MediaDirect Blu Ray questions - XPS m1530

I am experiencing a few annoyances with MediaDirect on my new laptop and I wonder if anyone has the same issues and if there is any way to fix them.

I should preface this by saying, I am running a fresh install of Vista Ultimate 64. I am using HDMI for video output on my TV, and the X-Fi Notebook Audio card to run SPDIF to my stereo for audio.

1. Every time I run MediaDirect with a Blu Ray movie, it tells me that there is a software update. I have downloaded and installed it multiple times (it's always the same file - MediaDirect35.exe) but the message keeps appearing every time. I can just click through to ignore it but it is still annoying.

2. The aspect ratio of movies during playback on my notebook is correct, but when playing back on my home theater via HDMI, the aspect ratio is off. It appears to be "compensating" for the 16:10 aspect ratio of my notebook screen, but compressing that into the 16:9 aspect ratio of my TV screen. This is my #1 annoyance and makes the laptop unsuitable for DVD playback, unless I can resolve it. Everything appears too short and squat.

3. The remote included with the laptop is nice in a pinch (hotel room or something) but not adequate for real use. For instance, how can I go to the disc menu? There is no button for this. Is there a better command set for the Harmony remote, which I use in my living room? Will MediaDirect even respond to more commands or is it limited to those minimal functions?

4. Whenever the movie playback goes into a new chapter, at the top right of the screen I get a popup that says "SPDIF". It kills the immersion in a tense movie scene. Any way to turn this annoyance off?

Thanks in advance,
-Tom

 

Hey burnt_soul, since you have the xps 1530 with the bd burner drive, and you have tried using it as a bd player for your hd tv, when connected to the hd tv with hdmi, does it send a 1080p signal to the tv?

 

hi there - no suggestions for 1 (doesn't happen on mine) or 3 (i'm just happy it has a remote that works straight out of the box!).

2: try right clicking on it - and adjusting the viewing ratios. alternatively, go to the nvidia control panel and have a play around there. you should be able to get this to work - mine has no problems with aspect ratios.

4: i would love to know the answer to this one too!! it only happens with spdif (i use a sondigo callisto for spdif audio) - doesn't happen if you use hdmi only...

 

and link747 - the answer is yes, it does. works like a treat!

 

Thanks achw.

 

Follow-up-

I managed to resolve numbers 1, 3, and 4 by installing PowerDVD 8 Ultra. It doesn't complain about updates, works with Media Center remote codes, and doesn't brag about SPDIF. The aspect ratio looks better but still not quite right. I wish I had something I could use to measure the aspect ratio so that I could make sure I'm not going crazy...

achw, since you have this working, what resolution do you have your external display running at? Perhaps I need to change that to fix the issue. BTW my TV only does 720p or 1080i, not 1080p.

 

Hey - what video driver are you using with Vista 64 bit? I can't play blu-rays on my XPS M1530 through HDMI - it complains about the video driver not being correct or not to use dual monitors to play back this movie (clone mode). I have the Nvidia 8600 GT video card installed.

Thanks!