I have an old computer, a no-name I built in a class. I have added memory, improved the operating systems, added storage, replaced the video card but I finally wore out my old CD-Rom and had to retire it.
Got a good deal on a CD-RW/DVD-Rom to replace the crapped out CD-Rom, and it works very well in that capacity, and also works well in burning CD's. But DVD playback sucks.
Anybody know any easy ways to smooth this out? My processor is 800 MHz. I don't really have to have it, but it would be nice if I could. (I've got enough DVD players attached to TVs, but it would be nice if I could play DVDs on my computer.)
If I'm SOL that's no big deal.
2007-07-21 18:59:07 · 6 answers · asked by Warren D 7 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
Here's a follow-up question, and I hope Jonathon will read it and answer it.
I am considering switching my video card to an AGP card. Do you think that will help? Haven't picked a brand yet. Current card is an NVidea PCI card.
2007-07-22 02:05:16 · update #1
DVD playback on any computer sucks because of the fact that a DVD is only 480 lines of resolution vs. the high resolution of a computer...
Certain software will help make the picture look better - if you have an NVidia video card you can purchase their "PureVideo" software that enhances the video playback - I noticed quite a difference with that...
Another route is by using DVD playback software, I can't think of any that I can say are the best but most out there are better than Windows Media Player!
Hope this helps :)
...just read the other answers - his CPU has nothing to do with it! I used to run a Pentium MMX 166Mhz processor with a 2x DVD-Rom without it being choppy! I think he's referring to the poor quality of the video when playing in full screen...
"replace the processor...if its an intel chipset go for p4 2.4ghz or dual core." - LOL! Just because it's an Intel chipset doesn't mean you can just plug in a brand new processor!!! He has a P3, therefore he's limited to a P3 Celeron or P3 up to 1Ghz. After 1Ghz they used a smaller die and lower voltage which required a new chipset...
OMG, what's this world coming to!? If you don't know computers you shouldn't be posting... Sorry, don't meen to talk down to anyone but that comment was just outrageous. I'd hate to see the guy buy a new proc and have to buy a new motherboard, RAM, video card, and PSU because he listened to that...
2007-07-21 19:51:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not the DVD drive's fault! It is the DVD player software that is at fault as well as any other software that is running while you are trying to view a movie.
I had this same problem with my old laptop. I lost the old DVD player software that came with it when my Hard Drive was replaced and I couldn't find another lite DVD software solution to replace it.
The only thing I can suggest is that you disable a few useless window's services like "indexing, system restore, and automatic updates" to name a few. They do nothing but take up resources that the DVD player software needs to smoothly operate. Also, you can disable your Anti-virus and firewall when you are watching a movie as long as you disconnect from the internet and restore them when the movie is done.
Here are some other tweaks you can perform to squeeze a little more life out of your old computer.
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/supertweaks.htm
Last thoughts, you should get a less needy DVD software solution. One that is relatively old so that it doesn't require a Pentium 4, but new enough to decrypt newer DVD technologies embedded on today's DVDs. If that is not possible, you should play with the settings on your current software installed to lower the CPU usage. Also, check to make sure that hardware acceleration is used and you have updated drivers for your Video Card.
If you ask me, thats a lot of work just to watch a DVD. I simply gave up on watching DVDs on my old laptop and made it a Linux machine to practice on.
UPDATE:
I appreciate your constructive comments Mr. Jonathan M. I'm sure you know about every aspect in computing! You obviously must know what the specs of my old laptop are to tell me it has nothing to do with the CPU! If your video card is inferior such as mine was and you don't have any other hardware acceleration to assist with the DVD then the CPU must do it. There you go. I'm sure you must know that. If you don't then you do now!
So, if your video card is not up to the task of rendering all the processing needed for viewing the DVD then maybe it is time to upgrade the video card. This option was not available to my old laptop so I had little other choice than trying to tweak things.
2007-07-21 19:10:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
DVD - ROM meaning it performs DVD's on your laptop. that's like having a DVD equipped into your laptop, and the strain usualy comes with a capacity dvd or something.. a software that gadgets all of it up & has a controler to regulate the action picture. seek up DVD Burner...
2016-10-22 08:14:38 · answer #3 · answered by lindenberg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it would be nice to upgrade your entire computer to smooth out everything. but since you are on a tight budget, try exiting out all the running programs before you start a dvd movie. that will help your movie out alittle better.
2007-07-21 19:03:36 · answer #4 · answered by xxvietxthugzxx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ur playing DVD in an 800mhz processor????
replace the processor...if its an intel chipset go for p4 2.4ghz or dual core.
2007-07-21 19:39:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've done everything I would do. Just make sure you have no memory-hog programs open while playing.
2007-07-21 19:02:20 · answer #6 · answered by Matt R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋