Creative's Zii actually a CES-bound processing chip

While our vivid imaginations certainly had something more invigorating than this in mind, we suppose Creative could still surprise us at CES 2009. The curious Zii website we peeked a few days back is reportedly referring to an all new processing chip, and while eipZENter isn't being too forthcoming with details just yet, we are told that it will likely be "one of the biggest projects Creative has invested in." If that's just too vague for your tastes, try this: "[Zii] is completely different from the X-Fi audio chip and it will be used in a variety of upcoming products." Alrighty then.

[Thanks, Swild]

[Shinigami Posted Dec 28th 2008 5:51PM]

As you said, you simply didn't try X-Fi Titanium series sound cards.
I don't think you'll use build-in sound after using X-Fi for a month.

[loocas Posted Dec 28th 2008 6:12PM]

I don't know man, the sound has been really good for what I use (only headphones as I'm too used to them). It is true that especially the recording could be better, especially in the noise-reduction part, but still manageable even without any specific sound card.

Back when I had Live! it actually counted! The main-boards were rarely equipped with anything more than a CPU socket and a few RAM bays, so a sound card made all the difference, especially in games like Half-Life or even Command&Conquer, man! Those were days...

*ticks off a tear*

[Eternal Density Posted Dec 28th 2008 5:22PM]

Does that mean the X-Fi audio chip will NOT be used in a variety of upcoming products?

Joking aside, adult stem cells are extremely more useful than embryonic.

[Wwhat Posted Dec 29th 2008 12:01AM]

Creative just calls anything they make and price up 'X-Fi', even if it has over-the-counter 8 years old TI chips.
I expect next they'll do that with this nonsense.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 28th 2008 11:15PM]

It's epiZENter, not eipZENter...

If you look at the website, Zii.com, you will se that that 'Stemcell Computing' is trademarked. This probably means it's something that would kinda give a clue about how the chip works. But for now it sounds really intereting, and really ... weird.

[Gel214th Posted Dec 29th 2008 2:14PM]

I don't think I will ever purchase a Creative product if I have a choice again, especially not for the PC. The driver and hardware problems with their X-Fi series of sound cards is horrendous.

[Hoot Posted Dec 29th 2008 2:30PM]

Gimme a sound card on par or above the X-Fi with x264 acceleration capabilities and I'm sold!

[Ryudo Posted Dec 29th 2008 3:06PM]

Zii fit

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 30th 2008 4:40AM]

Okay just a thought here :
I'm wondering if Creative is going to get back seriously into Video processing chips.. (back as in 10 years ago with the voodoo's :p)
Not seeing a lot on this idea...
Could be that ZII will be the new competitor for the CELL and/or they could start manufacturing video cards based on the new chip and become a new competitor for NVIDIA & other video card manufacturers..

[looselycoupled Posted Dec 29th 2008 11:48PM]

horrible name... I hate idiot marketing departments..

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 30th 2008 2:47AM]

Zii remind me as if it was meant to be "zen 2"...second chance maybe.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 31st 2008 10:33AM]

Zii is StemCell Computing
Thank you and congratulations on the early registration.

You are now part of a privileged group that will witness the life changing event of 2009. You will be invited to join a new movement that will experience revolutionary breakthroughs.

Everything you know is about to change.

Drawing our inspiration from the intelligence of Mother Nature – who through over a billion years of evolution has designed the basic building block of life: the stem cell – we have created a stem cell-like silicon that is able to grow and multiply into different solutions and ecosystems.

With an investment that spans over 10 years, over a billion dollars and over 10,000 man-years, the world is poised to experience a breakthrough that will better lives beyond our imagination.

Even in the midst of these turbulent times, you will discover incredible recession-friendly business opportunities that enable you to thrive and prosper.

To find out more about Zii and how it can change your life, visit our booth (booth #30651) at CES 2009, or go to Zii.com from 8 January 2009 for updates.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2009 11:33AM]

See what i got as an UPDATE from creative:-

http://img70.imageshack.us/my.php?image=200812086b4d4f1f62e94c0jp6.jpg