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[User Review] Dell Precision M4600 15.6" Mobile Workstation

Discussion in 'Dell Latitude, Vostro, and Precision' started by iieeann, Jun 15, 2011.

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  1. afhstingray

    afhstingray Notebook Prophet

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    i doubt its necessary for the GPU to do dvd decoding right? probably just uses system ram to buffer and then the processor decodes
     
    afhstingray, Aug 17, 2011
    #111
  2. iieeann

    iieeann Notebook Evangelist

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    Two conditions need to be fulfilled for GPU rendering (Hardware Acceleration, DXVA I/II) to work. 1st is the GPU capability, which nowadays almost all can do it, the difference could be whether they support DXVA I or II.

    2nd is the software used for playback, this is complicated. Not all software uses Hardware Acceleration by default, the user needs to enable it manually. Some software does not use DXVA at all. Many software won't tell whether they are using DXVA or not during playback.

    Please note that GPU itself DOES NOT decide whether or not to use Hardware Acceleration, the playback software does.

    PowerDVD can do it and able to switch Hardware Acceleration on/off during playback without stopping (many software can't do this). The program is not user friendly anyway and supports only little formats. I use this for bluray playback because of capability to HDMI out the sound in earlier days.

    Potplayer is the one I use for movie file playback. By pressing "Tab" key the playback info will show on the screen and if the word DXVA is shown, Hardware Acceleration is being used. Else it will show things like YV12 or other funny numbers (software rendering method).

    Another famous player is MPC-HC.
     
    iieeann, Aug 17, 2011
    #112
  3. Weegie

    Weegie Notebook Deity

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    VLC player renders video extremely crappily on mine, powerDVD is good, unfortunate as I prefer VLC to most other players
     
    Weegie, Aug 18, 2011
    #113
  4. iieeann

    iieeann Notebook Evangelist

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    Everybody has his own favourite player, I tried many but finally settled with potplayer because of user friendly and richful features. I not yet seen any program that can surpass it. I used it since KMPlayer (potplayer is newer version written by same author)

    This is for video playback. Audio playback is a completely different section and uses different software.
     
    iieeann, Aug 18, 2011
    #114
  5. GJM_77

    GJM_77 Notebook Guru

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    Is that possible to disable the Firepro (non IPS model) and use the intel sandy bridge graphic ? in order to gain more battery time ? Thx
     
    GJM_77, Aug 25, 2011
    #115
  6. iieeann

    iieeann Notebook Evangelist

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    The answer is No as at today. Firepro does not support switchable graphic.
     
    iieeann, Aug 25, 2011
    #116
  7. ANILE8

    ANILE8 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Another reason to just order the M4600 with the Nvidia Graphics Card.
     
    ANILE8, Aug 25, 2011
    #117
  8. CharlieDigital

    CharlieDigital Notebook Geek

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    Question regarding the HDD: does the M4600 support two internal, 2.5" HDDs without a second party drive caddy? Or just one internal 2.5" and one mini-type?

    Thanks!
     
    CharlieDigital, Aug 25, 2011
    #118
  9. Dell-Mano_G

    Dell-Mano_G Company Representative

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    One internal 2.5" and 1 Mini Card.
     
    Dell-Mano_G, Aug 25, 2011
    #119
  10. ANILE8

    ANILE8 Notebook Enthusiast

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    This question has already been answered multiple times before in previous posts.
     
    ANILE8, Aug 25, 2011
    #120
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