M1210 How To Optimize DVD PLayback?

I have a 1210 with the GF 7400 video card and 1 gig of ram. This is my first notebook.

Can anyone comment on the best setiings for DVD movie playback that optimize battery time and video quality?

Thank you.

 

I havent played around with the dvd much, but I have found out that you cant put the 7400 on max battery and watch a movie, its stutters like all get out, it works fine in balanced mode though, you should also keep the screen as dim as you can stand. From the little experience I've had with sonic, I dont like it, very few options, or at least easy to find options, I cant find any screen stretching options at all,I'm probably going to put windvd or power dvd on it after I do a clean install when my new hd arrives next week

 

For the most part, the video card should not effect your dvd playback - it will drain the battery of course, but that is the nature of video cards. I personally don't have that card, so i can't really comment on Iceman's problem.

To help out with video quality/battery life, cut down the number of processes that you have running in the background. The lower amount of CPU and RAM you are using, the more power you'll have to play DVDs. For battery life, reducing the brightness and turning off your wifi card will help some.

If you start to noticing any stuttering while playing DVD, make sure that your drive is set for DMA mode and not PIO mode. This is a common occurrence with Dell laptops for some reason - they have it set to default of PIO mode.

 

You might try the Media Direct functionality. If the above is true not booting to the OS could save you some battery life.

 

In just some simple playing around with the system, having the video card set to minimal battery drain, and turning off haedware acceleration for dvd playback, still results in a slide show, ramping up the video card to bablanced solves it, its the same with hardware on or off. I'll let you know how other programs work for me after I get my new HD

 

Did they solve the M1210 scratching case issue?

 

momo,

what the h*** does your post have to do with DVD playback??

 

I got my new hd, after a fresh install and using power dvd instead of sonic cinema player, playback is flawless at max battery settings

 

How do I check for PIO/DMA setting and change it?

Thank you.

 

You could also try nVidia's PureVideo drivers. You can download a free 30 day trial from their site. This is supposed to off load the DVD processing to the video card, giving better visual results ... etc.

 

right click on my computer-->select properties-->hardware tab-->device manager-->IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers-->right click on primary/secondary-->select properties-->advanced settings-->transfer mode should be DMA if available.

 

SG,

Thanks!