WinDVD Playback jumpy. What do i need????

[Breaker78]

I'm using winDVD 2.3 under win2K pro.

my hardware is an intel i810 mobo, 192MB ram, and a 300a@450mhz, with an ATI expert@play98 8mb pci video card so i have tv out.

when i play dvd's on my tv, they are just a little jumpy, enough for it to be annoying. (actually jumpy on monitor too)

I also noticed the color seemed a little off but maybe I can tweak that.

What do I need? A better video card, or more Mhz. I noticed my CPU utilization is like 100% the whole time. Do I need both??

If so, what is my best option? (actually, I'll create a new thread on questions for that i guess

 

[Hender]

You're on the border for the type of CPU you can have for software DVD playback. The cheapest way to get smooth DVD playback for you is to buy one of the hardware DVD decoders (the Hollywood Magic+ or something, I don't remember the model number but a company called Sigma Designs makes it) and use that instead of your CPU. They usually only run about $40 if you search on PriceWatch, and that way you can keep your current system and not replace your CPU and video card. The hardware decoder also has its own TV out, so you don't have to fool with the one on your video card anymore.

 

[rmblam]

Make sure DMA is enabled on the DVD drive.

http://www.ati.com/na/pages/faq/windows2000faq.html#5

&quot;The ATI DVD 4.0 PLAYER supports Windows® 2000 for RAGE XL?, RAGE PRO? and RAGE LT PRO? boards, but as a software only solution.&quot; <---- meaning no hardware motion compensation.

I had the same problem on an old laptop that I put win2k on. It had the RageLT Pro. Never could get it smooth. I gave up and ordered a new laptop (broke my heart to do it ;-).

The hollywood card is one option, but I think you could benefit more by getting a new video card like the Radeon. The Radeon LE is cheap and can be hacked to full Radeon support, but has no TV out. Only the Radeon 64MB has tv out (exception is the 32MB w/TV out oem which I've never seen available to purchase).

The geforce2 mx has a few models with TV out and is cheap. I tried one. They look good for the price.

 

[VBboy]

Get a hardware DVD accelerator, it's a card that will greatly assist in DVD decoding. Your videocard may have motion compensation, but you need other hardware-accelerated functions to play DVDs smoothly on your particular PC.

I had a Celery-300a running at 450, and it was very slow in DVDs until I got the Hollywood Magic decoder.

For $20-30, you will get AWESOME speed and quality.
Pricewatch.com for prices.

 

[rbV5]

rmblam, several Radeon Cards now feature TV-out..Radeon Le, Radeon Ve, AIW Radeon in 3 different models(SDR, PCI and AGP DDR) and of coarse the 64 DDR SE, Retail and OEM flavors, but the motion compensation Hardware Assist won't help with a lower powered CPU.

Either keep the card and upgrade your CPU (fairly cheap)or get the hardware decoder as suggested (also fairly cheap)