Media Vision Pro AudioSpectrum

Lore & Background

The Pro AudioSpectrum family spanned 8-bit and 16-bit models, with the 16-bit cards targeting semi-professional users and hobby musicians. They employed a relabeled Crystal Semiconductors CODEC for digital audio and a Yamaha OPL3 FM synthesizer (or dual OPL2 on 8-bit cards). To achieve Sound Blaster compatibility on the Pro AudioSpectrum Plus and 16, Media Vision included the same sound processor chip used in its Thunder Board card, allowing two digital audio playback devices to operate simultaneously, their outputs combined in an on-board analog mixer. Most PAS cards featured an NCR-designed 5380 SCSI controller made by Zilog, achieving 690 kB/s via PIO; while intended for CD-ROM drives, it could interface with other SCSI devices using drivers from Trantor Systems. Other variants used proprietary interfaces for Sony, Matsushita (Panasonic), or LMSI CD-ROM drives. The cards also included an MPU401-compatible MIDI and game port, jumperless software configuration, a four-layer printed circuit board, and PC speaker support that listened on the ISA bus rather than using an external cable. Media Vision was the OEM of the Logitech SoundMan (also marketed as Pro AudioSpectrum 16 Basic), which was compatible with PAS drivers.

Reader's Guide

The Pro AudioSpectrum family's significance lies in its strong competition with the Sound Blaster 16 during the mid-1990s. Most games of that era offered genuine support for PAS cards, so the lack of Sound Blaster Pro and Sound Blaster 16 compatibility was not a major drawback. The inclusion of a SCSI controller on most models allowed connection not only to CD-ROM drives but also to other SCSI peripherals, a feature recognized by Windows 95, which autodetected it as a PAS 16 Trantor SCSI host adaptor. The cards were praised for their clean digital audio, as noted by Computer Gaming World in 1993, which stated the Pro AudioStudio 'should give the Sound Blaster 16 some good competition' with 'much cleaner' audio. Driver support spanned DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows NT 3.5 and 4.0, Windows 9x, OS/2, and Linux (via Open Sound System), with claims of working under Windows ME or 2000/XP using older drivers. The family's relevance faded quickly after Media Vision was rocked by financial scandal and disappeared from the market.

Did You Know?

• The 8-bit Pro AudioSpectrum cards used dual Yamaha OPL2 FM synthesizers for stereo sound.
• The Pro AudioSpectrum 16 and Plus included a Thunder Board chip for Sound Blaster compatibility.
• The SCSI controller on most PAS cards was a Zilog 5380 with a data transfer rate of 690 kB/s using PIO.
• Media Vision was the OEM of the Logitech SoundMan card, which was compatible with PAS drivers.