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    Playing DVDs and Battery Life

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by madroxinide, Nov 7, 2006.

  1. madroxinide

    madroxinide Notebook Deity

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    I would like to know why playing DVDs takes up a lot of battery power? Is it because of the Optical Drive constantly spinning? Would I get a lot more battery life if I recorded the DVD as an Image and played it from my hard drive?
     
    madroxinide, Nov 7, 2006
    #1
  2. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Yes, and yes. Lasers use a fair bit of power.
     
    Pitabred, Nov 7, 2006
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  3. madroxinide

    madroxinide Notebook Deity

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    Awesome thanks. Would there be a big difference?
     
    madroxinide, Nov 7, 2006
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  4. NetBrakr

    NetBrakr Notebook Deity

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    Ohhh yeah I once played DVD disc. On my notebook, the battery last 1 1/2 hrs. Normally it would last 4 hrs, just taking notes.

    JC
     
    NetBrakr, Nov 7, 2006
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  5. Gautam

    Gautam election 2008 NBR Reviewer

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    I think that the motor which spins the optical disc consumes much of the power. The laser itself doesn't need a fraction of that power. Ripping a DVD to your hard drive will save you a lot of battery life on the go.
     
    Gautam, Nov 7, 2006
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  6. Cerebral

    Cerebral Notebook Geek

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    Cerebral, Nov 7, 2006
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  7. madroxinide

    madroxinide Notebook Deity

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    I tried both, I didn't watch and wait for the battery to die, but I watched the battery icon to see which way would last longer. It seems that they are about the same, I'm not sure if my image making software is tricking my battery making it think that there actually is a dvd or not, the optical drive is not running so I'm not sure. I'm using Alcohol 120% just to let you guys know.
     
    madroxinide, Nov 8, 2006
    #7