RZ424 sound problems

[stuarts]

I am finding that the SoundMax onboard sound is absolutely awful, if I increase the volume any activity of the hard drive causes noise interference. I tried to download the new XP driver for use on the RZ424 only to find it reports itself as a non win 32 device driver and I was unable to open it.
I have decided to go for a SB Extigy unit to see if this will improve the sound has anyone had problems with adding this device?
Come on Sony these units are not cheep at least sort out the sound problems.

[vaiodon]

I bought an RZ-322 back in Dec and experience exactly the same issues - I've kinda accepted it as a limitation of the technology, don't think the audio is really meant to be hi-fi quality. Audio circuitry in close proximity to the sort of (radio) frequencies that are singing around, in my case, a 2.8GHz P4 is certain to pick up interference (though, I'd like to see how a Mac can handle it - but then their CPU's clock slower and some of the ££/$$ difference to buy one might be due to extra work in that area)

My Vaio's for home, for business I've got a Fujitsu-Siemens Lifebook-S and it's got the same noisy audio problem.

I've read that Sony has now started bundling Sonic Stage Mastering Studio with some Vaio's (really want to see if I can hold of it) and an external USB-2 audio interface is recommended for this. Edirol is mentioned - have a look at this link for a basic external interface: http://www.edirol.it/europe/details.asp?ct=2&gid=13&gruppo=Portable&id=12&la=UK&code=294

This external device has to include the analog-digital and digital-analog convertors and, with suitable smoothing of the DC power it gets down the USB bus, it'll stand a much better chance of giving you a clean sound.

(Hope I haven't lost you but I've tried to keep the techie talk to a minimum)

[stuarts]

:smileyhypnotized: Thanks for the help I sort of realised when I purchased the Unit that it had an onboard sound set up and Ive never liked that idea as the chips are always in close proximity to the CPU and as you say cross chatter can happen.
Due to the lack of enough PCI slots adding an internal card was out of the question so I hope that using the Extigy will cure the problem.
I thought that Sony would have had a fix for this problem with the latest driver for SoundMax but it wouldnt even download properly and as I stated previously reports an error when I tried to open it.
I use this unit for Video work it was a tossup between the Sony and the G5 Mac but as I had already purchased a Pinnacle deluxe capture card I opted for the Sony.
So if youre looking in Sony get a grip!!!

[Jimbo]

Hi...

I've got a RZ424 and I posted a while back with no reply that I was getting crackling/popping sounds on Flight Sim 2004. I've just got Colin McRaes Rally and I get the same crackling/popping noise. Could this be the interference you talk about? Or have I got a dodgy sound chip that needs fixing?

Cheers...

[stuarts]

Hi
:smileyrolling_eyes: It does look as though there is a problem with the onboard sound chips being to close to such a powerful processor, I tried everything from re routing power cables to trying in vain to get SONY (Grrr) to update the drivers for the SoundMax. In the end I found the only solution was to remove the SoundMax Drivers and Opted for an external USB Extigy sound unit this by the way prompted me to buy the Creative Inspire 5.1 Digital 5700 Audio sound set up.
The result is superb sound that blows everything I have had before out of the water well worth the investment.
An expensive way I know to solve the problem but SONY left me no other choice.
All the best with your problem there is a solution but its not cheep.

[ParisScot]

Well I could tell you some stories about that problem!!!

I bought a new Sony Vaio in October of last year (can't remember what model) and from the very first day there was a low hissing noise coming from the speakers - the exact same speakers that worked 100% fine with my previous computer.

Tweaking the volume controls had no effect, and the pitch of the noise varied according to processor activity - so I was pretty sure it was a problem with the sound card. I couldn't figure out how to update the driver myself so by December I contacted Sony Vaio Link, and they asked me too do a few volume changes etc. When I explained that their "solutions" wren't working and I thought it was sound card related they told me to send the computer in for a repair.

I was a little surprised that they would go to all that length for what I thought was a simple driver problem, so I thought - well it's free - why not.

So anyway - they failed to turn up on the prearranged pick up day. I eventually got the comp sent off a couple of weeks later. They estimated it would take 10 working days I think.

After 10 working days had passed I got in touch by phone, and was asked to call some repair centre or something, and they told me my computer had been fixed and dispatched and should be there within a week.

After a week had passed I called again - and everyone seemed rather confused as to what had happened to my mahcine. A couple of days passed and then I got a call from someone who said they had not been able to repair my machine and had sent it to Japan for further testing!!! So they offered me a brand new computer.

Anyway to cut a long story short (ish), after many further organisational cock ups I finally received my new computer I think some time in March - having sent the old one in for a repair in January.

And the icing on the cake.... the new computer (RS 202) has exactly the same problem!

Not a chance in hell I'll be sending it in for a repair again - so will just buy a new sound card - and suggest that others with the same problem do the same - it might help you avoid weeks / months of frustration!

To be fair though I did make a formal complaint to their customer services officer and received a memory stick as compensation. I will of course barely even mention that they managed to send my complaint to the wrong person and I had to wait much longer than they had told me I would for a response. But that's another story...