Acer Aspire Timeline Owner's Lounge

I use Windows 7 RC on my Timeline with GMA4500, and i also hate using WMP. coincidentally the Release candidate of windows 7 does not have these native codecs (or they at least didnt 4 weeks ago) whereas the RTM version does (and im waiting till the retail release.) However, despite this, i have not done the DVXA guide or anything (havnt had enough free time to sit around doing it all) but have solved my 1080p problems by using Splash Player lite. It plays 1080p flawlessly, and while it does not do 10% CPU consistently, it is still at an acceptable level (20-50% but what else are you doing while watching a movie anyway?)

 

thanks for the feedback. Are you running the 1.3Ghz Solo Core Timeline, or the dual core SU9400?

Do you think it would be possible for you (or anyone here) to install MPC HC (presumably under vista), install Cyberlink Power DVD, then open MPC HC, uncheck the h.264/x.264 filters (both dxva and ffmpeg) under transform filters (located in internal filters from the options menu); also uncheck matroska from source filters and install Haali's splitter. Afterward, go to external filters (just below internal) --> add filter choose Cyberlink H.264/AVC Decoder filter (It should be on the list after you installed PowerDVD) and prefer. If you have FFDshow installed choose it from the same list and tick 'block'. Exit, Restart. Play 1080p x264. There are samples online but I presume you already have content. When you playback and if all goes well, CPU should be extremely low; if not right click screen --> choose filters --> Cyberlink and ensure that DXVA is ticked on the property page that pops up.

I (and I'm sure some others) would GREATLY appreciate it. I really like this notebook, but after reading Erik's writeup on Intel site (some engineer responsible for implementing this), I just wanna make sure it works before dropping the dough.

Windows 7 DTV-DVD that handles this natively sounds interesting, but I'm interested how Vista runs 1080p x264 on this timeline with the Cyberlink Codec everyone is talking about...

http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cach...atc...os-using-dxva/&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
cached copy of article on enabling DXVA, from http://nunnally.ahmygoddess.net. it's still there; PDF it. However for the Cyberlink way I've just outlined, you should be good as is (i.e. with my info) for the purpose checking DXVA2 with this timeline series with Intel GMA 4500MHD

Although maybe if you reference above link (at the bottom where it explains DXVA checker), you could post the results. It'd be easier for us interested, if slightly less thorough than real world results.

Here's the link to that handy utility (same link as in above link):
http://cid-94cc264fce430b66.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/tutorial/DXVAChecker|_2.0.2.1.zip


Anyway, I hope you (or someone) can find time and I anxiously anticipate your real world results. I'd imagine there's a limit to how many reference frames it can handle, but this would be a truly kick butt laptop if it could play back most x264 or h264 encoded 1080p content with minimal tax to the already beleaguered SU2700. It's not that I'll be multitasking but just the most efficient decoding method for longevity of the hardware.

 

windows 7
wmp 12
halide splitter + ffdshow (for audio)
cpu -10-15% for 1080p videos
su9400

 

Hi there... Just wanna check with u, are you using the latest drivers from here http://go.notebookreview.com/?id=525X832&url=http%3A%2F%2Fus.acer.com%2Facer%2Fservice.do%3FLanguageISOCtxParam%3Den%26miu10einu24.current.attN2B2F2EEF%3D3750%26sp%3Dpage15e%26ctx2.c2att1%3D25%26miu10ekcond13.attN2B2F2EEF%3D3750%26CountryISOCtxParam%3DUS%26ctx1g.c2att92%3D453%26ctx1.att21k%3D1%26CRC%3D2054404012 ? If so, I'm gonna wait before I jump into Win7. Thanks.

 

I am running the 1.4 Ghz SU3500 single core. I will try your plan when i have more time, busy weekend... though i do agree that the less tax on the hardware the better.

 

I have tested those, and the Windows 7 drivers which come directly from the manufactures. With both "kinds" of drivers I get these bad results.

 

thank you, thank you, thank you! it would clear up any uncertainty in my mind (and I'm sure others) and makes this a brilliant budget laptop in my book, IMO! it would totally negate the slower processor speed as I'm not buying a budget an ultra thin laptop to be a multitask workhouse to for video editing (who does?!) but if it can playback 1080p x264, offloaded to GPU, and with the HDMI out, w/ that battery life... it's an awesome laptop!

Let me know if you need any help. It really shouldn't take more than 10 min or so to set up and test out.

 

Thanks for the info. Will stay away from Win7 until official drivers from Acer.

 

How is the 80GB SSD in this machine? Any comparisons out there between it and the 500GB? I find it odd that the 500 GB version is actually $50.00 more than the 80GB SSD in some places. Is the SSD cheaply made? Why so cheap? I'd appreciate any comments as the SSD is very tempting.

 

The ssd is Intel's old first generation ssd (gen 2.5 will be out early next year). It is old, but still good, just it won't benefit from TRIM support in Windows 7.

 

Thanks. So is the SSD still considerably faster than the 500GB option?

 

Yes it is.

 

I take it no one else here (besides jigielnik) is a x264/h.264 HD playback enthusiast?

Can anyone at least confirm smooth skip free 1080p playback with CoreAVC decoder 1.9.5.0? Preferably w/o the fan on high and the cpu pegged at 80%+

 

I'm intend to get this unit.
But I muz consider:
- the heat during operating.
- any difficulty for multi-tasking (FireFox, MS PPR/Excel, Messenger, MP3 playback)
- Will it run smoothly for video editting (Ulead/PowerDirector)
- Win7 unable to run properly?
- Is Win7 available upon purchase?
- Is the built-in speaker really that lousy?


Appreciate the help~

 

- Heat is not an issue unless your are playing intensive 3D games on ur lap
- Not an issue. (I often watch animes (streamed from my NAS via Wifi),
browsing in FireFox, MSN and Outlook)
- Should be not an issue... I'm doing heavy photo editing with large files on CS4
- Win7 will run properly... only issue is hybrid graphic card issue & battery life
- if you buy now before Win7 is launch, you are eligible to upgrade it at Acer website.
- It is not as lousy as it have been mentioned in the forum. Maybe the speakers have been upgraded. I would rate it 2x louder and better than my MSI Wind. MSI Wind's speakers are really tiny.

Hope this helps

 

I just used the upgrade advisor tool to check if win7 would run on her netbook. It told me that windows aero wouldn't run on it due to something about the graphics. Anybody know if this is a problem with the 3810t? Thanks

 

What netbook? All should run aero fine, I had an EEE that had the GMA 950 and it ran aero in Vista and Windows 7 Beta/RC fine. Right now I am using my 3810 and it also runs aero fine.

 

Thanks and it does help a lot ^_^

Win7 vs batt life?
Does it mean by using Win7 will shorten the duration of the batt compare to Vista?
Using Win7 oso unable to activate the ATI GPU, having us stuck at GM4500?

 

New Timeline 3810T BIOS v1.14 is out!!!!

Anybody know where to find the changelogs for this? My Timeline has been running perfectly with 1.10, so I'm hesitant to update.

 

Where is it?

 

It's on the ACER website. Checked it lastnight. Version 1.14 for 3810T is available for download. But as usual no changelog from ACER.

 

a while back i received a changelog from acer, but only up to BIOS 1.08

but asking obviously helps just check with acer`s support team, they answered my email pretty quick last time

cheers

 

came here to ask the same!!

 

oh btw guys:
i noticed that more often than not the drivers for the 4810 and 5810 timeline models are more up-to-date than for the 3810. but since the hardware is the same, you can use those drivers without any risk! but, of course, that does NOT include the BIOS!

i for one found newer drivers for both the ati and intel graphics, the chipset, touchpad, launch manager, audio, bluetooth and many more in the 4810 section, that all worked flawlessly on my 3810 model! especially concerning win 7 drivers this was the right thing to do, since there arent any offered yet in the 3810 section.

enjoy!

 

kinda sucks that they won't just post links in the 3810 section since the updates are exactly the same..

 

Does anyone know how to permanently turn off the Intel Graphics power management settings? I have a Timeline 3810T and when running on battery power the Intel Graphics power management will occassionally fade the screen by reducing the contrast ratio. It's quite annoying. When I go to turn the setting off in the Intel Graphics control panel, it only turns it off temporarily. It will default back after I restart the computer or wake up from sleep mode.

Any tips?

 

New BIOS (1.14) for 3810T enables hardware assisted virtualization (Intel VT).
Now I can run Windows XP mode from Windows 7!

Maybe there are other changes? Can somebody provide a changelog for all BIOS versions?

 

@fung_adr
That is caused by epower management. Disable it and try again.

 

actually u can go into intel's graphic -> power settings and set it

 

That's what he did
His problem is that those settings are not permanent, because ePower overwrites them.

 

I just got 4810T with Pentium SU4100 and 3GB of RAM. I tried checking with Everest and the Battery Wear Level is already 5%. Should I return it to shop and ask for exchange? Any timeline users here can report your battery wear level?

 

@wyemarn
You should calibrate the battery first.

 

This has probably been answered elsewhere, but does anyone know if it's possible to disable the automatic switch to ATI graphics when AC is plugged in?

 

I'm gonna sound like a noob for this, but how do you calibrate the battery?

 

Charge it fully and then run it down till the laptop shuts itself off. Recharge and check wear level.

 

any recommended reading on this?

edit - sorry, noticed it was asked and you answered above.

 

Hey guys, I've run into heat problems when using ubuntu 9.04 through a liveusb (well, sd card) persistent boot. The system itself didn't shut down or anything of the like. It just feels that much warmer on my lap compared to running Vista. Anyone know of a fix for this?

Also, thanks for the sticker removal suggestions. I took off the info label easily, but the others were a bit tougher, so I used the blowdryer.

 

How much time does the Timeline takes to charge fully from zero?

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/05/14/review_laptop_acer_timeline_4810t/page2.html

The above article states

Is this the normal time or is it much more compared to other laptops?

 

It charges slower than my Aspire One with the same battery size. I think Quanta lowered the charging current to solve heat issues. The Aspire One got really hot when charging the device while using it. I think the constantly running fan when plugged in goes in the same direction. They wanted to keep the notebook coolest possible.

Edit:
Oh, I checked the link and it's about 4810t. I was talking about 1810t so nevermind.

 

But still, I would like to know the charging time of any laptop with a comparable battery and charger of 4810. I must say I have never tried this when using a laptop

 

I don't run my battery down till it's empty so I can't check it. All in all it's better when it charges more slowly because it doesn't heat up the battery and it will last longer.

 

just received my 4810 and boy is it aesthetically pleasing. I like it more than my Macbook unibody fore sure... plan to sell it soon so might even get one more of these suckas.

h.264/x.264 AVC hw acceleration works 100% with the su2700 which to me closes the gap on any negligible performance difference between the su2700 and su2500! In fact, no need to even utilize the PowerDVD filter as MPC internal decoder works just fine, I think perhaps even better in quality in my initial tests, plus has deblocking options which afaict PowerDVD does not. I find that PQ isn't quite as good as cpu decoding/coreAVC on my desktop, but perhaps I just need to tweak more. CPU utilization hovers around 10%-15%! 1080p sample would not play with dxva... but almost plays w/o skipping with cpu decoding in mpc which leads me to believe that even software decoding with 720p and possibly even 1080p with CoreAVC will yield smooth playback (but at more detriment to battery run time)

So overall, I'm extremely satisfied with the look/design of the SU2700 4810T/4500MHD; hw decoding is icing on the cake. Runs fast on Vista Premium after some tweaking (so perhaps faster on vista ultimate or win 7); drivers were mostly all updated so no hanging problems like others earlier in this thread. I did remove all the bloatware (quite a lot actually, but mostly games); updated bios to v1.28 (latest); as far as other drivers... was actually surprised to see very few drivers on Acer's site and many not updated since June; went to Intel site to download latest 4500MHD drivers.

Question:

Any way to edit or even see Acer PowerSaver settings? if not, at the very least, find some online documentation on it? or is it in the manual? Wondering iit's redundant to run batterycare app... well not in the sense of expanded info on the battery at least (similar to Coconut on Mac). Speaking of which, getting about 5 1/2 to 6 hours of battery life... everyone else about the same?better?worse?

Also, anyone else find that 1920x1080p on external display isn't giving them 1:1 pixel ratio? I had to use the Intel GMA settings to actually resize vertical and horizontal to about 65% to fit all the overscanned edges...

Lastly, I noticed 3G Module and Broadcom BT drivers in the 4810 downloads page... does this mean that there's an empty slot for both internally and they can be added as the 4810T has neither?
TIA!

 

how do you adjust epower settings? there's not front end for it is there?

 

I don't know if it is possible to adjust the settings and I didn't find a frontend on my 1810t.

 

I tried HDMI with my external LCD TV too. At 1920x1080, the edges are out of the viewable area. I didnot have this problem with another laptop with ATI HD 3450. I'm not sure it's driver or hardware problem. I have some graphics corruption and flickering too when playing video files using HDMI connected to LCD TV.

 

Hi guys. I have got a minor problem, a nuisance,rather,with my 4810T. On quite a few occasions the optical drive simply won't open/eject the disc, and the only remedy to make it work again is soft reset. I have had Vista, XP installed , and currently Im running W7. The problem has been appearing under all of them.Has anyone experienced
the same issue ? Can't figure out what might cause this. Thanks for any advice.

 

@Hikoki
I remember someone else having the same problem. There was no solution yet.

 

Did you install Acer Optical Drive Power Manager? Maybe that is the cause.

I've experienced once where the optical drive disappears from device manager. I have to restart to enable it back.

I have stability problems with my 4810TZ. Windows 7 will occasionaly hangs, a few times with BSOD. I have tried Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool, Memtest Windows and OCCT 1hr test and all passed without errors. I'm not sure whether it's hardware of software problem. The notebook comes with stock Samsung 1GB stock DDR3 1066 and I added another 2GB6Micron DDR3 1066.

 

Got a 3810TZ last week and it is a really great notebook - it is exciting and am happy to join the fellow owners lounge...

1. How to turn off these led indicator lights above the keyboard - Why would someone want to know how often the harddisk is being accessed or the blinking yellow wifi - really losing my sanity over those/

2. And the trackpad - I think it is a troublemaker - I've played with synaptics settings for hours and never can get it right - I also downloaded the two finger scroll version - but the scrolling is always so jerky.

 

Hi,

I'd like to ask for help in the following problem:

1. I have a 3810TG-944G50N
2. I installed the newest official Catalyst for win7.
3. I switch to discrete mode in BIOS (this is the only way I can get the 4330 working)
4. only ATI card starts. If I right-click on desktop there's the icon showing for CCC but when I clik on it nothing happens
5. I started to run it as admin and I searched the forums for solution but found nothing.

Please help me, how can I set 3d settings for the ati card (atialiasing, anisotropic, ect...) without starting CCC or how can i get it to start?

Thank you very much for your help!

Cheers,
Benedek