|
Syba SD-CM-UAUD USB Stereo Audio Adapter, C-Media Chipset, RoHS |  | Brand: Syba
Category: CE
List Price: $22.00
Buy New: $9.79
as of 3/11/2010 23:08 EST details
You Save: $12.21 (56%)
New (5) from $9.79
Seller: Cyberguys!
Rating:  27 reviews
Sales Rank: 348
Media: Electronics
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 6 x 1.5 x 6.5
MPN: SD-CM-UAUD
Model: SD-CM-UAUD
UPC: 810154014088
EAN: 0810154014088
ASIN: B001MSS6CS
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Features:
| • | Marketing description is not available. |
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
USB stereo audio adapter, RoHSCompliant with USB 2.0 Full Speed (12Mbps) specificationCompliant with USB audio device class specification 1.0Compliant with USB HID class specification 1.1USB bus-powered mode, no external power requiredLED indicators - microphone-mute status, activity
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 27
 Strongly recommended as headset adapter for Mac users January 8, 2010
501(c)(3) Geek (San Francisco, CA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
This is the platonic form of a USB sound card. It works well in Windows XP and Mac OS X, has clearly labeled inputs, decent build quality, and has no unnecessary features, at a very affordable price. We bought it to use stereo jack headsets with Skype on Mac computers that don't have microphone jacks, and this adapter fits our needs exactly. This also resolves a problem we have when using Windows XP on our iMacs - Apple doesn't provide the correct sound drivers in Boot Camp, and the built-in iMac headphone jack doesn't work in Windows - the USB adapter works perfectly.
In Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 (tested in both) the device is identified as a "C-Media USB Audio Device". Installation was plug-and-play, the device was immediately recognized after plugging in, although I had to manually select it as the input/output device in the Sound preference pane. After selecting it and setting the input levels, OS X and Skype both automatically switched back and forth between Built-in Audio and C-Media USB when it was plugged/unplugged, and remembered the input levels last used on each (although not the systemwide output levels).
A sticker on the outside of the box identifies the chipset as the C-Media CM119, and it is a USB 2.0 device.
Physically, the construction seems plenty robust for a $10 device. The mic and headphone jacks are color coded in standard pink and green, and have large white icon labels that are easily identified. The case is darkly translucent black, and a green LED inside blinks when sound is being transmitted or received, and otherwise glows steady when plugged in but not in active use. It is too thick to plug into the USB ports on the edges of the 2007-2009 silver aluminum iMac keyboards. On our aluminum iMacs it has to be plugged into the back, where it doesn't block any other ports (as long as other connected USB devices are not also thick). However, it can easily be connected to the USB ports next to the cord on the rear of the older white Mac keyboards from 2003-2007.
Drawbacks?
The microphone input is mono, which is fine for voice headsets, but probably not great for pro audio recording, which probably wouldn't be done with a $10 device anyway. I could do without the blinking light, but as it will be out of sight when connected behind my iMac, it's not a big deal.
Comparison
We also bought the cousin to this product, the 7.1 Channel USB External Sound Card Audio Adapter with external volume control buttons. The 7.1 version uses the same CM119 chipset, but was inferior to this Syba model in all respects.
- The 7.1 model has a thicker body, making it more likely to block other USB ports.
- The buttons on the 7.1 feel very flimsy, and are mostly useless as they only change the computer's software volume settings.
- The 7.1 inputs are not correctly color coded (yellow and black) and the icon labels are tiny and hard to distinguish.
- The 7.1 is identified by OS X as "Unknown USB Audio device"
- The particular 7.1 unit we received was assembled with its USB port slightly angled off-center.
The only supposed improvements in the 7.1 version are the flaky exterior buttons and that it comes with a mini-CD of Xear "virtual surround sound" software for Windows only. Surely you could use some other "3D sound simulation software" with this Syba unit, and there are several reports of the buttons/housing breaking on the 7.1 version. I strongly recommend avoiding the 7.1 model at all costs, this one is simpler and sturdier.
Great! August 31, 2009
SJH (Virginia Beach, VA USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
My Dell laptop connected the speakers from the front - bad location for a permanent setup. I have nearly broken off the connector several times, so wanted to plug it into a USB port on the side. Tried a cheaper adapter -- lots of static, too big, blocked another USB port. This one is perfect - can plug another USB cable over it in another port and the sound is fabulous! Plug and play, 15 seconds and it was playing! Great price, fast shipping, Super product!! Love Amazon!!!!
Works on Mac January 31, 2010
M. Mundt
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought this item because my 3.5mm mic-in/headphone-out ports were out on my 2002 G4 iMac, it worked great for this purpose. Much easier than replacing the 3.5mm ports
High quality, great design, low price, just perfect February 7, 2010
zemes
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Clean sound, extremely low noise, high reliability, simplicity, compact size, clear markings (with the right colors), absolutely no installation requirement (on Windows 7), solid build quality, and low price. What more can you ask?
Seriously, I could not find another USB soundcard that is so perfect. I bought one (not here, but at a different place that had a better price), liked it so much that I bought two more, not even knowing how I am going to use these. But I know they will get used somehow.
This is an excellent USB to Audio device! October 26, 2009
Lee Ogilvie (Oceanside - CA - USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I got this device because my head phone port is broke. I got several estimates from stores but all were in the hundreds of dollars - a friend told me about USB to Audio devices, i found this one.
I chose this device because of its simplicity & excellent reviews.
PROS:
- I received the device one day faster than Amazon Estimated
- When i plugged it in it took only around 30 seconds for it to be installed (Which is extremely fast for my Compaq Laptop)
- It has excellent volume (It is louder than my head phone slot was installed in my comp)
All around i give this 5 out of 5 Stars.
NOTE: I will come back and edit this review if i come across any problems.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 27
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. | |
