From: jokim@jarthur.claremont.edu (John H. Kim)
Subject: Re: Portable sound
Organization: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 04:18:25 GMT

blave@netcom.com (David W. Blevins) writes:

>The Media Vision Audioport (I think that's the name) is a parallel port
>gizmo, VERY small, that has a built in speaker and SB-like functionality.
>It does require the TSR for Soundblaster compatibility, and they recommend
>a 386SX or better to use this software.  I don't know how "good" their
>SB emulation is...

>For laptops, this seems like the only game in town, at least until they
>start building sound h/w in.  Hopefully, this unit will become the
>"standard" to the point where the game mfrs support it directly.

From PC Sources, August 1992, reprinted w/o permission (although I'm
sure they'd be flattered since my r-w/o-p's have generated half a
dozen requests for subscription information :)

There's no reason to leave sound in the office if you have a laptop
that can handle Windows 3.1.  Parallel port adapters from Media Vision,
M.P Technologies, Video Associates Lab, and VocalTec give any PC -
desktop or laptop - the ability to record and play back 8-bit monaural
sound.  All three adapters come with Windows 3.1 drivers and utilities
that let you use sound with your Windows applications.

Media Vision's 2- by 5-inch Audioport runs on four AAA batteries
or the supplied AC adapter.  It has a small internal speaker audible
only in quiet environment,s and two jacks:  one for a mike, and the
other for an amplified speaker or headphones.  A thumbwheel adjusts
output volume.  There is no pass-through connector for sharing the
parallel port with a printer.  The Audioport also provies an 11-voice
FM synthesizer (YM3812) for games and educational software.  Sound
quality isn't as good as that from an internal sound board, but it's
transportable.  A new product listing at $199, Audioport will sell
for less from direct vendors.

M.P. Technologies' $179 Sound Board product is actually two adapters
that share one parallel port.  One adapter contains a built-in microphone
along with input and output jacks.  The other adapter, available
separately for $79 as Sound Booster, provides a jack for an external
speaker.  It has a pass through connector that lets you attach a
printer or the recording adapter.  Both packages come with a small,
amplified speaker, and neither requires batteries or external power.
They're available direct from M.P. Technologies (800-292-1577 x3781)

Video Associates Lab's Microkey AudioPort, an external digital adapter,
connects to a parallel port.  It measure 2.25 inches by 3.75 inches,and
comes in two models - the Microkey/AudioPort Record and Play that sells
for $295, and the Microkey/Audiport Player that sells for $195.

VocalTec's $179 compact audio technology (CAT) plugs into a parallel
port, and is powered by a 9-volt battery or an adapter included with the
product.  CAT is capable of a higher-quality sound, since it has a very
low signal-to-noise ratio (CAT can play at a dynamic range of 72dB).
As a result, CAT promotes itself as being more economical in drvie space,
since you can record voice messages at a lower sampling rate, while
maintaining good sound quality.

No additional phone numbers or addresses were given.  No additional
information about SB or Adlib compatibility was given.  If you find
out more info, by all means POST!
-- 
John H. Kim                 | (This space to be filled when I
jokim@jarthur.claremont.edu | think of something very clever 
uunet!jarthur!jokim         | to use as a disclaimer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops