C-Media
Taiwanese manufacturer of PC audio, USB storage, and wireless audio processors.
C-Media Electronics, Inc., based in Taiwan, produces computer hardware components including PC audio processors, USB storage controllers, and wireless audio devices. Its PCI audio chips are used in ASUS's Xonar line of sound cards. The company's product range spans several audio standards. Early ISA offerings include the CMI8328 and CMI8330. PCI audio chips include the CMI8338 and multiple variants of the CMI8738, which support different channel configurations and features such as 5.1 surround and S/PDIF input/output. Later PCI models like the CMI8768, CMI8768+, CMI8769, and CMI8770 add Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect encoding. The Oxygen HD series (CMI8786, CMI8787, CMI8788) also supports these encoding technologies. AC'97 audio chips include the CMI9738, CMI9739, CMI9761, and CMI9780. HD Audio chips include the CMI9880, some with Dolby Digital Live certification, and the Oxygen Express-series CM8888, CMI8828, and CM8826, used in products like the PowerColor Devil HDX and HT OMEGA FENIX sound cards. USB audio chips range from the CM102A+/S+ to the CM6535 and HS-100B. Wi-Sonic network audio devices, such as the CMWS-01, use the CMI8769 for audio. USB storage controllers include the CM120, CM220 series, and CM320 series. C-Media's license for Sensaura technology expired in September 2008. While a new Xear3D EX technology with OpenAL support was promoted, replacement drivers were initially unavailable. By September 2011, drivers became available for several PCI chipset models, including the CMI8738, CMI8768, CMI8768+, CMI8770, CMI8787, and CMI8788.
Quick Facts
- Hq Location City
- Taipei
- Hq Location Country
- Taiwan
- Industry
- Computer
- Products
- Sound cards
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
C-Media's product range spans multiple audio standards, including ISA, PCI, AC'97, HD Audio, and USB audio. The PCI audio line includes the CMI8738 series, which offers variants supporting 4-channel 16-bit DACs (CMI8738-SX), 6-channel 5.1 surround DACs (CMI8738-LX and CMI8738-MX), with the MX model adding S/PDIF IN/OUT at 44.1K and 48KHz. Later PCI chips such as the CMI8768+ and CMI8770 introduced Dolby Digital Live encoding, and the CMI8770 also added DTS Connect encoding. The Oxygen HD series (CMI8786, CMI8787, CMI8788) continued this trend, with the CMI8788 supporting both Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding.
C-Media also produces USB audio controllers (e.g., CM108AH, CM6206, CM6400 series) and Wi-Sonic network audio devices, such as the CMWS-01 which uses the CMI8769 for audio. Their HD Audio chip CMI9880 includes some models with Dolby Digital Live certification. The Oxygen Express-series chips (CM8888, CMI8828, CM8826) are used in third-party sound cards, including the PowerColor Devil HDX Sound Card and the HT OMEGA FENIX Sound Card.
C-Media's Sensaura licence expired on 23 September 2008. While there is an article promoting new Xear3D EX with OpenAL support, replacement drivers were not available at the current time. As of 26 September 2011, drivers became available for some PCI chipset models: CMI8738, CMI8768, CMI8768+, CMI8770, CMI8787, and CMI8788.
Reader's Guide
C-Media's significance lies in its broad portfolio of audio processors that have powered a wide range of sound cards, from budget OEM solutions to enthusiast products like ASUS Xonar cards. The company's PCI chips, particularly the CMI8738 and Oxygen HD series, were widely adopted in the early 2000s for their multi-channel audio capabilities and support for digital encoding standards such as Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect. This allowed users to encode multi-channel audio in real time for output over S/PDIF, a feature that became important for home theater PC setups.
The expiry of C-Media's Sensaura licence in 2008 created a gap in positional audio support, though the company promoted Xear3D EX with OpenAL as a replacement. Driver availability for PCI chipsets resumed in 2011, indicating ongoing support for legacy hardware. C-Media's USB audio controllers and Wi-Sonic network audio devices further extended its reach into wireless and external audio solutions. The company's chips also appear in third-party products such as the PowerColor Devil HDX and HT OMEGA FENIX sound cards, demonstrating its role as a supplier to other manufacturers. Overall, C-Media's processors have been a common component in PC audio, particularly in the transition from analog to digital multi-channel sound.
Did You Know?
- C-Media's CMI8770 supports both Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding.
- The CMWS-01 Wi-Sonic network audio device uses the CMI8769 for audio.
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