MILPITAS, Calif., May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Creative , a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announced immediate availability of the Xmod Wireless in the U.S. This X-Fi(TM) wireless music distribution system connects directly to your PC via USB and plays music in Xtreme Fidelity(R) -- music beyond CD quality -- through X-Fi Wireless Receivers in any room of the home.

The Xmod Wireless sets up in just a few minutes, connecting to a PC and a speaker system with no driver installation required. The included X-Fi Wireless Receiver then connects to a speaker system or home theater in any other room of the home, up to 100 feet away. Music from the PC can then be played wirelessly, without requiring a wireless network.

"With the Xmod Wireless, you can listen to the MP3 music stored on your PC in Xtreme Fidelity in every room of the home, regardless of where your PC is located," said Steve Erickson, VP of audio for Creative.

In addition to its wireless capability, the Xmod Wireless provides two key audio technologies, the X-Fi Crystalizer(R) and X-Fi CMSS-3D(TM), to enhance music and movie listening experiences. The X-Fi Crystalizer makes MP3s sound better than CDs by analyzing and identifying which parts of the audio stream have been truncated or damaged during compression. It then intelligently and selectively restores the highs and lows from instruments and vocals that are damaged during the compression of MP3s. X-Fi CMSS-3D creates virtual surround sound through speakers or headphones. It expands audio for superior headphone listening so music completely surrounds the listener.

The Xmod Wireless includes a remote control to set different modes for music playback. In broadcast mode, multiple X-Fi Wireless Receivers can receive music in different rooms of the home. In zone mode, a user can turn on or off up to four different X-Fi Wireless Receivers independently, to listen to music only in desired rooms. The remote also activates X-Fi Crystalizer, X-Fi CMSS-3D, adjusts volume and enables forward and back selection between tracks. The included X-Fi Wireless Receiver also features its own remote, to activate X-Fi Crystalizer and X-Fi CMSS-3D, and adjust volume.

Pricing and Availability

The Creative Xmod Wireless, including one X-Fi Wireless Receiver, is now available for US$199.99 at http://www.us.creative.com/. Additional X-Fi Wireless Receivers are available for US$99.99 at http://www.us.creative.com/.

About Creative

Creative is a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products. Famous for its Sound Blaster(R) sound cards and for launching the multimedia revolution, Creative is now driving digital entertainment on the PC platform with products like its highly acclaimed ZEN(TM) MP3 and portable media players. Creative's innovative hardware, proprietary technology, applications and services leverage the Internet, enabling consumers to experience high-quality digital entertainment -- anytime, anywhere.

This announcement relates to products launched in the United States. Availability is subject to change without notice and may differ elsewhere in the world according to local factors and requirements. Creative, Xmod Wireless, Xtreme Fidelity, X-Fi, Crystalizer, CMSS, CMSS-3D and Sound Blaster are trademarks or registered trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Phil O'Shaughnessy of Creative Labs, Inc., +1-408-546-6773,
poshaughnessy@creative.com

Web site: http://www.us.creative.com/