Powerdvd playback probs

[mrm1]

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 ?

[Sociable]

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.

Originally Posted by mrm1

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 ?

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

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

[kronas]

Originally Posted by homealone

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

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'

[mrm1]

Originally Posted by Sociable

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.

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.

Originally Posted by homealone

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

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

Allready Enabled.

Originally Posted by homealone

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

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

Done this as well.

[kronas]

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...........

[mrm1]

Originally Posted by kronas

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...........

Thanks KRONAS but Ive tried that as well

[kronas]

Originally Posted by mrm1

Thanks KRONAS but Ive tried that as well

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.

[mrm1]

Originally Posted by kronas

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.

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.

[kronas]

Originally Posted by mrm1

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.

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

[Xaccers]

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.

[kronas]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

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.

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

who started this thread?

I ended up paying for the latest PowerDvd 5

my conscience is now clear, thankyou.

[kronas]

Originally Posted by homealone

who started this thread?

I ended up paying for the latest PowerDvd 5

my conscience is now clear, thankyou.

have you been on the drink again ?

or did i miss the point

Originally Posted by kronas

have you been on the drink again ?

or did i miss the point

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