16-bit Soundcard questions

[save2600]

Hi all,

 Have been thinking about getting a soundcard for my A2k, the Tocatta to be exact, but was wondering what some of you do with these cards. I'd want it for the AHI feature more than digitising (I do already have a GVP DSS8+ that never gets used). But besides listening to mp3's or websites with greater clarity, are there any games that take advantage of it?? If I understand correctly, the AHI device doesn't "promote" the standard Paula sounds - does it or can it?

 

[Damion]

IMHO, it's only worth it if you work with audio, or for decoding MP3s. There are a few games and demos that make use of AHI, but native Paula is always faster... for example, Quake loses several FPS when using an audio card over Paula, music/mp3 playback also uses around 10-15% less CPU (unless you're the lucky owner of a card with a hardware decoder).

This has been my experience anyhow with Z2 and the A1200 clockport.

[rkauer]

 With the exception of a few AGA games (no use on the A2000), some RTG games also have support for AHI.

 I remember only Genetic Species.

 Oh, and AHI "promotes" Paula audio too, but only for programs who support it (Hippo player and Eagle Player, for example).

[save2600]

Thanks -D- and rkauer!

rkauer, You've sparked another interesting notion that I was unaware of. Some AGA games, such as Genetic Species, can be run on an A2000 with a RTG video card just fine? From the little I read about system requirements, looks like that's the case. Do these programs automatically recognise your card or is at an option that is selected? I've got a 1mb (would really like to add another mb) Picasso II in my A2000 as well. The thought of playing some AGA type games on the A2k is really intriguing...
 

[stefcep2]

GS needs both a graphics card and a nippy CPU.  It will let you choose cybergraphics or p96 for the display.  This doesn't mean that you get AGA compatiblity for other software

[zipper]

GS ran quite well on my A500T/060/PicassoIV+CV64/3D - as did Descent Virge or Warp3D version @ 320x400. 640x480 is too much for ZorroII.

[save2600]

stefcep2 wrote:
GS needs both a graphics card and a nippy CPU.  It will let you choose cybergraphics or p96 for the display.  This doesn't mean that you get AGA compatiblity for other software

Right - just the ones with the options to use RTG cards or not. Cool, I get it.

@ Zipper:  umm... you meant you have an A1200T right? Not a towerised A500?   IF you have all that connected to an A500, that would be quite the kit...  :-)