TABLE OF CONTENTS "Microsoft intends to test the audio fidelity of Windows PC systems for the Designed for Windows Vista System Logo certification program".
Hakon Strande, Audio Device Program Manager, Microsoft
In the past, integrated audio had a reputation for inferior quality. With the new and more capable integrated audio components that are now available, including parts designed in compliance with the Intel High Definition Audio Specification, the systems that use these components can rival the audio fidelity of specialty PC audio cards and even of stand-alone consumer electronics equipment. The only obstacle to achieving a higher level of fidelity is poor system hardware design that fails to adequately address the potential causes of audio signal degradation in a PC environment that contains high-speed digital circuitry, stepper motors, and other sources of electrical noise.
As you read through this chapter and the next, it should become obvious that good audio design for a motherboard or PC system is as much an art as it is a science. You should follow the recommendations in this book and augment them with reference designs from the codec manufacturer. Most codec manufacturers provide layout guidelines and well-tested circuit designs for their devices. They frequently recommend passive components to use with their devices. Even if two competing codecs have the same pinout, it doesn't always mean they will both work well with the same external components. Some words of advice:
Take special care to achieve a motherboard layout with adequate...
