M17xR3 - Owner Answered Frequently Asked Questions *READ BEFORE POSTING*

definitely agree on the codec packs batboy - always adhere to the 'k.i.s.' method!

suggest for all video, including dvd (but unfortunately not blu ray due to licensing restrictions), vlc player (and for audio foobar2000) should pretty much do it...

as for powerdvd, if your M17x R3 system shipped with a blu ray drive and you're missing the software, call tech support and ask them about part #421-4550 (Power DVD 9.6, 3D) - they'll be the ones able to make that right.

 

Pfft... I didn't even think about checking the part list... and I was the one who posted it over here after seeing it posted on the dell community forum - lol.

Thanks for that grimm. So, any bluray owners try out the powerdvd dvd to 3d conversion? Its labeled as 3D according to the part info but PowerDVD 10 is the 3D player... unless 9.x is also.

Anyway, curious about this. Might be a cool feature. If I do commit to ordering an R3 when it comes back, I will most likely order it with the Bluray player.

 

It's on my order 421-4550 Power DVD 9.6, 3D

 

Did you order a blueray dvd player?

 

I can confirm my R3 with Blu-ray drive came with Power DVD 9.6.6 (I have played a 3D movie on it also).

Batboy, I would be really interested if it can convert non-3D movies into 3D but I am unsure of how to use the program to do so, anyone know?

 

Check the power dvd app and its settings. If in fact 9.6 supports it like the current PowerDVD (v10) then it should be in there somewhere. Check the help file. It may or may not support it. According to the part# its 3D but maybe thats only BluRay 3D support. I dont know and am just as curious as you.

Post back what you find.

 

The option is there, but I just tried messing around with it for a bit. It doesn't seem to work unfortunately, it says "Try choosing a different 3D display device". I'm not sure if this is because it isn't power DVD 10 or if it is because the nvidia system is just not compatible (this is under the Cyberlink TrueTheater 3D area) which I believe is what is suppose to turn it into 3D for you.

'Use 3D media Playback' is another option, it does change the picture to 'Anaglpyh', 3D ready HDTV(checkerboard), and 'Micro-polarizer LCD (Row-interleaved). When selective these they do change the image but dont seem to work with the Nvidia system.

If anyone else has more ideas I'm more than willing to try them

 

can you post a pic of the controls/settings? the ones you mentioned?

 

Their website says the 3D conversion is Power DVD 10 only so I'm a little confused by that.

Cyberlinks website seems to suggest Nvidia 3D vision is supported in Power DVD 10.

 

Should work fine - it shows the NV 3D Vision Monitor and the Cyberlink TruTheater 3D option. Did you make sure 3DVision was enabled in the NV Control panel before opening PowerDVD?

 

lol I cant believe I forgot to check that, thanks. I think I disabled it the other day for benching and forgot to re-enable.

It does indeed now work, not as much depth as some of the games I've played but still a cool feature.

 

Cool! Thanks for the confirmation. So I'm guessing now that PowerDVD 9.6 does (or does not) come with the system provided you order with a BluRay player? Just need confirmation on that and I guess my q is answered... In the end I guess it doesn't really matter as one could always just purchase PowerDVD 10.

Thanks again for checking this out.

 

It looks like they do (or are supposed to) include PowerDVD 9.6 if you order with a Blu-Ray drive (like I said, mine was already installed). Kind of odd it does all the 3D conversion stuff that they claim only Power DVD 10 does but im not complaining lol.

Maybe everyones is suppose to and they screwed up on the earlier orders? not sure tbh. I dont see why they wouldnt include it with the regular dvd drive.

 

Yes i ordered the Bluray player

 

What is the maximum thickness for a hard drive for the R3? I believe this was discussed in one of these threads before, but I can't find it.

I am looking into my options and some of them get pretty thick with double platters, various chip sets, etc. Granted my stystem is not scheduled till mid-april, but I am looking into my options ahead of time.

 

So far... we know the R3 won't take a 12mm drive.

see:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/407338-12mm-thickness-hdd-m17x-4.html#post7162421

 

Any updates?

 

Bump for answer to this question: "Do the onboard speakers receive audio from the HDMI in port?"

 

Yes...10char

 

Still no reply on it yet? I hope it won't be me who's going to be the one to confirm this lolz.

Also, is this the R3 "Owner's Lounge"? Or is there another one? I still can't find it.

 

the answer to your question is Yes. Audio will be carried over the HDMI In port. The audio stream will output via the system speakers. Don't ask me for a source, I cant recall where I read it.

No, this is not the Owner's Lounge. Its here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ial-m17xr3-owners-lounge-thread-part-1-a.html

 

Cool! No source needed, thx!

Question: Is it true that the battery on the R3 has a indicator light on it to show how much battery left?

 

Not for the R3 They redesigned the bottom and some other features. We don't even get to change the alien emblem color on the top of the rig.

 

The battery does have a status/charge level light. As with all the other models, its activated by depressing the button next to it.

Page 49, http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/Alw_M17xR3/

 

nice! Thank you Batboy

 

Yah, it was on the notebookcheck review also. I just wasnt sure if that was a production model or not, or whether it was the same as our U.S. models.

Thx guys!

 

i have Power DVD 9.6.6 (stock) tried a 3d movie and it failed to work. it plays bluray..., but not 3d it didnt see that i had stereoscopic 3d enabled.

 

I made a quick guide in the m17x R3 3D Discussion thread. If you have any further problems ask in there.

 

What brand are the stock speakers on the R3? I thought they were already Klipsch?? I remember seeing the Klipsch label printed on a review somewhere...it's printed on the bottom next to the vent I believe.

This article says that they're "coming" : Alienware M17x to receive Klipsch speakers - Notebookcheck.net News. But in their original review of the R3, there's already the label printed on the bottom...

Someone clarify Thx!

 

Here dookie. This is from Madrake's GPU replacement video. As you can see, klipsch label is there.

 

My M17x R3 is not detecting my webcam (Found out during trying skype)...Help please ?

EDIT: seems like i had it disabled using the function key without knowing.

 

Is this thread stickied yeT?

 

Does GeForce GTX 460m in M17x R3 include switchable graphic or come with Optimus?

I heard about a lot of bad thing with Optimus and is it manageable to disable it?

I will use this notebook as desktop replacement and rarely to carry around.

 

u will got it only with 60Hz screen. optimus will work auto. Switch will be with Ati GPu

 

I haven't had a single issue with Optimus using the latest nvidia drivers from dell (267.64).

All of my games have started correctly using the GPU (wow, L4D, crysis 2, crysis 1 demo, flight sim x, mass effect 2 etc). Perferred graphics driver is on "auto-select".

If you're running an older game that ISNT recognized by optimus (aren't too many of those cases now), you can force run the GPU with an added right-click menu option on the shortcut for the game.

 

BatBoy, you should totally sticky this, mang. It's very inaccessible to many who are new/infrequent visitors of NBR. Thanks! Also, thx for the input in my broken grillz thread

 

Question,why do i get more motion blur on the R3 120hz screen then on my lcd/led tv 120hz screen when watching blu rays?

 

i wish i could say the same...Dell built me a perfect machine...meaning almost no build issues ('cept a slightly loose battery) and they sent me laptop with the INABILITY for optimus to work..and or force the 460M to work either..so i am stuck with hd 3000 as my primary and ONLY gpu (although VERDE drivers know/ and device manager accepts there is a 460M installed)


PS do u have any issues with a blank display on resuming from a deep sleep state...perhaps the 2 issues are linked?

 

Which games are you trying to run? Which version of the NVIDIA drivers do you have installed and where did you get them from? (should be using the ones from Dells website; I'm using v267.64)

I can guarantee with 100% certainty that WoW (latest version), Crysis 2, Crysis 1 Demo, Mass Effect 2, Flight Sim X, Return to Castle Wolfenstein (ha!), Netflix, and all Java applets running in Google Chrome correctly call up the GPU upon startup with "Preferred Graphics Processor" set to "Auto-Select".

I have not experienced the blank screen issue, but I also seldom use the sleep/hibernate features since I prefer not having the HDD switch on and off all the time. However, the times I have used sleep or hibernate, I did not notice the blank screen issue.


I assume you are checking to see if the GPU is active by using the NVIDIA GPU state viewer icon?

 

yup all the same,

downloaded the latest drivers (on AU +US) sites...essentially the same
all latest drivers/bios/patches
am running on high performance mode

the little applet that installs with the driver set...shows NVIDIA (not in use) the hardware button is "not used in the system),

despite physically selecting the GPU and forcing an app to use it, the NV GPU is never activated (evident by 800x600 reso. in GTA 4 and itself screaming the fact that i am exceeding the capablity of my GPU..AKA the HD 3000)
Games i have tried with (yet no luck)
ME1
ME2
GTA IV
Crysis 2 (demo)

 

Does anyone happen to have a link of idle and load temps of the 6970m / 6870m / 460m. Just very curious because I plan to travel and have this sit on my lap so I might make my choice based on if one of them runs a ton cooler. Thank you

 

What will be better for my gaming frame rates.

I will be opting for the 1080p screen. Non 3D

6870M or 460M ?

 

6870m from everything I have researched.

 

Rep+ thanks.

 

hi guys how do we now wich graphic card we using i pressed the I/d GFX button a few times and now i dont know wich one im using

sounds dumb i know but its my first AW so im still learning lol

 

Right click on your desktop and go to "Configure switchable graphics". If you have AMD/ATI then it'll pop up the CCC window and indicate which gpu you're using. From there you can also click on the gpu you want to switch to also.

Have fun!

 

thanks that was easy lolol
is there any diference or will i only notice when playing games?

 

Actually, when you're running in integrated graphics mode, your notification bar contains an intel graphics icon. I modified the notifications to always show that indicator in my tray bin ("show icon and notifications" option) so i can immediately identify which graphics i'm using by simply glancing at my tray bin (icons next to the clock).

 

No diff. Only diff while in game. Some games there's no diff, depending on what you're playing.

 

I heard minesweeper improves drastically on dedicated graphics