Hardware requirements (notebook) for accurate audio locating of noises like footsteps

[fireball]

Next week I want to buy a notebook. I dont want a classical gamer notebook, but sometimes I will play ut3 with it. What do I need for an accurate audio locating of enemie footsteps and vehicles?

X-Fi sound cards have a feature called "CMSS" which enables to locate enemies very exactly over ear phones. Is it necessary that my notebook has an x-fi sound card (for CMSS)
OR ARE THERE OTHER SOLUTIONS,
with which accuarate audio locating of enemies (over ear phones) is possible?

[fireball]

what does my notebook need for accurate audio tracking/locating?

[jomi294]

Mm, it needs you to know the maps. So play them over and over until it acquires the ability.

[fireball]

Mm, it needs you to know the maps. So play them over and over until it acquires the ability.

I am talking about the HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

[jomi294]

Point was you don't need anything fancy.

[rek]

stereo headphones will never in my opinion provide you with the accuracy of sound imaging that 5.1 or 7.1 speakers can provide. but decent headphones and map knowledge with loud sounds can go a long way in target tracking if duelling. the more people you have running around a map,dodging,grunting,taunting, picking up stuff, footsteps etc will just make it harder to discern individual players/targets. know the different sounds all the pickups make when they are grabbed. if you only have one opponent, whatever sounds you hear that you didn't make will be the enemy(derp) if you know where the belt is, and you hear it get picked up, well you get the point. to me audio cues only seem valuable when 1 on 1 ing.

[jomi294]

Stereo headphones will do for UT3. Audio is pretty much essential in any gametype, something as simple as a weapon switch sound will help you make the right choices. Try playing on mute, it's nasty stuff.

[geronaho]

I was going to type some stuff but then I realized I was flaming and was being a gerk. But in all honestly I think if you have a lot of speakers you can hear more. I mean rolloff is cool but you have to have that surround by sound to hear me taunting you as I boom headshot ya

[Cr4zy]

. Try playing on mute, it's nasty stuff.

My aim improves when I play on mute most the time :B

Yeah, I know I'm strange

As for audio stereo is good enough for all the games I play, even if my X-fi emulates 3D.

[jomi294]

My aim improves when I play on mute most the time :B

LOL. Yes that's true, aim tends to improve but unfortunately aim makes up only a portion of the game. :<

[Ghert McDert]

Zalman 5.1

I recently bought Zalman 5.1 surround sound headphones for $40. The sound quality is amazing. Killing Floor's enemies sound grotesque (and actually a bit scary in a room that's dark enough) and I was picking up on audio cues I had never noticed before. And the sound of the weapons was crippling. Never before has a 9mm handgun in a video game sounded so huge.

The Zalman headphones do have multiple speakers in each ear for true 5.1. They have a sort of external sound card to bump the sound quality. And it has it's own audio program for settings and such. These headphones may be what you need. They come in 3 jack plugs for your sound card or in USB.

[coolcat22]

Stereo headphones
work for me too i heads stuff good with it
only the music is turn,t off

[fireball]

That was not helpfull:
a) I will not travel with 5.1 loudspeakers
b) only stereo with headphones is of course not sufficient.

Since my desired notebook doesnt have an X-Fi sound card the only question is:

Is there an alternativ solution to CMSS?

[NickG]

All you need is a true 5.1 USB headset which supports EAX emulation. I have this one (which does) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/70...p1Audiofx.html

[jomi294]

Ok you got me. I was just being sarcastic with my previous comments.

Here are my real recommendations, which are also more suited for you:

- Laptop
- Headset