On a PIII500 MHz laptop we reliably record 2 channels at 96 kHz sampling rate with real-time spectrographic display and two more running programs to read GPS data and distribute NMEA strings on the network.
By setting large buffers, that means long latency in the display (in any case less than 1 sec), we can also run a navigation program such as OziExplorer. On faster laptops we can reliably run additional programs with no data losses.
Only very expensive acquisition boards have on-board buffers huge enough to hold data while the CPU is busy for long time.
But any sound device has its own buffers and buffering schemes that should be tested in real working conditions to find the most appropriate settings. Data losses can happen with PCI boards too and the most important precaution is to keep the CPU and the disk unit as free as possible while recording (don't forget to suspend email and virus checking!).
Gianni
-------------------------------------------------------------- Gianni Pavan Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacustica e Ricerche Ambientali Universita' degli Studi di Pavia Via Taramelli 24, 27100 PAVIA, ITALIA Tel +39-0382-987874 Fax +39-02-700-32921 Web http://www.unipv.it/cibra
