over 16 bit audio, the original CD would either not have either had to have been not dithered at all or very poorly dithered (they use pretty damn good dithering software), or it would have to have been an analog recording with a really poor A/D converter.
You can't just turn an audio file into 24 bit, smooth it over and expect it to be higher quality audio than the 16 bit version. And moving from 44.1khz to 96khz doesn't even make sense. Most of the population can't even hear above 22khz, which is why CDs are at 44.1. Unless someone really messed up you're not going to see any audio improvement even if it hadn't already been dropped down to 44.1. Something needs to be specially recorded and produced for it to even sound correct at 48khz.