Powerdvd playback probs
 

I have a three month old packard bell PC and up until Christmas I have been using PowerDVD to watch movies.

Today, the first time since Christmas I tried to watch a DVD but playback is very jumpy as well as sound breakup. I have tried playing varius DVD's and have also tried using media player all with the same results.

I havnt installed any new software that I am aware of except the latest XP updates.

Can anyone throw a light on this problem ?

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

Could be worth doing a Ctrl Alt Del and keep an eye of what other process is eatling CPU using at the same time that may help isolate the problem.

The other option may be to uninstall and re-install Power DVD as it inludes its own versions of the main Mpeg2 codecs for DVD.

If you find "explorer" is the culprit then I may have a fix for you which involves disabling the "properties handler" for avi's in the registry as the presence of partial avi's gives XP a mental breakdown.

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

I would check that your DVD drive has DMA enabled - but don't know how to do that in xp :dunce: - anyone?

- also in the PowerDvd app, check that you have 'hardware acceleration' enabled in the configuration dialogue.

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

on my setup, you go to control panel - system - hardware tab - device manager - IDE ATAPI controllers - then just collapse the tree and you should find primary, or seconday, IDE channels and then 'right click' show properties then 'advanced settings' and select 'DMA if available'

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

While powerdvd is running, system idle process rarely drops below 70% and never below 60%. Explorer is using no more than 3 to 4% With powerDVD using the rest.

I have tried removing & restoring powerdvd, audio drivers and video drivers. I have also done a restore back to 23rd of December (the oldest restore point I have) all with no sucess.


Allready Enabled.



Done this as well.

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

you could try a DVD lens cleaner, i know its only a few months old, but thats the only thing i can think of at the moment...........

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

Thanks KRONAS but Ive tried that as well :cry:

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

the powerdvd site recommends that ...........

Playback performances also relies on the speed and overhead of the PC. Please try the following:

1. Please update your VGA and sound card driver.

2. Please Close other application program while palyaback.

3. Please reduce screen resolution, color depth and refresh rate.

4. Please update the lates patch file

http://www.gocyberlink.com/english/c...ProdId=1&ID=84

before you do that, have you made sure a complete uninstall of powerdvd occoured, ie, no folders or exe was left, sometimes files are left so it might be worth you trying to uninstall again this time making sure that a folder is not left, at where ever you installed it.

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

No luck here either, Ive also tried WinDVD with the same results. i have also fully deleted all containing folders and reinstalled with no luck.

I expect its a windows setting somewhere, but I cant see where.

However I have noticed that although i have selected use DMA if available on the secondary IDE, the mode being used is PIO.

The annoying thing is all was working properly a month ago.

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

do you have any antivirus/firewall programs running ? you could try and disable them, and then try the DVD

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

So you've got the same problem with powerDVD, media player and winDVD
Doesnt' sound like a software/os problem to me.

I would guess that Kronas is right and that the problem lies with your DVD drive.
You've already done a lens clean on it, try running another clean.
if you can, find a mate with a DVD drive and swap it with yours.
That will eliminate your drive from the equation.

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

i intially thought it was the drive, now im almost sure it is...... (99%)

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

who started this thread?

I ended up paying for the latest PowerDvd 5

my conscience is now clear, thankyou. :angel:

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

have you been on the drink again ?

or did i miss the point :confused:

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

yes;) & yes,- I used to use PowerDvd XP - but not entirely legally, this thread inspired me to pay for the latest version.:)

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

Have you installed any new hardware into the computer ?

It may another drive on the ide cable that is the cause of the problem. If not then I think that kronos is correct and your dvd drive needs to take a trip to the great computer place in the sky .... :angel:

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

I recently installed a DVD drive in to my daughters PC. I think I will try it at the weekend to see if the drive is at fault.

Incidently my DVD drive will play SVCD's fine, but then they require lower bandwidth.

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

Well here goes.

I have just installed my daughters DVD drive and everything work perfect. Got to be a faulty drive. But no...........

I reinstalled the origanal drive so I could take the PC in for repair under warranty, and low and behold, that works perfectly as well now ????????


All I can think is

a: a loose cable connection, or
b: some dirt dislodged when th PC was tipped on its side to swap drives. or
c: the drive is faulty but until it plays up again I will leave it as it is.


thanks for all your help in solving this matter :D
___________________________________

Stop press.

Ive just noticed the DVD drive is now running UltraDMA mode 4. Before the swap around I could not get the drive to run under anything but PIO mode. Maybe an OS issue after all. Swapping the drives and changing drivers may have fixed the problem.

Who knows ?????????????

Not me :confused:

Re: Powerdvd playback probs
 

that is strange, glad you got it sorted :)