Sound Card

A sound card is an internal expansion card that provides audio input and output to and from a computer under the control of software; the term also covers external audio interfaces used for professional audio work, and sound functionality can also be built directly into a motherboard using components similar to those on a plug-in card, still commonly called a sound card, while modern video cards with HDMI outputs carry sound alongside video where older cards relied on a separate S/PDIF connection. Sound cards are used for music composition, editing video or audio, presentations, education, entertainment such as video games, video projection, and computer-based communication such as voice over IP and teleconferencing, connecting to a computer over buses including PCI, ISA, USB and FireWire and outputting audio through analog connectors such as phone, RCA or DIN jacks or digital connectors such as S/PDIF or AES/EBU; well known manufacturers include Creative Labs, Realtek, C-Media, VIA Technologies, ASUS, M-Audio and Turtle Beach Systems.