C-Media USB 3D Audio Controller - PD 552

This is a true 3D Sound Audio Controller in form of either PD 551 or PD 552 (the later shown in picture above). You get a USB Audio and Extension Cable with the buy pack of PD 552 just for around 12$.

Best USB Multi-Channel 3D Sound Solution, this device supports 3D Sound (AC-3) and Virtual 5.1 Sound Track and claims to be the best Entertainment for Game, DVD, Music. It's brightened by LEAD 3D Sound 5.1 TIDE.
Integrated with 2 channel this USB Audio Controller is the Leading Digital Technology in the Word with main functions summarized as (the pack reading) :

•     Real USB Plug and Play
•     Drive 2CH speakers Directly and Support 3D positional sound and Virtual 5.1 CH sound track
•     Use USB port power directly
•     External power adapter Not required
•     Digital Class-B Power Amplifier Inside

USB 3D Sound Configuration Main Setting

USB 3D Sound Configuration Effect

USB 3D Sound Configuration Information

---

Software Value-added for DVD contains

5.1 Xearphone
2-Speaker Virtual Theater
Earphone plus Personal Theater
Enhanced 5.1 Home Theater

Software Value-added for music

27 preset Environment Effects
3 Environment sizes
10 Band/Pre-set Equalizer

Software Value-added for games

EAX 2.0 or A3D 1.0
Microsoft DirectSound 3D
Earphone Plus
Speaker Shifter

In my case, I found the following specifications for the USB PD 552 Audio Controller ie a C-Media 3D Audio Configuration Version 1.0.41.6 :

3D Audio Engine: Xear3D CRL3D DS3D EAX2.0 A3D1.0
Audio CODEC: CMI108
Audio Driver Version: 5.12.01.0039.8a (39a)
Audio Controller: Inter(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C2
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0b

For this Composite Device, the latest drivers and value added service packs can be downloaded from the official website of C-Media or other related links provided at the bottom of this article.
The System driver files are provided by C-Media Electronics Inc (installed directly to the path as below). You can manually check them, however for Windows XP and Vista and for many Linux Distributions no any external drivers are required, but who doesn't want value added service at no cost at all.

• C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\USBAUDIO.sys
• C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\smudau.sys
• C:\WINDOWS\system32\system\cmcnfgu.cpl
• C:\WINDOWS\system32\system\cmds3du.dll
• C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers\cmudaU.sys

You can manually update the drivers and value added softwares based on or replacing these driver and system files. The following registry value is modified by the Composite Audio Controller

REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0000\Settings\EnableMicEffect

Related Links:

• Previous posts about USB Drives in this blog
• The official link to C-Media Inc - cmedia.com.tw
• Google search for C-Media USB 3D Audio Controller
• Similar Links for the USB Audio Device
• Download the Value added software and Drivers for USB 3D Audio Controller - PD 552 and PD 551