ASUS has recently announced the world´s first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio/video enhancement combo card, the Xonar HDAV1.3. Capable of outputting uncompressed multichannel high definition audio from Blu-ray movies, the Xonar HDAV1.3 also enhances video with an onboard Splendid HD processor providing ultimate multimedia enjoyment.

The sound card is Protected Audio Playback Systems (PAPS) and full Advanced Access Content System (AACS) certified to take full advantage of lossless digital audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio high-fidelity sounds at 24bit, 96-192Khz through HDMI v1.3a. The PCI Express based Xonar HDAV1.3 is equipped with a proprietary AV200 audio processor coupled with a 24-bit DAC (TI Burr-Brown PCM1796) and 24-bit ADC (Cirrus-Logic CS5381), providing 120dB SNR and 0.0004% low distortion.

The Xonar HDAV1.3 also comes with the well renowned DS3D GX 2.0 API, which revives EAX 5.0 and 3D gaming audio in Vista. In addition to the this card, the Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe packs the HDAV H6 surround channel expansion card which offers swappable opamps on each channel and 8x RCA outputs.

The basic model will go for $89 while the Deluxe model will go for over $100.