Audio device setting options

[Newbis]

I've been looking for information about the Audio/MIDI preferences in Vienna Ensemble. I can't find anything in the PDF explaining what the various options mean. For example, under Audio Device, I have "DirectSound: SigmaTel Audio" selected. There are other options such as "ASIO SHTDA." Why would one use that one...are there any advantages? Also, I have "Def" for Sample Rate and for Latency. In what situation might one change those?
Thanks,
-Jonathan

[cm]

whereas direct sound probably relates to your built in soundcard, ASIO would be the driver to prefer (lower latency).

sample rate *def* means default, means it is using the settings of your project preferences and (if available) seperate audio driver settings.

.

example - sample rate 44.1 kHz, audio buffer: 256 (samples), latency: 4 ms (lower latency leads to higher CPU load, so if your audio crackles use higher latency)